Doctor Bon

Aromatherapy has been introduced more than 3,500 years ago before the birth of Christ. But aromatherapy was not used until 20^th century. Aromatherapy is a term that uses volatile plant oils, essential oils for psychological and physical well-being. The term “aromatherapy” was first used in 1920s by French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse who discovered in the laboratory accidentally that lavender oil reveals pain and help to slight burn healing. The word aromatherapy derives from two words: aroma – means fragrance or smell; and therapy – means the treatment.

The Chinese is the one of the user to use aromatic plants for well-being at first. Then Egyptians used plant oils for cosmetic, spiritual relaxation and embalming of their dead. Then they started to love for aromatic plants and herbs. So it leads to open more fragrance industries and aromatic medicine. Greek followed the same techniques from Egyptians. They also used herbs and oil for medicine and cosmetics. Asclepiads is the first physician to experiment herbs and plants in his surgeries. A hypocrite (circa 1400 BC) is known as “father of medicine” studied about hundreds of scented herbs and plants. He suggested that good health can be associated with aromatic bath and oil massage instead of surgeries.

The Romans developed the Egyptian and Greek techniques for distillation and extraction of aromatic floral water which advantages for natural medicine. Discorde wrote a book named De Materia Medica. It deals with the properties of 500 plants and herbs. He studied distillation and focused on extracting dramatic floral water and not with essential oils.

Iba Sina who is great physician in Persia, he was also named as Avicenna in Europe. He invented pipe which stream distilled the plants and produced essential oils. Europeans came to know about aromatic and healthy remedy from catholic crusaders. But Catholic Church failed to accept because they believe that every punishment sent by god. As days passes on, the merchants spread aromatherapy remedies plants, herbs and aromatic medicine in the Europe. They began to use aromatic products.

In the same era of the History of aromatherapy, physicians, pharmacists and chemists began to distil more plants and extract essential oils. They also ready to publish the book about aromatic remedies, herbal, essential oils and fragrances were established throughout Europe.

The History of aromatherapy continues during 20^th century now many aromatherapies are ready to create more natural products and effective techniques.