Essential oils are life enhancing aromatic compounds from the plant kingdom. The most advanced civilizations of the ancient world—Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Indian, and Chinese—possessed great knowledge about the use of oils and considered them extremely valuable, relying upon them for physical and spiritual health.

Throughout history, people have created ceremonies and rituals to celebrate, bless and heal. The ancient Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Syrians, Persians and Hebrews practiced anointing by touching individuals, objects or homes with oil to signify a sacred connection to the Divine.

Knowledge of the healing abilities of these substances and how to distill them was traded much as proprietary secrets companies guard today. The Hebrew people of the Bible traded with caravans carrying precious cargos of spices and oils traveling on routes from Africa to China and back with the area of Palestine at the crossroads.

There is historical evidence dating back at least 4,000 years, and it could be even earlier, that people used aromatic plants as incense, perfumes, and oils for medicinal and culinary uses. A terracotta “distiller,” experts believe to be 5,000 years old, was found in modern-day Pakistan and is now housed in the Taxila Museum near Islamabad.

For thousands of years people relied upon the vast healing power of pure plant essential oils to help regain, increase, and maintain a healthy body and a strong mind. Oils were commonly used for healing, perfumes and personal care, and for religious rituals.

Our greatest knowledge about oils, their preparation and distillation comes from the Egyptians as shown in some of their papyrus manuscripts dating as far back as 2800 B.C. This ancient knowledge is now re-emerging in our times to provide key practical solutions to today’s health needs and challenges.

Modern science can now tell us that particular oils are highly antimicrobial, antiviral and antibacterial while others are anti-spasmodic and analgesic. Their highly oxygenating molecules and ability to deliver nutrients to the cell nucleus for maximum assimilation has immense potential to powerfully protect, sooth and support body, mind, spirit, and emotions.

I admire the 12th Century Benedictine abbess Hildegard of Bingen, whose abbey on the Rhine River was a meeting place for all of Europe. She wrote extensively on theology, prophecy and medicine. Her healing recipes and advice have been used as a point of reference for healers for the last 900 years. Her treatises on medicine testify to the use of healing herbs and aromatic oils for healing on all levels.

Hildegard’s work, which lay obscure for hundreds of years, is now coming to full light to assist us with modern diseases. Her work with herbs, crystals, gemstones and essential oils is now being studied extensively study all over Europe. My intention is to deepen my understanding of the subtleties and application of her wisdom in my own research and practice.

The following is a list of some of Hildegard’s recommendations.
Might they be applicable today?

Basil for strong fevers
Hyssop for lung and liver problems
Frankincense inhaled for strength and clearing the eyes
Cypress for regaining strength from illness
German chamomile in a gentle ointment for intestinal pain
Myrrh held closely to the body wards off evil of all kinds
Cinnamon boiled in wine and drinking often for gout, stuffy head and fevers
Clary sage for digestive problems
Clove for sick intestines and for gout
Fennel “makes us happy” and supports good digestion
Ginger for eyesight, digestive problems and acne
Juniper for respiratory conditions using in saunas and warm baths
Lavender for ailments from eliminating lice to warding off evil spirits
Oregano for leprosy
Peppermint after over-eating and spearmint for gout and food flavoring
Rose strengthens any potion or ointment or any other medication when it is added to it.
Sage for bad breath and bleeding
Thyme for leprosy, palsy, old age infirmities, lice, and eye disorders
Yarrow for wounds, eye problems and fevers

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