Did you know that the use of herbal steam or using essential oils in baths was practiced a 1000 years ago?
These days we think of aromatherapy as a treat. It’s certainly a luxury, but it wasn’t considered that in the past. Medicinal bathing was highly popular due to its healing properties arising from herbs.
When fresh herbs are placed in hot water, a fraction of their essential oils can be extracted. These essential oils, or aromatic oils, are a crucial element for the art of aromatherapy. They have been famously used throughout history for treating headaches, respiratory problems, exhaustion and even depression. I mean who doesn’t feel rejuvenated after a great shower? Maybe that’s why the ancient Greeks and Romans studied the benefits of adding herbs to the shower for an extra dose of rejuvenation! Hippocrates, for example, extensively studied hundreds of various herbs, and combinations and put them to good use by recommending that essential oils be added to bathing rituals.
