Essential Oils Origins – The Scientific Revolution
The Scientific Revolution
During the Renaissance period, pharmacopoeias were filled with aromatic materials. For centuries, pharmacopeias were the only protection against plague and epidemics. With the introduction of aromatic materials, the medicinal applications of essential oils were recorded. The writings in the pharmacopeias included well-established aromatic materials such as cinnamon, juniper, rosemary, sage, lavender, rose, frankincense, and cedar. There were also essences such as cajeput, orange flower, pine, artemisia, chervil, and valerian.
The industries of distillation and perfumery attracted a number of illustrious names. In Europe’s northern countries, flourishing commercial businesses sprang up, specifically in Grasse, France. Towards the end of the 17th century, the perfumery profession became distinct from its general field, which also distinguished between aromatics and perfumes.
Alchemy paved the way to technical chemistry, along with an interest in the interrelationship between matter and spirit, as well as the mutuality between psychology and medicine. The concept of opposing speculation with deductive reason and logic was also developed.
The early 19th century was the period for scientific revolution. Chemists were able to distinguish the various constituents of essential oils as well as provide them particular names such as cineol, citronellol, and geraniol.
Enthusiastic research was conducted for the discovery, conceptualization, and application of essential oils. This paved the way for the growth of the modern industry of drugs and pharmaceutics. However, this research also led to the development of synthetic oil counterparts, which are available today.
Unfortunately, in the advent of artificially-produced oils and improper methods of treatments, the credibility of aromatic remedies and herbal medicine was lost. During the middle of the 20th century, the popularity of essential oils waned, and almost died out completely, specifically their applications in cosmetics, food products, and perfumes.
