Aromatherapy Advice

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of types of perfumes in today`s market. The high demand for various types of perfumes makes it easily available to find them from inexpensive to moderate expensive to very expensive types of perfumes for all tastes and pockets. One does not have to go very far in order to find major brands available.

The most common way to describe a perfume is perhaps considering its concentration level, where it has been originated from, and the notes of the scent. The most common scent is floral with ingredients such as carnation, jasmine, violet, orange blossoms, lilies, orchids, just to name a few. All perfumes and colognes are different and they are meant to associate the personality and skin type of users.

In order to classify a perfume or cologne, one interesting aspect to consider would be the percentage of concentration by volume of perfume oil:

Perfume usually has in its content, 15 to 25% of perfumed oil.

Eau de Perfume usually has in its content 8 to 15% of perfumed oil.

Eau de Toilette usually has in its content 4 to 10% of perfumed oil.

Eau de Cologne usually has in it content 2 to 5% of perfumed oil.

Nowadays with modern technology of perfume manufacturing, new categories have been formed, the most common of them being described as: Bright Floral – the most popular of them all, meant for almost everyone and for any occasion. Earthy or Woody – it evokes the environment of the forest, with a very refreshing smell. This fragrance has a strong appeal to the older generation. Green – it is considered to be a lighter fragrance and is meant for casual wear. Oceanic – it is very popular with the younger generation. Spicy Fruit – it is a good choice for tropical weather. Oriental – it is composed of spicy scents, meant for special occasions.

Plants are the largest source of fragrant compounds used in the perfume industry. Fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit are also used. Some seeds and woods are very important in providing the base notes to a perfume.

Most modern perfumes and colognes are made using the fragrance oils that the fragrances houses develop using essential oils and aromatic chemicals. The fragrance oils are then blended with ethyl alcohol and water and then aged in thanks for a certain time and filtered through processing equipment to remove any particles before the solution can be considered ready to go into the perfume bottles.

Most fragrances with the names of well known designers are constantly improving in order to produce top quality perfumes. Due to the high demand that major brands experience, it suggests that the perfume industry will keep on a fast mode for quite some time in the future.

Finally, it is a good idea to keep in mind that different people have different tastes and the choice or preference for a particular fragrance is a very personal one and may vary dramatically from one person to another, suggesting that it is better to try it before you buy.

Roberto Sedycias

IT Consultant

This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author´s name and all the URL´s (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.

Perfume, an amalgamation of aroma compounds, some vital oils, fixatives and solvents, roots backs to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt and later by the Romans and Persians. Perfumery, the art of making perfume, found its existence in East Asia too, but mostly it was incensed based.

Tapputi was the first perfume maker whose name was mentioned in cuneiform tablet from the second millennium BC in Mesopotamia. According to recent discoveries, more than 4000 years old perfumes are found in ancient perfume factory that was spread in an area of 4000 square-meter area. Those perfumes were made of herbs, almonds, coriander, bergamot, and other spices, but not flowers.

Avicenna, the Persian doctor and chemist, pioneered the distillation of oils of flowers. He began this process with rose. Prior to that, oils, petals and crushed herbs were blended to make perfumes. Then the art of making perfume reached Europe in 14th century and later Hungarians launched the modern perfume, a mixture of oils in alcohol solution, in 1370. In 16th century, this proliferated art of Italy was taken to France and then it became the European center of perfume and cosmetic manufacture. With this impact, cultivation of flowers became a flourishing industry in the south of France. During the Renaissance period, perfumed were meant for royal class only. Around 18th century, perfume industry boomed like anything, since the cultivation of aromatic plants were increased to provide more and more raw material.

A perfume can be described on the basis of its concentration level, the family it belongs to and the notes of scents it spreads. Perfume oil has to be diluted with a solvent, as undiluted oils are highly concentrated and can cause allergies. Ethanol or a mixture of ethanol and water are the most common diluting agents for perfumes. Neutral smelling lipids like jojoba, fractionated coconut oil or wax are the best ways to dilute perfume oils. The intensity and endurance of a perfume depends on the amount of concentrates it contains.

According to traditional and modern classification, perfumes consist of number of categories like single floral, floral bouquet, ambery, woody, leathery, bright floral, green, oceanic/ozone, citrus, etc. Each category is well-known for its own distinctiveness. Plants are the chief source of aromatics and each part of plant is responsible for a specific aromatic compound. Apart from plants, animals like Ambergris, Civet, Musk and Honeycomb are also great sources of aromatic compounds. Besides these, other natural sources are Lichens and Seaweed. But modern perfumes contain odorants which are not naturally available; rather they are synthetic odorants like Calon.

