The Chinese were one of the first cultures to have discovered the usefulness of inhaling fragrances. One of the first methods of inhalation was the burning of oils. They were able to make the observation that certain fragrances could evoke certain memories and reactions including pleasurable responses. The early Egyptians were another people that found benefits in using oils and fragrances. They discovered ways to extract the oil from plants (distillation). They too burned the oils but usually as an offering to their gods. However, they explored the useage of the oils as medicine.
The Egyptians are credited as the first ones to use the word perfume which describes the scent created when the oils were burned. The Greeks promoted the use of Essential oils and herbs via fragrances and perfumes especially to the Romans who adopted their use. It is the Roman army which is believed to have brought the use of oils and plants to the attention of the European and British people for aromatic and medicinal purposes. Avicenna of Persia is credited with discovering the distillation process. European alchemists over the next several centuries changed and expanded on the distillation process depending on the plant matter.
It is in the 19th century that the chemical make-up and isolating out the individual chemicals of the Essential oils was being researched. From this scientific knowledge further study of Essential oils lead to their use dermatologically in skin care products. It is in this era that Rene-Maurice Gattefosse used the term aromatherapy to describe the use of Essential oils for therapeutic purposes. Even more study, writing, and use of Essential oils has continued into the 20th century. Researchers have published much about a variety of oils and their therapeutic uses.