Traditional Indian medicine, known as Ayurveda (meaning ‘knowledge of life’), is the oldest form of medical practice in the world, with plants and plant extracts being in continuous use from at least 5000 years ago up to the present day.
The therapeutic use of aromatic plants seems to be as old as human civilization itself. The use of aromatic plants & plant parts for treatment & cure made a major section of Ayurvedic treatments according to the foundational texts of Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita & Sushruta Samhita.
Plants such as fennel, coriander seeds, cumin and many others have been found at the sites of ancient burial grounds.
Even till date, Ayurveda uses many aromatic plant parts for healing.