Essential oil use throughout history
Essential oil use throughout history
While some view essential oils as a new trend , the use of plant extracts and plant-based products is deeply rooted in traditions of the past . Ancient civilizations used plants for things like aromatherapy , personal care , health care practices , religious ceremonies , beauty treatments , and food preparation . The infographic below shows that essential oil use is not a fad , but rather a long-time tradition started centuries ago in civilizations all over the world .
Personal Care and Beauty Treatments
Aromatherapy
Egypt : Egyptians used plant-based products in beauty treatments , food preparations , burial rituals , and religious ceremonies .
Greece : In ancient Greece , men like Homer and Hippocrates explored the aromatic uses of plants , building on discoveries made by early Egyptians .
Food Preperation
Rome : Ancient Romans often used plant extracts for massage , perfume , and scented baths .
Iran : In medieval times , people in the region of Iran often used and traded spices or resins for perfumery and maintaining health .
India : Ayurvedic medicine , a holistic healing system native to India , has developed over the span of 5,000 years and includes the use of aromatic and plant compounds .
China : For centuries , traditional Chinese practices have included the use of plant materials to promote wellness .
France : Rene Gattefosse , a French chemist , is credited as the first to coin the phrase “ aromatherapy ” as he studied and researched essential oils thoroughly in the 19th century .
Healthcare Practices