Greetings, essential oil lovers!
By now, you have probably opened up a bottle or two of essential oil, and you’re discovering your favorite ways to use them in daily life.
Have you ever wondered, “How did we get to this? How long have people been using essential oils?”
You’re in luck! Today, I have answers for curious minds.
THE HISTORY OF AROMATHERAPY: WHEN DID IT BEGIN?
The term “aromatherapy,” as defined by NAHA (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy), is “the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of the body, mind and spirit.” Basically, using aromatherapy helps to support overall wellness.
Although the term “aromatherapy” wasn’t used until the 20th century, the use of aromatic plants dates back thousands of years. The use of essential oils, specifically, dates back nearly 1,000 years, with the invention of modern steam distillation credited to Avicenna around the year 1000 AD.
EARLY METHODS OF AROMATIC EXTRACTION
This doesn’t mean that aromatic plants weren’t used and loved by many prior to this. Before the advent of steam distillation, aromatic plants were often infused in a vegetable oil or animal fat to extract some of the aromatic properties, burned as incense, or even simply infused in water. These aromatic infusions were used for anointing, perfumery, rituals, and of course, overall wellness.
Hippocrates (460-377 BC), the father of modern medicine, said that the way to health was with an aromatic bath and a scented massage every day. Cleopatra (69-30 BC) was famous as a lover of perfumes. Again, these were likely oil infusions.
MODERN-DAY ESSENTIAL OIL USAGE
As we move into the 21st Century, we see more and more people wanting to take their wellness into their own hands. We’re all looking for simple, cost-effective choices that can have a big impact on the wellbeing of our families. With the increased availability of information, we have seen many start to seek out essential oils for their wide range of benefits.
This is just a brief glimpse into the rich history of essential oils. Do you have any fun facts about the history of essential oils? Share them in the comments below!
Hi – So along with the other Prop 65 warning questions- what is the specific chemical that is in your diffuser that is causing the warning to have to be on the product and what part of the product contains this chemical? Thanks!
I have the question . What does the warning that this product contain chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer,birth defects and other reproductive how safe is this product to our health? Is the question
Hello, Jeanette. Thank you for your question. Please find our answer below.
Proposition 65, also known as the “Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986,” is a California law that requires warnings to be placed on any product that contains one of more than 900 chemicals designated by the State, even if only in extremely low, trace amounts, and even if they do not make the product unsafe. A Proposition 65 warning label does not mean that the product poses any danger to the consumer. Proposition 65 warnings are all over California, in restaurants, dentist’s offices, grocery stores, parking lots and on products such as makeup and jewelry.
HoMedics products are constructed of ordinary materials, such as plastic, cloth, paper and metal. While we believe our products are safe when used as designed and pose no health risks, we provide the warning to avoid costly and frivolous lawsuits. Proposition 65 imposes large penalties, enforceable through civil litigation, for failing to provide a warning unless the company can prove that the presence of a listed chemical presents “no significant risk,” which is defined in a way that renders definitive proof difficult, costly, and uncertain. Companies are often faced with the expense of having to defend civil litigation merely due to the presence of a listed chemical in a product without a warning, regardless of whether it presents any actual risk or results in exposure levels sufficient to trigger a warning requirement. As such, HoMedics, as well as most other companies, have elected to include this warning to ensure compliance with Proposition 65.
If you want to learn more about California’s Proposition 65 and how it is hurting businesses and consumers, visit the following websites:
http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/background/p65plain.html
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2001/1015/080.html
I have the question as Catherine Hofmann. What does the warning that this product contain chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer,birth defects and other reproductive
Hello, Andrea. Please find our answer below. Thank you for your question.
Proposition 65, also known as the “Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986,” is a California law that requires warnings to be placed on any product that contains one of more than 900 chemicals designated by the State, even if only in extremely low, trace amounts, and even if they do not make the product unsafe. A Proposition 65 warning label does not mean that the product poses any danger to the consumer. Proposition 65 warnings are all over California, in restaurants, dentist’s offices, grocery stores, parking lots and on products such as makeup and jewelry.
HoMedics products are constructed of ordinary materials, such as plastic, cloth, paper and metal. While we believe our products are safe when used as designed and pose no health risks, we provide the warning to avoid costly and frivolous lawsuits. Proposition 65 imposes large penalties, enforceable through civil litigation, for failing to provide a warning unless the company can prove that the presence of a listed chemical presents “no significant risk,” which is defined in a way that renders definitive proof difficult, costly, and uncertain. Companies are often faced with the expense of having to defend civil litigation merely due to the presence of a listed chemical in a product without a warning, regardless of whether it presents any actual risk or results in exposure levels sufficient to trigger a warning requirement. As such, HoMedics, as well as most other companies, have elected to include this warning to ensure compliance with Proposition 65.
If you want to learn more about California’s Proposition 65 and how it is hurting businesses and consumers, visit the following websites:
http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/background/p65plain.html
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2001/1015/080.html
Hi I live in San Juan Puerto Rico were I can purchase your products. I saw your add in HGTV
Thanks
Great question, Iris. At http://www.ellia.com we only ship to the continental United States. However, many of our Ellia products are available at Bed Bath and Beyond stores in several locations. Please use the following link to find a store near you. https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/selfservice/FindStore
Are any of the Ellia oils ingestible?
Great question, Vanessa. At Ellia, our focus is on the safe, aromatic and topical use of essential oils. That’s why at this time, we do not advocate the internal use of essential oils.
what does the warning that this product cintsins chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer,birth defects and other reproductive hsrm?
Hello, Catherine. Thank you for your question. Please find our answer below.
Proposition 65, also known as the “Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986,” is a California law that requires warnings to be placed on any product that contains one of more than 900 chemicals designated by the State, even if only in extremely low, trace amounts, and even if they do not make the product unsafe. A Proposition 65 warning label does not mean that the product poses any danger to the consumer. Proposition 65 warnings are all over California, in restaurants, dentist’s offices, grocery stores, parking lots and on products such as makeup and jewelry.
HoMedics products are constructed of ordinary materials, such as plastic, cloth, paper and metal. While we believe our products are safe when used as designed and pose no health risks, we provide the warning to avoid costly and frivolous lawsuits. Proposition 65 imposes large penalties, enforceable through civil litigation, for failing to provide a warning unless the company can prove that the presence of a listed chemical presents “no significant risk,” which is defined in a way that renders definitive proof difficult, costly, and uncertain. Companies are often faced with the expense of having to defend civil litigation merely due to the presence of a listed chemical in a product without a warning, regardless of whether it presents any actual risk or results in exposure levels sufficient to trigger a warning requirement. As such, HoMedics, as well as most other companies, have elected to include this warning to ensure compliance with Proposition 65.
If you want to learn more about California’s Proposition 65 and how it is hurting businesses and consumers, visit the following websites:
http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/background/p65plain.html
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2001/1015/080.html