| 1> | | | | decadent, bathing more than once a day in different |
| | | | temperature baths with perfumed oils was one of a |
| Essential oils are a worthy addition to the | | | | number of beauty-enhancing rituals. But of course |
| traveller’s kit bag. When travelling through | | | | that was Ancient Egypt, which on comparison bared |
| Egypt their uses became much more than one would | | | | little resemblance to our 'paradise' accommodation in |
| expect! | | | | modern day Cairo. Cleanliness was obviously not a |
| During a break from my Aromatherapy studies in | | | | priority, not by any means
no siree!!! Anyway |
| London, I set out on a trip with my girlfriend to | | | | we were exhausted and decided to stay regardless. |
| Egypt. I'd always been fascinated with Ancient | | | | After a weary day we both looked forward to a |
| Egyptian culture and impressed by their diverse | | | | restful night sleep only to discover that our beds |
| knowledge and documented use of essential oils. | | | | would reveal another not so pleasant surprise, bed |
| Not only were essential oils sourced and used for the | | | | mites
aghhh! |
| sensual pleasure imparted through perfumery, they | | | | Fortunately, I brought some essential oils on the trip |
| also played a paramount part in ceremonial worshiping | | | | and pulled out my trusty bottle of (antiseptic, |
| and for general health and wellbeing. To my surprise I | | | | insecticidal, parasiticidal, deodorising, sedating) French |
| was about to find out how resourceful a few | | | | Lavender and put a few drops on some tissues that |
| essential oils could be. | | | | we placed strategically in the bed. Egyptian mummies |
| We arrived at Cairo Airport in the wee hours of the | | | | had the right idea, ritually embalmed in Frankincense |
| morning excited and apprehensive about our new | | | | and Myrrh and firmly wrapped in bandages
nothing |
| adventure. Little did we know about bungling taxi | | | | gets in and nothing gets out. |
| drivers in Cairo. It didn't help that the only directions | | | | Essential oils are a must when travelling. Fortunately |
| we had for accommodation was our out-of-date | | | | for a little forethought we survived sharing trains |
| 'Lonely Planet' guide. An hour of hap hazard driving | | | | with farm animals, overcrowded bus trips with lunatic |
| and we finally arrived at a place that the driver, very | | | | drivers and need I say almost disappearing into the |
| convincingly, told us was paradise! Yeah, right... | | | | desert by camel
but that's another story. |
| Now I know for a fact that the Ancient Egyptians | | | | Your essential oil travel kit should contain: lavender, |
| took cleanliness seriously. There are even ancient | | | | chamomile, geranium, peppermint, ginger, tea tree |
| records of an essential oil deodorant recipe dating | | | | and thyme. |
| back to 1500BC. For those Egyptians who were quite | | | | |