Egyptian Influence on Aromatherapy
Egyptian, Greek, Roman and European Use of Essential Oils
Jul 28, 2008
The Ebers Papyrus is one of the oldest known medicinal works recording one hundred medicinal prescriptions, including essential oils. It dates back to 1550 B.C. and was discovered in 1873 by Egyptologist Ebers. The Nile Valley was known as the Cradle of Medicine; a haven of plants, trees and small bushes brought from India, Persia and Syria.
The Egyptians successfully embalmed humans and animals using plants, essential oils and aromatic resins. King Tutankhamen had Frankincense preserved in his tomb which was so potent when his tomb was opened 3,000 years later a faint odour was smelled. The Egyptians were also early innovators of a rudimentary still for plants.
The temple of Edfu has hieroglyphics recording aromatic plant medicine use, including that of the well known Egyptian fragrance called Kyphi. Kyphi helped to induce sleep, alleviate anxieties, eliminate sorrow and acted as a general antidote for toxins. Priests formulated all sorts of other medicines and perfumes from aromatic materials.
Greek and Roman Aromatherapy
Influenced by Egyptian knowledge gained from visits to the Nile Valley, a medicinal school was established in Cos, now famous for the teachings of Hippocrates (460 – 370 B.C.). Another Greek, Megallus, formulated a perfume called Megaleion, known to heal wounds and reduce inflammation. The Greeks classified and indexed the knowledge of the Egyptians and contributed significantly to the future study of plant medicine.
The Romans learned from both the Egyptians and the Greeks and further advanced their knowledge. Discorides (1st Century A.D.) became well known for recording the properties of 500 plants in the book, ‘De Materia Medica’. As the Romans expanded their empire throughout Europe, knowledge spread. Thyme, Rosemary and Parsley were some of the aromatic plants which were introduced to Britain by the Romans.
Avicenna (Ib’n Sina) (980 A.D.), an Arab scientist, emerged after the dark days following the fall of the Roman Empire. He introduced the cooling coil to improve the distillation units for plants. He wrote a number of books which were widely used up to 1650. This shows his significant influence.
European Use of Aromatic Plants
In the Middle Ages, the Crusaders brought home perfumes and flower waters from the Arabs; as trade routes opened up from East to West, European aromatic plant use spread. Venice was a trade gateway to the Arabs, spreading the wide use of perfume throughout Italy. Catherine de Medici was responsible for taking the Italian influence to France by marrying Prince Henri II of France. Cultivation of plants such as Jasmine, Lavender and Rose was established.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, explorers Columbus and Cortes brought new plants back to Europe from their discoveries of the Americas. Aromatic plant use fell out of popular favor when the Industrial Revolution hit Britain. Furthermore, the mass production of man-made plant oils impacted the use of ‘old’ medicine.
It was the discovery of Rene- Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist, in the early 20th century which reverted old beliefs and values. Through his research and findings, in particular an incidence involving an accident of a feared burn on his hand being ‘healed’ by lavender, modern day aromatherapy was born.
References:
Lawless, Julia 1995 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils London: Element
Price, Shirley 2000 Aromatherapy Workbook Rev. Edn. London: Thorsons
For Further Reading:
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