I thought I'd touch on the use of Aromata. The Greeks had many meanings for this word: incense, perfume, spice and aromatic medicine. The Chinese used the word heang to describe perfume,incense and the concept of fragrance.
With many of us preparing garb for various events, I am going to attempt to draw together apparel with the habits of the day. As most of us know, the trade routes of the Middle Ages were profitable for those who recognized the uses of herbs and spices. They enabled countries to exchange cultures as well.
Recorded history shows us that the fragrance trade was already established 5,000 years ago when the Babylonians and Egyptians were just beginning to write. Fragrances were used to purify, comfort and heal. In the beginning, sprigs were thrown into fire to create smoke or leaves were rubbed between the fingers to release the scents. Solids were eventually created using ground gums and plants mixed with honey, then formed into cubes which were placed on coals from the fire.
Medieval folks filled temples, churches, homes, council rooms etc. with incense and antiseptic herbs. With the often unsanitary living conditions the herbs helped to fumigate against disease, fleas and bugs. During Hippocrates time, they developed a technigue of placing wet herbs on rocks thereby creating steam which was inhaled and was used to treat sinus congestion, lung problems and earaches.
The native Americans were the first to take rocks steaming from teas made with goldenrod, fleabane, pearly everlasting and echinacea. Place them next to individuals and cover both with hides and blankets to make a mini sauna.
They even used incense as mouthwash. It wasn't until later that charcoal and inedible saltpeter was added to enable the incense to remain burning after it was lit.
To scent one's sleeves, wear a pouch on the waist, carry the solid within a brooch or bathe in essential oils all became prevalent during the Middle ages. Royalty and commoners alike strove to entice others through scent.
A Medieval Herbal Matching Game of perfumes and uses 1. Susinon ( a famous Roman perfume ) A. When ingested was a diuretic and helped fight inflammation 2. Amarakinon B. When ingested treated hemorrhoids...and aided in menstruation 3. Spikenard C. When ingested as a lozenge relieved coughs and laryngitis 4. Bay leaves D. When inhaled was believed to inspire visions 5. Cedar E. When inhaled would entice prophetic chanting 6. Camphire (Henna) F. When inhaled was believed to be an aphrodisiac The Greeks first used mint oil for under the arms (deodorant) They also believed in placing a special scent on different parts of the body (blended scents) Eventually they placed them in one carrier oil and placed them on soft parts of the body. The beginnings of the perfume trade as we know it started with man's desire to be pleasing to one another.
An uplifting sprtiz: - 6 drops of bergamot oil
- 3 drops of petitgrain oil
- 3 drops of geranium oil
- 1 drop of neroli
- 2 ozs. of purified water
(You may substitute 2 oz. of vegetable oil for the water if you desire to add it to your bath instead. Place 1 or 2 teaspoons of the blend in your bath water.) Transfer the ingredients into a small spray bottle, spritz, sniff and enjoy.
Rebekah