History of Volatile Oils - PBSci 5A

When did the use of essential oils date back to?

Cave paintings before 18,000 B.C.E. show evidence of medicinal plant use.

How did ancient Egyptians use volatile oils?

As cosmetics, ointments, and oils, with priests being the sole authorities on aroma oils.

Which cultures were known to use volatile oils around 3000 B.C.?

Indian and Chinese cultures.

What is Ayurveda’s connection to volatile oils?

Ayurveda prescribes medicinal plants containing volatile oils for therapeutic use.

Which ancient medical text mentioned essential oils?

The "Yellow Emperor’s Book" on internal medicine.

Which civilizations historically used essential oils for religious and healing purposes?

Greece, Rome, Arabia, Persia, and Europe.

When did aromatherapy gain widespread recognition?

After the term was coined in 1937 by René-Maurice Gattefossé.

Who coined the term "aromatherapy"?

French chemist and perfumer René-Maurice Gattefossé.

How did Gattefossé discover the healing effects of lavender oil?

He burned his hand in 1910 and applied pure lavender oil, which relieved pain and prevented infection and scarring.

What did Gattefossé conclude about essential oils?

Minute amounts are absorbed by the body and interact with body chemistry.

Who used essential oils to treat injured soldiers?

Dr. Jean Valet.

How did Marguerite Maury innovate aromatherapy in the 1950s?

She diluted essential oils in vegetable carrier oil and applied them via Tibetan massage techniques.