A perfume is a liquid mixture used to emit a pleasant odour. It is formed from fragrant essential oils derived from plants and spices for synthetic aromatic compounds. Perfumes are used to give a pleasant and desirable scent to a person’s body, typically to increase self-appeal and self-confidence.
Scents are reported to enhance health and well-being by improving mood, reducing anxiety and stress, increasing cognitive function, and improving sleep. The process of manufacturing perfumes is very interesting. Though the precise formulae of commercial perfumes are kept secret. Even if they are widely published.
Let’s have a look at a list of 10 plants that are used to make perfumes.
1. Rose
Rose is also known as the ‘queen of flowers' and is probably the most famous flower and of course, the most romantic flower, as it is often described as the flower of love. It is one of the main ingredients of many floral perfumes often used by people.
The roses which are most commonly used in perfumes are the Turkish rose, the Denmark (or Damascene) and Rosa Centifolia (the hundred-leafed rose), which is grown around Grasse in the south of France, and generally considered to produce the highest quality rose absolute.
Rose essential oil can come in the form of rose Otto (also known as attar of roses) or rose absolute using the notes of roses in a perfume provides a very refreshing scent which spellbinds people’s sense of core.
2. Lavenders
Lavender, begins as a plant with bright purple flowers. Lavender is usually associated with fragrance and its colour, but the Lavender flower and the oil derived from it are also used in many herbal medicines.
Lavender flower has a soothing fragrance. It also has antibacterial and antifungal effects. These flowers are found across the Canary Islands, South Europe, North and East Africa, Arabia, the Mediterranean and India.
Lavender has a very different fragrance that combines 180 different constituents and is widely used in the perfume industry to add a top or middle note to perfumes. Hybrid Lavandi Lavender is one of the most fragrant species.
3. Jasmine
The scientific name of Jasmine is Jasminum, which has come from the Persian word “Yasamin" which means ‘gift from God. It is known to be one of the most pleasant and sweet-smelling flowers in the world. Could cultures worldwide include aromatic products like candles, perfumes, soaps and lotions?
Jasmine is available in white and yellowish colours and is found in tropical regions worldwide. The flowering jasmine is also used for aromatherapy.
People in the Middle East and Asia hold jasmine in such high regard in traditional ceremonies. In many countries, Jasmine evokes love and peace. It also symbolizes modesty; although jasmine flowers are small and simple, they produce a strong, delectable fragrance.
4. Frangipani
Frangipani, also called Plumeria, are widely cultivated as ornamentals in warm climates for their attractive and fragrant flowers and are easily propagated from stem cuttings. They are popular in landscaping because of the seemingly endless variety of colours, sizes and fragrances of their blossoms. Plumerias are large shrubs or small trees.
The petals of Plumeria are waxy and the centre of the flower is a different colour—just like most variety has white flowers with a yellow centre. Perfumes are also derived from or imitate the odour of the flowers. The white-edged yellow flowers of the Mexican Frangipani are a popular component of ‘Hawaiian lei'.
Plumeria is admired by Polynesian Islanders for its smell, durability and different pastel shades. If it is kept in freshwater, it can last for several days without witting.
5. Tuberose
It is widely regarded as some of the most fragrant flowers in the world, these plants produce clusters of gorgeous, large, pure white blooms on stalks growing up to 4'tall. Extracts of tuberose are used in perfumery.
It is included in the most expensive raw materials of the perfume industry as it is a difficult task to take out the scent from the larger volume of flowers. This floral perfume has a spicy, heady and creamy aroma. The tuberose is a night-blooming plant native to Mexico, as is every other known species of Polianthes.
It grows in elongated spikes up to 45cm (18m) long, producing clusters of fragrant waxy white flowers that bloom from the bottom towards the top of the spike. It has long, bright green leaves clustered at the base of the plant and smaller, clasping leaves along the stem.
6. Lilac
The Lilac is one of the most beautiful flowers found around the globe. It is pale violet-toned in colour. Lilac originated in South-eastern Europe and is a popular part of the Mediterranean culture. Lilac has been a source of inspiration for artists throughout history.
Lilac is a popular ingredient in perfumes and cosmetics. The scent of Lilac is what makes it a stand-out plant. Its scent is stronger in full sun. There are more than, 1000 varieties of Lilacs found around the globe. It is the native flower of Europe and Asia and the official state flower of New Hampshire.
7. Sandalwood
Sandalwood is a class of woods from trees in the genus Santalum. The woods are heavy, yellow and fine-grained and, unlike many other aromatic kinds of wood, they retain their fragrance for decades. Sandalwood oil is extracted from the woods and is used in perfumes, soaps, candles, incense and folk medicines.
It is also used as a flavour for foods and beverages. Sandalwood grows up to 30 feet in height and is a small evergreen tree; the wood is fragrant with yellow to maroon flowers, oval leaves and dark red-black fruit. Sandalwood is often cited as one of the most expensive woods in the world.
8. Lemon
Lemon is an s thorny tree with bright yellow citrusy fruits. Lemon originates from the Middle East. The fragrant essential oil of lemon is produced by cold-pressing the peel, and it is described as clean, fresh and sparkling.
This fresh and cheerful aroma is widely used in colognes, perfumes and various body-care products, to create an invigorating and sharp citrusy composition. The lemon note is one of the lightest notes and is often used as a lovely bright and sparkling top note.
The fragrance of lemon delivers energy, brightness, cheer and refreshment like sparkling, sweet sunshine.
9. Myrrh
Myrrh is a gum resin extracted from several small, thorny species of the genus Commiphora Myrrh, which originates from parts of Arabia, Somalia and Ethiopia, the resins' are produced by tapping the tree to make small incisions. Myrrh resin has been used throughout history as a perfume, incense and medicine.
It is a classic and ancient fragrance ingredient. The aroma of Myrrh can be described as woody, warm, aromatic, pungent, and slightly medicinal.
Myrrh gets its name from the Hebrew ‘murr' or ‘maror', which translates as ‘bitter’. It is earthy, resinous, intriguing, and still a key ingredient in many sensual and iconic Ambrèe perfumes.
10. Narcissus (Daffodil)
Daffodil is the most common name for all Narcissus. These flowers have a central trumpet-shaped corona surrounded by a ring petal. The traditional daffodil has a golden yellow colour all over, but the halo may often feature a contrasting colour.
There are hundreds of different species of Narcissi such as white, yellow, some with a touch of pink or orange, including our everyday daffodil, but not all are fragrant.
Some narcissi are deliciously fragrant, a scent that is sweet, captivating and unique. It has a heady, opulent floral animatic scent. Narcissus tazett var. Orientalism was grown in Ancient Egypt and Israel for the perfume of its flowers. They are grown commercially in south France for the production of essential oil.
Written By: Sania Nisar
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