History of Essential Oils

From treating acne to constructing homes in the Australian outback, the Melaleuca plant has a reputation that precedes it for being exceptionally practical. As you learn more about the history of this well-rounded, powerhouse plant, you’ll find its applications are virtually endless.

From mummification to burning religious incense to beauty products, cultures around the world have used frankincense for thousands of years. Not only do myths, superstitions, and folklore claim frankincense as their own, but religious and medical history do as well.

Chewing gum and toothpaste, candy canes and Christmas trees: where would they be today without peppermint? This ancient herb has seasoned different cultures for thousands of years. Read on for the historical uses that helped put the ‘pep’ in peppermint.

From cooking to warfare, the dynamic history of the lavender plant shows that it deserves more credit than just having a colour named after it. As you dive into the timeline of this multipurpose plant, you’ll find that people throughout the ages have found it useful before even understanding its full potential.

In modern society, lemons are well-loved for their tart flavour in food and drinks. Lemon-scented products are also extremely popular in many parts of the world. From lemonade and lemon flavoured sweets to lemon-scented cleaning products and lemon oil, lemons are well-known throughout the modern world. However, many people do not know that lemons have been utilised by different cultures throughout history. From the gardens of ancient Rome and Egypt to the diets of travelling sailors, the history of the lemon is as juicy as the fruit itself!

In today’s modern society, the copaiba plant is most commonly known for biodiesel and essential oil. However, copaiba is a natural resource that has been accessible to humans throughout time, and people have utilised it in a number of ways. Copal resins which come from the copaiba plant have been highly valued by cultures in Mesoamerica and South America for centuries. After Europeans came to the Americas, copal resins became important in European and American society as well. From medicine and incense to lacquer and varnish, the history of copaiba and copal resins will blow your mind! 

Today, bergamot is best known as an essential oil and for being one of the main ingredients in Earl Grey tea. What is less well-known is that people have been utilising bergamot for thousands of years. From ancient Asia to modern-day aromatherapy, you'll be surprised to see how far bergamot has come and how many different uses it has had throughout history!