In 2008 environmental concerns and issues of toxicity in food, water and air are common across the globe. Many consumers today have acknowledged the importance of using organic, earth-friendly health and beauty products not only because it benefits the planet, but because it also benefits the human body. Even spa therapy professionals such as massage therapists, estheticians, and salon owners have caught on. 

    Spas across the country now feature organic massage therapy oils and natural healing herbs for body wraps and saunas. As an increased understanding of natural health remedies emerges, people identify natural and organic products as a way to maintain optimum health.  Essential oils and organic herbs are some of the most popular natural health and beauty tools on the market.  Their use can be traced as far back as ancient Egyptian culture and the advantages are undeniable.  

A Slice of Spa Therapy History: Ancient Egypt’s Natural Health and Beauty Alternatives

    In a recent article on Happi.com experts Mona Shaath and Nadim A. Shaath, PhD. (Alpha Research and Development, Ltd.) evaluate the relationship of ancient, natural health and beauty practices to our modern practices today. The article, titled “The Afterlife of Natural, Ancient Egyptian Cosmetics” , covers a myriad of facts. According to the Shaath’s, “The health and beauty practices developed by the ancient Egyptians expose a sophisticated knowledge of the natural world; how to use nature’s bounty and achieve calculated results.” “Now that the beauty industry is leaning toward the use of natural ingredients and environmentally sensitive farming, there is renewed interest in the ancient natural sciences,” the article continues, “An examination of an era before synthetics could provide a roadmap away from our utter dependence on artificial ingredients.”

    Despite the valuable benefits of using natural cosmetics or organic spa therapy supplies, the Shaath’s do not advocate ignoring medical science and modern advances.  “While the knowledge of the ancients is impressive, we must be mindful to use our current scientific knowledge when incorporating suggestions from Ancient Egypt. The ancients did not have the full benefit of our modern technological developments,” they state, “Surely, we can combine the wisdom from the past with our current modern ingredients and advanced analytical techniques.”

Traditional Organic Essential Oil: A Necessary Health and Beauty Tool for the Ancient Egyptians

    “The Afterlife of Natural, Ancient Egyptian Cosmetics”, written by Mona Shaath and Nadim A. Shaath, also mentions specific organic herbs valued by the Egyptians, some of which were used as essential oil. “Valuable information was recorded on papyrus and on temple walls; many ancient products treating most of the common diseases were depicted. Some of these ingredients and formulations have been in use since ancient times. Folklore medicine that continues the ancient traditions uses ingredients that are commonly accepted for their effectiveness—they are tried-and-true,” state the Shaaths.

    According to the article natural healing herbs and flowers like rose, geranium, basil and jasmine were well loved by the Egyptian people. Mona and Nadim Shaath attribute the following uses and characteristics to each of the specific essential oils:

Rose Essential Oil
Used in tombs, funeral rites and baths/Increases the skin’s softness and cleanliness
Geranium Essential Oil
Has mood enhancing and anti-depressant qualities/Can treat wounds and has anti-fungal properties
Basil Essential Oil
Known for insecticidal and anti-microbial properties/Can be used as a preservative
Jasmine Essential Oil
Used as a sedative and anti-depressant/Used in cosmetics for the treatment of skin conditions and oiliness of the hair and skin