Almost every culture and civilization has used fragrances for religious, improving the quality of the air, social or therapeutic purposes.
Ancient Egypt
The ancient Egyptians were one of the first cultures to make fragrance use paramount to their religious and secular lives. Ritual offerings of incense and oils were daily occurrences in temples and Kyphi, one of the most sacred scents composed of herbs and resins, was used in homes as well.
China
The "gimbal" or perfume-burner originated in China in about 100 BC and was considered an indispensable accessory in almost every household. Dry perfume sachets are mentioned frequently in early accounts and were probably potpourri mixtures of fragrant flowers and herbs.
Persia
Perisan kings wore crowns fabricated of aromatic materials, and fragrances were constantly burnt in golden braziers to fumigate their rooms. The Persians were expert of preserving flowers. Rose buds were placed in earthenware jars, sealed and buried. For special occasions, they were removed and opened to scent apartments.
India
Early Hindu vapor rooms were used not only to soften the skin, but also to induce a desirable frame of mind. The fragrance was produced by the pouring of oils and herbs into pots of boiling water.
Ancient Greece
The Greeks crowned themselves with roses at banquets, placed perfume boxes in their dining halls and impregnated their food and wines with fragrant odors, usually roses and violets.
Ancient Rome
In Nero's golden palace, environmental fragrance devices were built into the walls, and floors. The dining rooms were lined with moveable ivory plates concealing silver pipes that sprinkled fragrant essences on guests.
Japan
After 538 AD, when Buddhism was introduced into Japan from China, an essential part of a religious observance was the burning of incense. The use of incenses, including sandalwood and natural camphor, spread to the home in the 8th century, when aristocrats began fumigating rooms and impregnating clothing with scent.
Britain
Fragrant herbs were used in religious ceremonies to make wreaths in ancient Britain. Fragrance usage became very elaborate and was enjoyed frequently in the home by the 12th century. In the 17th and 18th century, fragrances were thought to have the power to ward off evil spirits and sickness.
France
Although used for centuries, fragrance truly blossomed under the reign of Louis XIV during the late 17th and early 18th century. At Versailles he had a pavilion built and filled with the most fragrant flowers available, including tuberose, orange blossom and jasmine.
Italy
Learning from Byzantine culture, the Venetians absorbed many fragrant customs from the 11th century onward. In the Middle Ages, clouds of rich incense and candles were part of the elaborate religious festival days. By the beginning of the 15th century, Italy was the center of the perfume industry in Europe.
The Americas
In North America, the Native Americans taught early settlers to make torch candles from fragrant pine branches.
In South America, many indigenous fragrance materials are used; a favorite essential oil is obtained from the leaves and young wood of the Boldo tree, which has a cinnamon-like scent.