Aromatherapy in History

Pic: Ranjit Monga

Aromatherapy in history
By Ranjit Monga

Even though Aromatherapy seems to be a western import a detailed examination of similar practices in history reveals many points of origin, at least in concept.

It’s  modern history perhaps began in 1937 when the actual term ‘aromatherapy’ first originated.  French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse invented the word after a burn incident when he hurriedly splashed some lavender oil on his burns. To his amazement the burn not only healed quickly but also did not leave behind any scar as he would have expected. This spurred his curiosity about the healing power of lavender and other essential oils.  Also, a french surgeon Jean Valnet is known to have used essential oils to help heal soldiers' wounds in World War II, proving the medical benefits of aromatherapy.

Also, let’s not forget that modern perfumery in a way originated in Europe in the 16^th and 17^th centuries. Eu de Cologne was perhaps the first modern perfume made by an Italian barber to evoke an ‘Italian spring morning, mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain’, while working in Cologne, Germany. (Source: Wikipedia).

To my mind the elements Cologne perfume was made of have therapeutic value and thus an extended form of aromatherapy. Though perfumery branched off into a separate industry, perfumes as such perform loosely the same function of providing a feeling of well-being and happiness to the wearer. (The connection between perfumery & aromatherapy can be a topic for further discussion later) Aromatherapy connects specific aromas to specific feelings and emotions, thus taking the concept much deeper.

The healing power of plants and herbs has been known throughout history. So, we can best say that aromatherapy as it exists today evolved over the ages, when people used herbs and their extracts to cure disease, attract luck and ward off ‘evil’. Use of aromas and mysticism has also always been closely related.

The first distillation of plants is said to have been done by the Egyptians to extract oils from certain plants like cedarwood, cloven & cinnamon, which were used for embalming. The Chinese used infused aromatic oils as a mood enhancer.

Megallus, a Greek perfumer, developed a fragrance he called 'megaleion', which consisted of myrrh. The "father of medicine" Hippocrates is said to have practiced aromatherapy (before it was dubbed so) for healing purposes. Greek mythology claims the gods were gifted with the knowledge of perfume and fragrance. 

In Christianity, when Jesus was born, the three wise men arrived with their unique gifts for the baby. These three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. Essential oils of both frankincense and myrrh are used extensively in Aromatherapy today. Their significance has been handed down the centuries.

Here on the Indian subcontinent the use of ‘aromatic’ material is part of our traditions. Attar, rose petals, marigold flowers, camphor, incense of various aromas – have been in use since time immemorial.

Making of Attar the traditional way at Kannauj, UP
Pic: Ranjit Monga

Sprinkling rose water on guests at a wedding or a party, showering of rose petals on a newly wedded couple is a part of our tradition. But did you know that rose aroma enhances love and compassion in its purest form. It impacts upon our heart chakra expanding it and removing negative blocks from this important energy centre of our body. That is why rose is perhaps a symbol of love. This is just one example. There are umpteen, each aroma we use as per our traditions has a specific therapeutic value.  This makes it clear that our ancestors knew about the aromatic and healing aspects of flowers.

Attar’s history is also known to have begun in western Europe’s Muslim held area in Spain in the 12 century. The creation of Attar or Itr was first done by ‘Ibn Sina’ of Persia, from knowledge passed down the generations from the Egyptians.  Attar was also used for healing purposes.

The Persians and the Mughals in medieval India promoted it’s manufacture and use. A special type of rose attar was formulated for the first time in the hammams of Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and after whom the Taj Mahal is named.  There are countless material from which aroma was extracted and engineered into fragrances for the royal households. Here it is important to mention the book of recipes with a section on perfumes and attar creation, including for healing purposes in ‘The Sultan’s Book of Delights’ of the Sultans of Mandu also known as the Ni’matnama. Some of the material mentioned in these recipes for extracting attar, fragrance, aromatic oil etc are cinnamon, cloves, sandalwood, camphor, mud,flowers of rose, jasmine, champa, lily etc, besides peels of lemon, orange and numerous other aromatic material from the kitchen and the royal gardens.

A fragrance made from ingredients from the recipe book of Sultans of Mandu which I tried out.
Pic:Ranjit Monga

Besides these aromatic materials, there are numerous  ‘natural’ material which have other specific properties – water, oil, ghee, herbs and spices, which have been used for various conditions and ailments and physical and mental well-being in  ayurveda, naturopathy, unani, siddha, tibetan and other ancient medicinal systems.

So, all the aromatic traditions of the world taken together can loosely be described as aromatherapy. But, putting traditional healing aside, today the therapy aspects have evolved into a more specific framework matching property of the aroma to specific conditions of well being and wellness. Also the distillation and extraction essential oils have made its impact more potent. Today aromatherapy is practiced through application of essential oils. Also the healing aspects are being tried out in major medical institutions and being tested in laboratories the world over. And the tests are confirming the known results. The day is not far when this ancient practice will be once again followed extensively.  
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