Essential oils have long been cherished for their myriad health benefits. As some of the most ancient and powerful substances used worldwide, pinpointing their exact origins as healing agents is a bit of a challenge. However, we've managed to compile some captivating historical insights just for you! So, sit back and join us on this scented adventure through time.
In the enchanting region of Dordogne, France, lies Lascaux, where we find the earliest evidence of essential oils. Cave paintings in this area, carbon-dated back to around 18,000 B.C.E., hint at the use of plants for medicinal purposes, offering a window into our ancestors' wisdom on essential oils.
The Egyptian civilization, dating back to around 4500 B.C.E., was renowned for its expertise in essential oils, ointments, and cosmetology. Extracting oils from various trees, they transformed them for medicinal, cosmetic, and other uses.
During their heyday, essential oils were restricted to priests who sought oneness with their gods through these divine substances. Unique oil blends were designated for particular groups, like pharaohs, who used them for love, war, meditation, and more. Although the Egyptians employed numerous essential oils, they didn't produce all of them and imported many instead.
In China, the first use of essential oils was recorded during the reign of the Yellow Emperor (Huang Ti) between 2697 and 2587 B.C.E. His famed work, 'The Yellow Emperor's Book of Internal Medicine,' detailed some essential oil uses and remains popular among Eastern medical practitioners today.
India's renowned "Ayur Veda" traditional medicine, with a 3000-year history, incorporated various essential oils. During a Bubonic Plague outbreak, when antibiotics proved ineffective, Ayur Veda successfully controlled the situation. Indians also used essential oils for spiritual purposes.
Greece's essential oil knowledge, first recorded between 400-500 B.C.E., was adopted from the Egyptians. The famous Greek physician, Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.E), researched about 300 plants and documented their effects, inspired by Indian Ayurvedic medicine. His studies still influence modern medicine, as seen in the 'Hippocratic Oath' taken by doctors. Hippocrates was particularly known for studying and using oregano.
Another Greek with deep essential oil knowledge was Galen, who categorized plants based on their medicinal properties, a system known as 'Galenic' to this day.
Romans lavishly applied perfumes to clothes, beddings, and bodies, and indulged in essential oil baths and massages, all derived from plant sources.
Ali-Ibn Sana, commonly referred to as Avicenna the Arab, was a young prodigy who became an educated physician by the time he was only 12 years old. He wrote books about the effects of 800 plants on the human body. He also received credit as being the first person to discover and record how to distill essential oils. The methods he recorded are still being used today.
The knowledge of essential oils spread to Europe during the Crusades, where the armies passed on the knowledge they had acquired from the Middle East. The knights brought with them perfumes and were also able to acquire knowledge about distillation.
During the Bubonic plague in the 14th century, pine and frankincense were burnt in the streets with the aim of warding off 'evil spirits'. A lesser number of people died of the plague in areas where this was done.
Later, a French chemist named René-Maurice Gattefossé came up with the term 'aromatherapie' as he was investigating the antiseptic abilities of essential oils. He published a book called 'Aromatherapie' in 1928, in which he showed different types of essential oils and their respective healing properties. The book influenced medical practices in France greatly. Gattefossé discovered the healing properties of lavender accidentally when an explosion that occurred in the lab caused serious burns on his hands. He immersed them in a tray that had liquid nearby, which he later realized was lavender essential oil. He was astonished to see that his hand healed without scarring or even getting an infection. Gattefossé went on to conduct further research on the healing properties of lavender essential oil with his colleague. He later introduced it to many French hospitals. There was a time when there was an outbreak of Spanish influenza where no hospital personnel died. This was later credited to the use of lavender essential oil.
The use of essential oils has also been recorded in religious texts. These oils have been used for anointing numerous times in the Christian and Jewish faiths.
A brief journey through the history of essential oils, revealing their ancient roots and significance in human culture. Today, we continue to benefit from these powerful substances in various aspects of our lives. At Delune, we're proud to share this green heritage and contribute to the modern-day use of these incredible natural resources.
In the realm of aromatics, the choice between essential oils and fragrance oils isn't just about preference—it's about prioritizing health, authenticity, and spiritual well-being. Here at Delune, our commitment to natural wellness drives us to choose only the purest essential...
What is it? Here at Delune, we like to think of our Daily SOS Rescue Spray as the "Swiss Army Knife of Skincare." Inspired by nature and backed by science, our product features hypochlorous acid— a game-changing ingredient. Years of...
We all know that great skincare isn't just about chemistry; sometimes it transcends into the realm of magic. That's precisely the kind of enchantment we experience with Delune Daily SOS Rescue Spray—a product so transformative that users are singing its...
Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular and versatile essential oils on the market. With its soft, floral aroma, lavender is known for it...
View full detailsLemon essential oil is known for its bright, citrusy scent, making it a popular choice for diffusing and freshening up any space. This essential oi...
View full detailsExperience the cooling and refreshing aroma of peppermint essential oil. Peppermint has a long history of use in traditional medicine practices and...
View full detailsBergamot essential oil is cold pressed from the rinds of the bergamot fruit, which is a type of citrus fruit. Its bright and fresh aroma has made i...
View full detailsGrapefruit essential oil is a refreshing and uplifting oil that's perfect for when you need a little pick-me-up. This oil is also great for promoti...
View full detailsTea tree essential oil is like a superhero for your skin! With its powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it's a great choice for...
View full detailsLooking for a citrusy pick-me-up? Sweet Orange essential oil is like sunshine in a bottle! Known for its uplifting and refreshing properties, it's ...
View full details"Sage" advice for your senses? This is exactly what clary sage essential oil has to offer! This oil is not only known for its fresh and floral arom...
View full detailsSay hello to a "frankly" fantastic aroma with frankincense essential oil! With its warm and grounding aroma, frankincense is believed to have a cal...
View full detailsRosemary essential oil, also known as the herb of remembrance, has been used for centuries for its healing properties. It was believed to enhance m...
View full details
Leave a comment