In Ancient Egypt, psycho-physical wellness was much appreciated and anatomical and physiopathological Medicine, as well as the Pharmacopoeia, were particularly advanced, still documented today by hieroglyphics written on the original papyrus. The massage represented the highest culmination of ancient Egyptian medicine, since it was considered a sacred art, as well as propitiatory spiritual rites and medicinal herbs, or balms and ointments, which embellished the skin. The traditional Egyptian massage, also called the Pharaonic massage, has very ancient origins, with the aim of dissolving tensions and stress, improving the skin tissue and giving harmony to mind, body and emotions, given that the Egyptians believed in three “keys of life”: the head, which represented mental intelligence, the heart was the emotional one and the abdomen was the material one. It was an alchemical, palmar and plantar treatment, carried out with scented oils and essences originating from the land of the Pharaohs, such as the rose, sandalwood, jasmine, chamomile and mint and practiced by their slaves, immersed in scented water tanks .

It was a practice that used gentle maneuvers, to relax and more energetic techniques, to tone up, often prescribed by a doctor, as a panacea, in case of doubtful prognosis or prognosis. The Pharaonic Massage is the type of ritual that I have experienced these days in the Sinai Peninsula, in the most precious Wellness Temple of the Red Sea, in the reserved Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, an exclusive oasis of fresh vegetation, sea and sky. In ancient times, it was an experience reserved only for the Egyptian Royals, lasting 90 minutes, carried out through deep kneading maneuvers, alternated with pressure and tapping of linen pouches filled with warm herbs, such as chamomile and mint, soaked in oil warm sweet almonds, to create a feeling of total relaxation and abandonment. The Dwi Therapist who pampered me throughout the ritual, had previously set up the Spa Room with lighted candles, flower petals and a “Thousand and One Nights” atmosphere and invited me to get ready, proposing first a hot sauna and 20 minutes of jacuzzi in the private pool inside a mini-patio, in the area reserved exclusively for women, as is customary in Arab countries.

During my Wellness experience at The Spa, I was greeted by the Spa Director, the very kind Mrs. Larisa Marinica, who assisted me with a warm welcome and made me try a beneficial ginger tea that improves stomach performance and fights respiratory problems. Body care has its origins in the land of Cleopatra. In Egyptian culture, conservation rites aimed at immortality. The female body was given special care using natural formulas and remedies. Beauty in Egypt found its remedies in the plant world and in the earth, with minerals, since the Egyptians were experts in raw materials. In the Land of Ancient Wizards, the need was felt to maintain an optimal standard of health and beauty. Medicine had priestly roots and magic dominated medical thought. Medical papyri abounded with invocations and magic formulas. Even today there are body care practices and treatments, such as the Egyptian massage, very energetic and performed with forearms and elbows, the Nefertari choreograph massage, four hands, the 90-minute aromatherapy massage of Horus, or the facial ritual of mask of Cleopatra, with milk and proteins of goat’s milk, honey and essential oil of rose.

Before undergoing the treatment, it would be advisable to detoxify the whole body skin with a natural scrub made with grated coconut pulp, brown sugar, honey, yogurt, sweet almond oil and a little arabic coffee powder, to tone, soften and deeply moisturize the skin. It would be equally good practice to anticipate the massage with the Egyptian rite of the hammam, to clean the skin and open the pores, so as to allow the essential oils of the treatment to release all their benefits. Hammam comes from the Arabic word “hamma” which means to warm up; born in the Middle East with the aim of taking care of your body and respecting general hygiene, which is a rule imposed by the Koran. Here the Ancient Egyptians were not only Ancient Wizards, but also Masters of wisdom and experience of an Ancient Wellness.   Raphaella Dallarda (INSPATIMEBLOG)

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