Before the Romans and Greeks discovered how to distill perfume from plants, they extracted scent through burning or steeping ingredients like roses, violet and jasmine in oil.  They used their perfumes not just for the pretty scents; they believed ‘bad’ air could spread disease. Folks in this era filled the air with scent, believing this would prevent disease from being transported to them through the air.

Essential oils have been used for centuries for their healing properties. For at least 5,000 years, ancient cultures in Egypt, India, Greece and China have turned to essential oils for help with love, meditation and war. What a combination!  We found this piece of history fascinating – In 1910, French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse wrote: In my personal experience, after a laboratory explosion covered me with burning substances which I extinguished by rolling on a grassy lawn, both my hands were covered with a rapidly developing gas gangrene. Just one rinse with lavender essence stopped “the gasification of the tissue”. (This of course is not a suggestion to use the above information as medical advice for a burn or any other medical emergency) 

Here at the Inn at Laurita Winery we simply love to utilize different fragrances for aromatherapy in our spa. The term ‘aromatherapy’ by the way was coined by Rene-Maurice Gattefosse.

So there you have it, a few tid bits about the history of essential oils.

Enjoy this lovely deodorizing room spray recipe using organic essential oils:

  • You’ll need a 4-ounce bottle (glass or metal only as your essential oils will eat through a plastic bottle) with a fine mist sprayer
  • 2 ounces of distilled water.
  • 1-ounce alcohol; vodka will do, FYI: Alcohol is not necessary, but it will keep the spray lasting longer. If you don’t use the alcohol, add another ounce of distilled water.
  • 5-12 drops each of the following organic essential oils: Orange & Rosemary
  • Shake the bottle well before each use, as the oils tend to sit on the surface.

Choose other oil combinations, like lemon, mint and oregano to create wonderful room spray gifts! This is such a fun project to get the kids involved in too!