Essential oil: economic and herbal importance in aromatherapy (original) (raw)

Since ancient times, the traditional system of medicine has become aroused the scientific curiosity of the common people, giving birth to an indian medical system called Ayurveda. Compilations of culinary herbs, Charaka and Susruta gave a detailed description of the plants, their properties, extraction techniques to get the active compound and procedures for ingestion of the medicine for effective treatment of various illness or disorder. The Indian knowledge of medicinal properties of herbs is reported in the charak sanhita, believed to be written 3000 years ago. The medicinal plants could grow in plenty across the country in every where. India has been considered as treasure house of valuable medicinal and aromatic plant species. These plants have been used over the thousands year for human welfare in the promotion of health as drugs and fragrance materials. They play an important role in the health care of about 80% of world population. The rest 20% also dependent substantially o...