Katrina Rosales
Attar, also known as itr, ittar, ottar, or simply perfume oil, is a category of perfumed oils that have been used in parts of South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa for centuries. Attars are highly concentrated perfumes that are free from alcohol and synthetic chemicals. They are crafted through a centuries-old tradition of distillation or maceration, which involves extracting essential oils from flowers, herbs, spices, and other botanical sources. The resulting fragrance is long-lasting and pure, with a small amount of attar providing scent throughout the day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A category of perfumed oils that have been an enduring method of perfumery in parts of South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa for centuries. |
| History | Attars were widely studied and developed under Islamic dynasties such as the Nasrid kingdom of Spain, the Ottoman Empire, and the Mughal Empire. The art of attar-making was first introduced by the Mughals. |
| Ingredients | Attars are crafted from flowers, herbs, and spices distilled into a base oil, such as sandalwood or jojoba. |
| Alcohol content | Attars do not contain alcohol. |
| Synthetic chemicals | Attars are free from synthetic chemicals. |
| Containers | Attars are sold in small, decorated, or jeweled traditional decanters. |
| Application | Attars are applied directly to the skin. |
| Longevity | Attars are long-lasting and can provide fragrance throughout the day. |
| Medicinal use | Attars are also used for medicinal purposes. |
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What You'll Learn
Attar's history and cultural significance
Attar, also known as itr or otar, is a type of perfume or essential oil derived from botanical sources, with a long history in South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia. The word "attar" comes from the Arabic word "ʿiṭr" meaning "fragrance" or "scent". Attars have been used for centuries in these regions, playing a significant role in religious and cultural traditions, especially in Islam and Hinduism.
The art of making attars is believed to have originated in India over 3,000 years ago. The ancient texts of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, mention the use of aromatic oils and their therapeutic benefits. However, it was in the Mughal Empire, which encompassed parts of modern-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, that attar-making flourished and became a highly refined art. The Mughals, known for their love of fragrance, encouraged the development of perfumery, and attars became a symbol of luxury and status.
Traditional attars are created through a process of hydro-distillation, where the botanical materials, usually flowers, herbs, or spices, are steam-distilled together with a sandalwood base. The process is often done in a copper or brass vessel called a deg, which has a unique shape designed to facilitate the distillation. The resulting product is a highly concentrated, viscous oil with a rich, complex fragrance.
In Islamic culture, attars hold great significance. They are mentioned in the Hadith, a collection of traditions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, as a way to bring oneself closer to Allah. Muslims use attars to perfume their bodies, clothes, and homes, especially during religious festivals and ceremonies. Attars are also used in the ritual of ablution before prayer, as they are believed to enhance spiritual purity and connection to the divine.
In Hindu tradition, attars are used in various religious rituals and ceremonies. They are often offered to deities in temples, and some attars are associated with specific gods and goddesses. For example, jasmine attar is linked to the goddess Parvati, while kewda attar, made from the flowers of the screwpine, is connected to Lord Shiva. Attars are also used in Ayurvedic medicine, where they are believed to have healing properties for both the body and mind.
Beyond their religious significance, attars also play a role in social and cultural customs. In many South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, attars are traditionally offered as gifts during weddings, births, and other important life events. They are also used to honor guests, with hosts often applying a small amount of attar to a guest's wrist or forehead as a gesture of welcome and respect.
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How attar is made
Attar is an essential oil derived from botanical or natural sources. It is a natural, alcohol-free, and chemical-free oil-based perfume. It is usually extracted through hydrodistillation or steam distillation, though it can also be expressed through chemical means. The process of attar-making is a blend of tradition and science.
The traditional method of making attar involves placing fresh flower petals in a large copper container called a 'deg,' filling it with water, and then placing a smaller container, the 'bhapka,' inside the deg. As the water is heated, steam rises and carries the fragrant compounds from the flowers into the bhapka. The condensed liquid is then collected as attar. This method is known as deg-bhapka or steam distillation.
