Aromatic Plants: Basic and Applied Aspects

The use of aromatic plants has been practised since ancient times as is evidenced by records of Chinese, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Greek and Roman origin; recent findings in Pakistan prove that it goes as far back as 5000 years. Accordingly, the importance and value ascribed to them were always high. Either as a medicine, a foodstuff, a seasoning, a cosmetic or an element of religious rituals the aromatic plant was indispensable. It is not to be forgotten that desire tor the riches of India - spices among which - and the struggle to monopolize the trade of the latter con­ tributed to the opening of new sea routes, discovering of continents and altering the picture of the known world. With the advent of modern civilization, characterized by scientific and technological development which dIverted estimation and consumption towards artificial products, aromatic plants experienced a temporary de­ cline of use retaining, however, theIr importance In sectors such as the culinary art and cosmetics industry.