The Ancient Power of Aromatherapy
The ancient history of aromatherapy, how essential oils were used for centuries, and how people use them today.
In this guide
The history of aromatherapy goes back more than 5,000 years, to Ancient Egypt, Greece, China and India. People used scented herbs, flowers, woods and resins in ceremony, in early wellbeing practices and in beauty. Here is how aromatherapy began, how it came back in modern times, and a Cleopatra inspired blend you can try at home.
Key takeaways
- Smell is the sense most closely linked to emotion and memory, through the limbic system of the brain.
- Aromatic plants were used from around 3500 BC in Egypt, Greece, China and India.
- The word "aromatherapy" was coined in 1937 by the French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé.
- Aromatherapy made a big comeback in the West in the late 1970s and 1980s.
- Try the Cleopatra inspired blend of neroli, rose and frankincense in your diffuser or bath.
Why is smell so powerful?
Of all five senses, smell is the one most closely linked to emotion and wellbeing. Freshly baked bread, a parent's home cooking or freshly ground coffee can bring a wave of comfort almost instantly.
This is more than a feeling. Our olfactory nerves, where our sense of smell comes from, connect to the limbic system. This is the part of the brain linked with emotion and memory, which is why a scent from childhood can bring an instant rush of nostalgia.
The limbic system is also one of the oldest parts of the brain. It developed long before the more analytical regions.
Where did aromatherapy begin?
Human beings have been drawn to beautiful smells for thousands of years. What we now call aromatherapy can be traced back to civilisations dating to around 3500 BC. Herbs, spices, flowers and aromatic woods featured in spiritual ceremony, in early approaches to wellbeing and in the pursuit of beauty.
| Where | How scent was used |
|---|---|
| Ancient Egypt | Aromatic oils for beauty and ceremony, famously loved by Cleopatra |
| India | Aromatic plants woven into the Ayurvedic tradition, as they still are today |
| Ancient Greece | Hippocrates included aromatic massage in his approach to care |
| Ancient Rome | Aromatic baths, a self-care favourite still enjoyed today |
| Across the ancient world | Woods and resins burned as incense to scent temples and homes |
In India, aromatic plants became part of Ayurveda, and they still are. In Greece, Hippocrates, the physician often called the grandfather of holistic medicine, used aromatic massage. Later, the Romans took up this ancient knowledge and made aromatic baths famous.
How did modern aromatherapy start?
The word "aromatherapy" was coined in 1937 by the French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé. It joins "aroma", from the Greek for sweet odour or sweet herb, with "therapy", from the Greek "therapeia", meaning healing.
Aromatherapy made a major comeback in the West in the late 1970s and 1980s. More people were exploring holistic approaches to wellbeing, and Traditional Chinese practices, Ayurveda, yoga, meditation and tai chi moved into the mainstream.
It has stayed popular all over the world ever since. Many people use it simply for the pleasure and atmosphere a beautiful scent brings to a space. To learn more about how it works, read how aromatherapy works and how effective organic essential oils are.
Cleopatra inspired diffuser blend
Cleopatra, the Ancient Egyptian ruler, was famous for her extravagant beauty routine, which is said to have included bathing in milk and honey. She loved aromatic oils, and neroli, rose and frankincense are said to have been among her favourites.
1. Cleopatra Inspired Blend
Best for: a warm, indulgent evening at home
- 6 drops Neroli oil
- 3 drops Rose oil
- 2 drops Frankincense oil
Add the oils to your diffuser and enjoy the warm, rich character of this ancient-inspired blend. No diffuser? Mix the oils into a carrier oil first, then pour it into a warm bath and channel a little of Cleopatra's indulgence.
Pro tip
Never add essential oils neat to bath water. Oil and water do not mix, so neat drops float on top and can irritate your skin. Always blend them into a carrier oil or a dispersant first.
How to use essential oils safely
Safety first
Essential oils are highly concentrated. Always dilute them before using them on the skin or in the bath.
- Keep diffuser sessions to around 30 to 60 minutes in a well-aired room.
- Keep oils and diffusers out of reach of children and pets.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a health condition, check with a qualified practitioner before use.
FAQs
What does aromatherapy actually mean?
It means using aromatic plant extracts, such as essential oils, for their scent and the atmosphere they create. The word joins the Greek roots for sweet herb and healing.
How old is aromatherapy?
The use of aromatic plants goes back to around 3500 BC, in Ancient Egypt, Greece, China and India. The modern word "aromatherapy" dates from 1937.
Why are smells so closely tied to memory?
Our sense of smell connects directly to the limbic system, the brain region linked with emotion and memory. That is why a familiar scent can bring an instant rush of nostalgia.
How do I use a diffuser blend safely?
Add the recommended number of drops to the water in your diffuser, run it in a well-aired room for around 30 to 60 minutes, and keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Can I use the Cleopatra blend in the bath?
Yes, but always mix the oils into a carrier oil first rather than dropping them straight into the water, so they disperse safely.
Are these oils suitable during pregnancy?
Some oils are best avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Always check with a qualified practitioner before using essential oils at this time.
The bottom line
Aromatherapy is one of the oldest wellbeing traditions in the world, and it is just as easy to enjoy today. Start with the Cleopatra inspired blend, then explore more scents in our essential oils collection.
