April 8th blog
What’s in an Udd? Have you heard of an Attar? How does one differentiate between a carrier oil, an attar and an Essential oil..
HOW DO YOU DISTILL SOMETHING THROUGH SANDALWOOD?Why, why and how come?
As a science geek these were common questions, as I began my journey of botanical products. I’d skip over words I didn’t know and hope to figure it out as I went along. Eventually I took classes and met up with some epic global wizards!
In 2016, I took a group of students to India on an educational tour. I had the opportunity to record a short explanation from a pioneer! Ramakant Harlaka, founder of Sugandhim Essential oils in India.
You can see the 4 minute video here: https://youtu.be/GAfZ1kuh8T4
The Majmua “Udd” “attar” is a TWO-FER! I get to explain both processes for our featured oil this month. An UDD is a process that comes from distilling multiple plants together to form a specific scent. An attar is a process of distilling through another plant’s residue, most commonly Sandalwood or Vetiver. They both leave a heavy wax so it’s reusable. So an attar is when you must distill to preserve the delicate flower that would otherwise be damaged in the process. Kadam, Kewda, Mitta and Ruh Khus are the unusual flowers that make up this Udd blend. The petals were then placed in the wax of Sandalwood so upon distillation they give off a tri-doshic balance of woody, floral and musky scents. This gorgeous attar is known to blend with your body’s own chemistry and take on a unique fragrance to each that wears it. Brighten the bouquet by adding Mandarin or even Grapefruit!
How, where, when and WHY to use?
- Add 5 drops to ½ oz of Almond oil and massage into skin
It calms the nervous system and moisturizes the skin
It add healthy fats to the skin and uplifts the senses - Add 5 drops to a 10 mL roller bottle of Jojoba oil and apply as a perfume
Chemical free fragrance; on pulse point, in hair
Soothing aroma that reminds one of inner strength - Add 3 drops to a diffuser, with 5 drops Mandarin oil and ignite a sparkle in your eye
A known aphrodisiac, this blend will calm and stimulate at the same time
Use other oils like Jasmine and kick it up another notch!
A carrier oil is just that~ it carries the Essential oil (or herbs infused) to be absorbed into the skin evenly. Essential oils evaporate when leaving the cap off the bottle. It will do much the same on your skin without the aid of the carrier. Almond oil and Majmua UDD are heavenly together. Not a fan of the sweet aroma or have an allergy to Almonds? Use Jojoba or even Apricot seed oil! Coconut oil can be drying, so only reach for that if that would benefit your skin.
Enjoy blending your own concoction and tell me about it!
peace + love,
Somah
