Morning!
I read up on one of my favourite fragrances …> having read
Lizzi’s fragrance blessings tweet this morning. Lizzi asked
‘What fragrances invoke memories for you? I would love to know?’
For me this question applies to both male and female.
Santalum paniculatum (ʻiliahi), Hawaiʻi.Sandalwood is the name of different fragrant woods. These woods are yielded by trees in the genus Santalum, which are often used for the essential oil it contains. The wood is heavy and yellow in color as well as fine-grained, and unlike many other aromatic woods it retains its fragrance for decades. The sandalwood fragrance is very distinctive and is used in countless applications. Sandalwood has been valued and treasured for many years for its fragrance, carving, medical and religious qualities.
Fragrance
Chess pieces in red sandalwoodSandalwood essential oil provides perfumes with a striking wood base note. Sandalwood smells somewhat like other wood scents, except it has a bright and fresh edge with few natural analogues. When used in smaller proportions in a perfume, it is an excellent fixative to enhance the head space of other fragrances.
The oil from sandalwood is widely used in the cosmetic industry and is expensive. The true sandalwood is a protected species, and demand for it cannot be met in full. Many species of plants are traded under the name of “sandalwood”. Within the genus Santalum alone, there are more than nineteen species that can be called sandalwood. Traders will often accept oil from closely related species, such as various species in the genus Santalum, as well as from unrelated plants such as West Indian Sandalwood (Amyris balsamifera) in the family Rutaceae.
Medicine
Sandalwood essential oil was popular in medicine up to 1920-1930, mostly as an urogenital (internal) and skin (external) antiseptic. Its main component beta-santalol (~90%) has antimicrobial properties. It is used in aromatherapy and to prepare soaps. Due to this antimicrobial activity, it can be used to clear skin from blackheads and spots, but it must always be properly diluted with a carrier oil. Because of its strength, sandalwood oil should never be applied to the skin without being diluted in a carrier oil.
I am naturally curious about it’s medicinal properties. Is’nt Life so wonderful, so full of mystery! Looking forward to my shower then adding fragrances. For me they invoke memories of those very special family moments and significant ‘other’ dinner dates!. And You?
Carolyn Williams. Breathing new life into business. I drive new leads, followers and advocates online for small business owners & entrepreneurs to boost revenue.
Swansea
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