Ancient Oils

Perfumes and anointing oils….

For several reasons people in the ancient world devoted great attention to the use of fragrances, perfumes and anointing oils:

They were keenly aware of the presence and suggestive powers of odors. Perfumes had a cosmetic function and served as an aphrodisiac but there was also a kind of sacred perfume formula that was to be used only on Israel’s priests and sanctuary objects (Ex 30:22-33).

Oils served a hygienic purpose prior to the invention of soap and shampoo anointing the scalp with oils killed head lice. Tea tree

Oils were used medicinally: Greek physicians regularly massaged patients and athletes with oil, and James 5:14 states…If anyone among you is sick? Let him call for the Elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

 (Jn 19:39-40)   And Nicodemus came also, who had first come to Him by night; bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds in weight. And so they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

Oils were used for Embalming: (Genesis 50:2) And Joseph commanded his servants-the physician to embalm his father, so the physicians embalmed Israel. The process of embalming jacob’s body by Egyption physicians took 40 days. Myrrh mixed with frankincense and cedarwood helped preserve the fragnances so they would last longer.

EO’s were used for anointing-healing the sick: (Mark 6:12-13) And they went and preached that men should repent. And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.

Most EO’s originated from plant sources. Examples include Frankincense, myrrh, and, saffron, aloes and calamus. Since none of these spices and EO’s were indigenous to the region of the Holy land They had to be imported from Arabia, Iran, India and elsewhere. These EO’s were therefore extravagantly expensive as John 12:3-5 suggests.

The primary source of oil was the olive tree, which was widely cultivated throughout the Mediterranean world. In Greco-Roman times oils were scented with the fragrances of narcissus, cinnamon, saffron and other plants. And people regularly anointed themselves after a bath. EO’s were obtained in a variety of ways, depending upon the nature of the plant source (be it a root, flower, bark secretion etc.) but often the raw material was either distilled or in some way pressed or crushed. The attention of.. The New Testament gives to these ointments reflects something of the values of the culture of that time.

Twelve oils of Ancient Scripture

Aloes/Sandalwood: Came from India and Sri Lanka and are recognized as a Holy oil used in perfumes and religious ceromonies It has sesquiterpene activity to carry oxygen molecules to the brain and for the augmentation of spiritual connection.  This oil sedates inflammation, anxiety, fear, stress, and restlessness., it induces relaxation, calmness, concentration, inner vision, and positive thoughts. Sandalwood also contributes to immune modulation, and mood enhancement.

Cassia: (a type of cinnamon) The Egyptions used Cassia with Sandalwood and Frankincense for the purpose of Holy anointing and the embalming process. Proverbs 7:17 “ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes , and cinnamon.” Modern day uses : Immune function, digestion and promotes circulation.

Cedarwood: is an oil high in sesquiterpene activity, may help dispel anxiety, stabilize the emotions and help release emotions of the past.  It may also be used to soothe and clear the mind. It may have been used with Myrrh and Sandalwood in the process of mummification and purification rites. 1 Kings 5:10 Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire”.

Cypress: A tree of great strength, used for weaponry, honored by the Egyptions. Some biblical scholars believe  that “gopher wood” as referred to in the Bible was really Cypress wood., as are the doors of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome which are 1200 years old. Cypress and Sandalwood when used in combination are helpful  for  the lymphatic  and respiratory system.   Isaiah 44:14 “He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengthen for himself among the trees of the forest:  he planteth an oak, and the rain doth nourish it.

Frankincense:   Frankincense was the number one traded commodity in the world over 2,000 years ago and has been used as the Holy anointing oil by the Catholic  Church for over  two thousand years. Frankincense was used in.. incense and offerings….. increases spiritual awareness and promotes meditation, helping to improve attitudes and uplift spirits as well as strengthening the  immune system  Mathew 2:11 “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his Mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: ( gold, frankincense and myrrh). 

Myrrh: is a resin, or sap-like substance, that comes from a tree called Commiphora myrrha, common in Africa or the Middle East. Myrrh is botanically related to Frankincense, and is one of the most widely used essential oils in the world.  In order to harvest myrrh the tree trunks must be cut into to release the resin. The resin is allowed to dry and begins to look like tears all along the tree trunk. The resin is then collected and the essential oil is made from the sap via steam distillation..

Psalms 45:8 “All thy garments smell of Myrrh and aloes and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, where by they have made thee glad.”

Galbanum: has an energy that aligns the brain with purpose. It is believed that this was Moses’ favorite oil. Galbanum is  in the Holy anointing  blend that Moses received from the Lord. Exodus 30:34 “And the Lord said unto Moses, take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense; of each shall there be a like weight.

Hyssop: relieves spasms in the respiratory system and soothes cough; fights parasites and infections  Psalms 51:7  “purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean:  wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”  (Exodus 12:22)   Moses used hyssop with lamb’s blood to place on the door as protection from the plague.  Hyssop was used to cleanse the leper and ward off infections.

Myrtle: The essential oil of myrtle relaxes and sedates.  Oil may be beneficial for speaking one’s truth. When combined with pine and eucalyptus, it may help the body discharge mucus thereby assisting the respiratory system. Isaiah 41:19 “I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, the pine and the box tree together.”

Onycha: A very powerful antiseptic oil and an emollient agent for anointing. It was used by Moses in the Holy anointing blend.

Cistus (Rose of Sharon) was used for skin regeneration and it may act as an immune modulator. Song of Solomon 2:1 “I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valley.”

Spikenard:  Essential oil of Spikenard is a well known sedative and helps maintain your physical, mental and psychological balance. It sedates inflammations in the digestive and nervous system, nervous afflictions, convulsions, depression stress and feelings like anxiety, anger, and panic. It also sedates cardiac problems such as abnormal palpitations and restlessness. These sedating and relaxing effects also helps patients of insomnia to get healthy sleep. It is highly regarded in India as a perfume, medicinal herb, and skin tonic. It was sealed in boxes with goose fat. This oil that Jesus was anointed with was thought to be “the oil for the right use of power”. John 12:3 “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of Spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with odour of the ointment.”