Simply Ask Aromatherapy
Simply Ask Aromatherapy
History of Essential Oils - France & Europe
History of Essential Oils - France & Europe
Cave paintings discovered in at La-Soo France, dating back to 18000 BC (radio carbon dating), depict the burning of aromatic plants for medicinal use. This was the first generally accepted recorded use of plants as healing agents.
When the great library was burned in Alexandria during the Dark Ages, much of the knowledge of essential oils and their uses were lost. It was only through the cosmetic and perfume industry that some of the valuable science of aromatherapy began to resurface.
The Crusades helped to spread the knowledge of techniques and procedures as conquering knights brought herbs and oils to Europe. The Crusades was a period ranging from 1095 until 1270 AD. During the Crusades, the Pope directed that armies led by the Kings in Europe invade and retake Jerusalem and the surrounding country. Accompanying the armies where priest, the most educated class of people in Europe at that time. Some of the Knights also had some education or as patrons of the church supported the gathering of materials and knowledge that would be useful back home. They brought back perfumes and medicines, and perhaps of more importance, they brought back knowledge of how to distil them. The healers, priests, and wise men and women of the villages had been using native plants for centuries. The crude poultices and the teas they made had benefited the people. Most importantly, they already had a good basis of knowledge of what plants to use for what conditions. The distillation process just made the use of their native plants more effective. Plants like Lavender, Rosemary and Thyme became widely used. As the climate modified and as Crusaders returned with plants from the Mediterranean, new plants became part of the healers' possible inventory.
Europeans began producing essential oils in the 12th century, when an Abbess of Germany named Hildegard grew and distilled lavender for its medicinal properties. Within the 13th century, the pharmaceutical industry was born. This event encourages great distillation of essential oils.
During the Bubonic Plague (AKA Black Death) of the 14th century, over eighty million people across Europe died within the space of a few years. Again aromatics were turned to for help. Frankincense and pine scented candles and garlands of aromatic herbs were burned in European streets to cover the stench of death and help disinfect the air. The Black Death hit and killed millions of people. Herbal preparations were used extensively to help fight this terrible killer. It is believed that some perfumers may have avoided the plague by their constant contact with the natural aromatics. It is recorded that those in closest contact with aromatics, especially the perfume manufacturers, were virtually immune. Since all aromatics are antiseptic, it is likely that some of those used were indeed effective protection against the plague or related illnesses.
At the time of the Renaissance there was a swing back again to the holistic treatment of illness and the most noteworthy of physicians were Paracelsus (Phillipus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim 1493 - 1541).
During the Plague of the 15th century, aromatic herbs were burned in the streets to act as a disinfectant and to cover the odor of death. Certain thieves robbed the dead without becoming infected. Finally, four thieves were captured in Marseilles, France, and charged with robbing the dead and dying victims of the plague. At the trial, the magistrate offered them leniency if they would reveal how they managed to avoid contracting the dreaded infection, in spite of their close contact with infected corpses. It was disclosed that these thieves were perfumers and spice traders who had rubbed themselves with a concoction of aromatic herbs (cinnamon, clove, and oregano).
The Middle Ages also was a period of rapid growth in scholarly work. Books written in that era where written by a few for a few. The Middle Ages saw a change in that area. Many herbal books where written during that period. One of the earliest was by an Englishman William Turner. He wrote his books in the 1500s in English instead of Latin. This was a major push in the popularization of herbal medicine.
Within the 15th century, more plants were distilled to create essential oils including frankincense, juniper, rose, sage and rosemary. A growth in the amount of books on herbs and their properties also begins later in the century. Paracelcus, an alchemist, medical doctor and radical thinker is credited with coining the term Essence and his studies radically challenged the nature of alchemy and he focused upon using plants as medicines. He believed distillation released the most desirable part of the plant and by 1700 essential oils were utilized in mainstream medicine. The advent of chemistry and chemical synthesis, however, saw their steady decline. It wasn’t until the beginning of the twentieth century that aromatics regained their lost favor. The history of modern aromatherapy is a short one, but this history is inextricably woven into the more general history of plants and their extracts, compounds and essential oils.
