4711 Eau de Cologne, My Grandmother, and Me

February 5, 2013 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 18 Comments

Guest Post by Suzanne R Banks

4711 Eau de Cologne, My Grandmother, and Me

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Orange oil, peach, basil, bergamot,lemon
Heart: Cyclamen, lily, melon, jasmine, Bulgarian rose
Base: Patchouli, tahitian vetiver, musk, sandalwood, oakmoss, cedar

My grandmother (on my Dad’s side) was a cultured woman from the north of England with Scottish and English heritage. She relocated to Australia with her husband (who I never knew), in circumstances that seem rather dodgy, and that no one is allowed to talk about. She lived her entire life here only visiting England once. I remember afternoon teas every second Sunday with cakes and lollies and chocolate biscuits. Sometimes we were even allowed to have a sugar cube as a treat!
Anyway, as long as I can remember she always had 4711 Eau de Cologne. And as long as I can remember she always gave me gifts of 4711 Eau de Cologne. There were big bottles, small bottles and roll-ons! I always thought the roll-ons were amazing. Unfortunately as an annoying teenager I think I told her I didn’t like it and she was devastated. It wasn’t the fact that I didn’t like it but more the reason that I wanted something else (like glamourous perfumes my friends had). I insulted her and she never gave it to me again. I think I still feel guilty about that. Sorry Grandma.

I have been a practicing Aromatherapist for over 15 years, solidly using essential oils in everyday life for around 20 years. I have a particular yearning for Bergamot (the first oil I bought), Petigrain and Neroli essential oils, the bittersweet citrus oils. It was only a few years ago I realised that it may have been my grandmother who stimulated my interest in Aromatherapy – although it has taken me 30 years to acknowledge it! And it was my grandmother who introduced me to the clean, fresh bittersweet scent of Eau de Cologne. It’s the Kolnisch Wasser I am referring to, although the house has other fragrances. The original Eau de Cologne has a fascinating story, a beautiful scent and it’s own website!

The description of the scent, directly from 4711.com:
“Ingredients and Effects
The precious ingredients are carefully harmonised. Bergamot, lemon, and orange provide a uniquely revitalising effect. Lavender and rosemary have a calming and relaxing effect, strengthening the nerves. Neroli, extracted from the blossom of the bitter orange, has a calming effect in the base note, creating a positive mood.”

Photo Stolen eleven.se

Yay! We can see that this fragrance, created over 200 years ago, was made to therapeutically address physical and emotional issues. The exact recipe is of course a closely guarded secret and it has a fantastic historical story! The water was originally referred to as “aqua mirabilis” – miracle water, and was presented to a wealthy merchant named Wilhelm Muelhens as a wedding gift. The legend has it that Carthusian monk made the miracle water in 1792. Wilhelm went on to found a production facility to make the water, and to market it as a remedy to sickness and general maladies of the day. The rest, you could say, is history. Although the perfume company has been bought and sold over the years it is now owned and produced by Mäurer & Wirtz, a subsidiary of the Dalli Group.
Regardless of the owners, this is one perfume that has retained it’s amazing scent, unique bottle design, particular label design for over 200 years. The branding is unmistakable, and when I even just look at the label, my mouth waters with anticipation of the bittersweet miracle water.

CheapSmells starts at about $8
FragranceShop from $12

See you next month,
Suzanne R Banks

Here is the Aussie ad I remember from my childhood (Portia)

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Black Pepper: The Story

January 1, 2013 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 7 Comments

Guest Post by SuzanneRBanks

Hello AustralianPerfumeJunkies.

Suzanne from SuzanneRBanks blog about aromatherapy, where scents come from, how to use them and life in general.

Black Pepper

Black Pepper! A spice believed to be the most commonly traded spice in the world is still gracing us with its pungent taste and soft, smoldering scent. From its roots in Kerala, India, the tiny black peppercorn has been used in India for cooking and treating ailments in Ayurveda, since 2000BC – that’s a long time ago! Scholars claim black peppercorns were found in the nostrils of Ramses II, as part of the mummification process after his death in 1213 BCE. Was the spice keeping his body from deteriorating or was the scent of the pepper used symbolically to connect him to the heavens? Perhaps both.

BlackPepper wikipedia

Photo Stolen wikipedia

The Roman Empire created trade routes to India and China, returning via the Red Sea and the Middle East into Egypt, bringing with them the valuable black peppercorns. They were then sent on to Europe and the domination of black pepper was set in stone. In the middle ages in Europe the spice was a luxury, only afforded by the rich to be used as a medicine, an exotic addition to life, and to enhance cooking. It is claimed that in medieval England the spice was used in spells and amulets to offer protection – from disease and other meta-physical threats. China records black pepper in the 3^rd Century as a foreign pepper, even so, it’s here to stay.

