? In the early days of mankind, we learned from simple life experience that which plants are poisonous, which plants can cause diarrhea or vomiting when eaten, which plants can stop bleeding and relieve pain, and even help digestion. Humans have used herbs for even longer than fire. It is impossible to prove when humans began to use plants in medical treatment, but after thousands of years of evolution, the efficacy of plants has been discovered and valued by people.

? In ancient religious ceremonies, burning aromatic plants is also essential for offering sacrifices to gods or exorcising evil spirits. In modern times, many religions still need to burn aromatic substances in their activities. For example, Buddhism often burns sandalwood.

The history of aromatherapy originated from the history of human use of herbs, because the essential oil used in aromatherapy comes from herbs and belongs to a branch of herbal therapy. In the history of early human use of herbs, essential oils can be seen everywhere hidden in medicinal ointments or medicines, which play their roles and serve the people. It was not until 1 1 century that Avicenna, an Arab doctor, improved the equipment for distilling essential oil with water, and essential oil therapy began to be distinguished from herbal therapy.

China: China medicine can be traced back to the Shennong era in 2800 BC, when Shennong tasted a hundred herbs. Huangdi Neijing also records many herbal and plant treatments. Li Shizhen's magnum opus Compendium of Materia Medica, which lasted more than 30 years in Ming Dynasty, introduced 1892 kinds of medicinal materials, including 1094 kinds of plants and more than 1000 kinds of prescriptions. Affect the whole world.

? Egypt: In 3000 BC, the ancient Egyptians used aromatic plants in medicine, beauty, religion and mummification. Frankincense, clove, cinnamon, myrrh, cedar, etc. It's all for preservation. Aromatic ointment is also commonly used by ancient Egyptians in social, religious and beauty, similar to our modern perfume.

India: It is also recorded in India's ancient Sanskrit medical code (2000 BC) that ancient Indian herbalists used sandalwood, ginger, myrrh, cinnamon, coriander and other sesame oils to treat diseases, and these ancient records about natural plant therapy are still respected and studied by western natural therapists.

? Ayurveda in India, which means "knowledge of life and science of life", is considered as the oldest treatment system in the world.

Europe: 1346 A plague broke out in Europe. In just 4-5 years, this plague killed at least one third of the European population. During the epidemic, the government ordered the burning of pine trees, rosemary and other aromatic plants in the streets every night; Churches and hospitals often smoke with aromatic plants, including hops, pepper and frankincense; Doctors wear cloaks and masks, and plant ointments such as cinnamon and cloves are applied to the masks; There are also aromatic pills or garlands made to hang on the neck and hands, such as lavender and rosemary; Make candles with aromatic plants. As we all know, all aromatic plants have the function of inhibiting germs.

Aromatherapy is a new term in the 20th century, which describes the application of volatile oil contained in aromatic herbs in beauty, physical and mental health care and treatment.

1926, a small explosion happened in the laboratory of French chemist Gatfoss, which severely burned his hand. He immediately soaked the hand in pure lavender oil. Later, he found that his wound had an amazing reaction, not only without infection, but also without leaving any scars. Gateforsay discovered the therapeutic effect of lavender and published a paper "Aromatherapy" in 1928, which pioneered the word "aromatherapy", that is, "aromatherapy". Known as the father of modern aromatherapy.

During the period of 1950- 1952, Jean Valnet worked as a French surgeon in Vietnam and treated many diseases and injuries with essential oils. 1953 After returning to France, essential oil has been used for medical treatment. He is the president of the French Association of Botany and Aromatherapy. 1980 published the book Clinical Treatment of Aromatherapy.

Margaret Murray is an Austrian-born French surgical nurse. She developed a set of beauty medical courses focusing on massage, and made a relatively complete study on the body, spirit and maintenance of aromatic essential oil. She introduced aromatherapy to Britain and promoted it in beauty and daily life. 196 1 wrote the French version of Ms. Jasmine's aromatherapy, and the English translation is The Secret of Life and Youth. Known as the "godmother" in the beauty industry.

From 65438 to 0977, Robert Dishalan's The Art of Aromatherapy was published, which was the first monograph on aromatherapy in the English-speaking world, making him a pioneer in the field of aromatherapy in Britain.

1985, the IFA International Union of Aromatherapy Therapists was established in Britain, which led the direction of aromatherapy teaching in the English-speaking world and had far-reaching influence. 1993 is its heyday. At that time, there were about 90 aromatherapy schools, more than 60 aromatherapy books and about 5000 practicing aromatherapy doctors in Britain.

? From 65438 to 0990, the German Aromatherapy Association (Forum Essenzia) was established, consisting of doctors, chemists, physiotherapists, professional nurses and botanists. It regularly publishes a detailed and rigorous journal of aromatherapy and a triennial international symposium on aromatherapy. Other foreign aromatherapy organizations: American holistic aromatherapy association (Naha), Canadian aromatherapy association (CFA), …

? Aromatherapy has been enchanted all over the world and has become a prominent science in alternative therapy. More and more Chinese and western medicines are devoted to research or clinical application. On the other hand, it is also the popular darling of leisure industry SPA and beauty industry. Therefore, the evaluation of aromatherapy in the public's mind is still swinging between the two poles according to its understanding.

In China, the aromatic essential oil first entered the public's field of vision through the beauty field, so everyone only knew the beauty effect of the essential oil, but did not have a deeper understanding of its physical and mental health care function. The post of "aromatherapy hygienist" proposed by Beijing Adult Massage Vocational Skills Training School was approved by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and declared as a new professional post in the Great Hall of the People on June 5438+ 10, 2005. It also affirmed the important role of plant essential oil in daily health care.

? 2 1 century, with the development of science and technology and the frequent occurrence of side effects of synthetic drugs, people's work pressure, environmental pollution, food pesticides and fertilizer residues have become increasingly prominent. Man has reflected on his past and made further scientific research on aromatherapy. A group of American medical scientists put forward the concept of modern essential oil, which is different from traditional aromatherapy. It was put forward by the modern essential oil professional Committee. According to the modern essential oil aromatherapy theory and the scientific knowledge of natural pure plant essential oil, it is pure, safe and effective to extract it by steam distillation or cold pressing. Pure natural essential oil that can be smoked, rubbed and taken orally. CPTG represents high-quality essential oil with pure natural quality, safety, non-toxicity and stable efficacy through four levels: source, extraction, detection and application. Since 20 14 modern essential oil entered China, aromatherapy has blossomed everywhere in China, and many people in China have a preliminary understanding of essential oil and aromatherapy. At the same time, it is also used for health care and beauty in family life.