Aromatics were popular also in England during the reign of Elizabeth I (1533 - 1603) Fragrant plants were stuffed in pillows with calming fragrance to promote a good night's sleep and linens were scented as well as mattresses. Sachets containing dried leaves and flower petals were hung on chairs, furniture, and bedposts. Lavender, Melissa, mint, basil, chamomile, sage, hyssop, and thyme were popular around the home and on the floor to provide a fresh indoor scent. They were also planted in window boxes and gardens. Elizabeth I would surely have used aromatics in her annual bath which she proudly had, ‘whether she needed to or no’.
In 1653, Nicholas Culpepper wrote a book titled "Complete Herbal".
Later during the 16th century Bubonic Plague, doctors walked the streets wearing huge hats with large ‘beaks’ attached. Aromatic herbs were placed in the ‘beaks’ to purify the air for breathing and long open-ended canes also filled with herbs were carried. They waved the canes in front of them as they walked for extra security. Aroma and health were firmly linked as perfumed air was deemed not only pleasurable, but antiseptic. One could now begin purchasing oils at an "apothecary," and many more essential oils were introduced. Aromatic plants were becoming a popular part of European life and monasteries were increasingly known to cultivate medicinal herbs. In France Carmelite Water containing Melissa, made by Carmelite nuns was promoted for its health benefits. During the 16th and 17th centuries, perfume starting being considered an art form, and it was more clearly defined as its own field.
By the 18th century, Essential Oils where widely used in medicines.
Until the 19th century, medical practitioners still carried a little cassoulet filled with aromatics on top of their walking sticks. This acted as a personal antiseptic, and was held up to the nose when visiting any contagious cases.
During the 19th century, perfumery remained a prosperous industry. Women would have their jeweler create a special bottle to hold their treasured perfume. The 19th century also was important scientifically as major constituents of essential oils became isolated. In the late 19th century, however, the use of medicinal plants began to fall out of favor. Microorganisms were discovered and synthetic chemicals grew in popularity. However, the power of medicinal plants could still be seen. The tuberculosis epidemic in France was devastating. A population of people remained strangely unaffected, those who worked in the flower growing district. It is now believed that this was likely due to the relative resistance offered by their exposure to medicinal plants. Essential oils are known to have disinfectant effects, even being bactericidal and virocidal in some cases.
The rigidity of 19th century science turned its back on naturally derived substances in favor of those born in the laboratory. It was thought better to synthesize the active therapeutic properties of a plant to provide not only a uniform standard, but a cheaper cost as well. When synthesized, however, these products can be toxic to some and not as powerful as the originals they emulate. M. Huerre in 1919 was to clearly state "It is not enough to place side by side the principal chemical elements which analysis shows to be present in a particular vegetable essence, in order to obtain a product which, therapeutically speaking is as active as that of the natural essence."
The modern rediscovery of the value of essential oils is attributed to French cosmetic chemist, René-Maurice Gattefossé, in July of 1910, after being burnt in a lab explosion. Upon burning his arm, he plunged it into the nearest tub of cold liquid. The tub was full of lavender oil, and not only did he find relief from the pain, but the wound healed at an astonishing rate. . This incident prompted Dr. Gattefossé to research the healing compounds of essential oils. His research spurred the clinical use of essential oils. He theorized that essential oils can be passed from the skin to the body’s internal organs because the skin is connected to the brain and nervous system. He also classified the various effects of essential oils on the digestive system, the metabolism, the nervous system and the endocrine glands. His research led to his writing a book he titled "Aromatherapie" in 1928. He first coined the term aromatherapy as we know it today in 1937. He is also responsible for the term Essential Oils. The substance we call Essential Oil was in fact not oil. He called the system Aromatherapy as he was working in the perfume business. He called the substances oils as they separated from water and had the appearance of oil. He also found that only pure essential oils had the healing properties. Oils broken down into individual components or ones that are changed by adding chemicals did not have the same properties, even if chemically they should have. The active ingredient in Eucalyptus is called "eucalyptol" or "cineol". The antiseptic properties are more active when used as a whole plant in its natural form and react stronger than when separated or isolated.
