What is natural perfumery?

Natural perfumery uses only aromatic natural ingredients that are directly derived from flora and fauna, without any synthetic materials. Natural perfumes contain a variety of extracts such as absolutes, essential oils, tinctures, concretes, infusions, and resins. Natural perfumes can be 2 types – botanical or herbal and animal scents that are commonly marked as “non-vegan” perfumes. Typically, plant substances are used in botanical perfumes and animal pheromones are used in animal scents.

Introduction to Natural Perfumery - The Essence of an Art

Q: Are natural perfumes better?

Natural perfumes are non-toxic in nature. They do not contain any toxic chemical compounds such as phthalates, petrochemicals, or parabens often found in synthetic ones. Numerous scientific studies have found that these chemicals are harmful to the human body and environment. Research also linked toxic chemical compounds found in industrially mass-produced perfumes to a wide range of health conditions including hormonal imbalances, cancer, neurological issues, autism spectrum disorders, fertility problems, and various psychological and emotional disorders especially related to anxiety and depression.

Introduction to Natural Perfumery

The Essence of an Art

Since the remotest ages, perfume has been synonymous with wealth, culture, and refinement. The natural perfumery art and craft were associated with the profession of a physician, a healer, or a priest at holy ceremonies.

Natural Perfumery: delight & healing

The aromatic essences that were made by the ancient perfumers had healing powers and produced psycho-physical well-being. Through olfaction, specific scents can activate biochemical processes in our body that foster one’s own capacity for self-healing. The Arabian, Israelite, and Egyptian parfumeur composed perfumes and went even further with incenses, baths, ointments, balms, and cosmetics.

These remedies provided refined delight and healing, the two natural functions of perfume. To convince oneself of the healing power of aromatic essences, it is sufficient to consult any book on traditional pharmacopeia, a great part of them is of aromatic plants.

In a world brimming with synthetic fragrances, natural perfumery stands out as a timeless art form that captivates the senses and reconnects us with nature’s most precious scents. With roots dating back to ancient civilizations, natural perfumery has evolved into a refined craft that embraces sustainability, artistry, and a deep appreciation for the essence of nature.

Artificial fragrant bombs

Nowadays, humankind uses more aromatic substances than ever before. Nearly all of these aromas are produced artificially, and the range of their use is wider than ever. Every day we handle and ingest these perfumes in commercial products.

The gigantic expansion of perfumery is typical of our century and was made possible by the exponential development of modern chemistry. The original natural olfactory jewels have been substituted by a chemical imitation. Plastic.

“Fragrant bombs” have been devised. Just by their smell, these can knock down a hostile army or population and turn it defenseless with smell-induced sicknesses.

The two natural functions of perfume – delight and healing – have been delegated to its artificial surrogate. Not only have original perfumes been replaced by chemical products, but also, the science to cure diseases with perfumes has been usurped by the science that claims to cure with chemical substances.

Natural perfumery instead, with its rich history, artisanal craftsmanship, and deep connection to nature, remains an enchanting art form that continues to captivate perfume enthusiasts worldwide. Its essence lies in the celebration of botanical treasures and the mastery of perfumers who harmoniously blend fragrant notes, creating olfactory symphonies that resonate with the soul. As we navigate a world of synthetic fragrances, embracing the art of natural perfumery offers a captivating journey into the heart of botanical allure.

Unlike mass-produced synthetic fragrances, natural perfumery thrives on artisanal blending. Perfumers meticulously craft their fragrances in small batches, ensuring attention to detail and maintaining the integrity of the raw materials. Each bottle becomes a unique masterpiece, telling its story through layers of scents that unfurl gracefully upon the skin.

Side effects of chemical perfumes

Although everybody knows the toxic side effects of chemical medicines, very little is known about the effect of chemical perfumes on the central nervous system. This center of our being is directly connected with the external world through olfaction. To fill this gap in our knowledge, modern perfumery, and the chemical industry are largely investing in research & development.

These studies focus especially on androstene molecules (pheromones) and “coercive odors”. Pheromones affect our sexuality, and “coercive odors” can subliminally provoke particular social and individual behavior. This new science, called “aroma-chology“, is certainly not meant for good purposes. It aims at controlling people and raising profits.

Natural perfumes do not contain any toxic chemical compounds such as phthalates, petrochemicals, or parabens often found in synthetic ones. Numerous scientific studies have found that these chemicals are harmful to the human body and environment.

Research also linked toxic chemical compounds found in industrially mass-produced perfumes to a wide range of health conditions, including hormonal imbalances, cancer, neurological issues, autism spectrum disorders, fertility problems, and various psychological and emotional disorders especially related to anxiety and depression.

Natural Perfumery and Aromatherapy

However, technological developments have also been fruitful for the parfumeur‘s craft, as they permitted the birth of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy pioneers took value from the two worlds of traditional medicine and modern technical inventions. These pioneers opened new roads arising from the meeting of the Orient and the Occident. Aromatherapy uses new and pure natural aromatic substances (essential and absolute oils). These essential and absolute oils contribute to all fields of aromatic medicine, including “Scent-therapy“.

Perfume-therapy

“Perfume-therapy” is the most subtle and enthralling side of present and past aromatic medicine. It continues the tradition of the ancient perfumer-physician, who was able to orchestrate a peculiar fragrance reflecting and supporting the patient’s frame of mind. These are true scents of the soul!

Scents of the soul

The following links about “The Scents of the Soul” describe the organoleptic features of some of the most successful perfumes of “La Via del Profumo”.

Most were created for a friend, a customer, or a patient, with the essences of their choice. This is the case of Night Blossom and Sea Wood. Sometimes, the idea started with a composition from their favorite feminine essences. African Night and Holy Water were carefully composed to dedicate an aroma to their unique names. Bambini (Children) was meant to be the olfactory signature of a kid’s shop. Tcharas aims at reproducing the scent of a particular resin. Tartar Leather is a DJ perfume, it is a mixture of Hector and African Night.

As for Arabia, while I was desperately searching for a lost perfume, I improvised Arabia for myself in one of the most remote places on earth. The mythical animal musk of Hindu Kush might be the very fragrance exhaling from the bodies of the prophets.

One of the most loved perfumes among the range of perfumes is Muschio di Quercia (Oak Moss). It originated from the necessity to dilute in other essences the green resin of the vegetal musk, which is exceedingly sticky and staining on the skin. Since then this first composition has aroused a decennial fidelity and is as successful today as ever.

Beyond their captivating aromas, natural fragrances evoke powerful emotions and memories. Certain scents can transport us to cherished moments, evoke nostalgia, or even provide therapeutic benefits. The close connection between natural perfumery and our emotions makes these fragrances deeply personal and meaningful.

Because of the very nature of the materials that they are made of, natural perfumes are olfactory jewels.
Enjoy these jewels…