Natural Fragrances

The strong scents of plants come from aromatic oils which are in plant cells. Natural fragrances create a beautiful aura easily recognizable to consumers. You can release these oils by soaking the aromatic parts of the plants (they must be dry) in alcohol (for one week), or soaking them in mineral or olive oil (for one-two weeks). When properly prepared, they have not been associated with significant adverse reactions.

Natural fragrances are a complex mix of chemical components. The primary organic compounds are terpenes. They are extracted from odoriferous (strong smelling) things through a distillation process that passes steam over the plants, evaporating the volatile compounds which then condense in water droplets.

Aromatic (highly scented) flowers, herbs and spices, essential oils and incense have been used by people living on this continent for many centuries.

There are 200 commercially produced essential oils that are obtained from oil-bearing leaves, flowers, bark, seeds, or wood of aromatic plants. Natural fragrances tend to be more expensive than synthetic chemicals, resulting in fewer skin care product manufacturers using them. Natural fragrances should be tried on the skin and then sniffed regularly as they develop and change.