City of prestigious perfumers, know-how multi centenary (the larger houses date back to the Enlightenment ...), it made its agreement with four floral notes flowers become emblematic of the city that are rose, jasmine, tuberose and violet.
Since these four flowers, beyond their use as fragrance, known since ancient Mediterranean to the borders of Asia, I wanted to share with you the memories of a short stay in this little Eden is still preserved, which perpetuates who invites us to rediscover each fragrance in a new light, and, beyond their perfume, the essence of these flowers ...
The rose, Rosa Centifolia
The rose is the flower outstanding female. It is no longer any completely unknown to readers of this blog since we have often referred. It is, with jasmine, one of the foremost authorities used in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. Including Rose centifolia found in the foothills of the Himalayas, where it adorns the great valleys covered with flowers of Kashmir. Called Tarun in Sanskrit, the culture of the rose was centifolia probably developed in the valleys of the Indus and Kashmir for the Mughal Empire, as it is an extremely powerful symbol among Muslims: the Persians had developed since ancient techniques of preparing the ointment, the hydrosol as the manufacturing process of gasoline rose for which it takes 5 tons of fresh flowers. Always in favor of the Muslim presence, Ayurveda has included in its remedies a confectionery, the Gulkand (contraction between the Hindi word referring to the pink color, Gulab and Kand ) prepared with rose petals macerated the sun with an equal quantity of sugar, which gives a jam that can be mixed with milk, an ideal drink for hot summer night (!)
astringent flavor, sweet and tangy, the Rose is known to calm inflammation, including those related to mucous membranes. For this reason, it is a panacea for women at all stages of their life because it protects, balances and repairs the delicate tissues of the reproductive system. It acts primarily on the blood that cleanses and refreshes: thus, it prevents excessive heat, prevents bleeding, calms irritation. It can be used infusion, or as maceration, allowing its use in skin lotion, she calms, cleanses and moisturizes. The rosebuds applied on the eyes are recommended in case of skin irritation or eyestrain: do the test simply by placing two cotton rose water on the eyes after a hectic day, "soothing effect" Guaranteed!
symbol of purity of heart, the rose is sovereign to soothe or heal the injuries to this body, as the energy center which is linked. Should devote much more of a paragraph, and it is certain that we will have the opportunity to pluck again!
Jasmine, Jasminum grandiflorum
There are several varieties of jasmine. We discuss here only the large-leaved Jasmine, also known as botany, Jasmine from Grasse belonging to the family Oleaceae (indicating his affinity with the Mediterranean climate), widespread in North Africa, the Middle East, as in the southern states of India, where he has flourished thanks to the hair of women.
Like other white tops, the Jasmin has a cooling effect and soothing on the body. It also has a beneficial effect on the blood, cleans it, and more specifically on the lymphatic system, which guarantees immunity. For this reason, jasmine (the flower is referred to as Mogra or Chameli Hindi, Sanskrit Jati, denoting the variety in question) is used in India to treat viral infections , bacterial or endemic fevers. But note, you should never boil the flowers in a decoction, but steep, as is the jasmine tea with hot water or cold water.
Externally, jasmine can be used as a poultice for skin irritations. Similarly, its oil is used to strengthen and intensify the reflection of Indian brown hair. Jasmine would have a positive influence on our emotions, facilitating the opening and receptivity of the senses. Like rose, jasmine is likely sattvic, increasing compassion. However, unlike the rose, jasmine grows a paradox, which is its charm and mystery exudes freshness notes both sweet and hot, which stimulate the senses and make an aphrodisiac ...
In Grasse, it is celebrated annually in a parade where the attendants are liberally sprinkled fragrances of jasmine, and it floats in the air a heady and delicate subtlety. Species or attar that can be found in India frequently reflect an aspect of the sweet little flower scents provide a scent that is genuine. One of the agreements the most original and mysterious as it was drafted by Guerlain Samsara . And as we know, our balance is entirely shaped by sensory perceptions, including olfactory: the choice of a fragrance is also and primarily take care of yourself ...
The Tuberose, Polianthes Tuberosa
This corolla fresh, crisp, is a Agavaceae native to Mexico, which was not introduced until after the Renaissance in Europe and Asia. It was long cultivated in abundance in Grasse, but today in India found the main plantations, which the perfumers are now using. Beautifully appointed Queen of the night t (Rat Ki Rani ) in Hindi, because of its heady fragrance, is after nightfall that the merchants of flowers with petals confectionnent fragile tuberous garlands for decorating temples or offered at poojas. They leave the atmosphere an imprint as delicious as sweet mystery that persists for more than 48 hours, and inconvenient for pregnant women. We also guarding the girls, as in Italy, where the girls were prohibited from walking in the evening in the gardens where grew the weed, because they would not resist the young men intoxicated by its perfume erotic. The tuberose is one of the main components of the perfume Poison by Christian Dior ...
However, this delicate flower is difficult to use as other flowers or plants dried form. It is found mainly in the form of attar (perfume oily), under the English name of Night Queen. He would assign a power to inspire (it stimulates the right hemisphere of the brain associated with creativity), as well as to bring serenity to the heart.
The Violet, Viola odorata
This small flower like the thought , recognizable by their color, as in the arrangement of their petals, was known to Greek and Arab physicians. The Ancients had begun to develop from the flowers to a syrup and softening emollient (Which we find traces in France in the form of pellets of the Abbey of Seven Fund). It is found on limestone soils in Europe as in the whole Maghreb. If today
violet is used more for the pleasure afforded by its delicate, sweet scent, whether for cooking or use in perfumery, its petals still have emollient, soothing and anti inflammatory. St. Hildegard of Bingen , Moness doctor and informed use of plants, had designed a violet ointment for treating various diseases, including those of the skin, and headaches. P ommade with violet would be ideal for its cons chapping.
Recipes ...
Gulkand for beginners or pressed
Take 80 g of fresh petals gotten rid of their basic ground with 200 g sugar, 20 g honey and 20 ml of distilled rose water. Cook the mixture slightly and put in jars.
Take 5 cc of this mixture in the evening with warm water or milk: in case of temporary constipation, stomach acidity, headache or other ailments linked to excess heat (internal or external).
This recipe is roughly equivalent to Gulkand, and easier to implement because macerated requires continuous sunlight for several months to manufacture.
Source: Medicinal plants Maghreb Jamal Bellakhdar
Ointment with violet, according to Hildegard of Bingen
enough Press purple flowers to collect 5-6 cl juice. Filtered through a cloth. Add 2 ml oil Olive. Meshed in a saucepan, over low heat, melt 20g of beeswax. For even greater efficiency, add 10 drops of essential oils of lavender or rosemary. Gradually pour the juice into oil-wax turning regularly with a wooden spoon. Pour into a glass jar. Continue stirring until cool.
Apply to forehead against headaches. Use against skin problems.
Source Label Bleu, Paul Ferris
