Oils of Egypt

History

The country of Egypt has been extracting essential oils for over 5,000 years. Egypt was a center of trade where caravans would arrive holding precious materials like cedar, spikenard, myrrh, frankincense, and cinnamon. Originally, oils and perfumes as well as the knowledge to produce them, were reserved for the priesthood and Pharaohs but eventually trickled down through the populace. Essential oils were key for medicine, mummification rituals, and as a method of improving people’s everyday life.

In Ancient Egypt, medicine was intimately linked with religion and they believed that healing took place in both the body and mind. The Egyptian priesthood developed a sophisticated practice of medicine using a pharmacy composed of herbs, spices, and various extracts. While it’s not clear exactly when the distillation of aromatic plants began, it’s believed one of the first extractions was blue lotus flower. The essence of the lotus flower was believed to help in the resurrection from the afterlife. In the temple of Edfu, there are hieroglyphics depicting the use of Kyphi, an aromatic substance to induce sleep, alleviate anxieties, and as an antidote of toxins. Over time, the Egyptians continued to refine their craft and developed a wide range of aromatic incense, cosmetics, perfumes, and medicine. Egypt was so renowned for their medical knowledge that even Hippocrates, referred to as the father of medicine in the West, travelled to Egypt to learn from the priesthood.

Mummification

One of the key uses for aromatic compounds during this time was for mummification rituals as a way to preserve the dead. Egyptian culture had a fixation with the afterlife and devoted tremendous resources to preserving the body after death. Modern archeologists have examined mummified remains and have been able to identify residues of aromatic gums and resins. When inspecting the mummy of Ramses V, an ancient ruler, traces of juniper, camphor, and myrrh were found, confirming their use in the sacred burial rituals.

Personal cleanliness was important to the ancient Egyptians as noted in an excerpt from the “Great Hymn to the Aten.”

“As you the Aten dispel the dark, As you cast your rays, the Two Lands (i.e., Egypt) are in festivity. Awake they stand on their feet, You have roused them; Bodies cleansed, clothed, their arms adore your appearance.”

Personal Care

The Egyptian priests sought to always maintain a clean state as purity was critical for their ability to perform the various rituals. While they did not have the luxury of modern soaps, they would use alternatives such as a mixture of salt, honey, and natron. Archeologists have also found razors and creams that show the Egyptians also sought to keep their hair fresh and attractive. Recipes that appear to describe primitive shampoo have also been discovered.

As the country grew more prosperous, these recipes and production techniques would trickle down from the priestly caste to the average person. Ramesses VI even undertook an initiative to increase the production of various aromatics to help the air quality and remove the odor of fish that was prevalent in the cities. The oils and extracts produced in Egypt became know across the civilized world and led to extensive trade with countries like India and what is current-day Ethiopia. This trade of goods and knowledge was the basis that formed the essential oil trade as we know it today.

Egyptian Oils & Harvest Season