People started using perfume, oils or as an unguent on them for thousands of years back in lesser or greater amounts depending on the fashion whims. The early Egyptians used perfumed balms as part of their spiritual ceremonies and later on as part of pre love making preparations. Myrrh and Frankincense were exuded gums from trees and are used to scent the atmosphere in rituals. Other plants like rose and peppermint were soaked in oils until a fragrant unguent is formed. This unguent was then rubbed into the skin. It is interesting to see that these scents has come in full circle today as more of us seek out for top quality aromatherapy oils to use exactly the same way as our ancestors did.

Products which enhance the feel of skin and the odor of the body have been highly respected in every culture. As trade routes introduced spices to other parts of the world a wider range of scents were made. In the past they often mixed with their own potions using homely methods creating their own aromatherapy products. Many houses had a room where the essences were steeped out of various flowers and other herbs.