Aromatherapy has been used for over 6000 years. The Egyptians are given credit for being the first to use essential oils and aromatherapy. They were first used as gifts to the gods, then for embalming. Medicinal and cosmetic uses were found for the oils and the Greeks began to use them for massage, ointments, perfumes and other methods of treatment. The first written book on aromatherapy was used as the standard for over 1200 years.
Many uses are still part of herbal medicine.
The Romans adopted Greek medicine and improved it for personal use in the bath and massage. Arabic and East Indian oils were adopted as the Romans spread in their conquest of the world. The crusades brought essential oils to the Far East and Arabia. The Chinese used aromatics as burnt offerings to please their gods. Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine over 3000 years old, uses massage with essential oil as part of the treament.