A.D. 1000 “That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.”
A.D. 1850 “That prayer is superstition. Here, Drink this potion.”
A.D. 1940 “That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.”
A.D. 1985 “That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.”
A.D. 2000 “That antibiotic doesn’t work. Here, eat this root.”
Afterwards I had a hot bath with an essential oil synergy of Rosemary, Marjoram, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemon and Tea Tree, while sipping some Lemon Ginger tea with honey.

Aromatic plants play a prominent role in this historical look back beginning with the burning of plant material, which eventually turned into smudging or the burning of incense. It was Hippocrates who said to the ancient people of Greece to burn aromatic plants in the street during a plague. The reason for this is that many of the aromatic plants we find in the Mediterranean have anti-microbial properties. Hippocrates also said “the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and a scented massage everyday.” That was back in 300 to 400 BC! In todays fast paced modern culture and aromatic bath could be as simple as a foot soak with peppermint essential oil or an essential oil rich salt scrub in the shower. Massage gets a little more tricky, although at many health food stores you will find massage therapists offering a five minute massage for five dollars.
I’ll leave you with this n
ursery rhyme:~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990
Wiep de Vries, founder of the LAAC (Los Angeles Alliance for Childhood), is a registered nurse, massage therapist and health educator from the Netherlands. She trained in Family Constellation Work and has been teaching home health care workshops for parents and health professionals throughout Southern California since 1993.
Los Angeles Alliance for Childhood