Aromatherapy Aromatherapy History and Origins 2

Question 1

Which ancient Chinese medical text, dating approximately 2700 BCE, documented the use of aromatic plants for healing?

Accepted Answer

Shennong Bencao Jing

Answer

The Shennong Bencao Jing (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) is one of the earliest Chinese texts cataloguing medicinal plants including aromatics.

Question 2

What event is said to have sparked Gattefossé's interest in the healing properties of lavender essential oil?

Accepted Answer

A laboratory explosion that burned his hand, which he immersed in lavender oil

Answer

After a lab explosion burned his hand, Gattefossé immersed it in lavender oil and noted exceptionally rapid healing without infection.

Question 3

Which extraction method, involving animal fat to absorb flower scent, was historically used before modern distillation?

Accepted Answer

Enfleurage

Answer

Enfleurage uses layers of fat (pomade) to absorb the fragrance of delicate flowers over time before being extracted with alcohol.

Question 4

Which British author and aromatherapist wrote the influential 1977 book 'The Art of Aromatherapy'?

Accepted Answer

Robert Tisserand

Answer

Robert Tisserand authored 'The Art of Aromatherapy' in 1977, bringing professional aromatherapy to the English-speaking world.

Question 5

In ancient Greece, which physician documented the medicinal uses of over 200 plants, many of which were aromatic?

Accepted Answer

Dioscorides

Answer

Pedanius Dioscorides wrote 'De Materia Medica,' a five-volume herbal that documented aromatic and medicinal plants for centuries.

Aromatherapy Practice Test