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What is an Attar ?
A true attar is a perfume oil made from flower petals distilled in water using low heat and pressure. Some attars also contain exotic woods, spices and resins. Over several weeks, the steam containing the fragrance oils is collected into a container of mild sandalwood oil. There, the oils blend together until the sandalwood is completely saturated with the fragrance of the flowers.
How to use Attar ?
There are many wrong ways but few correct way to use concentrated perfume oil (attar) / perfume oil which we can advice you. Whether the bottle comes with stick or roller , the process are same.
First, clean your hand and dry it. Wait for a moment to get moisture on your hand.
Method 1 : Apply a small portion of oil on your pulse point at the wrist, then dab it lightly on the other wrist ( No need to put pressure on your wrist ) and apply on your pulse point at the neck ( both side with both hand ). Again use a swipe on your wrist, using your index finger put attar on your collarbone area.
Method 2 : For a softer projection, apply a small portion of attar or perfume oil on your palm of your hand and use a gentle rub with other palm. Then run your hand on your scarf, chest, shoulder, neck ( Back and Front ). Repeat again for better projection to impress people around you.
INDIAN
TRADITION
Before the word aromatherapy was invented, Ayurveda developed a vast knowledge of the effects of plants and their fragrances. According to Ayurveda, some plants improve the circulation of prana (life force), nourish ojas (nutritive essence) and clarify the mind. Each plant has particular healing and invigorating effects on the body.
These properties manifest themselves on the physical and psychic planes such as soothing, invigorating, euphoric, aphrodisiac action...
The Charaka Samhita (the founding text of the Ayurveda) ensures that natural sweet scents help to maintain youth, vigour and increase the pleasure of the senses.
For thousands of years, the Attars have also been used to support meditation and spiritual openness.
100 % NATURAL COMPOSITION
MORE THAN A FRAGRANCE ...
The manufacturing method of Attar makes it possible to obtain a truly natural product devoid of any trace of potentially harmful synthetic components.
Until recently, perfumes were made only from natural extracts of plants (powders, resins, oils, maceration ...). At the end of the 19th century, synthetic fragrances appeared with the development of the chemical industry. Today, majority perfumes are composed mostly of synthetic chemical molecules.
A modern perfume can contain hundreds of different synthetic components where most of them are by-products of the petrochemical industry and have the advantage of being inexpensive compared to natural extracts. There is some confusion in this area: It is generally understood that perfumes are made from natural raw materials. In fact, almost all traditional perfumes are made using synthetic which can be up to 99% (sometimes 95% in the best cases).
Since ingredients are considered "manufacturing secrets", there is no obligation for perfumers to inform the public about the components used. In fact, the formulations are generally not very detailed. Among these synthetic substances, several are scientifically recognised as neurotic and carcinogenic (derivatives of benzene, polypropylene glycerol ...). For example, Toluene is present in most scented products. The synthetic molecules used can lead to other undesirable effects: allergies, cutaneous intolerance, respiratory disorders ...
Although many of these components have never been tested for toxicity, consumers have been massively exposed to these synthetic products for more than fifty years (perfumes, deodorants, hygiene and cosmetics, fragrances food ...).
In addition, the synthetic aromatic substances are foreign to nature and therefore hardly biodegradable. They are deposited in the subcutaneous adipose tissues and the body eliminates them with difficulty.
Moreover, even if synthetic perfumes have pleasant fragrances, they can not offer the properties of natural plants.
AROMATIC QUALITIES
The entire Attar manufacturing process helps preserve and enhance the natural fragrances of the flowers and other plants used. First, the different plants are grown without fertilizers or chemical treatments, they are picked at maturity, at the most favorable time of the day, and are then distilled without delay, so that their aromas are not altered. The distillation used is very gentle and respectful of plant components (see Manufacture of Attar).
In addition, the base used for Attars is not alcoholic but consists of a natural oil (bois de santal) appreciable for its aromatic quality, also for its ability to fix the fragrances of flowers and other natural components associated with it .
