Philosophers often advised that to live a healthy life one might bathe in scented or aromatic waters. Ancient Egyptians and Persians used essential oils as beauty treatments for royalty, their earliest documented use dating back 6,000 years. The medicinal properties of oils have long been recognized and in modern times, aromatherapy has seen an amazing revival all over the world. It is a practice that may be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home with all the beneficial effects this delightful ancient science can produce.
Oils and Perfumes of Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptians at all levels of society were extremely concerned with scent and cleanliness and used an array of aromatics and essential oils to suit all occasions, both in this life and the next. Joann Fletcher investigates the extensive evidence in artistic, literary and archaeological sources and provides a guide to various oils and perfumes favoured by the ancient Egyptians. She looks at where they came from, how they were produced and stored and at the different ways in which they were used – practical, therapeutic, social, religious and funerary. Finally she suggests a number of ways to indulge yourself in true ancient Egyptian style.
The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all practiced aromatherapy, but it is only in the last decade that the benefits of aromatic oils have been generally recognized. This encyclopedia of remedies and techniques covers every application of aromatherapy from cosmetic and clinical to perfumery and explains how aromatic oils can be used simply and effectively to treat a wide variety of health complaints. Full-color illustrations.
Sacred Luxuries Fragrance Aromatherapy and Cosmetics in Ancient Egypt
The art of modern fragrance-making owes much to practices developed in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians attached great importance to perfumes and cosmetics, which men and women wore to make themselves attractive and alluring, to restore vitality and good health, and as a means of venerating the gods and of negotiating a passage to the realm of the hereafter. In this lavishly illustrated, oversized book, Lise Manniche looks at the role played by scents and cosmetics in ancient Egyptian society and discusses their preparation–in some cases providing actual recipes.
You may already be familiar with the benefits of these three herbs in your everyday cooking. The parsley plant in particular was believed to only grow in the gardens of honest people during medieval times. It was also chewed to keep away the devil as well as the additional benefit of freshening breath. While Parsley is native to Asia Minor it is now found all over the world and common Parsley is used for both cooking and creating essential oil. Both the seeds and leaves are used for creating the essential oil however the seeds have the highest oil content. Parsley has a warm, herbaceous and spicy smell and is even used in many herbal perfumes and cosmetics.
Rosemary on the other hand was first favoured by the Egyptians but then quickly become popular with the Greeks and Romans who saw Rosemary as a symbol of life and death. During the plague it was burned in town centres because of its antiseptic properties. Rosemary has a very powerful warm and woody aroma and produces clear oil which is distilled from both the flowers and the leaves.
