The ancient origin of Aromatherapy

Few things make a home more inviting than a welcoming smell. For this new column on aromatherapy, some interesting topics will follow. But let’s kick off by looking at the first origins of Aromatherapy.

“...there are virtually no people known to anthropology – however remote, isolated, or primitive – in which some form of doctoring with plants was not practiced.” Barbara Griggs, The Green Pharmacy.



When it comes to using aromatic/herbal plants, modern aromatherapy has a short history. However, the use of medicinal plants is ancient. Written records about medicinal plants date back at least 5 000 years to the Sumerians, Babylonians and the Egyptians.

Ancient India’s rich knowledge of medicinal plants led to Indian physician Charaka publishing Charaka Samhita (700 BC). The Chinese were already using over 350 herbal remedies, around 3 000 BC. The Egyptians used plants in the form of balsams, perfumed oils, scented barks and resin for medicine, food preservation, religious ceremonies and embalming. Hippocrates is often quoted “The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day”. The Romans made the use of a bathhouse popular, where they used aromatic oils and products for beautification and health. History declares chamomile gave them a clear mind and courage during battles. Rene-Maurice Gattefosse (France, 1881) grew up around plants and aromas and his family owned the Gattefosse perfume business. Rene successfully tested lavender essential oil on his own burn wounds. The positive results led to his research in other essential oils and his book Gatefosses Aromatherapy (1937). He coined the term “aromatherapy”.

Dr Jean Valnet (France, 1920-1995), focused on the anti-infectious and antibiotic properties of the oils. He created his own essential oil complexes, and today these formulas are still in use.

The work of Marguerite Maury (Austria, 1895-1968) on essential oils led to the creation of holistic aromatherapy as we know it today. Her book, The Secret of Life and Youth (1961), recognises the psychological and physiological benefits of essential oils through dermal application.

Distillation, as practiced for millennia, is the most common process for extracting essential oils from plants. Flowers, roots, and other plant material are added to a high-quality fatty oil in a glass bottle, exposed to the sun and finally the fragrant oil is separated from the solids. Modern methods include percolation, hydro-diffusion or cold pressing.

Thus aromatherapy, dating from the 1930s, offers us plant-derived essential oils to enhance our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health.
Next issue: How fragrance affects mood and productivity.

In 2022 Lindie was introduced to essential oils and soon began her journey into aromatherapy.
After completing her Clinical Aromatherapy course, she expanded her knowledge by exploring
reflexology and Ayurveda to enhance her expertise and continue helping others achieve optimal health.












Lindie Loock