How to use Attar ?

PERFUME APPLICATION

Apply a drop or two behind the ear or/and in the neck. Another way to enjoy the benefits of the Attar is to put a few drops in the hair, like the maharani (maharajah wives). The fragrance will be subtly diffused in the atmosphere, like the beautiful flowered braids of the South Indian women.

If we want to benefit more from their properties, we can also apply the Attar on the pulsation points: hollow behind the ears, hollow under the Adam’s apple, back and top of the neck (at the root of the hair), inner side of wrists, inner elbows, solar plexus, rear knees, possibly arch.

One can also impregnate a tissue (handkerchief...) with a few drops of Attar and breathe the emanations when the need is felt (anxiety, insomnia, headaches, depression...). It is interesting to note that the Attars have a particularly long hold on natural fibre fabrics. The clothes worn soak naturally and durably without having to apply Attar directly on them (to avoid the risks of tasks).

MASSAGE

Massages are very beneficial wellness practices and are an integral part of Ayurveda, a traditional Indian medicine. Their virtues are many including :- relaxing (which effects for the body and the mind), detoxing, nourishing, stimulating, balancing both body and mind. Using of the Attars in the joint and the massaging them allows to optimise their respective effects.

Diluting a few drops of Attar in a vegetable oil or Sesame oil is balancing for all constitutions. You can also use sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, grape seed oil... The oil/Attar mixture must be made at the time of the massage because it gradually loses its properties if prepared in advance.

The support of an oil allows the solubilization and penetration of the active ingredients through the skin towards the blood circulation (hence the importance of using the purest natural products possible).

ADVICE : Avoid taking a bath or shower just after a massage (wait at least 15 minutes), otherwise the benefits would be reduced because of the loss of some of the active ingredients, brought on with the water.

AROMATIC BATH

Aromatic baths are little practiced in our society, but they are an integral part of Ayurvedic medicine and their effects are notable, in particular on stress-related imbalances, nervous and muscular tensions, insomnia, headaches, skin or blood circulation problems, respiratory ailments, and menstrual pain.

The heat of the water promotes the penetration of the active ingredients through the skin, the resulting aromatic vapours will also be absorbed by inhalation. 15 to 20 minutes are enough for the aromatic bath to take effect.

Just before entering the bath, put a few drops of Attar in a stopper and add some vegetable oil (sesame) or milk to emulsify them. Then place under the tap to disperse in the bath water.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE

The risk of over dosage is not comparable to that of essential oils because the flower and vegetable essences of the Attars are already mixed with an oil base (sandalwood oil or vetiver), which also has beneficial properties for the skin.

In addition, the Attars does not contain alcohol and their components are totally natural, they are therefore very soft for the skin.

If the skin is highly reactive, however, you can do a test as a precaution: apply 1 drop in the bend of the elbow or in the hollow of the wrist and observe the reaction within 24 hours.

It is necessary to avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes, not to ingest (precautionary advice but it is necessary to know that Attars are used, in small doses, in the Indian kitchen).

CONSERVATION

Some tips to help you maintain the integrity of your Attar:

The first precaution to take is to systematically screw the cap well to prevent the aromas from venting.

Especially avoid sunlight: ultraviolet rays can chemically alter and damage fragile Attar components.

Store it in a temperate location ( 30°C). Excessive heat can affect the molecular structure of the Attar in the same way that ultraviolet light can. This can lead to changes in its fragrance.