History of Essential Oils
Essential Oils have been used throughout the ages from ancient Egypt through biblical times into the here and now. Oils were used as incense, perfumes, in rituals and ceremonies, as ointments, or for therapeutic benefits. References were made in the bible or in the multi-volume "Herbarius" and oils were used by Hippocrates, the father of medicine. Merchants kept their trading routes a secret as they brought cinnamon from India or rose from Syria. The Romans started using essential oils as perfumes, to fragrance their bodies and clothes; Cleopatra used them in her baths and after bathing. Much later, rose water was a highly regarded scent that was brought from the East to the West along with other exotic essences, known as "perfumes of Arabia."
My absolute favorite, Lavender essential oil (English lavender is Lavendula angustifolia; Spanish lavender is Lavendula Stoechas) was used not only as a scent or in perfumes but also in balms, salves, as it was known for its skin restorative properties. The Romans used it in their baths, during the middle ages it was thrown on the floor to fumigate the homes, the plant was carried around to ward off the plague, it was used by hospitals during WWII to disinfect floors and walls, and it was used as a first aid for burns. I am using Lavender oil for just about anything. I love to diffuse it in the evening before I go to bed for its calming effect, I put it on chapped skin, on cuts or bruises for its healing properties, I use it for mosquito bites to stop the itching, I rub it over pillows and bedsheets, I use it when I'm stressed, for studying and test taking, and I use it for tension headaches. I even love lavender oil in melted chocolate
My absolute favorite, Lavender essential oil (English lavender is Lavendula angustifolia; Spanish lavender is Lavendula Stoechas) was used not only as a scent or in perfumes but also in balms, salves, as it was known for its skin restorative properties. The Romans used it in their baths, during the middle ages it was thrown on the floor to fumigate the homes, the plant was carried around to ward off the plague, it was used by hospitals during WWII to disinfect floors and walls, and it was used as a first aid for burns. I am using Lavender oil for just about anything. I love to diffuse it in the evening before I go to bed for its calming effect, I put it on chapped skin, on cuts or bruises for its healing properties, I use it for mosquito bites to stop the itching, I rub it over pillows and bedsheets, I use it when I'm stressed, for studying and test taking, and I use it for tension headaches. I even love lavender oil in melted chocolate