The synthetic odorants are organically synthesized and then purified before the composition of perfume. In case of natural sources, odorants are obtained by dissolving the raw material in a solvent to obtain the desired aromatic compounds. On the other hand, the method of heating the raw material and then condensed to distill aromatic vapors is called distillation. It can be either steam distillation or dry distillation. Aromatic oils can also be collected through expression that is compression of the raw material. The extracted compounds are essential oils which are used to compose perfumes.

In the whole process the role of perfumer is very important, as he formulates the perfume according to the need and mood of the customer or his employer, keeping in mind the price of the perfume oil concentrates. Then the perfume is formulated to evoke the desired feelings in those who smell it. Perfumes should be properly stored also to keep their aromas intact. They should not be exposed to heat and light. They can be kept in light tight aluminium bottle or in their original packing.

Aromatherapy seems to be all the rage today. Everyone seems to be jumping in on the bandwagon from detergent manufacturers to air freshener companies. The television is filled with commercials convincing people that they should not go to bed angry if they use the proper laundry detergent freshened with aromatic detergent they will automatically change their mood.

I hope most of you realize that this is just commercialized advertising trying to get you to dig into your pocket books. They really are not concerned about your stress levels or your health or your sleeping habits.

True aromatherapy has received a really bad rap, if you’ll excuse the expression. With all the commercialism people are really confused about what aromatherapy really is. Is it all about smelling nice? Is it about being able to change your mood by changing your air freshener?

Where is a person to go to find the answers? Is there anyone who truly knows what aromatherapy really is?

The answer is YES! My name is Sharron Myers and I am a certified Aromatherapist. That means that I actually studied all about essential oils and their chemical constituents and how they affect the body both physically and emotionally. A certified Aromatherapist must learn all about how essential oils work with the body, how much is safe to use, which essential oils should be avoided, how they work, which oils work better for specific conditions and specifically what sets them apart from commercialized “aromatherapy products”.

Since this is supposed to be a guide I will not turn it into a book. You can get my course if you wish to learn more about aromatherapy; Teach Yourself Aromatherapy: Foundations Course or any of my digital .pdf files on aromatherapy.

The most important thing to know is that when you are purchasing an item be sure that it says “essential oil” on the label and not “fragrance added”. There is a very big difference between a pure essential oil and a fabricated fragrance which contains petroleum products. Many people have become fragrant intolerant because of all the chemicals associated with fragrance products. This is not the case with a pure essential oil.

Don’t get me wrong. If an essential oil is misused it can cause sensitization. It is very important to know how to use essential oils properly and safely. Keep an eye out for my ebook on safety and contraindications in aromatherapy. It is imperative that if you use essential oils that you dilute them properly with a carrier oil. Do not use them straight or “neat” on your skin. This also is explained in my aromatherapy course or in my other aromatherapy ebooks.

Buyer Beware. Don’t let the word Aromatherapy fool you. Check the labels and inform yourselves what true aromatherapy really is. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Aromatherapy is a wonderful natural therapy that can help you to unwind and become healthy. Take the time to learn more about it and you won’t be disappointed.

Sharron Myers

Perfumes could tease your senses and also inspire your thoughts or fill you with a feeling of exploration, liberty and serenity. How many may had a whiff of smell that took you down the memory lane – smells that remind you of various natives and places? Some smell may remind us of a special person. They form an essential part of the most women’s make up and dressing style and are related with luxury and sensuality. French perfumes have customarily been at the forefront of the industry and accounts for a larger portion of the designer perfume market also.

Products that improved the smell of the body have been used since ancient times. The ancient Egyptians made use of many scented creams and scents during their ritual baths. Sweet-smelling gums from China were in huge demand in Europe. Burning of incense stick was a religious ritual which is followed in many cultures. Egyptians smeared their dead with the scent of honey and cinnamon. India, Persia and Arabia also used herbs and flowers as an essential part of their customs.

