Aromatherapy, which involves the use of essential oils to treat various ailments, has been used by healers for thousands of years. Although its origins are difficult to trace, the use of aromatherapy goes back at least 4,000 years, possibly beginning with the ancient Egyptians, who were known to have used aromatic botanicals in many different ways. The Egyptians used a number of herbs and spices for soothing massage, medicine, cosmetics, and even in their embalming practices.
Centuries later, it was Hippocrates who may have been the first high-profile advocate of aromatherapy. More than 2,000 years ago, the creator of the physician's creed that bears his name was an outspoken believer in the benefits of aromatic massage for both physical and emotional well-being.
In the 10th century, the Arabs invented a process of distillation that allowed for more efficient extraction of the essential oils from plants, and for centuries, cultures from every part of the globe have inhaled aromas, drunk potions, and worn aromatic amulets as healing aids and to protect them from harm.
By extracting the essential oils from plants and herbs, aromatherapy has been, and continues to be, used to address a wide range of physical and emotional ailments, from headaches to herpes, from dry skin to acne, and from arthritis to asthma.
In modern times, France and England have led the attempt to reintroduce many ancient remedies to the world in the early 1900s, and to help aromatherapy gain greater acceptance in the traditional medical community. France still leads the world in rediscovering modern uses for ancient remedies, and many French doctors routinely prescribe aromatic remedies for their patients. That practice is reinforced by the fact that French pharmacies stock a wide variety of essential oils, and insurance companies are willing to pay for treatments involving ancient healing methods.
America currently lags behind the French and English in the use of aromatic medicine, but as more and more people experience the healing properties of aromatherapy, its use will continue to gain popularity in the United States.
Copyright (c) 2004 by Jeanette J. Fisher
Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhouse fordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm
"Hypnosis" refers to the power that words and ideas have... Read More
I have been practicing an advanced form of qigong for... Read More
Do you remember your teen years? Remember that schoolmate that... Read More
No patience for bleaching? There may be another way to... Read More
I have always been amazed at the clinical results that... Read More
There are many types of disablity. Would people class stuttering... Read More
The first of January will bring a new group of... Read More
How often do you go to the bathroom and have... Read More
With natural health care so popular, an area that has... Read More
Alternative medicine is gaining more attention every day. The idea... Read More
A parasite cleanse is required if your body is overburdened... Read More
Shemales, or transgender males who strive to achieve more feminine... Read More
Alternative Therapies and alternative medicine has been gaining ground along... Read More
Here's another group of fruits that you can use to... Read More
Apple Juice, Figs and RaisinsHere's another constipation home remedy using... Read More
Tired of costly medications, prescriptions and time lost for doctor's... Read More
No one can deny the power of magnets, racing pigeons... Read More
Within 20 minutes ???? you can expect??..... your blood pressure... Read More
Allergies: The Ayurvedic AnswerIn a healthy body, the allergic response... Read More
Have you ever bumped your knee or elbow? What was... Read More
Practicing hypnotherapists hear many peculiar statements from smokers who ask... Read More
Our daily internal body clocks or circadian rhythms synchronise the... Read More
How do you know when you are suffering from background... Read More
We've all seen them, right? The stage hypnotist, who makes... Read More
Starbucks now offers the Green Tea Frappachinos, yes I had... Read More
The chakras are an important part of our energy anatomy.... Read More
Are you ready to easily release worry, pain or fear... Read More
Lavender is wholly spent with us, for to perfume linen,... Read More
Snoring is noisy breathing through the mouth and nose during... Read More
You probably are very familiar with the benefits you get... Read More
When spring comes it is time for a liver cleanse.... Read More
Approximately 10 million Americans suffer from a condition known as... Read More
Constipation is a problem that affects many Americans every day.... Read More
The More The Faster The Better?Or Some Words About The... Read More
Intravenous chelation therapy was more popular than oral chelation initially.... Read More
There are many drugstore and alternative Internet products for treating... Read More
Many people over the past ten years have changed from... Read More
Eating the right kind of food and following good eating... Read More
In my medical intuitive practice, I have often been consulted... Read More
Your husband always seems tired. Your son is always hungry.... Read More
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine used for over... Read More
Ever have a bee sting? Try rubbing an aspirin on... Read More
What is biofeedback?In biofeedback you expand self-awareness and practice powerful... Read More
What is something that goes up but never comes down?... Read More
Is Olive Oil one of Nature's seven original wonders?According to... Read More
Mom was right to insist on us eating our vegetables.... Read More
"If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere"... Read More
Chronic constipation can be hard to stop or elimination, since... Read More
If you want to remedy snoring, you have to find... Read More
The term "organic" is used everywhere. What exactly does that... Read More
All Refined Carbohydrates are Hazardous to Your Health. The average... Read More
Having regular constipation can lead to some serious illnesses. Fecal... Read More
Nothing turns a commonplace, ho-hum room into a radiant, inviting... Read More
Being a modern traveler, you probably get onto an airplane... Read More
Over 100 different types of arthritis exist, but by far... Read More
If you experience a sharp pain in your heel at... Read More
Lavender pure essential oil is cultivated and harvested in the... Read More
Modern medical science has not been able to produce a... Read More
Something New Interesting About Water Therapy."The more I find out,... Read More
What exactly is infrared, or radiant heat? No need to... Read More
Lavender is wholly spent with us, for to perfume linen,... Read More
Here are four different herbs that can give you hemorrhoid... Read More
Here are three products that can help you elevate your... Read More
If you're like most of us who have known chronic... Read More
One of the most popular myths I hear from my... Read More
Thyme is a herb that has been cultivated for centuries... Read More
Alternative Medicine |