Posted by Rita on July 10, 1997 at 12:23:22:
In reply to French and English and Perfume posted by Caroline on July 10, 1997 at 08:22:12
Yes, Caroline is right! Perfume was invented since the ancient days of empire's but very specific to places of origins.
The modern Damask rose is Belgium in origin but gets it's name from Damascus. But, rose attar has been used even earlier in the east.
Perfumes are a collection of herb, flower and wood essences, also animal material(musk from deer).
So dependent on the region the perfume. The ancient greeks had a highly evolved system of bath, copied by the (then) barbarian Romans. Olive oil formed the backbone of soap and hygeine.
Soap, from the south of France/Spain(castille etc) was prized in Europe(notice the large Castille bar used by Darcy in the bath) was made of olives. It originates from the story of Mt Sapho- ancient Roman women sitting doing laundary by the Tiber, noticed that their clothes enveloped by the volcanic ash from Sapho and the animal fat( from nearby sacrificail animals) cleaned better. VOila!your modern SOAP.
At the risk of going off the topic the ancient colonies & modern, imported material form the east(via the silk road/ships). Jasmine, Sandlewood, Myrrh, Frankincense etc.
for example: saffron is the most expensive spice but was crushed and used in beauty products in the east, to retard hair growth.
Orange flower water(tangerine,citrus,neroli), rose,sandlewood were very prized.
Many woods and herbs had strong anti-bacterial properties that helped the body from odor causing...,
Neem Twigs(strong anti- bacterial/plaque removing properties) were used in tooth paste or powder.
In case anyone feels i am off the topic, please inform me but the history of perfume, makes it imperitive to explore the subject in this perspective.
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