The History of Herbology and Its Practice

Since the ancient times of India, China, Egypt, and Assyria, people have always turned to plants for help — for food, shelter, clothing, weapons, healing, and many other uses. This dates back as far back as the year 2700 BCE, and is a result of the struggle to achieve mastery over the forces of nature. It is no wonder, then, that plants have been invested with magickal powers. And certainly no wonder that many myths attribute to plants an intimate relationship with our daily lives and with our destinies.

Herbs in Ancient Egypt

Surviving Egyptian papyri dating back to around 1700 BCE record that many common herbs, such as garlic and juniper, have been used medicinally for around 4,000 years. In the days of Ramses III, hemp was used for eye problems just as it may be prescribed for glaucoma today, while poppy extracts were used to quiet crying children.

Herbs in Ancient Greece

By the time of Hippocrates (468-377 BCE), European herbal tradition had already absorbed ideas from Assyria and India, with Eastern herbs such as basil and ginger among the most highly prized. The complex theory of humors and essential body fluids had begun to be formulated by this time.

Hippocrates categorized all foods and herbs by fundamental quality — hot, cold, dry or damp — and good health was maintained by keeping them in balance, as well as observing a regiment of plenty of exercise and fresh air.

Pedanius Dioscorides wrote his classic text De Materia Medica in around 60 CE, and this remained the standard textbook for 1,500 years. Dioscorides was reputed to have been either the physician to Anthony and Cleopatra or, more likely, an army surgeon during the reign of the Emperor Nero. Many of the actions Dioscorides describes are familiar today: parsley as a diuretic, fennel to promote milk flow, white horehound mixed with honey as an expectorant.

Roman Contributions to Herbology

The Greek theories of medicine reached Rome around 100 BCE. As time passed, they became more mechanistic, presenting a view of the body as a machine to be actively repaired, rather than following the Hippocratic dictum of allowing most diseases to cure themselves. Medicine became a lucrative business with complex, highly priced herbal preparations.

Opposing this practice was Claudius Galenus (131-199 CE), who was born in Pergamon in Asia Minor and was a court physician to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Galen reworked many of the old Hippocratic ideas and formalized the theories of humors. His books soon became the standard medical texts, not only of Rome, but also of later Arab and medieval physicians, and his theories still survive in Unani medicine today.

Islamic Influences on Herbal Medicine

With the fall of Rome in the fifth century, the centre of Classical learning shifted east and the study of Galenical medicine was focused in Constantinople and Persia. Galenism was adopted with enthusiasm by the Arabs, and merged with both folk beliefs and surviving Egyptian learning. It was this mixture of herbal ideas, practice and traditions that was re-imported into Europe with the invading Arab armies.

Probably the most important work of the time was the Kitab al Qanun, or Canon of Medicine, by Avicenna. This was based firmly on Galenical principles and by the 12th century had been translated into Latin and imported back to the west to become one of the leading textbooks in Western medical schools.

Monastic Influences on Herbal Medicine

The Christian monks of the sixth century enlarged the medicinal use of herbs, and even created many tools for the use of herbs. They became really the first homeopathic specialists and each monastery had a special herb garden from which plants were exchanged and traded between orders, thereby developing and improving the herbs. Some of today's great medical centers are direct descendants of these monastery gardens.

The Impact of Superstition

During this superstitious times immediately preceding the witch trials, many herbs were credited with mystical and magickal powers; it was believed that angelica, bay and garlic would protect the user against witchcraft, and bay had the added advantage of warding off infection. Caraway and coriander were used in love potions, while fennel was held in high regard by the Romans as it supposedly protected the user against venomous bites, made him strong, brave and encouraged long life. As well, there were herbs to guard against nightmares, some to deter vampires and many more to keep lovers faithful.

The history of herbology has been contributed to by a series of people and cultures. The use of herbs as medicines and magickal aides goes back to ancient times. It is not surprising, then, that today, they are still in widespread use.

Candle Crafting: Making Your Own Candles

Creating your own candles is satisfying, entertaining, and just a little time-consuming. However, it is most definitely worth the effort. This article will deal with the creation of mold-candles, those candles which begin their lives as melted wax and are set to harden within candle molds.

Required Materials for Making Candles

To begin you will require the following items, available at most hobby and craft supply shops:

• candle wicking
• candle molds (you can purchase these, or simply use household objects such as milk cartons, plastic bottles, or metal cans)
• wick tins
• wire rods (pencils can also work, but the rods are better)
• double boiler (for melting your wax)
• wax (paraffin or beeswax recommended; you can also use old crayons)

Preparing for Candle Crafting

Cut your wicks to fit the size of the mold, allowing at least one extra inch, preferably two, above the top of the mold. Place the end of the wick into the wick tin, and bend the tips of the tin down to hold the wick securely in place.

