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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSandalwood A native of East India, Ceylon and Indonesia, sandalwood is today becoming increasingly rare, it is one of the world\u2019s endangered scents. While sandalwood can also be found in other regions, white sandalwood comes exclusively from a tree found in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. In India, the cities of Bangalore and Mysore (Mysuru) are famous for their sandalwood-related craftsmanship, both in the carving of divine statuettes and in the making of scented compositions. Tonkin Musk One of the world\u2019s most enduring fragrances, musk has been used as a scent for more than 5000years. The fragrance is as enigmatic as its history, described in a myriad of ways, musk\u2019s scent is at once earthy and woody, pungent and intoxicating, a very powerful and sexy scent. Originally derived directly from musk-deer, today the species is protected, and Tonkin musk is reproduced through the use of essential oils. Musk was once however obtained from the secretions of a gland of the musk-deer. The most powerful musk, and also the most renowned, was musk from Tonkin\u2019s musk-deer. This species lives in Tonkin, the mountainous north of Vietnam where 1000years ago, the ancient city of Hoa Lu was the capital city of Vietnam and revered as the home of Tonkin Musk. Used in religious settings, ancient people also saw Tonkin musk as an aphrodisiac, imbued with a seductive power that lead to its wide use within fragrances for the body, perfumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ylang-Ylang It was around 1860, in the capital city of the Philippines, Manila, that the first ylang ylang flowers were distilled. Today, cultivation has greatly intensified, and the tree has gradually been introduced across the pacific islands. A native tree to Southeast Asia, ylang-ylang flowers have been used by Filipinos since the dawn of time. The ylang-ylang flowers are harvested every week, first thing in the morning. They are then steamed and distilled. Made into \u2018boori-boori\u2019, a kind of ointment that mixes these fragrant flowers with coconut oil, it has long been used as a sunscreen to protect the skin, and hair. Historically it has also been used as a barrier cream, applied directly on the skin during the rainy season to protect against diseases and infections. Today, we also find ylang-ylang in many perfumes and to add an attractive fragrance to soaps, creams and lotions. The fragrance of ylang-ylang is floral, with a notes of banana and a custardy sweetness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sakura The unofficial national flower of Japan, sakura, or cherry blossom, is celebrated every year at an event that now attracts tourists from all over the world for its breathtaking beauty. It is in spring, and more precisely during the first week of April, that the Hanami festival celebrates the blossoming of the sakura. In addition to its beauty and symbolism, sakura also gives off a scent that Japanese women love. Very sweet and feminine, cherry blossoms are a far cry from the sweet smells of summer fruits. The petals release a fruity yet slightly bitter scent. These beautiful trees embellish the landscape with shades of pink, white and red, truly a photographer\u2019s paradise during the blossoming season. Symbolically, Sakura is said to represent optimism in a time of renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clove Bud Rich in eugenol, clove buds are an important spice in perfumery just as much as they are in the kitchen and in the traditional dispensary. Clove oil is rich in therapeutic uses, from topical applications to improve dental health thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, clove oil has historically been used for easing digestive problems, as a pain reliever, and to ease upper respiratory conditions and as an expectorant. Star Anise Star Anise is the star-shaped dried fruit of a Southeast Asian evergreen tree. It has long been used for medicine and food ingredients. It is sweeter and with a more prominent licorice note than aniseed and is widely used in many dishes from Indian, Malay, Indonesian, and Chinese cuisines. It is also one of the ingredients in the traditional five spice blend used in Chinese cooking. Vetiver Also known as khus oil, vetiver essential oil is extracted from the vetiver plant, a clumpy, green grass that can grow five feet high or more. The fragrance could be described as earthy and perhaps a tad smoky, woody and quite musky.
Sri Lanka and Indonesia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Known and used for thousands of years, sandalwood is an essential component for ceremonial incense used in religious rites, particularly in the Hindu and Buddhist religions. In perfumery, the wood and roots of the sandalwood tree are distilled to deliver the essence of sandalwood. The aroma is instantly exotic, smoky, waxy, warmly woody. Its scent is said to improve the olfactory power of a fragrance and has been described as sensual, and even milky and velvety. One thing is for sure, once smelled, never forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
in Sri Lanka<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
in Indonesia<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Vietnam<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
in Vietnam<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
The Philippines<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
in Philippines<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Japan<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
in Japan<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
in Japan<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Sri Lanka<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Offering a sweet spicy flavour, cloves are also great in the kitchen. Used in pickling mixes, flavouring stews and curries, and even added to beverages such as India\u2019s wonderfully rich and aromatic chai tea.
Clove oil\u2019s fragrance has a pungent, warm, and spicy note and is often found as a middle note in perfumes, especially so in oriental fragrances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
in Sri Lanka<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Vietnam<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In medicine, star anise is used to alleviate respiratory tract infections, coughs and colds. And is also used to ease digestive problems.
Star Anise\u2019s fragrance is floral-sweet, with spicy warm notes of licorice over a woody undertone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
in Vietnam<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Indonesia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Indonesia, the roots of vetiver are widely used in the production of fragrant mats. And in the Philippines and India, the roots are woven to make fragrant-smelling fans called sandal root fans.
Although not as well-known as other oils for aromatherapy, vetiver has proven to be a promising therapeutic ingredient. In recent studies, it has been shown that inhaling vetiver oil improves alertness and concentration and was also shown to have helped in improving sleep breathing patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n