Exotic Aromatherapy By 
History
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History
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THE HISTORY OF AROMATHERAPY
Aromatherapy involves the art and science of essential oils, which are applied to the body
through massage. The essences that are absorbed through the skin, is a holistic
therapy. Throughout recorded history, humans have been aware of the marked
effects of scented plants on their minds, bodies and emotions. The techniques
of massage and the use of plants are a very ancient form of healing. It is
instinctual to rub an area of the body that is troubling you. The ancient
Chinese had a system of massage over 5000 years ago, as did the ancient
Egyptians, who were using aromatics 3000 years before Christ for both medicinal
and cosmetic purposes. The Bible talks of "the laying on of hands," a
form of healing usually practiced by holy men. To this present day Aromatherapy
is largely credited to Rene Gattefosse. He was a chemist in his family's perfume
company in the 1920's. Once he burnt his hand badly in a laboratory
explosion. He
immediately plunged his hand into a bowl of Lavender oil which he had close by.
This soothed the pain and greatly enhanced the healing of his hand. Gattefosse became interested in the medicinal properties of
the oils he was using. He did
a great deal of research into the medicinal use of essential oils, and first
coined the phrase 'aromatherapie' in a scientific paper published in 1928 The essential oils
themselves come from different parts of the plant. They are extracted usually by
a method of distillation of the petals, roots, rinds, stalks, sap, nuts or bark.
Sandalwood, for example, gathers in the heart of the wood of the tree, but only
when the tree is 40 years old. Rose is the rarest and most expensive of all
essential oils. Two tons of fresh petals in full bloom make only 2lb of
essential oil. Since the 1980's biochemists have been identifying and isolating the ingredients of essential oils and the amazing properties they have. Unlike synthetic drugs they are not 'tailored' to treat a specific symptom, as every one of them has many properties. Conventional aromatherapy, which utilizes essential oils and massage to heal the body and psyche, is increasing in popularity as may experience its effectiveness. Hospitals in France are regularly utilizing aromatherapy to speed healing and reduce the pain of patients. Organizations such as The International Federation of Aromatherapists (headquartered in London) and The American Aromatherapy Association (Fair Oaks, California) have been established to promote this ancient practice. Specialized periodicals are now being published as well as many books on the subject.
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