Place the wick tin, complete with wick, into the candle mold. Center the wick carefully, and tie it off with a loop (remember the extra length of wick?) through which you can thread your wire rod. The rod should rest across the candle mold, supporting the wick while pouring your wax. Generally, you’ll want to make sure you can remove the candle easily, so a little non-stick cooking spray is in order. This can be purchased at most grocery stores.

Creating the Candles

Now that your wick and mold are prepared, it’s time to melt your wax. Cut your wax into smaller pieces with a sharp knife and place them inside the double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, a large can in a pan of boiling water will suffice. NEVER melt your wax directly over the stove, as this could cause your wax to ignite.

If you would like your candles scented or colored, now is the time to do so. Colors are available wherever you purchase your candle supplies, in either oil-based or wax form. Either works well, though the wax will have to be shaved or chopped; you can also use a wax crayon, if you have some broken ones lying around. Scents are also available at most craft shops as oils, though I prefer to go to a New Age shop and purchase essential oils.

Whichever form of scent and color you choose, add it slowly and carefully. You want to judge carefully when you have enough. In the case of color, this is done by watching the wax as you add your colorant. When you reach the desired color, stop. Scent works much the same, but you want to be scenting the air just above your double boiler while you add your oil. You’ll get a good idea of what the candle will smell like when burning.

Now that your wax has been scented and colored, remove the double boiler from the heat. Very slowly, and with a great deal of care, pour the wax into the mold. Make sure you’ve protected the surface on which the mold sits, since hot wax can damage some surfaces. Allow the wax to solidify. Depending on the size of the candle, this may take several hours.

Once the wax has cooled, a little cavity may have formed on the top around the wick. Pour just enough melted wax into the cavity to provide a level surface for the candle. Remove the candle from the mold only after the wax has cooled and hardened completely. Your candle is now ready for burning.

Making candles allows for the personalization of color, scent, size, and wax type. Though it may take some time, it is more than worth it in the end.

Tips for the Safe Practice of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses the power of the scents of essential oils to produce the desired results. While a fairly safe process, there are still some procedures that should be followed to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone involved.

The Handling of Essential Oils

Even oils which are considered benign, such as lavender, tea tree, sandalwood, and rose should be diluted before use on the skin because undiluted oils coming into contact with the skin may lead to sensitization and the inability to get the healing benefits of those oils when they are most needed. Undiluted oils may also cause harm to the body.

Essential oils are diluted using carrier oils. Carrier oils are referred to as such because they carry the essential oil onto the skin or into the product that they will be added to. Different carrier oils offer different properties and the choice of carrier oil can depend on the therapeutic benefit being sought. Carrier oils are generally cold-pressed vegetable oils from the fatty portions of the plant. Cold pressing means that no external heat has been used while the seed is being pressed.

Because people's associations with oils and scents vary, always smell the oil first before using it. If you have a negative reaction to the oil's scent, find an oil with similar properties that produces a more positive result. Because skin types and chemistries vary, you must watch carefully for adverse reactions. If one oil produces a rash, use a different oil.

Avoid using essential oils directly on or near the eyes or mucous membranes. Use whole milk or vegetable oil to help flush out any essential oil that might have splashed into the eye. Remember, essential oils are not soluble in water, so water is not the best medium for removing them. If problems persist, seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

The Storage of Essential Oils

Essential oils should be stored in a cool, dark place. This is so that the oils will stay fresh. Even though this helps to preserve the oils, when stored for extended lengths of time, essential oils will go rancid. It is best to purchase only what is immediately needed, and not expect an oil purchased in January to still be fresh in December. Generally, essential oils will stay fresh for three months, but the length of time varies from oil to oil.

These oils should be kept away from small children and pets, since they should not be used internally. Children and pets rarely understand this, so it’s better to be safe. If a child or pet does swallow an essential oil (of if you happen to drink it yourself), seek medical attention immediately.

Other Tips Regarding Essential Oils

Do not use the same essential oil every time, whether for skin application or inhalation. Rotate the essential oils to avoid becoming sensitized and to avoid overexposure to any one essential oil. You probably find yourself drawn to multiple oils, so interchange them often.

It is important to remember that just because essential oils are derived from plant products doesn’t mean that they are interchangeable with the herb they come from. The properties may be similar, but essential oils and herbs should absolutely not be interchanged.

