Perfume Part Four

There are 20 species of herbacious perennial freesias in the wild, all natives of South Africa. The name derives from the German physician, Dr Heinrich Theodore Freese who discovered the beauty of this flower. In 1909 the British painter Edward Frampton painted them in Fairyland as an emblem of spring and regeneration. Freesias are second only to the great favourite rose oil; their variety of colour makes them popular for cut flower displays and their lemony scent lends itself to a single note fragrance. The yellow Freesia refracta abd the pink Freesia armstrongii were brought from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa to Europe in the later 19th century and have been hybridised into the many beautiful flowers we see in florists and garden centres today. The Netherlands is the main centre of production, but they can also be found growing in East Anglia and Lincolnshire. They are also grown in California. Most freesia scents are now chemically based. 


Angelica is known in cookery and medicine but has also a delightful scent. It could have originated in Syria. Magically it offers protection and victory over evil 

and in China is thought to strengthen Chi energy. It flowers on or around the feast of Michael in September, hence its name. Sweet pea flowers can be grown in the garden and make a beautiful display of climbing colour, but they are most sought after due to their aroma. The genus is called 'lathyrus odoratus' - with 500 varieties - they are the most aromatic of all the pea family. The plant grows wild in Malta, an island known for its flowers, especially the perfumed varieties, and grown on the island of Sicily in 1700. The sweet pea we see today is a cultivar, grown from a variety called Prima Donna in 1901. 

It comes as a surprise that the leaves of green tea are used in perfumes. This bushy plant Camellia sinensis also known as Thea sinensus is grown in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Pakistan, East Africa, Japan and Taiwan, China and India. The tea was originally drunk in China for over a thousand years, and they exported it to Japan in the 6th century. Tea was introduced for drinking to Europe in the 17th century when it was considered a very expensive luxury. To make perfume, the fresh leaves are steeped in volatile solvents, then steam distilled. The absolute has the scent of nature, a gentle warm perfume often enjoyed by men.

Annas comosus is the Pineapple, brought to the west by Columbus from his travels to the West Indies, and Sir Walter Raleigh brought it to Britain. It is now grown in Thailand, Hawaii, the Philippines, China and Taiwan, as well as the Ivory Coast and Mexico and Brazil. The fruit can be distilled to make heady uplifting perfume. In recent years, grapefruit has been grown in India and is new the perfumier. The tree does not grow in the wild but makes a refreshing cologne with oil made from the pith of the fruit. 


Scented candles can be used in the home for every celebration. They add luxury and atmosphere and enjoyment to any event and can be hand made to add creativity and a personal touch with citrus, cinnamon, vanilla and other popular scents.  

For other parts of this informative blog on perfume, visit:  
https://wendystokesuk.blogspot.com/2018/07/perfume-part-three.html