Ancient Egypt is famous for it’s use of aromatic substances, with their plant medicine dating back to 3000BC.  Aromatics was in integral part of day to day life and as such was used before opening shrines, for coronations & national celebrations, embalming during the mummification process, as well as perfume and medicine.  Imhotep, a renowned physician and scribe, did a huge amount to advance medical knowledge at the time: he is sometimes referred to as the grandfather of Aromatherapy.

The Papyrus of Ebers (1550BC) reveals the widespread and frequent use of aromatics in Egyptian medicine, revealing that they were used both internally and externally to combat health problems: medicinal wines, inhalations, baths, douches, gargles and ointments are all referred to.  Everyday uses included cooking: the use of garlic, aniseed and caraway, mint, marjoram and parsley were used to prevent disease and maintain health.

They created “kyphi” a blend of 16 aromatics used as a perfume, incense and medicine.  It was inhaled during meditations to heighten spiritual awareness.  Frankincense was also used in this way and was even found contained in Tutenkhamen’s tomb, despite being 3300 years old when opened!  That’s a great shelf life for you!  Synthetics eat your heart out!  The aroma of certified organic Frankincense is like no other…deeply uplifting and awakening for the soul, just from a sniff!

Egyptians were aware of the effects of oils on emotions and so they were used for uplifting, nervousness, love, tranquility and even inducing aggression in times of war. This has enormous implications for altering mood state to have positive affect on education, business, relationships & even global PEACE.  Now I’m not saying an aroma can create peace in itself, but there is plenty of evidence to show it can create positive mood state…and it’s hard to be a pick a fight with someone when you’re in a balanced frame of mind.

Perfumes and religion were closely connected as they dedicated fragrances to and anointed their gods, as well as burning them during religious ceremonies.  Wealthy Egyptian women had aromatherapy baths, even then considered an a luxurious indulgence. They even created special blends as spermicidal contraception….perhaps with less harmful side effects than Yaz.. how could we harness nature’s natural remedies to create more synergistic contraception?

The Nile Valley, for obvious reasons, became known as the cradle of medicine.  AWESOME.

Smell delicious, feel whole and act accordingly!