Aromatherapy has been in existence in different traditional cultures as far back as the 10th century. However, due to popularism and business commerce the medical spotlight has taken notice and shone its light on this practice since the 19th century, causing a lot of people to adopt this application for healing, relaxation and wellbeing.
 
Aromatherapy entails the use of oil extracted from fruits, plants, and herbs (such as lemon, rosemary, sandalwood, lavender, jasmine, ginger, and peppermint for example) for physical, mental, emotional, and psychological healing of human beings. Ancient cultures in China, India, Egypt, and elsewhere in the world blended aromatic plant components in resins, balms, and oils. These were used for medical and religious reasons. 

Essential oil production was first established by the Persians in the 10th century, though the practice may have been in use for a long time prior to this. Information about essential oil distillation was published in the 16th century in Germany. French doctors at the turn of the 19th century recognised the potential of using essential oils in the treatment of disease and illness.

It was a french perfumer and chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé that coined the word 'aromatherapy' in a book he wrote on the subject which was published in 1937. He had previously discovered the healing potential of lavender in treating burns.