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Posted September 5, 2006
A Brief History of the Use of Essential Oils
The ancient roots of medicinal aromatherapy
Adapted from an article in Grade-A-Notes.
Used by permission.
Texts and artifacts from ancient China, India, Egypt and Europe are chock full of references to significant therapeutic uses of essential oils. The ancient Egyptians were masters of essential oils for cosmetics and medicine. "The use of myrrh, cedarwood oil, and other aromatics in the process of mummification gives ample evidence of their antiseptic properties . . . [and] has also led to the use of these gums as rejuvenating agents" (Tisserand, 1977).
Historical reference to aromatic oils
In the Bible, the Lord gives Moses specific instructions on how to make "an oil of holy anointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary" to protect his people, using "three principal spices" which were myrrh, cinnamon and calamus (Exodus 30, 22-25). [Editor's note: This oil was not intended for the protection of God's people. It's use was strictly for the anointing of the tabernacle, its utensils and the priests. In fact, it was commanded that this oil blend not be used by anyone else. Anyone who even mixed a like oil blend or put it on anyone who was not a priest was to be "cut off from his people" (vss 26-33).]
Essential oils and the Black Death
During the Black Plague of the 17th century, "Every aromatic substance available seems to have been used. . . . Aromatics were the best antiseptics available at the time, and the people knew it." Of course, it didn't help many thousands of people who died. But, "those in closest contact with aromatics, especially the perfumers, were virtually immune" (Tisserand, 1977).
" . . . in Toulouse a band of thieves is alleged to have stripped and robbed the bodies of plague victims without coming to harm themselves, thanks to an aromatic compound of vinegar, cloves, sage, marjoram, rosemary, juniper and camphor — all known and used in aromatherapy for their antibacterial properties" (Davis, 1995).
History further reveals that virtually the entire town of Bucklersbury, England was spared from the plague, even while the residents of other towns in close proximity were dying in droves. How were the residents of Bucklersbury spared? Historians believe it was because it was the center of the European lavender trade. While lavender is a plant whose essential oil is widely used in making perfume, it has long been known to have powerful disease-fighting properties.
Modern re-emergence of aromatherapy
Dr. Jean Valnet, a French physician, began using essential oils during World War II, using them to treat the wounds and burns of soldiers on the battle field. His subsequent research stimulated widespread interest in the use of essential oils, and his book, "The Clinical Practice of Aromatherapy", is now regarded as a classic. Quotes of Dr. Valnet in this report all come from this book (Valnet, 1980).
Dr. Valnet writes: "In recent years, both doctors and the public have re-discovered the medical value of essential plant oils, but the idea of using their properties to maintain or regain health goes back to antiquity. The Romans had their knowledge of essential oils from the Greeks, who in turn had received it from the Egyptians. Hippocrates, for example, tackled the plague epidemic in Athens by fumigating the whole city with aromatic essences of plant oils. Later, in the 19th century, it is known that perfumery workers always showed an almost complete immunity during cholera outbreaks."
In light of today's modern plagues, and the utter failure of our 21st century "wonder drugs" to stop them, could it be that these completely natural, historically-tested substances are the answer to our urgent need for enhanced immunity?
