Natural Perfume Academy Main Glossary
Welcome to the Natural Perfumery Glossary
The Natural Perfumery Glossary is a comprehensive public resource designed for all natural perfumers, whether you're a seasoned professional or just beginning your journey. This glossary serves as an educational tool, offering detailed definitions and insights into a wide range of natural perfume materials and terms.
Our entries cover various aspects crucial to the art and science of natural perfumery, including:
- Description and Characteristics: Detailed profiles of natural ingredients, including their origins, extraction methods, and unique olfactory qualities.
- Blending Suggestions: Insights into what other materials a particular ingredient pairs well with, helping you create harmonious and well-rounded compositions.
- Usage and Applications: Practical advice on how to incorporate each ingredient into your perfume creations.
- Safety and Regulatory Issues: Important information on the safe use of materials, including any relevant regulatory considerations.
At the Natural Perfume Academy, we are committed to fostering a deep understanding of natural perfumery through education and certification. Our glossary is a testament to this commitment, providing a valuable reference to support your ongoing learning and mastery of natural perfume making. Explore the glossary to enhance your knowledge and craft exquisite, all-natural fragrances with confidence.
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Olfactoryrelating to the sense of smell | ||
Opoponax
Title: OpoponaxOpoponax, derived from the Commiphora erythraea tree which is native to parts of Africa, is a prized ingredient in natural perfumery. The resin itself is very dark red, rich, sweet, and highly aromatic with distinctive resinous and animalic notes. Opoponax Resinoid is primarily used as a fixative in perfumes, especially in oriental and mossy forest-based fragrances. It anchors and enhances other scent components, adding depth and longevity. High-grade Opoponax Essential Oil is an excellent alternative for those unable to prepare their own resinoid. When selecting this oil, ensure it is derived from quality opoponax resin. Although closely related to myrrh, opoponax is smoky, spicier and more animalic, while myrrh is fresher and cleaner. Due to its potent nature, opoponax should be used sparingly to avoid overpowering a fragrance blend. Pairing with Other Natural Perfumery Notes:
These combinations can create rich, complex fragrances with a warm, earthy, and sensual character. | ||
Organsystem of storing bottles of perfume making materials typified by stepped shelving | ||
Orientaltypified by amber notes and spice | ||
OrrisThe aged root of the Iris (Iris florentine) Pallida is used to produce orris absolute,orris concrete (Beurre d'Iris)and orris resinoid.
The powdered aged root is used in cosmetic preparations and as a fixative in herbal sachets and pot pourri. Orris absolute is one the most expensive perfumery materials and is rarely found in todays perfumes. The absolute is extracted by solvent washing the orris butter from which the resulting liquid absolute is carefully vacuum distilled. Orris absolute is described as a very pale yellow oil with a delicate floral smell. Orris concrete is produced by steam distillation of the prepared orris root which have been aged 3 years. Because it is steam distilled it is not technically a concrete, rather it is so called because of its solid consistency. Orris butter is produced in France, Italy and Morocco. The smell of aged orris is warm, sweet and violet like due to the high percentage of alpha-irones it contains. Orris resin, which is extracted from the aged root using a solvent like ethyl alcohol, is technically a true concrete. It is called a resin due to it honey like consistency. The 'resin' is cheaper than the steam distilled butter. Sources: Steffen Arctander's Perfume and Flavor materials of natural origin. | ||
Otto results of steam-distilled rose petals, particularly Bulgarian and Turkish rose | ||