❶ Herbal Cosmetics - A Little History

2023 Author: Madeline Holiday | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 01:48

Various decoctions, infusions and extracts of plants are constantly used in cosmetics. Sometimes the use of an unusual plant is presented as a result of the latest research in microbiology. But more often on the label of a cream or tonic, we find names familiar from childhood, and advertising proclaims a return to age-old traditions. Location: Location:

The first documented use of plants in cosmetics dates back to around 1500 BC. This giant, 2.1-meter-long papyrus scroll was found in an Egyptian tomb. In general, the Egyptians used herbs and plants in cosmetics and medicine over 4,000 years ago.

In the tombs of the ancient Egyptians, vessels were found with various oils, rubbing and ointments made from a variety of herbs. At that time, the priests were the main keepers of the secrets of the preparation of these means, and this knowledge was not available to ordinary Egyptians. But the recipes that Cleopatra herself used are known. She compiled the world's first cosmetic guide. And many of the recipes from this guide are relevant in our time.

Later, the ancient Greeks adopted the science of using the power of nature from the Egyptians. It is the Greeks who are the authors of the word "cosmetics". From Greek this word is translated as “the art of decorating”. Slaves caring for free Greek women were called "cosmetes", that is, "decorating."

Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, paid great attention to cosmetics in his writings, and called for the use of parts of various plants in their creation. And his student Diocles wrote a work on cosmetics in 4 volumes. This guide gave numerous tips for the care of the face, hair, teeth, eyes, nails. For care, various products were recommended, obtained mainly on the basis of plant materials.

Ancient Rome gave a new and powerful impetus to the art of adornment and body care. Cosmetics were not only available to the wealthy citizens of Rome. Even slaves were allowed to use inexpensive cosmetics such as decoctions of local herbs in their care. Cosmetics ceased to be considered secret knowledge and received the status of art. Horace and Ovid wrote about cosmetic secrets in their poems.

The ancient East did not lag behind Europe. As early as 500 BC, Eastern women rubbed their bodies with incense, and men sprinkled fragrant herbal infusions on their hair and beards. From ancient Persia such well-known herbal remedies as henna and basma came to us. Using a wide variety of plants, the Assyrians made ointments, paints, aromatic oils and creams.

And what about our homeland? The harsh northern nature did not give fragrant lavender fields or date palm groves. But this does not mean that in Russia they did not use plants for facial and body care. The medicinal and cosmetic properties of wild herbs were well known to our ancestors.

The Slavs collected and used decoctions and tinctures of plants, which are still actively used in the creation of cosmetics: nettle, burdock, plantain, mint, St. John's wort, linden. The list can be endless, because every blade of grass is beneficial. The main thing is to know how to get this benefit.

The northern peoples paid great attention to body care. And in the Middle Ages, when in Europe the church persecuted those caring for the "sinful" body, in Russia brooms made of birch, linden, fir, oak, juniper branches were used in baths. Each plant has been used to achieve a specific cosmetic and health benefit.

There are surviving manuscripts dating back to the ninth century on the art of facial and body care. In the twelfth century, the granddaughter of Vladimir Monomakh wrote a work called Mazi. Its main content was devoted to the creation of various medicines, but along with this there were also recipes that help get rid of cosmetic problems. And, of course, various plants were used in the basis of these ointments.

As you can see, the use of natural remedies in cosmetics really has its origins in the mists of time. And the power of ancient recipes still comes to the aid of modern beauties.