Cave paintings discovered in at La-Soo France, dating back to 18000 BC (radio carbon dating), depict the burning of aromatic plants for medicinal use. This was the first generally accepted recorded use of plants as healing agents.
When the great library was burned in Alexandria during the Dark Ages, much of the knowledge of essential oils and their uses were lost. It was only through the cosmetic and perfume industry that some of the valuable science of aromatherapy began to resurface.
The Crusades helped to spread the knowledge of techniques and procedures as conquering knights brought herbs and oils to Europe. The Crusades was a period ranging from 1095 until 1270 AD. During the Crusades, the Pope directed that armies led by the Kings in Europe invade and retake Jerusalem and the surrounding country. Accompanying the armies where priest, the most educated class of people in Europe at that time. Some of the Knights also had some education or as patrons of the church supported the gathering of materials and knowledge that would be useful back home. They brought back perfumes and medicines, and perhaps of more importance, they brought back knowledge of how to distil them. The healers, priests, and wise men and women of the villages had been using native plants for centuries. The crude poultices and the teas they made had benefited the people. Most importantly, they already had a good basis of knowledge of what plants to use for what conditions. The distillation process just made the use of their native plants more effective. Plants like Lavender, Rosemary and Thyme became widely used. As the climate modified and as Crusaders returned with plants from the Mediterranean, new plants became part of the healers' possible inventory.
Europeans began producing essential oils in the 12th century, when an Abbess of Germany named Hildegard grew and distilled lavender for its medicinal properties. Within the 13th century, the pharmaceutical industry was born. This event encourages great distillation of essential oils.
During the Bubonic Plague (AKA Black Death) of the 14th century, over eighty million people across Europe died within the space of a few years. Again aromatics were turned to for help. Frankincense and pine scented candles and garlands of aromatic herbs were burned in European streets to cover the stench of death and help disinfect the air. The Black Death hit and killed millions of people. Herbal preparations were used extensively to help fight this terrible killer. It is believed that some perfumers may have avoided the plague by their constant contact with the natural aromatics. It is recorded that those in closest contact with aromatics, especially the perfume manufacturers, were virtually immune. Since all aromatics are antiseptic, it is likely that some of those used were indeed effective protection against the plague or related illnesses.
At the time of the Renaissance there was a swing back again to the holistic treatment of illness and the most noteworthy of physicians were Paracelsus (Phillipus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim 1493 - 1541).
During the Plague of the 15th century, aromatic herbs were burned in the streets to act as a disinfectant and to cover the odor of death. Certain thieves robbed the dead without becoming infected. Finally, four thieves were captured in Marseilles, France, and charged with robbing the dead and dying victims of the plague. At the trial, the magistrate offered them leniency if they would reveal how they managed to avoid contracting the dreaded infection, in spite of their close contact with infected corpses. It was disclosed that these thieves were perfumers and spice traders who had rubbed themselves with a concoction of aromatic herbs (cinnamon, clove, and oregano).
The Middle Ages also was a period of rapid growth in scholarly work. Books written in that era where written by a few for a few. The Middle Ages saw a change in that area. Many herbal books where written during that period. One of the earliest was by an Englishman William Turner. He wrote his books in the 1500s in English instead of Latin. This was a major push in the popularization of herbal medicine.
