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THE APOTHECARY SHOP
 The Apothecary Shops sold fresh and dried floral arrangements. They also sold incense of aromatic gums and resins to burn in religious rituals. The physicians and herbalists searched the plant kingdom for cures and preventative measures. Flowers, leaves, resins, barks, fruits, and herbs played an important role in the treatment of illness throughout history. Ancient Romans discovered that the moods of people were enhanced when they were around special smells. A sweet smell would bring a person joy. The smell of some herbs would help a person relax or strengthen the mind. They would add the herbs to a carrying oil like almond oil or olive oil, and use the oil to anoint people in prayers to God to get well. The Apothecary shops would sell these special oils to the people at the market place. Long ago people did not have bathtubs in their homes. They had to go to the water wells or rivers to draw the water and bring it back to their homes. Therefore they did not take baths as often as we do today. Their body odor would get so bad that they started hanging up floral arrangements through out the house. The sweet smells from the fresh and dried arrangements would take away the bad odors. Today most people use candles and air sprays to make their homes smell fresher.
King David prayed to God:
"Regard my prayer as my evening sacrifice and as incense wafting up to you." Psalms 141: 2
In the book of Exodus God gives a recipe for anointing oil
"Then the Lord told Moses to collect he choicest of spices - eighteen pounds of pure murrh; half as much cinnamon and sweet cane; the same amount of cassia as of myrrh; and 1 1/2 gallons of olive oil. The Lord instructed skilled perfumemakers to compound all this into a holy anointing oil."
Exodus 30: 22-25
You can make your own anointing oil by adding a few leaves of your favorite fragrance. Some ideas are Lavender, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Sage, Chamomile or even a Bay Leave or Rosemary from your mother's kitchen shelf. Crush the leavens and add to olive or almond oil. Place the crushed leaves from the plant into a small glass jar, then add the oil. Place the lid on tight. The longer the leaves sit in the oil the stronger the aroma will be. Our Vacation Bible School bought small plastic necklace cross containers from the craft store, and poured the anointing oil inside the containers. Then the kids had easy access to use the anointing oil when they wanted to pray for someone.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT AN ANGEL POURING OUT OIL
 Click Here to
Visit "The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London"
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