Perfumed oils which served as cosmetics were also used for their high medicinal properties. Very soon perfumery became a business with various olfactory verities such as floral, aromatic, woody and oriental. These differ from eau de toilettes and colognes in the quantity of concentration of oils present in them. Perfumes have the utmost levels of concentration. As the oils are composed of very expensive ingredients, higher levels of concentration mean more costly products. Nowadays synthetic elements are being extensively used to create a range of heady and mesmerizing products. A sizeable portion is created with synthetic chemicals and natural oils. It is then added in miniscule proportions to add to the richness of the product. Scents are made up of perfume oil, alcohol and water with atmostcare by who are skilled in the art of combining different essences.

Each one of us has one that suits us better than others. Individual pH level is determined by the reaction of the components contained in the fragrance. Those who have oily skin would retain the smell for a longer time due to the greater natural moisture. Our unique body chemistry result each perfume to react differently on various people. Women’s perfumes should not be selected simply on the brand name and fancy looking bottles. When it is applied to the pressure points they can keep you enveloped in a cloud of fragrance for a long time. Applying them inside your wrists, insides of your elbows and also at back of your knees and the neck is also effective. Layering your perfume helps you in retaining the aroma for a longer time. The art of applying them is in creating an exciting feeling without saturating the olfactory senses. Preferably they should be applied one hour before leaving out as it leaves enough time for the scent to blend with the skin’s natural oils. Always avoid applying it on costume jewelry as it could strip off the coating. Choose one that complements your natural body odor. Wear stronger ones in winter, as the weather tends to reduce its strength.

Perfumery, that is the art of making perfume, is quite an ancient art that was first started in Mesopotamia as well as in Egypt, sometime during the 2nd millennium, BC.

During those days, perfumes were mostly made using spices such as coriander, almond, bergamot, etc and various kinds of herbs too. Surprisingly, they did not use flowers to make perfumes during the early days of perfume making. The use of flowers for perfume making was discovered by a Persian chemist and doctor, who first experimented with roses, to manufacture perfume. Rose water was an instant hit among the perfume users, owing to its more delicate nature, and since then there has been no looking back for perfumes using flowers.

However, nowadays with the commercialization of perfume making, and with the development in the technology, the production techniques have undergone a massive change. Perfume making has now become a job that requires great expertise and knowledge. Though most commercial perfume makers do not like to reveal the secret behind their perfumes, we know for sure that perfume comes from various sources, including plants (including flowers, fruits, leaves, seeds, resins, etc) , animals (such as musk, honey comb, civet, etc), and various other natural sources. These days the benefits of using genetically modified plants for perfume making is also being realized by manufacturers.

These days it is not very uncommon to find perfume makers using synthetic sources to make perfumes. Though there are very few manufactures who use synthetic chemicals to produce perfumes, they are nevertheless gaining popularity among the perfume lovers.

Though there are various methods of making perfumes, and each perfume producing unit adopts a different way suitable to their choice and style, some of the basic techniques still remain the same.

The first step comprises of understanding the organization of typical various ingredients present in the perfume oil. These ingredients are primarily divided into four categories on the basis of the specific roles they play. These include the primary scents, the modifiers, the blenders and the fixatives. Different primary scents as well as supporting ingredients may be found in the base, middle and top notes of fragrance.

In the next step, the fragrance oils then need to be blended with water and ethyl alcohol that have been aged in specific tanks for at least fourteen days, and well filtered off from all unnecessary sediments. These days most perfume manufacturing units, instead of building their perfumes from the `ground-ups`, prefer the use of bases for the same purpose, owing to the various benefits it provides.

However, once a perfume has been manufactured, it is difficult to understand its composition. This is obviously due to the presence of various kinds of oils that makes the structure of the perfume all the more complicated to break up and understand. However, an expert may use reverse engineering techniques to understand the nature of the perfumes. Reverse engineering is particularly helpful for understanding a perfume that is not too complex in nature. Nevertheless much also depends on the GC/MS equipments being used for the purpose. Customers as well as competitors often use this tool to understand the formula used in manufacturing a perfume.

Perfume making industry is a big one, employing a number of experts to experiment and devise new concepts for perfume making. One of the most amazing features of this industry is the maintenance of secrecy, and the hard work that is put into the making of each and every perfume, so that each bottle contains a unique combination in itself. Thus next time you spray perfume all over yourself, just recollect the hard work gone into it so that you keep smelling sweet the whole day long and say a silent thanks to the creator!!

Perfume has been used throughout history for a variety of reasons. Perfume has proved itself to be a valuable commodity in both ancient and modern times, with the modern perfume industry turnover in its billions every year. Perfume is a luxury, rather than a necessity, and yet its popularity grows rather than wavers every year. The reason behind this is the enjoyment that the wearer gains, and this type of enjoyment stems from the recognised and unnoticed benefits that wearing perfume provides.

