Distyllacyon of Plant Vapours:
Historical Methods, Materials and Uses
for Essential Oils & Scented Waters
|
THL Fiachra the Bonesetter
Darrell E. Samples
darrell@fiachrabonesetter.com
|
Preface: I have had a mundane interest in botany for many years. That interest is reflected in the areas
of research I have followed in my recreational life as well as my profession. This paper is but one logical
avenue of such research. The contents of this paper are certainly not exhaustive of the subject matter but it
is intended to provide a synopsis or overview for the common reader. No original ideas are presented herein
and the work is not intended to be a thesis. Readers are encouraged to share their own experiences with the
author.
The title drawing (above) is from the book on distillation by Roesslin published in 1550. It depicts an herbal
distillation shop or commercial apothecary. The gentle on the left side is working with raw, dried and freshly
collected herbs. She appears to be cleaning and sorting the plant material for processing or distillation. In
the center we can see two stills with collecting vessels attached. The man seems to be tending the fire and
the distillation process. On the right hand side we can see shelves of distilled plant oils and waters. Notice
the labels located on each bottle, presumably paper with written descriptions. We can also see a gentle with
a funnel pouring from one vessel into another.
Hypothesis: The use of distillation to extract plant vapors, or the aromatic properties of plants, in the
medieval period can be found in various forms, including essential oils, floral (scented)
waters, and cordials.
The use of the aromatics in history can include simples (from a single plant) and compounds
(where multiple plants used together).
The manufacture of aromatic products was a procedure carried out by physicians,
apothecaries, and religious as a distillation process during the Middle Ages.
Background: Aromatherapy is defined today as the use of the aromatic properties found in
plants. In history there is no corresponding concept of aromatherapy being in anyway a separate and
distinct form of healing or medicine. Use of plant products was the primary form of medication. We see that
the distillation process became very popular after the crusaders return in the 12th Century, eventually
developing into the “still room” which was found in most great houses and religious communities.
Area of Research
This paper’s focus centers upon the procedures and methods of distillation found to be utilized in the
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. This time period is very fascinating for me and the research that is
presented here will be greatly flavored by those years.
Please be aware that this arena of work precedes and continues past the time scope of my personal focus.
To better understand the mindset of individuals living in the focus time period I have had to research the
classical texts. These works from antiquity were the backbone of knowledge in the area of botany and
medicine during the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. I have also referenced works written or published
past the focus time period. I include drawings, illustrations and material from primary resources outside of my
personal interest because of the paucity of material in my personal research library. These are included
because they reflect advances made during the focus period for which I currently have no other
documentation.
Two methods of study I employ include experiential and literature reviews. Experiential herbal studies include
growing, holding/looking, harvesting, and drying/preserving, utilization and distillation. When working with
material for distillation I have insisted on using only certified organic plant material. I have purchased and
grown my own plants for use in my personal distillation projects.
When I started the literature review for this project several years ago I will admit that I was overcome. The
breadth and depth still daunt me and I find that I must refine and narrow my focus to stay on task. Recently I
purchased a little book “The Elixirs or Nostradamus” edited by Knut Boeser, originally published in 1552 as
“Tracite des Fardemens” and republished by Hieremias Martius in 1572. This book contains Michael
Nostradamus’ instructions on simple distillation and procedures for making scented waters.
What has gone before?
The use of plant extracts and materials in medicine, perfume, dyes, cosmetics, food and drinks extend deep
into the past history of man. Mankind has utilized such extracts to improve the quality of our live throughout
most periods of civilization. Essential oils have enjoyed a long history of use in healing and anointing
throughout the ancient (pre-society period) world. Examples would include frankincense and myrrh that are
cited repeatedly in the Judeo-Christian religious texts and were used to cure every aliment. Myrrh, lotus, and
sandalwood oils were widely used in ancient Egyptian purification and embalming rituals.
Oils like clove and lemon were highly valued in the ancient world as antiseptics,
prior to our current understanding of infectious or etiological agents. These and similar plants having a
noticeable aroma were used in sweet bags or asafetida bags to ward off “evil vapours.” The leechbooks,
receptaria, and herbals refer to the use of oils to ward off ylfa gescot, elfshot.
The writings of Saint Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), specifically Causae et Curae (Holistic Healing) and
Physica (Natural Science) demonstrate many of the concepts found in medieval thought. Physica gives us a
reliable picture of how medicine was practiced by the clergy. St. Hildegard includes herbal recipes which were
handed down to her from generations of religious healers.