Within the 15th century, more plants were distilled to create essential oils including frankincense, juniper, rose, sage and rosemary. A growth in the amount of books on herbs and their properties also begins later in the century. Paracelcus, an alchemist, medical doctor and radical thinker is credited with coining the term Essence and his studies radically challenged the nature of alchemy and he focused upon using plants as medicines. He believed distillation released the most desirable part of the plant and by 1700 essential oils were utilized in mainstream medicine. The advent of chemistry and chemical synthesis, however, saw their steady decline. It wasn’t until the beginning of the twentieth century that aromatics regained their lost favor. The history of modern aromatherapy is a short one, but this history is inextricably woven into the more general history of plants and their extracts, compounds and essential oils.
Aromatics were popular also in England during the reign of Elizabeth I (1533 - 1603) Fragrant plants were stuffed in pillows with calming fragrance to promote a good night's sleep and linens were scented as well as mattresses. Sachets containing dried leaves and flower petals were hung on chairs, furniture, and bedposts. Lavender, Melissa, mint, basil, chamomile, sage, hyssop, and thyme were popular around the home and on the floor to provide a fresh indoor scent. They were also planted in window boxes and gardens. Elizabeth I would surely have used aromatics in her annual bath which she proudly had, ‘whether she needed to or no’.
In 1653, Nicholas Culpepper wrote a book titled "Complete Herbal".
Later during the 16th century Bubonic Plague, doctors walked the streets wearing huge hats with large ‘beaks’ attached. Aromatic herbs were placed in the ‘beaks’ to purify the air for breathing and long open-ended canes also filled with herbs were carried. They waved the canes in front of them as they walked for extra security. Aroma and health were firmly linked as perfumed air was deemed not only pleasurable, but antiseptic. One could now begin purchasing oils at an "apothecary," and many more essential oils were introduced. Aromatic plants were becoming a popular part of European life and monasteries were increasingly known to cultivate medicinal herbs. In France Carmelite Water containing Melissa, made by Carmelite nuns was promoted for its health benefits. During the 16th and 17th centuries, perfume starting being considered an art form, and it was more clearly defined as its own field.
By the 18th century, Essential Oils where widely used in medicines.
Until the 19th century, medical practitioners still carried a little cassoulet filled with aromatics on top of their walking sticks. This acted as a personal antiseptic, and was held up to the nose when visiting any contagious cases.
During the 19th century, perfumery remained a prosperous industry. Women would have their jeweler create a special bottle to hold their treasured perfume. The 19th century also was important scientifically as major constituents of essential oils became isolated. In the late 19th century, however, the use of medicinal plants began to fall out of favor. Microorganisms were discovered and synthetic chemicals grew in popularity. However, the power of medicinal plants could still be seen. The tuberculosis epidemic in France was devastating. A population of people remained strangely unaffected, those who worked in the flower growing district. It is now believed that this was likely due to the relative resistance offered by their exposure to medicinal plants. Essential oils are known to have disinfectant effects, even being bactericidal and virocidal in some cases.
The rigidity of 19th century science turned its back on naturally derived substances in favor of those born in the laboratory. It was thought better to synthesize the active therapeutic properties of a plant to provide not only a uniform standard, but a cheaper cost as well. When synthesized, however, these products can be toxic to some and not as powerful as the originals they emulate. M. Huerre in 1919 was to clearly state "It is not enough to place side by side the principal chemical elements which analysis shows to be present in a particular vegetable essence, in order to obtain a product which, therapeutically speaking is as active as that of the natural essence."
