Roots Matter
The Nervous System and the Healing Power of Scent

Egyptian Botanicals was founded on the belief that true healing begins at the root — in nature, in tradition, and in ourselves. Egyptian Botanicals offers a ritual of connection: to nature’s pharmacy, to ancient wisdom, and to the self-care practices that nourish body, mind, and spirit. With every breath, nature offers us not just fragrance, but a pathway back to harmony and well-being. Inspired by my Egyptian heritage and guided by ancestral wisdom, I handcraft 100% natural essential oil roll-ons and essential oil infused plant-based body butters, balms and salves, designed to strengthen the immune system, reduce stress hormones, and reconnect us to the healing power of plants. 

My journey began with the teachings of my late Egyptian father, who introduced me to the therapeutic magic of botanicals from an early age. From olive oil for dry hair, to ginger tea for immunity, to chewing licorice root for oral health, he showed me how nature offers remedies for body and soul. Later, as a social worker encountering breast cancer, I experienced firsthand how mindful self-care, combined with natural healing, fosters resilience and balance in the face of life’s challenges.

I learned that when the sympathetic nervous system is overstimulated and constantly activated, the body remains locked in a chronic “fight-or-flight” state. Stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine remain elevated, gradually impairing immune defenses and disrupting nervous system balance. This imbalance contributes to a wide range of health concerns including anxiety, depression, insomnia, irritability, hypertension, digestive issues, and memory problems. 

Emerging research highlights the fascinating way our skin, nose, and brain communicate through a shared network of neurotransmitters and hormones. Unlike vision or hearing, the sense of smell bypasses the brain’s rational thought filter and connects directly with the limbic system—the emotional center of the brain. This is why a single fragrance can instantly unlock vivid memories and stir deep emotion. I will never forget the moment my father, years after leaving Egypt, inhaled the sweet fragrance of jasmine. In an instant, the memory of home lit up his face—the flower unlocking joy no words could hold. That simple flower carried my father  home in a single breath, showing how scent can restore joy and connection in a way words cannot. This is the gift of aromatics.

Essential oils and bio-active plant compounds harness this olfactory pathway to influence mood and well-being. Inhalation of these natural compounds can stimulate the release of “feel-good” neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, counteracting the effects of stress hormones. Studies show this process can reduce anxiety, lift mood, ease pain perception, and restore vitality. In short, nature’s aromatic molecules offer a powerful, evidence-based way to support emotional resilience and overall health. Through each breath, they remind us of balance, belonging, and beauty—the timeless wisdom of plants woven into our well-being.

 

Plant-based wellness is not new. Ancient Egyptians, whose medical knowledge was documented in the Ebers Papyrus (c. 1550 BCE), understood the power of roots, oils, and botanicals. They used frankincense as a painkiller, cedar oil as an antiseptic, willow bark for inflammation, and loofahs for skin health. Roots like licorice, fenugreek, and ginger were prized for their potent healing properties. For the Egyptians, plants were not only medicine but sacred — grounding, symbolic, and deeply tied to the cycle of life. The papyrus describes plant-based remedies including the use of frankincense as a painkiller, cedar oil as an antiseptic, camphor to treat seizures, brushing with a loofah for skin exfoliation and sesame seed oil for beauty and purification. In fact, uncovered baskets of sesame seeds were found in Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb. 

Ancient Egyptians used natural substances such as salicin (a precursor to salicylic acid, a component of aspirin), extracted from the willow tree, to reduce inflammation and pain. Aromatic plants’ fragrant oils and gums such as frankincense, myrrh, cinnamon, cedarwood and juniper berry were integral to their embalming and mummification practices.

At Egyptian Botanicals, we honor this timeless wisdom of plants—their ability to soothe, to protect, and to remind us of balance. 

Today, Egyptian Botanicals carries this legacy forward. Each product is handmade in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with:

Plant-based butters and oils 

Therapeutic-grade essential oils inspired by Egyptian herbal traditions

Local Ontario beeswax

Zero toxins, synthetics, GMOs, or plastics — eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and conscious

Just as plants cannot thrive without strong roots, neither can we. By returning to the roots — of plants, tradition, and self — Egyptian Botanicals offer a ritual of connection: to nature’s pharmacy, to ancient wisdom, and to the self-care practices that nourish body, mind, and spirit.