From Mediaeval times until the mid-1800s, it was generally believed that diseases were caused and spread through a corruption of the air or ‘miasma’. This belief probably arose because of the foul smells associated with illness and the lack of hygiene common at that time. When it came to preventing or treating such diseases, a lack of any knowledge of modern science or medicine meant that people had only the beliefs and practices of their ancestors to rely on. While some of these, mainly herbal, remedies have been since found to be effective (e.g. wormwood for stomach complaints and lungwort for respiratory problems), most were totally ineffective when the Black Death swept across Europe in the 1300s.
The most common form of the Black Death was the bubonic plague, characterized by the appearance of black-coloured buboes in the groin, neck and armpits, which oozed pus and blood, together with fever, headaches, painful aches in the joints, nausea and vomiting. It was highly contagious and usually fatal. The Black Death was universally feared – it spread ferociously fast, and death could occur within a couple of hours of the onset of symptoms. Between the 14th and 17th centuries, Europe suffered a series of attacks from the plague, and the consequences were enormous. Between 1348 and 1350 alone, the Black Death is estimated to have killed between one- and two-thirds of the population of Europe.
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Arabia – 800-1200 AD
The Arab’s created advanced methods of chemical and pharmaceutical technology. As well they established extensive trade routes connecting India, China, the Mediterranean, and Indonesia with the Arab world in which spices and aromatic oils were traded and sold as precious commodities. Thus aromatic oils became available to the entire civilized world. It was through the Arabs that the medical knowledge of the Greeks and Romans remained alive. Arabic scientists made improvements in extracting aromatic oils and established a vast amount of research about oils. Between the 7th and 13th centuries, the Arabs produced great men of science, most notably Avicenna, the Great Physician, who is credited with the discovery of the refrigerated coil, a breakthrough in essential oil distillation. The Arabs revived the knowledge and use of aromatic oils and perfumery passed down from previous ages, so that it was not lost.
Africa
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The Renaissance – 1400-1600
Italy became the leader in European aromatic oils. The Italian influence swept through France with the help of Caterina de Medici’s marriage to France’s Prince Henri II. At this time French aromatic oils and perfumes became popular and extravagant. The French used fragrance for everything. By the 16th century many of the essential oils in use today had been isolated and distilled for common use. At this time perfume and aromatic oils moved away from the original religious and medicinal practices and became a symbol of extravagance and luxury. During the 16th century Europeans believed bathing was unhealthy, and perfumes were used to cover offensive body odors. During the 18th century the French discovered that tuberculosis bacillus could be killed by clove oil, and that thyme helped rid the Typhus bacteria so prevalent at the time.
Golden Age – 1600 -1700
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