Some blame modern perfumes for having a slightly aggressive and "monolithic" fragrance, especially due to the presence of alcohol. The Attar is an alternative and a new type of olfactory pleasure because it offers a softer bouquet while being rich in aromatic nuances.
To fully appreciate the Attars, it is important to know that they reveal more their subtleties once applied to the skin. After they mingle and then gradually harmonise with the body odour. Being composed of natural and living aromatic substances, their fragrances may vary slightly depending on the person and the moment.
THE POWER OF SMELLS
The olfactory system has about 50 million receptor cells and maintains multiple links with major structures of the brain.
Despite this, the sense of smell is a little developed in our modern civilisation and quite unknown in its operation.
The fact, the influence of odours is predominantly unconscious probably explains why this meaning has long been underestimated. The sense of smell is however the subject of more and more important researches, and these confirm what man knew intuitively since the dawn of time: the fragrances play an active role on our psyche and our body.
Aromatic molecules have the particularity of acting very quickly on the brain via olfactory nerve endings. They influence the endocrine system, modulate the immune reactions, trigger physiological reactions in the respiratory, nervous, blood and neuron vegetative systems.
The word "perfume" comes from the Latin per fumum which means "through the smoke", in reference to the practice of burning aromatic plants or resins to heal the sick. The smoke, laden with aromatic molecules, served (and still serves in some peoples) to clean up the atmosphere and to drive away "evil spirits", healing and the sacred being traditionally intimately linked.
SMELL AND EMOTIONS
Of the five senses, smell is the only one that is directly related to the limbic system (or reptilian brain), seat of emotions, sensations of pleasure, pain but also memory.
The world of scents maintains an intimate connection with our emotional world.
The (re) discovery of the impact of fragrances on the limbic system opens up great prospects, given the importance of this part of the brain, particularly in terms of our emotional feelings. For example, Dr. Joseph Ledoux (New York Medical University) has highlighted the major role of the amygdala (a limbic system structure) in the storage and release of emotional trauma.
Properties associated with Attars
The Attars act on two levels: via the skin and the sense of smell. The essences of plants contained in the Attars easily cross the skin and cell membranes, they pass into the bloodstream and diffuse into the whole body in ½ hour.
At the same time, fragrances reach the brain very quickly, resulting in multiple and complex effects, especially on our emotional state.
CURRENT RESEARCH
Modern science recognises the effects of aromatic essences: they can increase cell oxygenation, promote mental and physical relaxation, facilitate the regulation of the nervous system, boost immunity, improve alertness, concentration and memory...
Studies have highlighted the fact that some flower and plant essences have positive effects against stress due in particular to their action on the nervous system.
For example, the inhalation of rose oil results in a 30% reduction in adrenaline concentration, reducing stress and improving reaction times.
Jasmine has a calming and balancing effect that results in a significant decrease in heart rate, greater dynamism and a stabilization of humour1.
In the face of mental fatigue, a chronic problem for those who work long hours in front of a computer screen, soothing fragrances such as sandalwood have proven beneficial, increasing concentration and mental stability.
Being perfumed with an Attar is one of the most pleasant and effective ways to enjoy the properties of plants. Their particular manufacture preserves the fragrances to the maximum
NATURAL INDIANS ATTAR & SHAMAMAS
Natural Attars and Shamamas have a special quality... mysterious and ever-changing as you wear them. They smell like flowers and sunshine, earth and woods. Like vintage wines, each batch varies from the last. Truly natural perfumes such as these are very rare and precious.
Our Attars and Shamamas are handmade with pride using centuries-old traditions. They contain fresh flowers, herbs, woods and spices.
What's the difference between and Attar and a Shamama? Classic Attars are simple, subtle compositions with only a few ingredients. Shamama Attars contain dozens to hundreds of herbs, spices, flowers and woods, and have a complex, incense-like aroma. Authentic Attars and Shamamas are always in a base of pure Sandalwood oil.