The essential oil of black pepper is a lot softer and sweeter than the taste, and is used in Aromatherapy for symptoms such as poor circulation, muscle and joint aches and pains, as treatment for bad digestion and as a general warming tonic. It has been used as an aphrodisiac, and an anti-dote to depression. Taking in all these properties, what can the divine scent tell us? Like many spice oils, it carries the energetic resonance of the evolution of humanity – really. Each drop, each whiff can link us to the past. It’s an oil of warmth, expansion and action. It’s a stimulating scent to the brain and can certainly be employed to open your mind. When I smell black pepper straight from the bottle (the best way to experience an essential oil is to take off the lid and take a huge sniff) I am inspired to carry on. To me it’s an oil of searching for your purpose in life, and giving inspiration to go forward and seize the day.

blackpepperseeds allintrading

Photo Stolen AllInTrading

Black pepper also reminds me of “The Chariot” card in a classic tarot deck. The one who drives the Chariot does so without reigns – only using his will. He goes out into the world to find his destiny and create his life. It could be considered to have “masculine qualities” and is describes as “yang’ in traditional Chinese medicine.

Pungent yet sweet, light with spicy tones, the oil of black pepper loves to be combined with anything really. It is a little to strong to be used all over the body in a moisturiser but perfect for anointing chakra points and vapourising for an atmosphere of warmth, love, sensuality and strength.

Happy-New-Year-2013-lucky wp Photo Stolen luckywp

Thanks for reading,

Suzanne R Banks

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Orange Essential Oil – Christmas Gift Ideas

December 4, 2012 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 19 Comments

Guest Post by Suzanne R Banks

Hello Australian Perfume Junkies, Suzanne from SuzanneRBanks. I have been asked by Portia to come by and explain how essential oils have been used through the ages and some of their history and aromatherapy uses.

Orange Essential Oil

The Sweetness and Innocence

Photo Stolen GrowersOwn

One of the loveliest and simplest essential oils is that of orange. It gives you the direct experience of the fruit the moment you smell it. There is no denying that on taking your first big whiff straight from the bottle, your senses are enlivened – even your mouth may start to water with anticipation of the real thing.

Orange oil is sweet, light and tingly. It’s easy for the brain to identify and therefore appeals to so many types of beings. Kids love it. It is a wonderful oil to use with the elderly. Pets respond wonderfully to orange essential oil when it’s vapourised. Orange oil is an oil of innocence and joy. It gets straight to the point when you employ it.

And what about the colour of an orange? Nature is really amazing when you think about it. The colour orange is vibrant and cheery and relates to the second chakra “Svadhisthana”. This chakra actually means “sweetness” and is concerned with attracting another, procreation, sexuality and desire. The way I see it, the colour and scent of orange, allows us to open to the joy of the sweetness in life; a sweetness that can be amplified when we connect with others and share experiences.

Photo Stolen GardenOfEaden

Using orange oil

Vapourise -To spread a little bit of happiness, vapourise some orange oil in your home. You don’t have to have a machine or oil burner you can simply boil water, throw about 15 drops into a bowl, and when you pour the water into the bowl, magic happens. This may help kids settle down, and help you experience a moment of bliss.

Put a few drops onto a cotton pad and put it in your car. How easy is that?

In a body oil – orange oil is lovely in a nourishing body oil blend as the acids from the rind can help brighten the skin, and remove old skin cells.

Try this for a happy, centering oil blend for yourself:

“I Am Awesome”
3 teaspoons of a carrier oil like almond, jojoba, grapeseed
5 drops of orange oil
3 drops of lavender
Then lavishly spread all over your body!

To make an oil blend as a gift you will need to have a bottle and lid. Just have a look on the internet, even ebay shops sell them. Literally search for “amber bottles” and that will get you on the right track. You will need an amber, blue or green bottle, as the dark colours help prevent oil oxidation. Follow the quantities here:

25ml bottle use a total of 12 drops of oil
50ml bottle use a total of 25 drops of oil
100 ml bottle use a total of 50 drops of oil

Can you see a pattern forming? These are standard ratios and if you live in a country that isn’t metric … oh dear, you’ll have to figure out the calculations yourself.

Here are a couple of recipes for a 25ml oil blend using orange oil:

“Delicious & Cute”
7 drops of orange
3 drops geranium
2 drops patchouli

“Universe”
6 drops orange
5 drops cypress
1 drop cardamom

If it all seems a bit too hard, eat an orange! Not only will you get great nutrition, you’ll be having an aromatherapy treatment at the same time!

You can find me at my blog SuzanneRBanks or on FB https://www.facebook.com/suzannerbanks.com.au

Thanks for reading, See you next month,

Suzanne