The modern rediscovery of the value of essential oils is attributed to French cosmetic chemist, René-Maurice Gattefossé, in July of 1910, after being burnt in a lab explosion. Upon burning his arm, he plunged it into the nearest tub of cold liquid. The tub was full of lavender oil, and not only did he find relief from the pain, but the wound healed at an astonishing rate. . This incident prompted Dr. Gattefossé to research the healing compounds of essential oils. His research spurred the clinical use of essential oils. He theorized that essential oils can be passed from the skin to the body’s internal organs because the skin is connected to the brain and nervous system. He also classified the various effects of essential oils on the digestive system, the metabolism, the nervous system and the endocrine glands. His research led to his writing a book he titled "Aromatherapie" in 1928. He first coined the term aromatherapy as we know it today in 1937. He is also responsible for the term Essential Oils. The substance we call Essential Oil was in fact not oil. He called the system Aromatherapy as he was working in the perfume business. He called the substances oils as they separated from water and had the appearance of oil. He also found that only pure essential oils had the healing properties. Oils broken down into individual components or ones that are changed by adding chemicals did not have the same properties, even if chemically they should have. The active ingredient in Eucalyptus is called "eucalyptol" or "cineol". The antiseptic properties are more active when used as a whole plant in its natural form and react stronger than when separated or isolated.
Greek Aromatic Oil Jar
Greek Aromatic Oil Jar
Aromatherapie by René-Maurice Gattefossé
Aromatherapie by René-Maurice Gattefossé
On receipt of some Essential Oils from Dr. Gattefosse, who recommended he try the oils on his wounded, Dr. Jean Valnet, a French army medic during and after the Second World War, used essential oils as antiseptics and antibiotics on the battlefields. He was having difficulty saving patients due to gangrene. The oils worked so well that they became part of his treatment plan for both medical and psychiatric problems. After the war, he documented his clinical results in his book, The Practice of Aromatherapy. He also shared his knowledge with his student, Daniel Pénoël, M.D., who later co-authored the first definitive medical textbook on the chemistry and clinical application of essential oils: L'aromathérapie exactement.
In the 1950's Marguerite Maury started diluting essential oils in a vegetable carrier oil and massaging it onto the skin using a Tibetan technique which is applied along the nerve endings pf the spinal column. She is credited with modem use of Aromatherapy and holistic care. She studied the work of Dr. Jean Valnet and used his experience and methods in applying her beauty work. She tried to blend compounds to fit her client's gender, temperament and health problem. She was also the first person to start the use of "individually prescribed" combinations of essential oils to suit the need of the person being massaged.
During the 20th century, the knowledge of separating the constituents of essential oils was used to create synthetic chemicals and drugs. It had been believed that by separating the major constituents and then using the constituents alone or in synthetic form would be beneficial therapeutically and economically. These discoveries helped lead to "modern medicine" and synthetic fragrances. This actually weakened the use of essential oils for medicinal and aromatic benefit.
On receipt of some Essential Oils from Dr. Gattefosse, who recommended he try the oils on his wounded, Dr. Jean Valnet, a French army medic during and after the Second World War, used essential oils as antiseptics and antibiotics on the battlefields. He was having difficulty saving patients due to gangrene. The oils worked so well that they became part of his treatment plan for both medical and psychiatric problems. After the war, he documented his clinical results in his book, The Practice of Aromatherapy. He also shared his knowledge with his student, Daniel Pénoël, M.D., who later co-authored the first definitive medical textbook on the chemistry and clinical application of essential oils: L'aromathérapie exactement.
In the 1950's Marguerite Maury started diluting essential oils in a vegetable carrier oil and massaging it onto the skin using a Tibetan technique which is applied along the nerve endings pf the spinal column. She is credited with modem use of Aromatherapy and holistic care. She studied the work of Dr. Jean Valnet and used his experience and methods in applying her beauty work. She tried to blend compounds to fit her client's gender, temperament and health problem. She was also the first person to start the use of "individually prescribed" combinations of essential oils to suit the need of the person being massaged.
During the 20th century, the knowledge of separating the constituents of essential oils was used to create synthetic chemicals and drugs. It had been believed that by separating the major constituents and then using the constituents alone or in synthetic form would be beneficial therapeutically and economically. These discoveries helped lead to "modern medicine" and synthetic fragrances. This actually weakened the use of essential oils for medicinal and aromatic benefit.