The historical use of essential oils for health and well-being can be traced to ancient Egypt, about 3500 BC. There is archeological evidence of their widespread use in China, India, ancient Greece, the Roman and Arabian Empires, and European Christian monasteries. The Persian physician, Avicenna (980-1037 AD), is credited with perfecting the distillation process of essential oils. 

 

The term, aromatherapy, as we know it today, was first coined in 1937 by the French chemist and perfumer, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, who, after severely burning his hand, applied the first available compound which happened to be pure, undiluted, lavender oil. It not only eased the pain, but helped heal his hand without any sign of infection or scarring. 

 

Essential oils were used on the battlefields during WWII. Today, they have widespread acceptance and usage as proven, alternative therapies.