Scent is the most enduring of our senses. It has the power to transform our emotions, and heal our bodies. 

Aromatherapy has been around and has been practised in one form or another since the beginning of civilisation. It is the art, and science, of using oils extracted from aromatic plants to enhance health and beauty. Apart from the physical benefits, essential oils can have subtle effects on the mind and emotions. The essential oils taken from plants and used in Aromatherapy have been described as their "life force" - they are essential to the plants' biological process, as well as being the substance which gives them their scent. Synthetic oils, even if chemically similar, will lack all the natural elements, and that vital life-force, that make essential oils so valuable therapeutically.

Another reason why synthetic oils are not acceptable is that the minor constituents are never identical. The addition of synthetic chemicals is not normally disclosed in the essential oil business, so unless there is a declaration that the oils are natural, pure and unadulterated, assume otherwise. 

Essential oils are extracted from flowers; herbs; spices; woods and fibres, usually by distillation, expression and solvent extraction. Solvent extraction is only acceptable for aromatherapy if the solvent used is completely removed after the manufacturing process 

How It All Began

Aromatherapy is believed to have had its origin with the Egyptians, who used the metod of infusion and extracted oil from aromatic plants. These oils were used for medicinal as well as cosmetic purposes. Even embalming is believed to involve the oils extracted from such aromatic plants.

The Greeks' knowledge of aromatics stems from the Egyptians and they used it to further their own discoveries. They found that the fragrance of some flowers was stimulating while others had relaxing properties. The use of olive oil as the base oil absorbed the aroma from the herbs or flowers and the perfumed oil was then used for both cosmetic and medicinal purposes. The Romans in turn, learnt from the Greeks, and became famous for their scented baths which was followed by an aromatic oil-massage. The Romans also imported exotic oils from countries like India and Arabia.

Ancient Chinese civilizations have also used aromatics in some form. A book dating back to 2700 BC (approximately), written by Shen Nung, has detailed information on the use of over 300 plants. The Chinese tradition too, involves aromatics (burning incense, massage, and acupressure).

In India, aromatherapy has been in use since centuries in the form of Ayurveda, which uses dried and fresh herbs and aromatic massage in their treatments. 

When the Roman Empire declined, the use of aromatics faded and the knowledge of their use was virtually lost in Europe during the dark ages. It has now regained its lost glory as people have started realising the importance of a holistic health, both in mind and body.

We are all seeking answers for the illnesses that pervade our society, and the stresses that this fast paced modern life place on us. Conventional medicine has given us some of those answers in the form of prescription drugs and surgery, but still, we ask for more. 

With increasing awareness towards health and fitness, aromatherapy seems to be the best answer, what with all the researches affirming the same - that this form of therapy leads to a balanced lifestyle. This is one of the reasons Aromatherapy is so popular today. It is so easy to practice, is readily available, and very effective as a therapy.