Traditional Indian Fragrance Marvels- What You Can Expect From ?

A traditional Indian fragrance can get you the aroma, difficult to be found anywhere else. In fact, these fragrances are not only nostalgic aroma wise, these traditional fragrances are natural, alcohol free and concentrated aroma oils. There has never been a tradition to use alcohol or chemical with these formulations. Meaning, they are either unadulterated aromatic oil or a mix of several natural aroma oils. Formulators of traditional fragrances never employed in the paraffin, phthalate etc. Using chemicals with fragrances, although for some valid reasons, is the developments outside India.

Basically, fragrances like Rose Oil, kewda oil, Rajnigandha oil etc. are traditional Indian Fragrances. Also, since they are all-natural Perfume Oils, they can be worn on the skin or clothing. Not only that you can also use them just as Body Oil, Scented Oil, Aromatherapy Oil. If I am to add more clarity, they are Essential Oils with little to no dilution by innocuous natural carrier oils. And why the heck dilution is sometimes needed? Only because dilutions reduce the allergic properties of pure essential oils. Without exaggerating, I must compliment that one drop of these natural aroma oils is comparable to multiple spray of top perfumes. Yes, only best attars in the market can compare these traditional fragrances. And that too, because many attar makers of India and middle east use traditional Indian fragrance as staple ingredient.

1. Amber Fragrance Perfume Oil

The Amber Perfume Oil has a classic, Sweet, Rich, Amber fragrance. Amber itself is a mass of tree resins coming from the resinous tree, native to India. The amber fragrance oil is extracted through dry distillation of Amber, mix of many resinous substances.

This is also obtained from mixing many resinous essential oils. Specific resinous oils mix together to yield a typical amber fragrance. However, the real Amber essential oil is Pinus succinefera fossil, the fossil of prehistoric pine trees.

This traditional Indian fragrance has numerous beneficial properties both physical and spiritual. It is aphrodisiac and helps in asthma, rheumatism epilepsy, jaundice, kidney etc. In India it is also used to guard against witchcraft. Oil is good source of beneficial negative ions that has vitalizing effect. The light sensual smell to it has a calming effect to anyone using it, just as Aromatherapy Oil.

2. Gold Fragrance Perfume Oil

It comes from rare flowers of gold mohar through natural processes. The vegetation is scarce in India and native to Madagascar. This oil has foaming properties and natural tanning and hence finds use in making cosmetic products for skin. The traditional Indian fragrance has very exotic and enticing effect on your senses of smell.

3. Lotus (Kamal) Fragrance Perfume Oil

It comes from the Lotus flowers through the Hydro-Distillation method. Lotus fragrance oil is a sought-after oil for aromatherapy owing to its calming aroma that uplift the senses. It has special demand among Indian women to wear during special occasions as its fragrance is quite pleasing. Moreover, this aroma oil is also bear links to spirituality and this traditional Indian fragrance is a favourite one in religious ceremonies.

Lotus plants have roots in mud of ponds while flower floats on water and are mythologically having links with Brahma. One of the most beautiful flowers, Lotus is also the national flower of India. The medicinal properties are helpful in acne, pimples, blemishes and rashes. It is also effective in complications like fever, cholera, fungal infections, arthritis etc.

4. Champa Fragrance Perfume Oil

Champa fragrance Oil is a fresh herbaceous, soft and sensual Similar to Lavender, Magnolia and other Flower Scent Perfumes. It comes from Champa flowers through hydro distillation. Pure Champa Flower Oil is very soft and can also be used just as Aromatherapy Oil. Just like Rose Oil and other Floral Scented Oils, it is very soft and sensual. Only a drop of this light yet strong champa perfume oil goes a long way to make it a true traditional Indian fragrance.

5. Vetiver (Khus) Fragrance Perfume Oil

Vetiver Essential Oil is extracted from the aromatic roots of the Vetiver/Khus (Vetiveria zizanioides ). The Vetiver belongs to the same part of the grass family as maize, sorghum, sugarcane, and lemongrass. Vetiver oil has real grounding, sensuous, and deeply calming aroma. Owing to these properties Vetiver Essential Oil is also known as the “Oil of Tranquility” and “The Fragrance of the Soil.”

A true traditional Indian fragrance, Vetiver oil makes a superb aromatherapy Oil. In fact, it is beneficial for soothing anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, depression, and inability to concentrate or remember. Further, Vetiver Oil also has properties to firm, tighten, and protect skin against the harsh effects of environment thereby exhibiting anti-aging properties.

