Aromatherapy Facts

• Aytar was an ancient perfume made from Rose and Sandalwood.
• Australian Aboriginals still burn Eucalyptus as a form of purification ritual to fumigate against sickness.
• Native Americans still preserve the ancient practice of burning aromatic plants like Sage or Cedarwood to produce a purifying smoke called “smudging”.
• The oldest medical text in existence is recorded on two clay tablets from the Sumerian period around 3500 BC. A medical practice which relied on aromatics.
• The Maya of Mexico burned balls of Copal incense for their gods.
• Balls of incense were found in Tutankhamen's tomb.
• In Tibet and Nepal incense is still used as an offering and purification ritual.
• It was in the fifteenth century in Japan that the “Kodo Ceremony” or “Art of Incense” began.
• Scent inspires the imagination and frees the spirit.
• The Bay tree was associated with the Sun, the sign of Leo, the god Apollo and the 'virtues' of strength, protection, courage, inspiration, prophecy and insight.
• The soul of the flower is its scent.
• Among the Sufis, the experience of the divine is closely associated with the rose.
• The first rosary was made out of compressed rose leaves.
• The olfactory cells in your nose are the only place in the whole body where the central nervous system is directly in contact with the external environment.
• Contemporary healers see essential oils as having a particular affinity with the subtle energy or 'aura' of an individual and have a revitalizing and harmonizing effect.
• The base chakra is associated with Patchouli, Myrrh, Vetiver, Frankincense and Elemi.
• The heart chakra is associated with Rose, Inula, Bergamot, Melissa and Jasmine.
• From ancient Chinese texts we have learned that materials were used in perfumery over 8000 years ago.
• The Orientals were probably the first people to become familiar with the art of perfumery and the power of fragrance.
• In the British language of flowers: the white lily stood for purity, innocence and virginity; the bluebell for loyalty, assurance and truth; the mimosa for sensitivity and delicacy; a single red rose said 'I love you'; and a bunch of mint meant 'Find a spouse of your own age and background'!
• North Africa—a newborn baby is protected from djinns or evil spirits by scented fumigations and with a balm made from saffron oil and henna.
• India—the Basil plant or tulsi is held to be holy and its roots are made into sacred beads and rosaries.
• Tibet—dry incense is worn as a talisman to ward off evil spirits.
• Mexico—a clove of garlic is still hung around the neck of a newborn as a protection.
• Rosemary, Mugwort and St. John's wort have all long been associated with magic and clairvoyant powers and used as charms against evil.
• Scandinavia—it was common until very recently to carry a lump of crude camphor as a protective measure during times of infectious disease.
• Ancient cultures considered that the psychological and spiritual disposition of a person was of vital importance to their well being, not only as an individual but also with regard to their role within society.
• Aromatherapy is easy to use with little or no preparations.
• Most of the advanced work on Aromatherapy was done in France where French physicians, after completing medical school, have the option to continue with several more years of learning so that they can use and prescribe essential oils in their medical practices.

Sharon