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ATTARS

FRAGRANCES OF THE SOUL

“Unani Tibb”, The Middle Eastern system of natural medicine, was developed in the 10^th Century, by the Persian physician Hakim Ibn Sina (known in the west as Avicenna).

Avicenna compiled the classic text ‘The Canon of Medicine’ which influenced both the teaching and practice of medicine for the next thousand years.

Avicenna was also known for his development and use of Attars (pure fragrances) which are used to treat many disorders, particularly those associated with the heart, emotions and evolution of the soul (Ruh); adding to a range of elatives, exhilarants and nervines unequalled by other traditional medicine systems.

The word ‘Attar’ is an Arabic word meaning ‘fragrance’ or ‘essence’. Attars are traditionally prepared by ‘cold rolling’ or ‘steam distillation’.

The most popular botanical substances used in attar preparation include: Oudh, Rose, Saffron, Jasmine, Tuberose, Amber, Myrrh, Sandalwood and Frankincense.

Many of the secret Attari formulae use as many as forty different essences often including the rarest and most expensive perfumes e.g. Oud (eaglewood) so expensive it is sold in India by the gram, saffron, and the finest rose petals (about 30 roses are required for just one drop of pure rose attar).

A great Islamic teaching, outlines “the six stations of the soul”, from “the station of the Ego” to the higher stations of “Divine Secrets”, “Nearness” and “Oneness”; and recommends the use of certain Attars, to support the evolution of the soul, through these realms of consciousness.

Attars give another dimension to healing, and are a useful addition to a dispensary. They are used largely for the therapeutic effect of their aroma.