History Of Aromatherapy
The use of essential oils to heal mind ,body and spirit can be traced back to all major ancient civilizations of the world. Aromatic plants played a role in the healing arts of early humankind.
Our ancestors learned through trial and error and abserving which plants sick animals ate-that eating certain roots, berries and leaves helped to alleviate the symptoms of different ailments. other plants had little (if any) effect; and a few plants aggravated symptoms ,caused vomiting and even occasionally death. this highly prized healing wisdom was passed down from one medicine man/woman to the next, together with new discoveries and innovations. This knowledge was eventually transmuted into herbal medicine we know today.
Early civilizations also discovered that burning twigs and leaves from certain plants could produce interesting effects. some of these smoky aromas made people drowsy, while others cured ailments; some stimulated the senses and a few gave rise to mystical, religious experiences. the precious magical nature of amoratic plants was honored by burning them and offering the smoke to the Gods & Goddesses of these early civilizations.
Info from Aromatherapy Bible Written by Gill Farrer-Halls