Firstly, the effect of perfume on our brains is not necessarily recognised though the effects are certainly enjoyed. Each scent, whether natural or synthetic, emits molecules which enter the nasal passages and eventually reach the olfactory epithelium. This part of the nose has a vast amount of receptor neurons which are each covered in hairs called cilia. These cilia trap the scent and send a message to the brain which enables a person to recognise the perfume. The ability to smell immediately has a positive impact. This is important as some research has shown that people without a sense of smell have a less happy life than those who can smell; scents trigger emotions and affect our mood.

As a result of this finding, perfume has become as much a science as it has an accessory. Aromatherapy studies the effects of natural botanical perfume ingredients, usually in the form of oils in their purest state. Its looks at the effects upon mood and general well being, and applies the knowledge by improving the perfume in the environment and offering a variety of aromatherapy services aimed at improving people`s lives. Aromacology applies this same approach to any available scent, from flowers to sand, and the findings are currently assisting perfume manufacturers worldwide.

The ingredients used in perfume may improve your concentration and enhance your mood. There is a long list of scents that are said to trigger this stimulating effect. Perfumes that contain ingredients such as ginger, sandalwood and rose are claimed by aromatherapists and aromacologists alike to have a stimulating effect on brain neurons. The increased stimulation aided by the use of perfume assists in many everyday tasks, from more focused studying to extra stamina and energy, balanced weight loss to an improved immune system.

Another benefit to be gained from wearing perfume is that it can relax your mood. Certain scents have aldehydes which have a calming effect on the brain. The perfume oils which have this effect include eucalyptus and citronella. Other scents can act as a form of sedative, aiding restful sleep, which helps reduce anxiety and tension which in turn creates a wealth of health benefits. The most famous of these perfumes include lavender and bergamot, which have been used for this purpose for centuries and in a variety of countries worldwide.

The benefits of perfume are not just highlighted by scientific study. Many psychologists state that humans begin to store information about scents when only a few months old, and that scents affect reactions to people and events more than any of the other senses at this young age. In fact, our taste in smells remains more or less the same whereas tastes influenced by other senses are extremely changeable. This means that we choose perfumes for a reason, either it triggers a feeling of nostalgia or makes us feel a certain way. The perfume chosen also has a social relevance; it tells people something about the wearer, and helps cement their identity. Attraction to another person is influenced by invisible scents known as pheromones, and perfume adds to this. Above all, perfume makes the wearer feel fresh, attractive and more confident; and confidence is a definite benefit.

This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author’s name and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.

Perfume, an amalgamation of aroma compounds, some vital oils, fixatives and solvents, roots backs to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt and later by the Romans and Persians. Perfumery, the art of making perfume, found its existence in East Asia too, but mostly it was incensed based.

Tapputi was the first perfume maker whose name was mentioned in cuneiform tablet from the second millennium BC in Mesopotamia. According to recent discoveries, more than 4000 years old perfumes are found in ancient perfume factory that was spread in an area of 4000 square-meter area. Those perfumes were made of herbs, almonds, coriander, bergamot, and other spices, but not flowers.

Avicenna, the Persian doctor and chemist, pioneered the distillation of oils of flowers. He began this process with rose. Prior to that, oils, petals and crushed herbs were blended to make perfumes. Then the art of making perfume reached Europe in 14th century and later Hungarians launched the modern perfume, a mixture of oils in alcohol solution, in 1370. In 16th century, this proliferated art of Italy was taken to France and then it became the European center of perfume and cosmetic manufacture. With this impact, cultivation of flowers became a flourishing industry in the south of France. During the Renaissance period, perfumed were meant for royal class only. Around 18th century, perfume industry boomed like anything, since the cultivation of aromatic plants were increased to provide more and more raw material.

A perfume can be described on the basis of its concentration level, the family it belongs to and the notes of scents it spreads. Perfume oil has to be diluted with a solvent, as undiluted oils are highly concentrated and can cause allergies. Ethanol or a mixture of ethanol and water are the most common diluting agents for perfumes. Neutral smelling lipids like jojoba, fractionated coconut oil or wax are the best ways to dilute perfume oils. The intensity and endurance of a perfume depends on the amount of concentrates it contains.

