Botanical name: Cedrus atlantica

Plant part: Wood

Origin: Morocco

Processing method: Steam-distilled

Description: A middle note of strong aroma, cedarwood atlas oil has a woody, sweet, scent that is sharper than Virginian cedarwood, and slightly reminiscent of mothballs. It is a thin, golden yellow to orange or brown liquid.

Product abstract: Cedarwood is a pyramid-shaped majestic evergreen tree, which grows up to 131 feet high. The wood itself is hard and strongly aromatic because of the essential oil it contains, which is obtained by steam distillation. Originating in the Atlas mountains in North Africa, linen chests were frequently crafted from cedar. The ancient Egyptians prized the oil for cosmetics and perfumery, and Solomon's Temple was built with cedar wood. Today, closet liners and accessories are frequently crafted from cedar, and the oil is currently used in commercial soaps, cosmetics and perfumes, especially men's colognes.

Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia

Plant part: Flowers

Origin: Bulgaria

Processing method: Steam-distilled

Description: A top note of strong aroma, Lavender Bulgarian has a rich floral scent that is somewhat fruitier, mellower and less camphoraceous than Lavender 40/42, and smells more like fresh lavender. It is a thin, clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid.

Product abstract: The lavender plant is a woody evergreen shrub, up to one meter tall, with pale green, narrow linear leaves and violet-blue flowers. The entire plant is covered with oil glands, which are in the star shaped hairs that cover the plant. Lavender has been used since ancient times, and the Romans added lavender to their bath water, hence the name from the Latin lavare, “to wash”. Differences in soil, altitude and temperature, precipitation and seasons contribute to subtle changes in the scent from one lot of lavender to another.

Botanical name: Pogostemon cablin

Plant part: Leaves

Origin: India

Processing method: Steam-distilled

Description: A base note with a medium aroma, patchouli has an earthy aroma with light fruity notes. It is a golden-orange to dark reddish-brown liquid.

Product abstract: Patchouli is a very fragrant herb with soft oval leaves and square stems. It grows from 2 to 3 feet in height and provides an unusual odor that is nonetheless characteristic of patchouli when the leaves are rubbed. It became very popular throughout the British Empire when silks and cashmere shawls from India were packed with patchouli to discourage insects during shipping, the scent being the final proof of origin. Genuine India ink was also scented with it. Patchouli improves with age, and the aged oil is what is preferred over that which is freshly harvested. In aromatherapy and perfumery, patchouli provides an excellent fixative that can help extend other, more expensive oils. The color of the oil is affected by the distillation machine; if the young leaves are distilled in a stainless steel vessel, the oil will be light, but if done in an iron vessel, the color will be dark.

Botanical name: Matricaria chamomilla L

Plant part: Flowers

Origin: Nepal

Processing method: Steam-distilled

Description: A medium middle note, chamomile essential oil has a soft, woody fragrance similar to that of Moroccan chamomile, with a haunting bittersweet note. It does not have the fragrance of apples that other chamomiles sometimes have. It is a thin blue to bluish-green liquid.

Product abstract: Chamomile is an annual native of Europe and Western Asia in the daisy family, growing to 90-125 cm high with very hairy leaves and tubular yellow flowers, surrounded by white ligulets. The word “chamomile” comes from the Greek word chamomaela or “ground apple,” referring to the fact that the plant grows low to the ground, and the fresh blooms have a pleasant apple scent. In use for centuries, chamomile was a symbol of the omnipotence of the Egyptian god, Ra; to the Saxons it was one of nine sacred herbs; and in Europe during the Middle Ages it was used as a strewing herb.

Botanical name: Thymus mastichina

Plant part: Flowers and Leaves

Origin: Spain

Processing method: Steam-distilled

Description: A middle note with a medium aroma, it has a warm and spicy aroma, with a note like nutmeg. It is a thin, clear, pale yellow liquid.

Product abstract: An herb of the Origanum family, Thymus mastichina is commonly known as wild marjoram, Spanish marjoram and mastic thyme, and in the Iberian peninsula, it enjoyed popularity as a common medicinal herb. A few drops can be put in a vaporizer before bed, and a few drops can be added to a hot bath at the first signs of a cold. It is used in masculine, oriental, and herbal-spicy blends for perfumes and colognes.

Botanical name: Cananga Odorata

Plant part: Flowers

Origin: Madagascar

Processing method: Steam-distilled

Description: A base note with a medium aroma, ylang-ylang has a sweet, exotic, floral scent that is one of the most sought-after. It is a thin, clear, pale yellow liquid.

Product abstract: Also known as “Flower Of Flowers,” ylang-ylang is a tall tropical tree about 60 feet high with large fragrant, pink, mauve or yellow flowers; yellow heads are viewed as being the best in terms of quality. There are several grades of ylang-ylang essential oil, which are extracted at different times during the flower's lengthy distillation. These grades are referred to as Extra, I, II, and III. Ylang-ylang is best suited for use in the perfumery and skincare industries. It was a popular ingredient of hair preparations in Europe and was known as macassar oil. The word anti-macassar originated from this, since an anti-maccasar was used to keep hair oil from staining upholstered furniture. In Indonesia ylang-ylang has traditionally been strewn on the beds of newlyweds.