TWELVE OILS OF THE ANCIENT SCRIPTURE

 

Rose of Sharon/Cistus (Labdanum—Cistus ladanifer)--“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley” (Song of Solomon 2:1). Defining the rose of Sharon requires the wisdom of Solomon. One likely candidate is labdanum, sometimes called rock rose. This beautiful rose has a soft honey-like scent and may be the small shrubby tree called the rose of Sharon. Anciently, the gum that exudes from this plant was collected from the hair of goats that had browsed among the bushes. Cistus has been studied for its effects on cell regeneration.

http://www.universalhealthnetwork.com/site/266262/product/TWELVE.OILS.OF.THE.ANCIENT.SCRIPTURE

The History of Perfume & “Scent as Medicine”

 

THE ROMANS loved aromatics. By the 3rd Century A.D. Rome had 1,000 communal bath houses in which aromatic oils were used for massage and anointing the body. ROSE oil was a favorite of Rome. This is an interesting paradox, because the Romans were a martial society by nature, and Rose is a plant of Venus, the Goddess of love. It may be that the Romans achieved some psychological and emotional balance by adopting Rose Oil as the preferred fragrance. Or maybe because Rose is a good hang-over cure!

Cleopatra: Cosmetiques, Perfumes & Poisons At the time Cleopatra VII reigned in Egypt, perfume making in Egypt was already a 3,000 year-old art. Her famous baths and workshop were allowed to flourish under the protection of Julius Ceaser and later by Mark Anthony. She was one of the wealthiest rulers of the time and infamous in her use of scent. According to legend, she would drift down the Nile on a barge that was enveloped in a cloud of perfume, her body glistening with rare and exotic oils, and the sails of her vessel were permeated with the seductive scents of rose, patchouli, and other aphrodisiacs. The materials most often used for perfume were: rose (especially favored by the Romans), lotus blossom, lily, honey, sweet flag, camel grass (lemongrass), lavender, saffron, cassia, nard (spikenard), cinnamon, myrtle, laurel, marjoram, costus root, ginger root, cardamom, labdanum, rosewood, cyperus, wormwood, fenugreek, balsam, galbanum, opoponax, styrax, orris root, myrrh, frankincense. Perfumes were based in oil or a combination of oil, honey and raisins. All of these ingredients are available to us today. Unguents are made by combining perfumed oil in a natural wax base. In the days of ancient Egypt, unguents were used to both perfume and protect the skin from the harsh sun and dry heat. One of the Cleopatra's beauty secrets was to bathe in scented milk. Natural milk contains proteins and lactic acid (which is itself an alpha hydroxy acid). These help soften and restore suppleness to the skin. After Anthony's demise and Roman intrigue and her suicide, just 30 years before the birth of Christ, the perfume trade was lost to the Egyptians. The Romans embraced scent and were noted for their excesses, and once in control of the trade routes they funneled the lucrative endeavor to Rome

After the fall of Rome, perfume was primarily an Oriental art and it was not until the 13th century when the Crusaders brought back samples did it spread from Palestine to England, France, and Italy. Cleopatra, who was notoriously well-versed in the art of seduction, used scent freely to create an aura of mystery and irresistibility. From 131 to 200 A.D., around the time The Church of Rome was established, Galen of Pergamon developed the practice of medicine in a rationalistic and dogmatic form. Up to this time, healing was intimately related to the human connection with the natural world, the influence of nature spirits and the spirit world.

By 400 A.D. as the power of the Roman Empire began to wane, The Holy Roman Church took over from Roman Empire rule and the governing of the colonies, including law making, tax collection and education. Christianity spread through out northern Europe by 600 A.D. and the Holy Wars had begun by 700 A.D., heralding the beginning of the Dark Ages. It was during this time that a lot of empirical and traditional knowledge about herbal medicine was lost.

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It is said that the Moslem prophet Mohammed wrote, "Perfumes are foods that reawaken the spirit."

