what you need to know about the history of perfume

What You Need To Know About

The History Of Perfume

For as long as there have

been people there has

probably been perfume. The

original origins of perfume

are not specifically known.

There is evidence that

people began using scents

and fragrances in the form

of aromatic herbs, incense

and the like thousands of

years ago.

More info on:

http://www.ilovefragrance.com.au/


Egyptians created the concept of bottling perfume

in attractive bottles after devising the ability to

create glass vessels. Papyrus scrolls dating back to

2700 BC record the use of herbs and essential oils

in creating scented medications and salves.

More info on:



Of course, the fact that perfumes were used in

biblical times is well known. In the Book of Exodus,

Moses shares the recipe for creating anointing oils.

Anointing with oils is also alluded to in the Song of

Solomon and in Proverbs. Of course, there are many

references to be found in the New Testament, as

well.

More info on:



Following Egyptian use of

perfumes, other groups such

as the Hindus, Arabs,

Romans, Carthaginians,

Israelites, Chinese and

Greeks took up the use of

scents. During the 7th

Century BC there were

hundreds of perfume shops

doing a brisk business in

Athens, Greece.

More info on:



As the world moved forward

and more and more trade

routes opened up, spices

from such exotic places as

India, Southern Arabia and

Africa were in greater

supply. Persian traders

brought frankincense and

Myrrh to the Mediterranean

sometime before 300 BC.

More info on:



By the time of the First Century AD, over 2800 tons

of frankincense and more than 550 tons of myrrh

were brought into Rome on an annual basis.

Perfumes were popular and greatly in demand. In

fact, Nero, the Emperor of Rome at the time spent

the modern day equivalent of $100,000 to purchase

scents for a single event.

More info on:



It is important to realize that

in ancient times, scents were

not just used as a way of

creating a pleasant

atmosphere. Scented oils

were regarded as an effective

form of medicine. Purveyors

of fine scents were respected

as one would a pharmacist or

a doctor today.

More info on:



The Chinese originated and refined the art of

aromatherapy, and their records of their findings

date back to 1100 BC. Their discoveries are still

valuable and in use today. Many people who adhere

to Chinese medicine are familiar with the practices

of using ginger for the treatment of coughing and

cold-like symptoms.

More info on:



In the vast majority of

cultures, perfume and scents

have been highly valued. This

was the case in Japan

between the 4th & 6th

Century AD. During these

times, Geishas often

determined the fees for their

services based on the amount

of incense and other forms of

scent used.

More info on:



During the Middle Ages, the religion of Islam

spread far and wide. With it, the use of scent

was introduced to a wide variety of people. It is

said that the prophet, Mohammed, loved

women, children and perfumes more than

anything else.

More info on:



During the 13th & 14th

centuries, the Crusades had the

effect of establishing Eastern

trade. This trade was

monopolized by Italy. For this

reason, Marco Polo took his

famous trip to China for the

purpose of eliminating the

outrageous 300% profit

Moslems were making as

middlemen between China and

Italy.More info on:



Vasco de Gama was another famous explorer who

sought a faster and easier way to get to India. He

established a simpler route that went from

Portugal and around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

This made it much easier to get sought after

supplies of pepper, ginger, cloves and other spices

and scents.

More info on:



For quite some time, Italy was

known as the center of

discovery for perfumes and

cosmetics. By the 1800s,

though the focus was more on

France as a supplier of these

luxurious goods. In 1867, the

pharmacy section of the Paris

International Exhibition

boasted a vast array of scents,

soaps and cosmetics.

More info on:



Today perfumes fulfill a wide variety of needs

from therapeutic to frivolous. Those wishing to

anoint themselves with scent can choose from a

remarkably diverse selection of prices, levels of

quality and scents. In fact, there are over 30,000

different types of perfume and fragrance produced

worldwide today.

More info on:



what you need to know about the history of perfume

Marketing