When working with large amounts of essential oils, make sure there is adequate ventilation. Open up windows, put on the exhaust fan. This is especially important for practitioners, who will tend to be exposed to essential oil fumes more than the average individual.

Essential oils should be handled carefully, and with respect. Though generally not a hazard, some precautions should be taken simply to ensure everyone’s safety.

The Use and Practice of Aromatherapy

The use of fragrance goes back thousands of years. Originally, people used herbs, and the oils derived from them, as a part of their spiritual or religious practices, and often as medicines. Fragrance is still used frequently today, and is most commonly found in the practice of aromatherapy.

Releasing the Scents of Herbs

It is relatively simple to burn the actual herbs themselves when using the herbs as incense. Simply light the appropriate herb on fire, or powder the herb and burn it on self-igniting coals. Either way, the scent of the herb is spread through the air. This is not generally considered aromatherapy.

It is also possible to release the scent of the herbs by pouring boiling water over them. This can be done to produce a tea, infusion, or steam inhalation. This is a gentler way of releasing the scents of herbs. While not aromatherapy in the strictest sense, this is still a valuable way to use the scents of herbs and flowers.

The use of essential oils is more complicated because one doesn’t just use the raw herb itself. In most instances, the ancient world's use of botanicals did not include the use of actual essential oils. Rather, many of the ancients used fats and oils infused with plant materials. Infused oils are not essential oils, though they are still a valuable way to release the scent of herbs.

Essential oils are oils produced directly from the herb itself. There are two main ways to do this — steam distillation and cold pressing. Both of these are difficult to do at home. Not only are the processes complex, but they require a great deal of plant material, usually more than most people have on hand. As an example, rose oil takes approximately 2000 pounds of rose petals. It's unlikely that you have 2000 pounds of rose petals sitting in your garage.

The Nature of Essential Oils

Essential oils themselves are found in various plant parts. Which plant part is used depends on the particular plant. Peppermint and patchouli oils are derived from their leaves and stems. Clove oil comes from flower buds. Jasmine and rose oils are derived from the open flowers. Essential oils are also derived from the seeds, wood, bark, roots, needles and skins of various plants.

Essential oils are less stable than fixed oils such as canola or olive oils. Since they are so much more volatile, they evaporate at a much faster rate. For this reason, they should not be left uncapped for any length of time. Always remember to seal your essential oils, even if you're only leaving them for a few minutes. You'll save oil, and so money, by capping your oils.

How are Essential Oils Used?

There are several ways in which essential oils may be used. They can be utilized for massage, inhalation, and bathing, to name just a few. How you use essential oils is mostly dependent upon your own preferences. In some cases, you will have to take allergies into consideration and remember to observe save aromatherapy practices.

There are many benefits to massage, including relaxation of the muscles and movement of the lymph fluids. Massage is probably the most popular way in which to use essential oils. Because they are so concentrated, they should be diluted in a carrier oil. The best carrier oils are sweet almond, jojoba, coconut, or olive. Grapeseed oil can also be used.

Inhalation of essential oils is a simple process. Special (and expensive) electronic aromatherapy diffusers will spread a scent throughout a room. A few drops of oil placed on a clay light-bulb diffuser will also do the job, and for a fraction of the price. You can also find 'melters.' These are designed to hold a tealight in the bottom while a glass or ceramic dish holds the oil above. As the candle warms the oil, the scent is carried on the air.

Using candles scented with essential oils can release the aromas into a room as the flame warms the wax, which in turn moves the fragrances into the air. Scenting the water in potpourri pots with essential oils is another way to gently freshen up a room. You could also toss essential oils into a fire for a quick burst of scent.

The use of a sprayer can disinfect or perfume a room very quickly. Fill a spray bottle with water and a dozen or so drops of the chosen oils. Shake the bottle and then spray. As essential oils do not actually mix with water, shake the bottle to blend it each time before spraying. Even putting a few drops of essential oil in a humidifier can help utilize the power of scent.

A few drops of an essential oil in bath water can do wonders for the mood. Bathing with essential oils gives both contact with the skin and inhalation of the scent as it rises from the water. Because essential oils are not soluble in water (they do not mix with water), it's best to add essential oils to a carrier oil before adding it to bath water. This helps to dilute the oil before bathing, reducing the chances of developing a rash from exposure to undiluted oils.

Essential oils can be hugely beneficial to the mind and soul. That their use is widespread throughout the world and is testament to their success.