6. Patchouli (Sugandhara/Pudina) Fragrance Perfume Oil

Patchouli is native to India and is a very fragrant herb similar to Pudina/Mint. It grew shot to popularity during the British Empire when silks and cashmere shawls from India were packed with Patchouli to discourage insects during shipping. Patchouli Oil improves with age and hence the aged oil is preferred over freshly harvested. In perfumery, although it doesn’t serve as a traditional Indian fragrance in isolation but, provides an excellent fixative that give lasting effect to other ephemeral expensive oils.

7. Jasmine (Chameli) Fragrance Perfume Oil

As per Indian mythology Fragrance of Chameli is favourite of Lord Krishna. Chameli oil is extracted from Chameli Flowers (Jasmine Grandiflorum) through hydro distillation. The oil fragrance has in it aphrodisiac properties that helps in increasing vitality as well as creates strong protective energy against disturbing influences. Further, this fragrance oil also works helpful in getting you relief from heavy head feeling. So, this is makes a typical traditional Indian fragrance with multifarious utility.

8. Marigold ( Genda) Fragrance Perfume Oil

Genda fragrance Oil is extracted from the fresh flowers of marigold plant through hydro-distillation process. Marigold flower has its own importance in Indian culture and widely used for religious and auspicious occasions.

Marigold essential oil comprises remarkable relaxing properties which sooth and calm your mind as well as body. Therefore, it is widely used by the aroma therapist to cure various nervous related problems. The oil is also helpful in improving your skin tone and alleviates various skin ailments. To put to conclusion, this traditional Indian fragrance is of immense benefit.

9. Raat Raani (Night Queen) Fragrance Perfume Oil

This traditional Indian fragrance has highly refreshing, alluring and enticing aroma. This perfume oil is extracted from the flower of Cestrum Nocturnum through the Hydro-Distillation. The house hold Indian flower Raat rani is basically West Indies Origin. The plant has many names such as night-blooming cestrum, Hasna Hena, lady of the night, Mistress of Night, queen of the night, night-blooming jasmine etc.

Raat Raani is an evergreen plant that blossoms in white creamy small flowers and having green colour leaves. A great aromatherapy oil, Raat Rani oil is a cure to many skin problems such as acne, pimples, scars, rashes and blemishes. Because of its potent aroma it also finds wide use in as a base or fixative in the cosmetic industry in the formulation of myriad beauty products.

10. Rajnigandha (Night Fragrance) Fragrance Perfume Oil

The very traditional Indian fragrance with Languorous, fascinating and heady scent is a mighty floral fragrance oil. Rajnigandha perfume oil is extracted from the night-blooming flowers of the Polianthes tuberosa. It is also known as Mexican Tuberose, Rajnigandha and fragrance of night.

It is an aphrodisiac aroma because of an intense and intoxicating floral fragrance that creates an atmosphere of love and sensuality. Indian folklores mention that young, unmarried girls in India were forbidden to inhale Tuberose flowers for it could stoke carnal desires and put them in the mood for love.

As a great aromatherapy oil, it rejuvenates mind and body and lifts up the spirit. Further, it comes with anti-spasmodic properties and has soothing effect on muscles and nerves. In fact, this Rajnigandha oil helps alleviating cramps, diarrhea, nervous disorder, spasmodic cough, depression, anxiety and anger.

11. Kewda Fragrance Perfume Oil

Kewra perfume oil comes from kewra Flowers through hydro distillation. Kewra flowers has enticing fragrance which is extracted into its essential oil which upon mixing with sandalwood oil becomes a ready to wear fragrance or can make a component in several other perfumery products. Pure kewra fragrance has uses in in various spiritual products. The traditional Indian fragrance kewda perfume oil also make a great aromatherapy oil.

Kewra flower comes from Kewra shrub botanically known as Pandanus Odoratissimus. Basically, this plant is a densely branched shrub, rarely erect and commonly found along the seashore of India.

12. Mogra Fragrance Perfume Oil

Mogra oil as absolute is extracted from the white flowers and dark green leaves of Mogra through the solvent extraction method. Botanically known as Jasminum sambac, it possesses Antidepressant, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Aphrodisiac, Emmenagogue like properties. Mogra Oil as a traditional Indian fragrance has a pleasing and stimulating effect on both mind and body. Its fragrance is effective in driving away negative thoughts by invoking a feeling of joy and happiness. Basically, the Mogra fragrance oil releases hormones like serotonin in the body which are helpful in enhancing the overall energy of the body.

13. Rose Fragrance Perfume Oil

The traditional Rose perfume oil is hydro distilled from the petals of rose flowers. Depending upon the intensity of aroma available in the flower of rose, the oil obtained can have strong or mild fragrant. In order to make a ready to wear fragrance the hydro-distillation of the flower petals is made into sandalwood oil. Varieties like Rosa Centifolia, native to France and Rosa Damascene native to Arab are in most use for hydro distillation. You can however, use roses from your garden too for the purpose. Wikipedia features Rose as a family Rosaceae and a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa. There are a number of other most fragrant varieties of rose that can be grown in the garden and you can use for extracting oils from them.

