History of Odor Removers and Anti-perspirant in the Arabic Medical Heritage

• Publish Date: 28 - June - 2009

Research Abstract:

Bad body smell is a social problem which is worthy to call our attention, and requires our both care and interest. We may notice that via a vast spreading advertisement regarding deodorants (Perfumed Deodorant) comparing with the other cosmetic products. Normal body sweats between one quarter up to three quarters of a gallon (about 1 – 3 liters) daily. Water, which is the main component of sweat, dries immediately leaving residues on the skin, which is in turn converted, by bacteria and chemical factors into unpleasant odors. Hyperhidrosis can be defined as excessive sweating. It is very disturbing for people who are suffering from this case. Arab physicians have been concerned, since the past, with bad odor removers, and we can see this in their medical publications. Some Arab physicians devoted a special chapter in which they mentioned prescriptions along with methods of preparing and using it, such as Physician (Ibn Al-Telmiz) in his Pharmacopeia. Some classified these removers with cosmetics, such as Physician (Avicenna) in his book (Al-Qanon fi AL-tib). Others specialized in this field as (Razes) did when he set special descriptions to remove the odor from armpit and foot. Our research sheds light on this social problem that has always been a cause of suffering for a lot of people. Ancient medicine gave special importance to this blast and considered it cosmetics social blast. It also considered odor removers as part of cosmetics. The most important example of this could be the large expenditures by women on this kind of cosmetics. We will study the forms of this kind of cosmetics, and distinguish between Perspirants and odor removers, and upon a comparative scientific study with modern medicine in this field in which we show the importance of science presented by Arab physicians, particularly the physician (Ibn Al-Telmiz) (..... -560 A.H. /.....- 1165 A.D.), This science was the corner stone for further Pharmacopeias which came after it on one hand. As well as other medical publications which were obviously considered in setting the formula for such kind of products on the other hand, especially that modern studies have confirmed the efficient role of these components used in composition of the prescriptions.

Publishers:

Mais Kataya