Aromatherapy History: Ancient History
Aromatherapy history happened over many centuries, in many countries, and in many fascinating ways. Here is what you’ll find in this aromatherapy history page:
ANCIENT AROMATHERAPY HISTORYWho was the first aromatherapist? Some say it was the God who created the heavens and the earth and all that is within them. The Garden of Eden must have been filled with aromas that benefited body, mind, and spirit. Some writers suggest that the first aromatherapists were the plants that gave off aromas that attracted insects and small birds to their essential oils or their pollen. Temples of Aromatherapy A number of ancient cultures had temples in which aromatherapy was used either directly or indirectly. In India, it is said that the early temples were built of sandalwood, whose aroma can be grounding and stabilizing. It can also enhance deep sleep and the Essential Oils Desk Reference states that it may also help remove negative programming from the cells. In ancient Egypt, aromatherapy recipes were inscribed as hieroglyphics on the walls of some of the temples. Some of these recipes were also recorded on various papyrus, as in the Ebers Papyrus. In ancient Babylon, the temple building process included adding perfume to the mortar. King Solomon in the Christian Bible built a temple of cedarwood, whose aroma is known for its calming and purifying properties. Today, science has shown that cedarwood is high in compounds called sesquiterpenes, which help deliver oxygen molecules to the cells of the body and which can erase or deprogram miswritten codes in the DNA. Please see the Essential Oils Desk Reference for more information about the benefits of using cedarwood in aromatherapy. In ancient Greece, the temples of Aesculapis, the Greek god of healing, and of Aphrodite both contained marble tablets onto which the recipes for a number of medicinal perfumes had been inscribed. Hippocrates was at Aesculapis. At both temples, it was the priestesses who actually dispensed the healing essences. Egypt Egypt has its own rich aromatherapy history, from the times of the pharaohs through impressive scientific essential research in the twentieth century. In ancient Egypt, essential oils were used in the embalming process, religious ceremonies, in the practice of medicine and for personal use, including the blending of essential oils for perfume. Imhotep, the Grand Vizier of King Djoser (2780-2720BC), is often credited with ushering in this movement. In ancient Egypt, essential oils were valued more than gold. How do we know this? When the tomb of King Tut was opened in 1922, the explorers discovered 50 some alabaster jars that had been designed to hold a total of about 350 liters of oil. Some of them still contained traces of essential oils and the aroma remained. The grave robbers had stolen virtually all of the essential oils, but left behind the gold and jewelry. They had taken the oils from the alabaster jars and put them in bags which could be more easily carried with them. From Egypt to Greece The ancient Greek legends tell of gods descending from the heavens in scented clouds. These gods were wearing scented garments! A number of Greek doctors went to Egypt for continuing education and brought this knowledge back to Greece with them. Some of these doctors then set up a medical school on the Greek island of Cos, where Hippocrates taught. You may already be familiar with his most famous aromatic quote – “The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and a scented massage every day.” The physician Marestheos recognized that aromatic plants usually had either stimulating or sedative properties. It was not until Theophrastus (372-285BC) discussed the effect of fragrance on the mind in his book, “Concerning Odors,” that we have the first treatise on what we now call aromatherapy. Theophrastus (371-287BC) used olive oil to absorb the perfumes of flowers and wrote that perfumes should have medical properties. For example, the famous Megaleion perfume that was worn for its scent was also used to heal wounds and reduce inflammation. It became customary for wealthy Greeks to wear different scents on different parts of the body! From Greece to Rome From Greece, aromatherapy spread to Rome, where people tended to be even more lavish in their use of perfumes. As with the Greeks, the Romans used aromatic essences in public baths, and on their bodies as perfumes and as massage ingredients. They also used them on their clothes, their beds, the walls of their houses, and even on their military flags. Cosmetology books, such as the one by Ovid, were written and contained aromatherapy recipes for various skin conditions. Aromatherapy History in The Bible 
The Bible provides more than 200 references to aromatic plants, including essential oils. Here are four examples of biblical aromatherapy history.
1. Valnet, Jean, M.D. The Practice of Aromatherapy. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1982, page 28.
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