According to traditional and modern classification, perfumes consist of number of categories like single floral, floral bouquet, ambery, woody, leathery, bright floral, green, oceanic/ozone, citrus, etc. Each category is well-known for its own distinctiveness. Plants are the chief source of aromatics and each part of plant is responsible for a specific aromatic compound. Apart from plants, animals like Ambergris, Civet, Musk and Honeycomb are also great sources of aromatic compounds. Besides these, other natural sources are Lichens and Seaweed. But modern perfumes contain odorants which are not naturally available; rather they are synthetic odorants like Calon.

The synthetic odorants are organically synthesized and then purified before the composition of perfume. In case of natural sources, odorants are obtained by dissolving the raw material in a solvent to obtain the desired aromatic compounds. On the other hand, the method of heating the raw material and then condensed to distill aromatic vapors is called distillation. It can be either steam distillation or dry distillation. Aromatic oils can also be collected through expression that is compression of the raw material. The extracted compounds are essential oils which are used to compose perfumes.

In the whole process the role of perfumer is very important, as he formulates the perfume according to the need and mood of the customer or his employer, keeping in mind the price of the perfume oil concentrates. Then the perfume is formulated to evoke the desired feelings in those who smell it. Perfumes should be properly stored also to keep their aromas intact. They should not be exposed to heat and light. They can be kept in light tight aluminium bottle or in their original packing.

The word `perfume` is derived from the Latin `per fume` which means through smoke.

Perfume making began in ancient Egypt; later, it was improved by the Romans and the Arabs. The process of distilling oils from flowers was discovered by an Iranian doctor, and this is the process still used in perfume making today.

Modern perfume was first made in 1370 in Hungary, by blending scented oils in an alcoholic solution, and was known all over Europe as Hungary water. Perfume making continued to be developed in Italy during the Renaissance, and in France from the 16th century onwards. Growing of flowers for perfume making became an important industry in southern France; and France is still the center of perfume making in Europe.

The designer houses famous for their perfumes keep their formulas of the fragrances a closely guarded secret. But there are perfume experts who can identify the origins and components of the scents much like wine testers.

Perfumes are classified by their scent and concentration levels. The oils used in making perfume are diluted by ethanol and water, because the undiluted oils can cause damage to the skin or to clothing, or can cause allergic reactions. Accordingly, there are Pure perfume, Eau De Parfum, Eau De Toilette and Eau De Cologne, with Pure perfume containing the largest percentage of aromatic oils, and Eau De Cologne the smallest amount.

The fragrance designer houses use different levels of concentration for the same category of perfume; for instance, the Eau De Parfum belonging to one house, may be much stronger than one from another house. There are also three different perfume classifications according to scents; the traditional scents were created in the early 1900`s; the modern scents date from 1945; the Fragrance wheel was created in 1983, there being five standard fragrance categories: the Fougere family, Floral, Woody, Oriental and Fresh.

Perfumes are also known by their top, middle and base notes, which unfold gradually; the top notes can be sensed immediately, next, the deeper middle notes, and the base notes appear gradually in the last stage. There is an evaporation process in perfumes, and this knowledge is used in carefully choosing the notes. Top notes are important in selling the perfume as they can be perceived immediately; the middle and the base notes make up the perfume`s main theme.

The aromatic oils used in perfume making are obtained from various sources. Barks of cinnamon, sassafras and cascarilla are used. Flowers are the largest source; rose, osmanthus, jasmine, tuberose, mimosa and blossom of citrus trees are widely used. Odors from fresh fruits like cherries, strawberries and apples cannot be extracted well and synthetic substances are used. The exceptions are vanilla, juniper and oranges, grapefruit and limes. Among leaves and twigs, lavender, patchouli, rosemary, violets, sage and citrus leaves are used. Resins are obtained from frankincense, labdanum, myrrh, gum benzoin, Peru balsam, fir and pine.

Roots, Ambergris, woods, honeycomb, musk (synthetic), lichens, civets, seaweed are some of the other sources of aromas.

Organic synthetics are created from petroleum and pine resins for scents which cannot be obtained from nature. There are really hundreds of ingredients that are contained in perfume oils. The modern fragrance houses have developed their own fragrance oils, which are blended with ethyl alcohol and water for fourteen days; these are then filtered and unwanted particles removed; they are then filled into beautiful perfume bottles.

