Islamic Distillation Technology

Timeline

1. c. 800–900Kufa · IraqTexts in the tradition of Jabir ibn Hayyan describe distillation apparatus centered on the alembic, used for extracting essential oils and chemical preparations, laying the foundation for the apparatus and terminology of Islamic distillation technology.
2. c. 900–925Rayy · IranAl-Razi described in detail in works such as the Book of Secrets (Kitāb al-Asrār) the improvement of distillers, water-bath heating, and fractional distillation operations, explicitly incorporating distillation into the methodology of clinical pharmacy and chemical experimentation.
3. c. 1001–1010Baghdad · IraqBy 1001–1010 CE, Islamic distillation technology was widely applied in pharmacies and perfume workshops in cities such as Baghdad and Cairo; distilled products such as rose water and camphor oil became transregional trade goods.