Alchemy is a multifaceted subject. It is an early form of chemical technology exploring the nature of substances. It is also a philosophy of the cosmos and of mankind's place in the scheme of things. Alchemy developed an amazing language of emblematic symbolism which it used to explore the world. It had a strong philosophical basis, and many alchemists incorporated religious metaphor and spiritual matters into their alchemical ideas.
While the west produced over four thousand printed books from the 16th through the late 18th centuries in Europe, ancient alchemy has been practiced as a protective, secretive philosophy for thousands of years, developed independently in Ancient China, India, the Middle East, Greece, the Ancient Celts and most notably, Ancient Egypt.
The approach to alchemy we take in developing our bioenergized aromatherapeutic products is based on these more ancient principles as opposed to the heavily influenced Judeo-Christian religious approach to alchemy that most people are familiar with.
Alchemy is one of the most critical aspects to the founding and evolution of all major ancient and modern human civilizations. Even today’s modern researchers continue to utilize ancient alchemical principles. In fact, ALL foundations for all areas of modern science evolved from the principles taught in secret by ancient alchemists.
Alchemists were true polymaths, masters of expansive subject materials, skills and abilities, contributing their intellectual curiosity and endless quests for understanding both the material and immaterial world around us.
Alchemy dramatically influenced the foundations of depth psychology, philosophy, religion, the occult, and personal growth.
Ancient Egyptians had advanced knowledge of metallurgy, gold refining and even made artificial silver, gold, gemstones, pearls and other items that appear so chemically identical to the natural thing that it took the translation of various papri that dictated the exact processes of how to form such substances.
The making of highly complex skin creams, healing elixirs and perfumed oils was so advanced in Egypt, they became renowned for these products. Salves, ointments, incense, perfumes, elixirs, oils, eye shadow, and nail paint protected the skin from the desert environment and held deep religious significance.
What most people are not aware of, is that in Ancient Egypt, there were a collective of female alchemists who also pursued science, astronomy, astrology, medicine, personal development, and personal power.
The level of Ancient Egyptian advanced medical and alchemical practices is mind-blowing.
They understood that any illness or a wound can be tread by using complex recipes involving resins, sacred woods, essential oils, & macerated herbs more than 5,000 years ago. They knew the powerful healing abilities in energy healing, massage and aromas. Both male and female doctors specialized in different areas of medicine and more importantly understood the importance of cleanliness while treating the patients. Their practiced sanitation rituals indicated their early understanding for the concept of germs which was later confirmed in the 19th century CE. All these factors and medical procedures ensured the mortality rate in Ancient Egypt was far less than any European hospital in the Christian era until the mid 20th century.
The art of medicine of the ancient Egyptian is extensively documented from the 33rd century BC until 525 BC. One of the documents was a passage of the Odyssey in 800 BC where he states "the Egyptians are far more skilled in medicine than any of humankind" and "the Egyptians were skilled in medicine more than any of other art forms, including their secretive practices of metallurgy”.
In 440 BC, the Greek historian Herodotus wrote extensively of the advanced medicinal & surgical practices of the Egyptians. Even Pliny the Elder wrote heavily in favor the Egyptian doctors, urging Greeks to go and learn from these esteemed wisdom keepers. Many great greek names studied medicine in ancient Egypt such as Galen and Hippocrates, Herophilos and many others who acknowledged the contribution of Ancient Egyptians to Greek medicine and were able to study the Egyptian symbols, texts, beliefs and pass their extensive knowledge on to others.
Ancient Egyptian doctors were referred to as "Wabau" which means ritually pure. Wabau were both alchemists and priests who knew every form of magical healing from plants to energy healing. Physicians in ancient Egypt were both male and female. One of the earliest recorded physicians in the world is Hesy-Ra who was the "Chief of Dentists and Physicians" to Pharaoh Djoser of the 27th century BC while The lady Peseshet (2400 BC) is the first recorded female doctor who could have been the mother of Akhethohep. She was known as Imy-R Swnwt according to her tomb, which translates to "Lady overseer of the lady Physicians".
