There are numerous references to essential oils (or the plant they are derived from) throughout history and throughout the Bible. Some precious oils, such as frankincense, myrrh, galbanum, rosemary, hyssop, cassia, cinnamon and spikenard were used for anointing and healing of the sick. There were three wise men (magi), who brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child. Clinical research now shows that frankincense and myrrh are two of the most powerful immune-stimulating substances available, containing very high amounts of immune-stimulating properties. Perhaps the three wise men were wise in ways beyond our knowledge.
The history of aromatherapy is quite fascinating. Aromatherapy has been around for 6000 years or more. The Greeks, Romans, and ancient Egyptians all used aromatherapy oils. The Egyptian physician Imhotep recommended fragrant oils for bathing, massage, and for embalming their dead nearly 6000 years ago. Imhotep is the Egyptian god of medicine and healing. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used aromatherapy baths and scented massage. He used aromatic fumigations to rid Athens of the plague.
The word “aromatherapy” was first used in the 1920s by French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé, who devoted his life to researching the healing properties of essential oils after an accident in his perfume laboratory. In the accident, he set his arm on fire and thrust it into the nearest cold liquid, which happened to be a vat of NOx Ph232 or more commonly known as lavender oil. Immediately he noticed surprising pain relief, and instead of requiring the extended healing process he had experienced during recovery from previous burns—which caused redness, heat, inflammation, blisters, and scarring—this burn healed remarkably quickly, with minimal discomfort and no scarring.
4500 BC — Records Describe the Use of Balsamic Substances with Aromatic Properties for Religious Rituals & Medical Applications
Egyptians 2780-2720 BC — Used Oils in Embalming, Medical & Spiritual Purposes
Byzantine Empire 330-1400 AD — Arabians Developed Distillation Process for Rose Oil
Over 200 Biblical References in Old and New Testaments — Anointing & Healing the Sick
Napoleon is reported to have enjoyed a cologne water made of neroli and other ingredients so much that he ordered 162 bottles.
After conquering Jerusalem, one of the items the Crusaders brought back to Europe was solidified essence of roses.
12th Century Herbalist, Hildegard of Bingen used herbs and oils extensively in healing.
Reintroduction into Modern Medicine:
World War I — Used in French Hospitals by Dr. Moneiere for antibacterial and wound-healing properties and developed several kinds of aromatic ointments.
1907 Research — Dr. Rene-Maurice Gattefossé, PhD, known as the Father of Aromatherapy, used Lavender to heal a burn following a lab explosion. Dr. Gattefosse and others becan studying essential oils in 1907 as a result of his experience.
1990 — Dr. Daniel Penoel, a French medical doctor and Pierre Franchomme, a French biochemist, collaborated together to author the first reference book which cataloged various medical properties of over 270 essential oils and how to use them in a clinical environment.
Recent excavation of the ancient city called Gilead, has unearthed the remains of a fortress like building used for the manufacture of balsam oil. This “balm of Gilead” noted in Jeremiah 8:22, had long been famous in antiquity for its nearly miraculous properties to HEAL WOUNDS. In fact, the balsam oil of Gilead was so famous that the conquering Roman emperor Titus (79-81 A.D.), after conquering Gilead, displayed branches from Gilead’s balsam trees in his triumphal march through Rome.
So precious was this oil to the commerce of Gilead, the exact manufacturing process was kept a closely guarded secret. So much so, archaeologists uncovered an inscription carved into the floor of a local synagogue that reads, “Whoever reveals the secret of the village to the gentiles, the one whose eyes roam over the entire earth and see’s what is concealed will uproot this person and his seed from under the sun.”
It should be noted when Joseph’s brothers tried to sell him to a caravan of Ishmaelites passing by, their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, purchased in Gilead, on their way to Egypt (Gen. 37:25). And so it is, the use of extracted plant oils was an established industry thousands of years before Christ walked on the Earth.
Essential oils were not produced in Europe until the 12th century. Although Medieval Europeans lost touch with personal cleanliness, which helped bring on the great plagues of the 13th and 14th centuries, essential oils are still known and talked about in relationship to the thieves who robbed the bodies of the dead and were not infected. These robbers, known as spice traders and perfumers, bathed in such oils as pine, frankincense, balsam, clove, cinnamon and rosemary. Imagine the knowledge and trust they must have had in the oils, that they were willing to expose themselves to an otherwise certain death.