Aromatherapy Rose Otto and Islam

Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Sina was a Persian great thinker of the time. Amongst his many contributions to both eastern and western civilization are medical writings that continued to be used to study medicine up until the 17th century in Europe. Ibn Sina also invented the process of steam distillation, upon which, modern aromatherapy is based. Ibn Sina is more commonly known in the west by his Latinized name Avicenna. Rose Water was the scent he perfected. There is a saying that the Prophet spoke of his preference for prayer, wives and scents. Scents were an integral part of wellness for body and spirit. Rose water continues to be popular for purifying sacred spaces, personal hygiene, and in cuisine. Roses are full of antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins and are soothing to both the nervous system as well as good for skin conditions-especially aging skin.

Read the pdf of the entire newsletter here.sacredscentsjan2017

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Rose Water Bed Spritz Recipe

• Spray bottle
• Distilled water
• 1-2 drops Rose Otto oil

Fill bottle with water, add oils and spray on bed linen for a lovely, relaxing, (and potentially romantic) aroma.

For a more cost effective alternative, pick up rose water in the international aisle at the grocery store. Mix 1/3 rose water into 2/3 distilled water and spritz away to your heart’s content.

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We, in the West, owe a great debt to Abu ‘Ali al-Husayn ibn Sina and to others of the Arab world that gave us many of the everyday things we take for granted like mathematics. Our dominant system of numbers is no longer Roman Numerals but Arabic. Besides Algebra, there is a whole A-list of contributions from the Islamic world: astronomy, astrology, architecture, alchemy (which is the basis of chemistry), the arts, the Arabica coffee bean, and, of course, aromatherapy.

PS

Last night I attended a vigil at the Islamic Centre. Afterwards we lit candles outside of the mosque and tried to keep them from blowing out in the wind- which they did. We would walk over to another person whose flame was still lit and revive our own. Sometimes a stranger would come to us and light their candle from ours. It was a dance of light and dark in the chilly winter evening air. It struck me that this is really what life is all about these days. Sometimes, we need a light from another , even a perfect stranger, to boost ourselves. Sometimes, we are the light for others in troubling times. It goes back and forth.

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Disclaimer: Complementary therapies are not an appropriate substitution for proper medical care, but rather support the body’s innate healing ability in coping.