Magic, science, medicine and religion walked hand in hand during the ancient Egyptian civilization and had a profound effect on the Egyptian medical order. The Egyptian believed that the cause of any disease were dark energies, angry spirits, curses or punishment for bad actions and was treated as a by certain incantations, aromatic oils, elixirs, macerated herbs, offerings, tattoos, amulets like the Eye of Horus, the knot of Isis and many other items believed to contain powerful energy healing qualities. Praying to a Goddess such as Sekhmet or Isis, or Heka the god of magic who carried a staff entwined with two serpents, could help the patient heal quickly.
Herbs & essential oils played a vital role in the healing of many diseases and infection in ancient times. They would mix these complex combinations of herbs, roots, bark, oils and resins in a ritual manner to be taken or used as elixirs or massage oils. Some of the most used were:
- Aloe vera - used to destroy worms, relieves headaches, soothes chest pains, burns, ulcers and for skin disease and allergies.
- Basil - considered excellent for the heart.
- Balsam Apple or Apple of Jerusalem - used as a laxative and treated skin allergies, headaches, gums and teeth infections, for asthma, liver stimulant, and weak digestion.
- Bayberry cleared diarrhea, soothes ulcers, shrinks hemorrhoids, and repels flies.
- Belladonna in micro-doses - considered a pain reliever as it reduces fevers, cured gums, and epilepsy.
- Caraway cured flatulence, digestive, and used as a breath freshener.
- Cardamom cured digestive and flatulence.
- Colchicum a.k.a "Meadow Saffron" cured rheumatism and reduces swelling.
- Common Juniper tree cured digestive, chest pains, and stomach cramps.
- Cubeb pepper treated urinary tract infections, larynx, throat infections, gum ulcers and infections, and headaches.
- Dill - a laxative and cured flatulence relieves dyspepsia and diuretic properties.
- Fenugreek treated respiratory disorders, cleanse the stomach, calms the liver, ease pancreas, and reduces swelling.
- Frankincense cleared the throat, cured larynx infections, stops bleeding, cuts phlegm, asthma, and stops vomiting.
- Garlic provided vitality, clears flatulence, removes digestion, used as a laxative, shrinks hemorrhoids, was believed rids the body of "spirits" and during the building of the Pyramids, the workers were given garlic on a daily basis to give them the strength needed to perform well.
- Henna treated astringent, stops diarrhea, and close open wounds.
- Honey - widely used in ancient Egypt as a natural antibiotic, to dress wounds and as a base for healing unguents.
- Licorice - used as a mild laxative, it expels phlegm, clams the liver, pancreas and chest and any kind of respiratory problems.
- Mustard plant treated vomiting and relieves chest pains.
- Myrrh - used to stops diarrhea, removes headaches, and soothes gums, toothaches, and backaches.
- Onion prevented colds, soothes sciatica, end pains, relive perspiration and other cardiovascular problems.
- Parsley - a diuretic used with dill.
- Mint - used to treat soothes flatulence, relive digestion, stops vomiting, improve asthmatic like conditions and used a breath freshener.
- Sandalwood aided digestion stops diarrhea, soothed headaches and gout
- Sesame - used to soothe asthma and support healing
- Tamarind - used a laxative.
- Thyme - used as a pain reliever.
- Turmeric - used to close open wounds.
- Poppy - used to relieving insomnia, headaches, and anesthetic, treat respiratory problems and deadens the pain.
As you can see many of these herbs, woods and resins, retain their same qualities and uses today.
Ancient Egyptian doctors were alchemists who understood the mysterious connection between the complex issues of the human body, mind, and soul, the supernatural world and the hidden power of nature.
Egyptians declared medicine as a necessary alchemical practice. Thus, Egyptian doctors were the absolute elite in ancient society and renowned all over the ancient world for their exceptional skill in healing. Ancient Egyptian doctors were the only reason for the rise of any legitimate medical and alchemical practice in the ancient world.
