The recorded history of Ayurveda Aromatherapy goes back 7000 years. In India the largest festival ‘Dipawali, Festivals of Light’ celebration also goes back to 7000 years ago. However, it has been my constant observation that the often ‘Ayurveda Aromatherapy History’ has been very much ignored due to lack of interest or may be ignored deliberately by many aromatherapist and perfumers outside India. In this post I thought to shed some light on the history of Ayurveda Aromatherapy.
A few aspects I want to clarify here related to complexity of a culture, survival of a culture, its preservation and continuation of ancient time-tested method till today. Perhaps the most difficult part is to preserve and continue.
It is not that India was the only country where ayurveda aromatherapy or usage of perfume or oils happened. In other civilizations it also happened like Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, Iran, Mexico. The problem happened when all these countries like Egypt, Iran, Mexico were controlled by the other countries and mass religion conversion or new ideology like communism happened. This led to the loss or huge suppression of most of the original ancient cultures, and now they cannot be called a continuation of ‘ancient culture’ in that original sense.
Perhaps India is the only country in this world where despite of more than thousands of years of attack, colonization and mass religion conversion, attempts to plant communism, the country not only survived by also preserved many of its ancient tradition. Moreover also formed a central government body for Ayurveda to ensure that the knowledge and usage of oils and herbs and herbal wines reaches to everyone. The complexity of Indian culture, and the deep philosophy is credited to the preservation of many ancient art, practices, rituals including Ayurveda Aromatherapy.
For example, the Pyramid was a great culture, but now it is just a past. It can no longer be called a living culture because they have become tourist places. Same applies to all the ancient countries and cultures. Historic records are there, but ‘continuation in reality’ is not there. On contrary in India, ancient temples still exist, many rock cut temples exist and till now most of them are living temples where people do rituals, pilgrimages and are protected by specific priests and yogis. That is why it is easy to comment on dead past, and very difficult to comment on ‘ancient living culture’ like India. Because of this Ayurveda Aromatherapy has been ignored by many people outside India.
As I said, the recorded history of Ayurveda Aromatherapy goes back to 7000 years. There was battle between King Rama of India, and King Ravana of Sri Lanka. Ravana birthplace is said to be near New Delhi (the capital of India). It means that later he shifted to Sri Lanka.
The battle took place in south of India. In the battle, King Rama’s brother ‘Laxman’ was wounded and lost consciousness. It is said that the Royal Ayurveda doctor ‘Susain’ suggested to bring some herbs from the Himalaya. Devote and Warrior ‘Hanuman’ was assigned to bring the “Sanjeevni” herb from the Himalaya Mountain, but when he reached there, due to lack of time, and unable to identify the exact herb, he got confused which is the exact herb because the whole valley was intensely aromatic. Hence, he brought a small path of mountain with many herbs. It is said that the Ayurveda doctor made a past of the Sanjeevini herb and put it near to ‘Laxman’ nose and he got consciousness. Later the same herb was used in battle to get unconsciousness and to heal wounded warriors.
In many Indian homes you will find such photo and calendar in which “Hanuman” is carrying the Sanjeevini herb from Himalaya to the battle field. And one person is unconscious. Ayurveda doctor is also sitting near b and other warriors also.
In India ‘Valley of Flower’ in Himalaya region is considered to be the place where ‘Sanjeevini’ herb was suggested by the Ayurveda doctor.
Sanjeevini means “New Life full of vitality, stamina and passion, Also it means Stay Alive.” Today many Ayurveda formulations are called “Sanjeevini” and Even one of our Attar is called “Sanjeevini”
Written by Krishana Chaitanya & MSA Team.
IG: @aromatherapist_krishana
You CAN copy, share and use this for educational purposes and give credit to the author Krishana Instagram/MSA website/ Nisarga Farms website/Telegram.