The Aromatic Journey

Part 6 of the “Scent and the Roman Empire” Series

Long before the invention of antibiotics or antiseptics, Romans turned to aromatic herbs, resins, and oils to heal wounds, calm the mind, and purify the body. In temples, homes, and bathhouses, the air was often laced with the scents of herbs, flowers, and resins believed to carry medicinal power.

One of the greatest physicians of antiquity, Galen of Pergamon, wrote extensively about such remedies. In his treatise De Simplicium Medicamentorum, he described how myrrh reduced inflammation, how nard and cinnamon stimulated circulation, and how rose-infused oil—made by steeping rose petals in olive oil—was used to cool fevers and ease skin irritations. Galen didn’t separate medicine from scent. To him, aroma was part of the physician’s arsenal.

Pliny the Elder, in his Natural History, went even further—cataloging over a hundred aromatic substances used for healing. He praised the use of juniper and laurel smoke to disinfect rooms and ward off disease. Basil, according to Pliny, could chase away sadness if rubbed on the temples. Even scented vinegars, steeped with herbs and petals, were used to treat fatigue, nausea, or melancholy.

In Roman daily life, healing with scent was often practiced at the public baths, where ritual and medicine overlapped. After cleansing in hot and cold pools, bathers were massaged with herbal unguents—thick oils perfumed with thyme, marjoram, lavender, or sage. These weren’t just cosmetic. Romans believed such scents helped balance the body’s humors, ward off illness, and support longevity.

Lavender, in particular, was popular for its calming and cleansing properties. Its very name comes from the Latin lavare—“to wash.” While true distilled essential oils didn’t exist yet, Romans used lavender-infused oils in baths, on linens, and even to clean wounds. Roman soldiers were said to carry small jars of herbal salves on campaign, using them to treat cuts, blisters, and infections.

Fragrance also played a powerful role in end-of-life rituals. The bodies of the deceased were washed with rose or myrrh-scented water, then wrapped in aromatic cloths before burial. This wasn’t just symbolic. The scent served to honor the soul, purify the remains, and perhaps ease the journey to the next world.

And finally, there was the mind. Romans deeply believed that certain aromas could shift emotional states. The poet Horace described saffron as uplifting, myrtle as clarifying, and rose as soothing to the heart. In a culture where physical and spiritual wellness were intertwined, fragrance was medicine for both body and soul.

In ancient Rome, healers and perfumers shared common ground.
Their tools were plants, oils, and knowledge.
Their goal was the same: to restore balance—and leave behind a trace of beauty.

Coming Next: Fragrance and Legacy: The Enduring Influence of Roman Scent Culture