If you are new to essential oils and wondering what all the hype about is then read on. In this blog, we discover the history and science behind this gift from nature that has become popular and earned a reputation that dates back to biblical times.
Before there was western medicine there were herbs, and plant extracts or as now popularly known essential oils. The history of aromatherapy actually begins over 3500 years BC. Back to a time when essential oils were used for religious purposes, making perfume, and medicine.
Plant extracts have been used by humans for thousands of years and evidence of this can be found in India, Sri Lanka, Iran, China and Ancient Egypt. If you take a close look at history you can see that Ayurveda and Chinese medicine all contain the use of essential oils and herbs, in fact, ancient Egypt used essential oils for embalming and preserving their dead. Even the bible refers to several essences that are still among us today.
But it was not till 1830, that a perfume maker in Grasse, France started to focus on essential oils that we truly started to pay attention. Very quickly, some of the leading scientists of the time, such as Louis Pasteur, took an interest and started to research these oils further. From as early as 1887, Charles Chamberland, disciple and assistant to Pasteur, started scientifically measuring the antiseptic effects of essential oils such as oregano, clove and cinnamon on anthrax.
In 1910, René-Maurice Gattefossé, a chemical engineer from Lyon, had an explosion in his lab which left him with serious burns. He claimed to have treated these burns with pure lavender essential oil after an explosion. Won over by the miracle healing of Lavender essential oil, he founded the French Society of Aromatic Products and published about twenty works that are still used as references today. In fact, the term “aromatherapy” was invented by Rene-Maurice and truly it is his work that gave aromatherapy its reputation and its name.
There are so many examples throughout history demonstrating the uses of essential oils.
In 1929, Sévelinge, a pharmacist from Lyon, demonstrated the antibacterial efficacy of certain essential oils, and in the 1950s, a military physician used them to treat injured soldiers in Indochina. Aromatherapy was truly on its way… and nothing could stop it!
Today, aromatherapy has become the focus of many scientific studies, and over 17,000 articles on aromatherapy have appeared in international high-level scientific publications
So what exactly are essential oils you wonder? Essential oils are highly volatile substances that are extracted from different parts of plants through distillation, enfleurage (extraction by using fat), maceration, solvent extraction, and mechanical pressing. The method used differs based on the type of plant the oil is extracted from. The reason these oils come under the category of essential; is because it is believed they represent the very essence of each plant’s flavour and aroma
Due to the many studies on essential oils, we are aware they have many benefits which can help support our emotional and physical well-being but it is important to note that they must always be used with respect. When used incorrectly essential oils can cause severe reactions.
Yes, they smell amazing, but just a small dose packs quite a punch so it’s really important to use them carefully, especially around pets, children or if you are pregnant.
To truly reap the benefits, essential oils should be 100% pure, natural and made to a high quality. An organic or therapeutic grade oil is always the best way to go. It is important to take note that there are many brands of essential oils available on the market, but not all essential oils are made equal.
There are many synthetic and low-quality brands available to purchase. Oils labelled as extract or fragrance are not therapeutic and may not be suitable for diffusing and could potentially trigger adverse reactions. Always check for the plant’s Latin name on the label, and never consume an essential oil. The best way to identify if your oils are pure and of a good grade is to look for the soil association certification and check that the oil is 100% natural and pure with no added chemicals.
All of the Enlighten Through Nature oils are soil certified, vegan, and therapeutic grade they are gas chromatography tested and certified as true. Our supplier is registered with the Aromatherapy Trade Council and works closely with small farming families that practice natural farming which means there are no pesticides are used, the plants grow in a natural environment which ables production of a very high quality and pure essential oil that is truly beneficial to the user.
If you are wondering which essential oil to start with I always recommend a bottle of Lavender Essential Oil (Lavender Angustfolia) or if you want to start building up your wardrobe of oils why not join our Essential Oil Lovers subscription and receive a monthly supply of different oils and learn how to use them.
If you are wondering which essential oil to start with I always recommend a bottle of Lavender Essential Oil (Lavender Angustfolia) or if you want to start building up your wardrobe of oils why not join our Essential Oil Lovers subscription and receive a monthly supply of different oils and learn how to use them.
