"Don't you love heavy fragrances, faint with sweetness, ravishing juices of odor, heliotropes, violets, water-lilies,--powerful attars and extracts that snatch your soul off your lips?"

- Harriet Prescott Spofford

The word "Aromatherapy" comes from two words: "Aroma", meaning fragrance, and "Therapy", meaning treatment. It is a healing art based in nature, and it effects the whole person--mind, body, and spirit. Complete, or holistic healing, is ever-increasingly utilized in today's society. Aromatherapy is a fast growing therapy in holistic medicine.

As far back as 18,000 B.C., flowers, plants, and their essences had been used for healing, relaxation and energizing. Aromatherapy was used by the most ancient civilizations: Egypt, China, and India, and is reputed to be at least 6000 years old

Aromatherapy, as it is practiced today, began with the Egyptians, who used the method of infusion to extract the oils from aromatic plants.  The oils were used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes as well as embalming in the mummification process. They used substance and scents of specific plants for religious rituals, as certain smells could raise higher consciousness or promote a state of tranquility. Frankincense was burned at dawn as an offering to the sun and myrrh was offered to the moon. 

Egyptians understood the principles of aromatherapy and incorporated it into their cooking as well. Specific herbs helped the digestive process, protected against infection, or built the immune system. After bathing, the Egyptians used to be massaged with fragrant oils.

There is a strong possibility that the ancient Chinese civilizations were using some form of aromatics at the same time as the Egyptians. Shen Nung's Herbal book is the oldest surviving medical book in China which is dated about 2700 B.C. and contains information on over 300 plants. The Chinese used aromatic herbs and burned aromatic woods and incense to show respect to God.

Traditional Indian medicine known as ayurveda has been practiced for more than 3000 years. One of its main aspects incorporates aromatic massage.

The Greeks continued the use of aromatic oils. They used them for medicines and cosmetics. Aromatherapy came of age when they took medicine into a new light 2000 years ago.

Hypocrites, who was commonly known as the "Father of Medicine," was the first to study essential oils' effects. He believed that a daily aromatic bath and scented massage would promote good health. Theophratus, a physician, wrote of the healing properties of "aromatic" plants. For at least 1200 years a book about herbal medicine written by a Greek physician named Pedacius Dioscorides was the Western world's standard medical reference. Many of the remedies he mentions are still in used in Aromatherapy today.

The Romans learned from the Greeks and became well known for scented baths followed by massage with aromatic oils. The popularity of aromatics led to the establishment of trade routes which allowed the Romans to import "exotic" oils and spices from distant lands such as India and Arabia.

During the crusades the knowledge of aromatic oils and perfumes continued to spread from India, Arabia, and the Far East . Crusaders quickly learned of these valuable medicines and brought them back to Europe. A physician named Avicenna, who died in A.D.1037, first used the process known as distillation to distill essence of rose. Around the same time, the Arabs discovered how to distill alcohol. It was then possible to produce perfumes without heavy oily base.

At the beginning of the Renaissance, and with the expeditions of the great explorers, there was a rise in bringing home new aromas. Oils were once again sought after, and herbs were back in demand. In Europe wigs were scented with oils, and nosegays were carried to help mask the stench of their unsanitary streets and bodies. In France, hospitals were fumigated with burned lavender and rosemary.

During the Great Plague in the medieval period, churches were fumigated with frankincense and pepper, and incense was continually burned in houses. Aromatic substances were used everywhere as they were the most effective antiseptics available at that time. Glovemakers supposedly escaped the Black Death because they were protected by the essential oils they used to perfume gloves.

When the conquistadors invaded South America, they discovered more medicinal plants and aromatic oils. The Aztecs were well known for their plant remedies. The Spanish were amazed at the wealth of medicinal plants found in Montezuma's gardens. The North American Indians used aromatic oils and produced their own herbal remedies, too.

It wasn't until the 19th century that scientists in Europe and Great Britain began researching the effects of essential oils on bacteria in humans.

A French chemist , Rene Maurice Gattefosse, began his research into the healing powers of essential oils after burning his hand in his laboratory and immersing in it in lavender oil and being impressed by how quickly the burn healed. In 1937 he published a book about the anti -microbial effects of the oils and coined the word Aromatherapy. He went on to set up a business producing oils for use in fragrances and cosmetics.

Around the same time another Frenchman, Albert Couvreur, published a book on the medicinal uses of essential oils. A French medical doctor , Jean Valnet, discovered Gattefosse's research and began experimenting with essential oils. Around the same time, Margaret Maury, a French biochemist developed a unique method of applying these oils to the skin with massage. Micheline Arcier, now living in London, studied and worked with Maury and Valnet and their combined techniques created a form of Aromatherapy now used all over the world.

Below is a list of emotional states and the oils that are commonly known to be of help. When using any oil, it's important to follow all safety guidelines and safety issues that pertain to the particular oil.

Not all oils provide the same level of benefit for all persons. Past memories associated with particular aromas can have a positive or negative effect. Rose essential oil, for instance, is known for aiding during times of grief. Your past experiences with the aroma of rose oil, however, may impact its effectiveness for use during times of grief. If you had a loving grandmother who often smelled of rose, for instance, your reaction when smelling rose may differ than if you had an abusive grandmother who typically smelled of rose. If your rose-smelling grandma died, your reaction to the aroma of rose will be impacted by your past associations with the aroma. Do not force yourself to use an oil that elicits negative feelings or that you don't like the aroma of, even if it is one that is listed below.

It is important, therefore, that you treat any list of essential oils used for emotional well-being as a starting point. Within the confines of safety, experiment and utilize those oils that bring about the purpose that you seek.

One Last Note

Please be aware that the use of essential oils in aromatherapy is an art-science which does affect the human body for good if used properly or ill if used improperly. Proceed slowly in your application of aromatherapy being vigilant in your observations. 

Please consult trusted references like The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood as to the toxicity and strength of various oils. Use common sense and in general do not ingest or apply essential oils directly to the skin.