Throughout the centuries, the use of essential oils phased in and out of popularity.  In 1328 the "Black Plague" began to spread from China to Europe, following all of the Trade Routes to every country.  The devastating illness was swift and fatal.  7500 Victims of the disease were dying every day. 

The Elizabethan surgeons wore long black robes, leather gloves, hats, and a beak-like mask.

This mask contained drops of Bergamot oil, which has antibacterial and anti-infectious properties (among others). They also carried amulets of herbs, such as rosemary, lavender, bay and sage, which were used throughout history for burning in order fumigate rooms where there was illness.

So, most of the world's only hope for medicinal assistance was from the “Wise Women” and some church members who held knowledge of medicinal herbs. 

The herbs were gathered together in a bouquet.  They were used as an inhalant to boost the immune system and offset the smell of death, and they were burned to purify the air.

"Ring Around The Rosies" was actually a very morbid nursery rhyme that referred to the rose-like look of the sores on the bodies of the infected.  The bouquet was either carried in hand or was stored as a “pocket full of posies.”  

Any and all forms of healing arts were called into action to combat the spread of the disease.

Some of the most common herbs and oils used were for specific symptoms of the disease and are still used for those symptoms today.

Many of the people who lived in the mountains covered with lavender fields seemed to escape the illness.  So they were employed to come into the villages to remove the bodies of the deceased.

They also came with herbal remedies.  

Since there were few qualified physicians, the “Wise Women” and people of the church knowledgable in healing herbs and oils were the only hope for the victims of the black death.

 As the death toll rose and treatments were failing, fear began to escalate.

No one knew the disease was caused by fleas that travelled throughout the world on rats that infested the trade ships.

The blame was placed on evil spirits, demons, and Satan (and the humans that must be helping them).  The very people who were trying to be of assistance became targeted with the fault of disease.  Especially when their remedies did not cure the afflicted and did not affect the healer.

The healers, out of fear for their lives (not from the plague, but of their fellow human beings), retreated and ceased to record or speak of any remedies.