These days, we find well known celebrities signing contracts with perfume houses to lend their names for promoting famous perfumes. Some of the most popular ones are David Beckham for Instinct, Antonio Banderas for Spirit, Elizabeth Taylor for White Diamonds, Passion, Forever Elizabeth, and many more.

Perfume oils are used around the world. Essentially, they are concentrated forms of perfume. People have been making fragrances for centuries, perfume oils just provide a powerful aroma with the convenience of a tiny bottle, perfect for your purse or fashion handbag.

Perfume oil can come in different varieties, ingredient wise. One thing people enjoy the most about these wonderful liquids is the high amount of aromatic compounds. The more aromatic the perfume oil, then the longer and stronger the scent will be.

Perfume oils provide the highest concentration of aromatic compounds when compared to other fragrance choices. You will find many typical perfume oils contain 20 – 40% of pure aromatic compounds, while a typical cologne carries only 2% – 5%.

It’s clear perfume oil is the best choice for any time you want your fragrance to last after you put it on. It can sometimes be annoying when you spend a lot of money on a perfume and it just doesn’t seem to last for any time at all. With perfume oil, this problem is completely eliminated. Not only will the scent generally be stronger depending on what kind of oil you use, but you’ll also be able to actually enjoy it through the day.

When you’re looking to purchase perfume oil, it’s always best to get a feel for the selection available to you. There are many different perfumeries across the world that make perfume oil. The ingredients and intensity of the oil can vary from perfume house to perfume house, try a few to see which one suits you best. The more you try then the closer you will be to that perfect fragrance that you’ve been looking for.

When it comes to ingredients, make sure you check it closely so that you can get an idea of what kind of perfume oil it is. Sometimes the ingredients won’t be shown. In this chase, you’ll have to be the judge as to whether you still want to go with it or not. For example, some products have been known to be listed as aromatherapy products, but do not have true aromatherapy ingredients.

Perfume oil is the perfect solution for someone who doesn’t want to have to keep re-applying fragrances all the time. The concentrated nature of perfume oil give it wonderful, long-lasting benefits.

Making your own perfume is really very easy. Not only does it save you money on expensive shop bought perfumes but it is a very satisfying activity. You can get hours of pleasure out of blending your own perfumes at home. Home made perfumes make ideal presents. Your friends and family will be delighted to have a truely unique perfume that you have made with love and care.

The equipment you need is very simple. You will need some glass bowls that you can cover, some clean jars with lids and some bottles for the finished perfume. The reason you use glass is that it will not react with the essential oils. Plastics tend to react with these oils. This can contaminate the perfume. Each batch of perfume needs a completely clean container.

A funnel for filling bottles is useful. Some muslin or coffee filter paper for straining infusions that you have made from plants will come in handy. You may also like to get a small pipette. This is a glass tube with an air bulb on the end. It is used for taking small quantities of liquid such as essential oils to add to your perfume mixture.

The best kind of containers to store home made perfume in are dark glass bottles. It is important to protect the essential oils from light which causes them to detriorate. You can use clear glass bottles if you keep them out of the light. Put the bottle in a box or stick on a label that covers the glass. Decorating and presenting the perfume that you have made at home is all part of the fun.

Recycle old perfume bottles, Most of the cost of the perfume you buy goes into the packaging so it is a shame to waste it. Or buy some pretty antique bottles with glass stoppers when you want to give the perfume you have made at home as a present.

The vital ingredients you will need to make perfume at home are essential oils which can be bought at health food shops and specialist retailers. There are many suppliers on line if you do not have a local source.

Essential oils can also be extracted at home by soaking plant material such as flowers, twigs, leaves, seeds and berries in alcohol. Vodka is the best source of alcohol for perfume making because it is guaranteed to be safe for human consumption. Industrial alcohol is not a good idea.

Carrier oils are useful for making perfumed oils. Any vegetable oil will do, but some are too sticky to make good body oil. Olive oil is fine if you have time to let it soak in but almond is perhaps the best because it is light and easily absorbed.

Lavender always make a good base for a blend of perfume. You can buy ready made essential lavender oil or make your own by soaking lavender in vodka. If you grow your own lavender it can become the distinctive appeal of your own perfume. It is something that you have made from start to finish. The perfume you have made at home can be another way of enjoying gardening. When you give that perfume you have made with your own lavender you are giving your friends a real gift of love.

Add other essential oils to the lavender to create different effects. You will find many recipes in books and on the internet for blending perfumes or you can follow your own nose. It’s all a matter of your own prefernces when you make perfume at home.