Dr. Jaber bin Salem Al-Qahtani:

Aromatherapy has today become widely known for its role in combating diseases, massage therapy, and masking unpleasant odors. Basil oil enhances energy, relieves fatigue and anxiety, and helps clear nasal congestion.

The first to coin the term “Aromatherapy” was the pharmacist René-Maurice Gattefossé in 1928, who worked in a perfume manufacturing facility owned by his family. He is credited with establishing the modern foundation of this branch of complementary medicine. One day, while working in the laboratory, Gattefossé burned his hand and quickly immersed it in the nearest container filled with lavender (Lavandula) oil. The burn healed completely and remarkably fast. From this incident, he discovered that essential oils likely have therapeutic effects in addition to antiseptic properties.

Later, the scientist Jean Valnet developed Gattefossé’s idea further and found that essential oils possess important properties, including anti-infective effects and the ability to regenerate living tissues, which helped in treating wounded soldiers during World War II. Valnet continued applying these techniques on a broader scale for certain psychological and medical disorders and published his work in 1964 in his book titled “Aromatherapy”.

History of essential oil use in treatment: Ancient Egyptians were the first to use essential oils in medicine, pharmacy, and cosmetics. Their interest in perfumes and aromatic therapy is evident on the walls of their temples in Deir el-Bahari, Philae, and Edfu. In Europe, perfumes were used during the Middle Ages to combat cholera and plague. In recent years, starting from 1928 when pharmacist René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered aromatherapy, the world began to adopt aromatic treatment to relieve stress, pain, and insomnia. Sprays containing essential oils such as lemon and lavender were used to fight bacterial diseases, and some oils were used to disinfect wounds. Perfumes were also widely used in massage and played a major role in the development of Roman baths in Roman civilization.

It is said that Cleopatra succeeded in seducing Mark Antony, the Roman commander who conquered Egypt, because she was anointed with jasmine oil. By the year 1000 AD, the Arabian Peninsula became a global center for the perfume trade, where raw materials were imported from India, China, Egypt, and Syria for commerce. After the fall of the Roman Empire, perfume use and trade declined in Europe as the region entered the Middle Ages. The return of the Crusader armies revived the perfume industry in Europe, and aromatic extracts and their therapeutic properties were once again used to mask bad odors and combat diseases. The fragrance of Eastern perfumes became familiar, but remained largely restricted to the wealthy.

Production and uses of volatile oils: The world produces large quantities of essential oils annually. For example, in 1987 global production reached approximately: 3,000 tons of lemon oil, 2,500 tons of eucalyptus oil, 2,000 tons of clove oil, and 6,000 tons of peppermint oil.

Important aromatic plants and animal-derived substances used in treatment include basil (Basil oil), which has several types and is used against fatigue and anxiety, and to treat insect bites and nasal congestion during colds.

Further aromatic plants and oils with therapeutic effects include:

• Chamomile oil: used for sleep, insomnia relief, digestive issues, gas expulsion, and eczema problems.
• Bergamot oil: antiseptic, anti-stress, relieves congestion (especially throat), treats mouth ulcers and bad breath, and is used as a gargle. It is also used for vitiligo.
• Sage oil: improves mood in sadness and depression and helps reduce muscle inflammation caused by exercise.
• Geranium oil: sedative, boosts mood, treats acne especially on face, chest, and back.
• Jasmine oil: enhances mood, refreshes the senses, has a calming effect on inflamed skin.
• Fennel oil: anti-gas, digestive, diuretic, improves circulation, relieves joint and muscle pain, helps asthma and respiratory issues, and is used in soap and perfume production.
• Anise oil: relieves gas, colic, cough, used in throat lozenges and in soap, toothpaste, and perfumes.
• Star anise oil: has similar uses to anise.
• Dill oil: anti-gas, relieves abdominal cramps, improves digestion and appetite, used in soap production.
• Lavender oil: calming, reduces anxiety and insomnia, disinfects wounds, cuts, burns, and insect bites, and is antibacterial and antifungal.

Mandarin oil is considered sedative and helpful for digestion or constipation, usually used by massaging the lower abdomen.

Orange oil is refreshing, stimulates digestion, supports liver function, and helps detoxify the body.

Rose oil is used for dry or inflamed skin when added to massage creams; rose water is widely used in drinking water, and rose oil is among the most expensive perfumes due to its unique fragrance.

Rosemary oil improves blood circulation and can be used for massaging hands and feet, helps sprains, and reduces dandruff.

Violet oil is anti-inflammatory, used for rheumatic pain, and is available in cream form for external use.

End of quotation from Al-Riyadh Newspaper, Monday 4 Sha’ban 1427H (28 August 2006), Issue 13944.

Dr. Jaber bin Salem Al-Qahtani continues:

We previously discussed aromatic oils and their medicinal benefits, and we now continue.

Marjoram is an aromatic perennial herb known by several names. It is used as a gas expeller and digestive aid. Its oil is used to relieve headaches when mixed with sesame oil and massaged onto the forehead, and it also relaxes muscles and nerves.

Artemisia is a perennial herb with a silvery color. It is used as a tea for digestive disorders and to reduce blood sugar. Its oil mixed with sesame oil is used to reduce fever when applied externally.

Star anise is similar to anise and has the same effects.

Cade oil is famous in the Jazan region and is extracted from a plant resembling palm blossoms. It is used in perfumes and added to drinking water.

Traditional aromatic mixtures are widely used in social customs such as weddings and celebrations across different regions of the Kingdom, including incense blends, aromatic oils, and natural perfumes used for decoration and fragrance in homes and clothing.

These traditions include various forms of incense such as oud, frankincense, musk, sandalwood mixtures, and other regional blends used for fumigation and perfuming clothing and gatherings.

Various traditional aromatic preparations and their uses include incense mixtures, home plants in decorative pots, steam distillation methods for perfumes, hair and body adornments using aromatic herbs, and perfumes for children and clothing, all deeply rooted in cultural practices across different regions of Saudi Arabia.

Henna is one of the most widely used plants for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. It has been used for treating headaches, sunstroke, fungal infections, and skin conditions. It was also mentioned in traditional medicine that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used henna for wounds and headaches, and recommended it for strengthening and beautifying hair.

Henna is used for decoration during festivals and weddings, as well as for dyeing hair, covering gray hair, and enhancing appearance.