14. Shamama an acclaimed Indian Traditional Fragrance Perfume

Shamama attar is manufactured using blend of a variety of herbs, spices and natural essential oils. Known for its exotic fragrance and long-lasting fragrance, it has got secret formula for each perfumer. It contains 20+ different herbs and spices mixed together in different ratios, which go into the water distillation still.

The co-distillate obtained through deg bhapka in first stage is further heated in Patilla to mix few other desirable oils and herbs like saffron, nutmeg, Cloves, Cardamom etc. And then, the liquid so obtained, is allowed to macerate for a couple of weeks. Shamama Perfumes oil makes a true traditional Indian fragrance with rich exotic and lasting aroma.

Shamama attar is used in therapeutic medicine, in the flavour and perfume industry and it is a ready perfume product as well. It is great cure to headaches, rheumatism and gout pains. Chewing tobacco, gutkha, pan masala and different mouth fresheners make use of Shamama.

15. Majmua- a famed Indian Traditional Fragrance Perfume

Majmua is a special blend of four classic Indian Attars viz. Kadam Attar, Kewda Attar, Mitti Attar and Ruh Khus (Vetiver), in a base of fine Indian Sandalwood oil. Literally, Arabic word Majmua means Boquet and its fragrance is highly refreshing. In fact, Majmua is quite famous among top attars in India. It is most acclaimed traditional Indian fragrance which has demand across geography.

Majmua perfume oil is a cross gender favourite and has some adorable properties viz. earthy, cooling, sweet and green. The constituent aroma oils are extracted through the Hydro-Distillation process from the fresh flowers.

There are a number of fragrance houses that produce Majmua Oil but the Attar 96 Majmua by Nemat Perfumes is the best in the market. Fragrance of Majmua 96 is Deep, rich and relaxing fragrance. In contrast to other majmua fragrance oil, Majmua 96 by Nemat has additional hints of Musk. Official site of Nemat perfumes and fragrantica describe majmua 96 as Woody, musk floral composition. It has got lasting impression and the fragrance keeps lingering for the very long time once used. I have been using the majmua 96 for some time now and just love it.

Mr. Ismail Mohammadali Attarwala, a master perfumer and founder of Nemat perfumes is credited with creation of Majmua 96, who spent nearly 18 years perfecting his creation. It is available in marketplace since 1991. Attar 96 Majmua is one of the most popular fragrances oils in India. And, it is pretty much first choice for prayers, Namaaz or mediation.

Many small perfume houses including reputable house like, Ajmal too make their own versions of majmua. But attar lovers recognize Majmua 96 as most natural and native formulation.

Hard time for Traditional Indian Fragrance to Get Back to Old Glory

The traditional Indian fragrances also synonymous with attar are made in copper kettles called degs- bhapka, a centuries-old technology. Indian perfumers traditionally never used any chemical or laboratory made ingredients in making of these perfumes. Everything was natural. Currently, however, traditional ways of making perfumes are taking a beating. This is because of two main reasons, firstly sandalwood has become a fast depleting flora and secondly, the lack of skilled labour. As sandalwood has been declared an endangered flora, the cost of sandalwood oil has gone through the roof. Earlier, sandalwood oil was the most common base of perfume fragrance oils. So, now because of the highly inflated price of sandalwood oil using its as the base or fixative is no longer a profitable business proposition. On top of that, lack of skilled labour, traditional fragrance is fast becoming a lost art.

According to my best belief and study, many traditional fragrance makers are now making the perfume oils using a cheaper petroleum base. DOP (dioctyl phthalate) is the one of such common base/ fixatives. Even best of the attars in India are no longer completely natural. But, then few of the traditional fragrance houses in and around Kannauj also offer making custom fragrances which are fully natural, upon client’s requirements. If you are ready to pay the cost of production of traditional fragrances, the fragrance houses like M. L. Ramnarain Perfumers and the likes, can manufacture the fragrances with real traditional flavours.

Traditional fragrance making in India has embraced one more sea change and that is prominent use of Vetiver. Basically, Vetiver has taken place of white sandalwood oil when there is need to make woody fragrances. Again, for same obvious reason is obvious: the scarcity of Sandalwood oil and easy availability of Vetiver (Khus).

Conclusive words on Traditional Indian Fragrance Perfumes

Despite the all need for going with artificial ingredients, the Indian fragrance houses still use more of natural ingredients. And I am of the view that these native Indian fragrances still make better choices than some of the best perfumes in India. Of course, firstly because they are still natural to a large extent and possess health benefits.

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An Overview of Traditional Indian Fragrances that are still Unmatched in Quality & being Natural