The History of Aromatherapy: Ancient Origins to Modern Practice

The history of essential oils spans thousands of years, reaching back to the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Greece, Rome, India and China. Long before the term “aromatherapy” existed, aromatic plants were valued for ritual, beauty, hygiene and traditional healing practices.

The word aromatherapy itself is much more recent, but the practice of using plant essences for well-being is deeply rooted in human history.

The meaning of Aromatherapy

"The therapeutic use of essential oils from plants for the improvement of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being." - NCBI (National Centre for Biotechnology Information)

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years by many religions, cultures, and civilisations. Traditionally, aromatic plants were burned in temples, used in bathing rituals, blended into ointments and infused into oils. Across cultures, scent was associated with purification, ceremony and connection to the divine.

Ancient Egyptians

The ancient Egyptians are often considered pioneers in the use of aromatic plant materials.

Oils and resins such as frankincense, myrrh and cedarwood were used in religious ceremonies, skincare preparations, massage oils and embalming processes.

Archaeological discoveries show that aromatic resins and plant substances played an important role in Egyptian mummification, contributing to the preservation of the body. Many of the materials used, such as frankincense, myrrh and cedarwood, contain naturally occurring antimicrobial compounds.

Modern chemical analysis has identified constituents within these plant materials that demonstrate antiseptic and antibacterial activity. While mummification involved multiple preservation techniques, the use of aromatic resins undoubtedly contributed to the remarkable condition of many mummies we can still see in museums today.

As ancient Egypt declined, medical knowledge evolved and spread across Greek, Roman and Middle Eastern cultures, eventually shaping European medicine.

Ancient Greece and Rome

The Greeks expanded the study of medicinal plants.

Around the 1st century AD, Pedanius Dioscorides wrote De Materia Medica, a foundational herbal text describing hundreds of plants and their preparation methods. It remained a key medical reference for over a thousand years.

The Greeks valued rose highly and used rosewater in bathing rituals, perfumery and medicine. In classical medical texts, rose was described as cooling, soothing and restorative, and was widely used for its healing properties.

In the 1st century AD, the Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides wrote De Materia Medica, one of the most influential surviving Greek herbals. The text documented approximately 600 plant substances, detailing their preparation, applications and therapeutic properties. For over 1,500 years, it remained a foundational medical reference across the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic and European worlds.

The Black Death and Medieval Europe

During the plague epidemics of the 14th century, aromatic herbs such as rosemary, pine and juniper were burned in homes and streets. Pomanders filled with fragrant herbs were carried as protective charms.

There is a long-standing historical account that perfumers and spice traders were less affected by the plague due to their constant exposure to aromatic substances. While this makes for an intriguing historical anecdote, modern science cannot confirm immunity from essential oils. It does, however, show that many aromatic plants contain naturally occurring antimicrobial compounds.

Tudor England

In Elizabethan Britain, perfumes and aromatic waters became fashionable. Exotic botanicals entered Europe through expanding trade routes.

Queen Elizabeth I reportedly had her own stillroom for distilling fragrant waters and oils. Perfumed gloves, herbal waters and scented clothing were popular among the upper classes.

The Rise of Chemistry and the Decline of Herbal Medicine

During the 17th and 18th centuries, herbal medicine began to lose favour as chemical sciences advanced. Synthetic compounds were isolated and manufactured in laboratories, gradually replacing many traditional plant-based preparations.

The decline in herbal medicine accelerated during the 18th and 19th centuries as the chemical sciences advanced rapidly. Scientists began isolating active compounds from plants and eventually synthesising them in laboratories, marking a significant shift in medical practice. The Industrial Revolution further transformed society, and with it came a move away from many traditional and ancient methods that had shaped medicine for centuries.

19th & 20th Century

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, interest in natural remedies and essential oils slowly began to resurface. At the same time, pharmaceutical science advanced rapidly, isolating and synthesising chemical compounds with increasing precision.

Many modern medicines were developed through the study of plant chemistry, as scientists identified active constituents and reproduced them in controlled laboratory settings. This marked a profound shift in medical philosophy, from whole-plant traditions to isolated compounds.

While synthetic medicine brought significant advances in emergency and infectious disease treatment, it also transformed the relationship between people and traditional plant knowledge, a shift that continues to shape healthcare today.

France and the Birth of Modern Aromatherapy

In the early 20th century, French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé reintroduced essential oils to scientific discussion.

After reportedly treating a laboratory burn with lavender oil, he became interested in researching the properties of plant essences.

"He took off his bandages and coated his skin with lavender oil. The results were astounding. Two days later, his fever eased, and his infection disappeared, while his wounds healed relatively quickly without a trace"

- Fondation Gattefosse

In 1937, he published Aromathérapie, coining the term that is still used today.

Later, French army doctor Jean Valnet studied essential oils in clinical settings and published The Practice of Aromatherapy in 1964.

Around the same time, Austrian biochemist Marguerite Maury popularised the use of essential oils diluted in carrier oils and applied through massage, shaping the holistic practice recognised today.

Present-Day Aromatherapy

Today, aromatherapy sits at the intersection of tradition and science. Jean Valnet’s The Practice of Aromatherapy, published in 1964, became one of the most influential texts in modern aromatherapy and remains widely referenced in professional training.

Modern research continues to explore the chemistry of essential oils, particularly their aromatic compounds and how scent influences mood and environment. At the same time, many people are drawn to aromatherapy for its ritual, simplicity and connection to nature.

At Lib’s Aromatherapy, this heritage matters. Every blend is rooted in traditional knowledge, made with 100% pure essential oils, and designed to enhance your environment through scent, whether that’s to relax, uplift, soothe or create a sense of calm in your home.