What role did essential oils play in beauty practices introduced by Avicenna?

Essential oils were crucial for skincare and therapeutic purposes as introduced by Avicenna, who is often regarded as one of the earliest figures to integrate the scientific study of essential oils into beauty and health practices. Avicenna, a Persian polymath, made significant contributions to the understanding of the properties and benefits of various plants and their extracts. He identified how essential oils could be leveraged for their healing effects on the skin and their role in promoting overall well-being.

During his time, essential oils were not merely viewed as fragrant substances; rather, they were recognized for their complex chemical properties and therapeutic qualities, which could address a variety of ailments and enhance beauty routines. This emphasis on holistic care laid the foundation for the use of essential oils in beauty practices, setting a precedent that continues to influence modern skincare and aromatherapy.

In contrast, while essential oils can be utilized for fragrance, this was not their primary role as promoted by Avicenna in the context of beauty practices. Their use in food preservation is also secondary to their applications in skincare and therapeutics. Additionally, the assertion that essential oils were not valued until the Renaissance undermines the significant historical and cultural appreciation they received in earlier periods, particularly in the Islamic Golden Age, during which Avicenna was