Who were the first to use distillation for extraction?

The Egyptians were the first to use distillation for extraction, primarily for the production of perfumes and essential oils. This method involves separating components based on their boiling points, allowing for the refinement of aromatic substances from plants. Historical records indicate that the Egyptians utilized simple distillation techniques as early as 3000 BC, particularly in the context of creating fragrant oils that played a significant role in their rituals, cosmetics, and daily life.

Their advancements in the distillation process laid the foundational principles that would eventually influence practices in other cultures. While Greeks, Romans, and Chinese also engaged in various forms of extraction and had their own contributions to the field, it was the Egyptians who pioneered the early techniques of distillation that are still relevant in modern extraction methods today.