Archives reveal truth about Ottoman sultans

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The fourth-generation grandchild of Abdülhamid has teamed up with a scent expert and sociologist to conduct archival research that is revealing interesting personal details about the Ottoman sultans.

"The archival work will be very important for the next generations since we are learning different things about our ancestors. We are at the beginning of the research. I am sure that we will find important archival records in this research, which will take many years," said Nurhan Osmano?lu, a direct descendent of the sultans.

Osmano?lu said they had found information about the medicine used in the palaces and preparations before campaigns. She also said Abdülhamid liked to have coffee to start the day, followed by eggs and onion for breakfast.

Osmano?lu, who is conducting the research with scent expert and sociologist Bihter Türkan Ergül, said the entire family had given support for the archival research.

"We not only revealed the scents our grandfathers used, but we learned about the methods in their daily life for a healthy living. For example, I did not see my grandfather and did not feel his warmth, but I smell his scent. As a fourth-generation grandchild, I can say that it is very exciting. Concubines in the seraglio and the sultans' sisters used the scent of jasmine and flowers. These scents were also used in the palace as medicine because they are good for depression. Those with migraines generally scrubbed their temporal lobes with basil. Clove oil was used for toothaches, mouth sores and bad breath," she said.

The researchers also said they had learned that Süleyman the Magnificent had instructed his soldiers to eat blue cheese before going into battle because the cheese was antiseptic. 

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