Her herbal components included nutmeg, rose leaves, and cannabis. Her techniques include massage,
baths, sauna and cupping. (1, 2)
The common people had a background knowledge and comprehension of herbal lore. This can be seen in
Shakespeare’s use of Father Lawrence in the play Romeo and Juliet. His lines would have made sense to
those seeing the performance, requiring a basic understanding.
O mickle [much] is the powerful grace that lies
In plants, herbs, stones, and their true qualities;
For naught so vile that on the earth doth live
But to the earth some special good doth give;
Nor aught so good but, strained [forced] from that fair use,
Revolts from true birth [nature], stumbling on abuse.
Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied,
And vice sometime by action dignified.
(2.3.15-22)
Thoughts and Observations
By the Fourteenth Century in Europe there had developed a large materia medica from which medicants were
made. These included herbs found in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian
peninsula.
During the early part of the Medieval Period (the range being 600-1600 CE) most materia medica were
administered as whole herb powders, salves, ointments, teas (tinsanes), oil extracts or water extracts. There
is evidence of primitive distillation and alembic type stills from Egypt and Greece. Herbals and receptaria from
these cultures describe the medicinal and cosmetic uses for distilled oils and scented waters.
This was altered with the discovery of distillation by a Islamic chemist. Jabir ibn Haiyan, also known as the
Alchemist Gerber in the Middle Ages, invented the alembic that paved the way for systematic distillation of
alcohol. He is known to have practice medicine and alchemy in Kufa around 776 CE and to have died in 803
CE. Two of his books (Kitab-al-Kimya and Kitab al-Sab’een) on chemistry and distillation were translated into
Latin and various European languages during the Medieval period. (3)
The two Islamic chemists associated with early distillation would be Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Kindi and Aub al-
Qasim Al-Zahrawi, both of whom wrote manuscripts describing complex new procedures for steam distillation.
The Arabic chemist-physicians who prefect the distillation device and publish their findings set off a flurry of
activity across the European scientific community.
Distillation Equipment:
Who had the ability to distill plant vapors in Medieval Period? The cost of the equipment would have
restricted access during the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. I can find no invoice for the sale of such,
but I am still looking. Since these pieces of equipment were generally made from glass, which would have
been hand blown, few remain from this period. One alembic, the top of the still, was found in the ruins of the
Jamestown site in Virginia and is now in the Museum at Williamsburg. This artifact, which was found recently,
dates back to the Medieval period. It was probably brought to the Colony from England owing to the lack of
glass blowing facilities on this side of the Atlantic.
Pictures can be viewed online at: <http://www.iath.virginia.edu/vcdh/jamestown/images/artifacts/jamestown.
html>
Another find can be viewed at:
Wolstenholme Towne
http://www.history.org/Almanack/places/hb/hbwol.cfm
Royal Apothecaries
Those gentles entrusted by Royal Warrant who were responsible for perfuming and fumigating all of the
monarch’s clothing and bedding as well as providing herbal preparations, distilled water and prescriptions.
A Partial List of Royal Apothecaries with confirmed distillation equipment
King, England Apothecary Confirmed Date of Service
Edward I, Rex ??? 1280
Edward II, Rex Peter Montpelliar 1310
Edward III, Rex Bartholomew Thompson 1342
Richard II, Rex William Wandworth ??
Henry VI, Rex William Godfrey 1448
Edward IV, Rex John Clarke 1462
Richard Hakedy 1462
(Edward IV, Regina) John Pykenham ??
British Apothecaries of Note with confirmed distillation equipment
Westminster Abbey Thomas Walden 1350
Norwich Cathedral Priory 1465-1527
St. Giles’s Hospital (monastic leprosarium) 1465-1527
in the city of York Constantine Damme 1398 d.
in the city of London John Hexham 1415 d.
in the city of Avignon Phillipe Felix 1453 d.
Alchemical Observations
The work of the Alchemists who worked on plant vapors and extractions wrote in their own language, which
makes it hard for the average person today to understand. It has only been through persistence that I have
began to decipher what some of the symbols and names mean. As an example, when John French (Art of
Distillation, London, 1651) writes about Alchemical Mercury the average reader today would not immediately
realize he was referring to ethyl alcohol (EtOH). Nor would the reader equate Alchemical Sulphur with
essential oils from plants (EO). 4, 5
Conclusions: During the time period upon which I am focusing, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Century, distillation for the collection and utilization of plant vapors was common to physicians, religious and
apothecaries. Their use was primarily medicinal and cosmetic and to a lesser degree for cooking. The larger
religious houses and royal households had designated distillers who also functioned in other capacities.