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Europeans attributed healing properties to fragrance during the 17th century. During the Great Plague, Doctors treating plague victims covered their mouths and noses with leather pouches holding pungent cloves, cinnamon, and spices, which they thought, would protect them from disease, incense balls composed of essential oils and resins of labdanum, styrax, clove, camphor, nutmeg, gum tragacanth, gum Arabic and rosewater were burned in homes. The aromatic oils and resins acted as strong antiseptics and were used to prevent the Plague entering the house. Fires of sulphur, hops, pepper and Frankincense were burned in the street during this time for the same reason. Essential oils were then and in many cases still are today, the best form of antiseptic available to mankind.

http://www.ireneparfums.com/1c-facts_2a.html

Garden Essence Essential Oils

 

Angelica Root - Coughs, Colds, Fevers, Flatulence, Indigestion, Skin. For centuries, Angelica Root has been hailed as the ultimate remedy for poisons and all infectious maladies. It was said to protect against contagious diseases and for use as a blood purifier. One popular explanation of the name of this plant is that it blooms on the day of Michael the Archangel, the Great Defender and so is believed to be a preservative against evil spirits and witchcraft. According to the legend, Angelica was revealed in a dream by an angel to cure the plague. All parts of the plant were believed to ward off spells and enchantment. Held in such high esteem, Angelica Root, was sometimes called “The Root of the Holy Ghost.” As a medicinal plant, Angelica was considered to have “Angelic” healing powers. Angelica has a long-standing, ancient record as a medicinal herb.

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Anise Seed - historic uses: relieve the pain of indigestion, colic, flatulence and bloating. Since ancient times Anise has been used to loosen phlegm and eases the discomforts of bronchitis, asthma and coughs. Boost your immune system – and try it for bad breath too! Also good as a food flavorant, and for infant catarrh, flatulence, colic, griping pains, painful periods, promote breast milk, dry irritable cough, bronchitis, whooping cough.

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Blue Tansy - It is best known for it’s skin care properties and as an anti-inflammatory. It has also been credited by aromatherapists as having antihistamine and antispasmodic qualities. It is believed to induce relaxation, reduce nervous tension and stress, and be beneficial for allergies. It does the latter by being a stimulant for the thymus gland. Used as a “cure all” by gypsies - expel worms, colds, fever, cramping pains, scabies, rheumatism, nervous disorders and to keep flies and vermin away.

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Calamus - is a stimulating nervine antispasmodic, and a general tonic to the mind. As a rejuvenative for the brain and nervous system, it is used to promote cerebral circulation, to stimulate self-expression, and to help manage a wide range of symptoms in the head, including neuralgia, epilepsy, memory loss and shock. It is used in the Phillipines for rheumatism and memory problems. Research in China has shown the essential oil in this rhizome to be sedating and neuroprotectant.

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Camphor, White - It was well known as a remedy against the plague in Persia. The therapeutic properties of Camphor oil include the following: anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, cardiac, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, insecticide, laxative, rubefacient, stimulant and vulnerary. Camphor oil can be used in the treatment of nervous depression, acne, inflammation, arthritis, muscular aches and pains, sprains, rheumatism, bronchitis, coughs, colds, fever, flu and infectious diseases. It is a well-known preventive of moths and other insects, such as worms in wood.

http://www.herbsfirst.com/essentialoilcatalog.html

Labdanum

 

Description

Labdanum is produced in Spain, the main supplier of crude Labdanum gum. Labdanum concrete is a sticky waxy, green to olive green or brownish green mass of sweet and pleasant, balsamic Amber-like odor with a tenacious backnote of rich, herbaceous character. This is an odor which is quite familiar to anyone who has visited the Mediterranean countries or islands during the months of March to July. Labdanum is used in soap perfumes where its alcohol insoluble matter is no serious drawback. It may at times even be an advantage through the fixative effect of the waxes and resins.

Scent

The fragrance of Labdanum is very complex. This waxy resin produces a balsam-like, woody, earthy, marshy, smoky, Ambergris-like, leathery, flowery, honeylike, mintlike fragrance with hints of plum or oakmoss after a rain.
Its odour effect is generally perceived as warming and restorative. In ancient times, the aroma was regarded as an aphrodisiac. The scent is said to be helpful for recalling past lives and buried memories.

Aromatic Properties

The fragrance of Labdanum strengthens the body and provides warmth and sensuality. It is very grounding, balancing and uplifting. It resembles Ambergris, and is used as a good substitute. On some skin types, Labdanum's sweet fragrance will trigger an ancient memory - there is a distinct smell that can be produced when it is worn alone that will remind one of ancient cultures where sacred activities were more commonplace. Labdanum is as an ambient aroma to facilitate meditation, helpful during convalescence or when suffering from nervous exhaustion.

http://www.maya-ethnobotanicals.com/product_browse.phtml/catid_22/subid_318//page_7/