Recently I went back to my library to look for a casual read from the world of Aroma. Needless to say, I found plenty of options, but one tickled me a little more than others: “The Golden Peaches of Samarkand”. This text is a captivating description of just how intense admiration for refined plant aromatics was in 8th century Tang Dynasty. Here is a quote:
“In Tang, men and women of the upper classes lived in clouds of incense and mists of perfume. The body was perfumed, the bath was scented and the costume was hung with sachets. The home was sweet smelling, the office was fragrant and the temple was redolent of a thousand sweet smelling balms and essences. The ideal and imaginative counterparts of this elegant world were the fairylands, paradises and wonder worlds of folk tale and poetry especially those inspired by Taoism” (but Buddhist legend is richly perfumed too). These dreamlands were always revealed as suffused with marvelous odors which were conceived as a kind of sustenance of the soul, and therefore uplifting and purifying in their effects, making for the spiritualization of life and the expansion of the higher faculties. Incense was breathing supernatural wisdom through the worlds of nature and human affairs.”
Inspired by these mesmerizing sentences, I thought I would offer a small selection of Asian oils to dive into these historic fragrances. A special offer and details about each oil are listed below. I recommend experiencing the ones that speak to you before they're gone.
Zanthoxylum (Zanthoxylum alatum)
Is grown for its Pepper-like pungent fruits. It is also known as Chinese Wild Pepper, closely related to Sichuan Pepper and American Prickly Ash.
The oil mainly consists of monoterpenes, such as limonene and linalool; minor constituents are, methyl salicylate, (E)-methyl cinnamate, 1,8-cineol, β-phellandrene, myrcene, p-cymene, cis-linalool oxide, trans-linalool oxide, terpinene-4-ol, cryptone, phellandral, carvone, caryophyllene oxide, trans-β-ocimene, α-terpinene, γ-terpinolene, sabinene, β-fenchyl alcohol, piperitone, 1-cyclohexane-1-carboxaldehyde,β- caryophyllene, α-humulene.
The oil can be used for typical aromatherapy indication, such as insect bites, skin infection, wound, arthritis, joint and muscular pain, neuralgia, rheumatism, sprain, dyspepsia, indigestion, headache, nervous tension, and migraine.
Beyond its functional benefits, Zanthoxylum is included among the four oils of discussion in this newsletter, because it represents an invitation to experiment with its fragrance characteristics. According to Stephan Arctander, it is a warm woody, spicy odor with a faint resemblance to the odor of Wild Roses (Rosa canina). The dryout is deep floral, and its tenacity makes it interesting in woody floral or aldehydic fragrances.
Zanthoxylum - Press here to see
Zedoary (Curcuma zedoaria)
Oil is not very common in French aromatherapy but has recently found attention as an agent to ameliorate arthritic pains. In the Far East it is used as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, digestive, sedative, and stomachic. It is very helpful in alleviating gastro-intestinal stimulant in flatulent colic, and it prevents ulceration as a consequence of stress. The oil is often found as an additive to condiments, as flavouring for liqueurs and in perfumery.
Zedoary oil is in this collection to provide an illustrative introduction to the universe of Turmeric species, where food and spice qualities overlap with therapeutic value as with no other genus.
Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi)
The composition of Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) is dominated by sesquiterpenes. Growing in higher elevations in Nepal and India, it is gathered in the wild and color and composition of the essential oil seem to be quite variable. The oil has historically been esteemed, probably as a result of the combination of relaxing and sedative effects of its Valerian-like components and also because of the presence of ionone, which give rise to the Violet-like aspects of the fragrance. In aromatherapy Spikenard oil is used as a powerful sedative as well as as a key ingredient in regenerative skin care.
History
Nardostachys jatamansi is mentioned in ancient scriptures. It appears a number of times in the Old Testament and is mentioned twice in the biblical love poem, The Song of Solomon (1:12 and 4:13-14). John 12:3 recounts: “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of Spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment”.
Due to its divine nature, it was used as one of the Eleven Herbs for the Incense in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and was part of the composition of the Seven Royal Oils used to consecrate and bless monarchs and Jewish priests.
In Book 18 of Homer's Iliad, Achilles used Spikenard as perfume in Patroklos. Egyptians and Romans transformed this expensive oil into the famous sacred perfume Kyphi and into the very popular Nardinum ointment mentioned in the Bible. In the Roma church, Narde was considered as the ultimate symbol of humility as only by living in total humility a human can reach holiness. In Naturalis Historia, the famous Roman naturalist Pliny also mentioned its costliness.
Benihi (Chamecyparis formosensis Matsum)
The beautiful, lung-opening fragrance of Benihi is reminiscent of old woods and tropical forests, and it is one of the most enticing wood fragrances. The essential oil successfully addresses fungal infection and provides potent immune support.
Benihi (Chamecyparis formosensis Matsum) is the essential oil of a Cypress species native to Taiwan, where it is commonly known as Red Cypress.
The qualities of Benihi oil are most similar to those of Hinoki, a closely related Chamarcyparis species
Hinoki has long been revered in Japan and has traditionally been used in the construction of temples because of several unique qualities: the trees grow remarkably straight, the wood is extremely resilient and stable, and it has a warm and pleasant fragrance. Another members of this genus is Taiwan Incense Cedar (Calocedrus macrolepsis). The oils of the different Chamaecyparis species invite us to indulge in some highly unusual and idiosyncratic wood fragrances
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Neroli, Jasmine, and Rose