Another traditional method is maceration and enfleurage, where flowers are soaked in a carrier oil or fat, and over time, the oil absorbs the fragrance. This process is time-consuming but results in pure and fragrant attars.
Modern techniques have been developed to increase efficiency and yield. These include solvent extraction, which uses chemical solvents to extract aromatic compounds, and supercritical fluid extraction, which employs carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solvent in a supercritical state. Headspace analysis, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), is used to ensure consistency and quality control.
The city of Kannauj in India, known as the "Perfume Capital of India," has a rich history of attar production. The traditional methods of attar-making are passed down from generation to generation in Kannauj, and companies like Boond are helping to revive and popularize this ancient craft.
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The difference between attar and perfume
Attar, also known as 'ittar', is a traditional natural perfume oil derived from botanical sources such as flowers, herbs, and spices. Attar is often handcrafted and artisanal, making it a niche product that is more expensive and harder to find. It is alcohol-free and comes in small bottles. Attars are mostly used as perfumes, but they are also used for medicinal and aphrodisiacal purposes. Attars are considered to be something that attracts angels and wards off evil spirits in some societies, mainly in Islamic cultures.
Perfumes, on the other hand, are mass-produced and widely available at all price points. They are chemical-based and incorporate natural and synthetic ingredients with alcohol as the primary base, enabling quick evaporation. Perfumes are sprayed, making them convenient for quick application and all-over coverage. They offer a strong projection initially, but their scent diminishes more quickly than attars.
The process of making attar involves steam-distilling precious flowers, herbs, and spices, and then extracting their essential oils. These oils are then blended with a carrier oil, such as sandalwood oil, to create the final product. The art of attar-making involves generations of expertise, passed down through families and cultures.
Choosing between attar and perfume depends on one's lifestyle, preferences, and needs. If one values strong projection and a wide range of contemporary scents, perfume is a great choice. On the other hand, attar offers a subtle yet long-lasting fragrance experience and is ideal for those who seek authentic natural fragrances.
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Attar's use in medicine
Attars are highly concentrated perfumes that are free from alcohol and synthetic chemicals. They are derived from botanical or other natural sources, such as flowers, herbs, spices, and fragrant woods. The process of extracting attars typically involves hydrodistillation or steam distillation, with the oils being distilled into a wood base, often sandalwood, and then aged for a period ranging from one to ten years.
Attars have been used in traditional Indian medicine and are known for their therapeutic benefits. For example, sandalwood attar is commonly used for its calming and soothing properties, making it ideal for relaxation. Lavender attar is often used to reduce stress and enhance sleep quality. Rose attar, on the other hand, is valued for its mood-enhancing effects. Attars are also used in supplementary therapies such as aromatherapy and spa treatments, which can help improve emotional health, alleviate stress and depression, and provide respiratory and migraine relief.
In the past, attars were believed to have a range of medicinal properties in various cultures. For instance, in Islamic cultures, attars were thought to attract angels and ward off evil spirits. Sufi saints would use these scents as they aspired towards enlightenment. Additionally, during the Mughal Empire, attars were used in incense burners, with herbs such as aloe, cinnamon, and sandalwood, as well as animal substances like anbar, musk, and myrrh, playing a role in their production.
Attars are also used in modern times for their purported medicinal benefits. They are utilised in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly for cardiac and aphrodisiacal purposes. Furthermore, attars are employed in the creation of scented products, including cosmetics, candles, room fresheners, and incense sticks, where their natural aromas are valued.
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Attar's use in religion
Attars, also known as itr, ittar, ottar, or simply perfume oil, are a type of perfume handcrafted from natural ingredients. The process of making attars involves steam-distilling flowers, fragrant woods, resins, and spices into a base of carrier oil, such as sandalwood oil. Attars are free from alcohol and synthetic additives, which is important to some people due to religious or cultural reasons.
Attars in Islam
For centuries, attars have been used in Islamic cultures. In some societies, attars were believed to attract angels and ward off evil spirits. Sufi saints would adorn themselves with these scents to assist them in their journey towards enlightenment.
The use of alcohol in products such as perfume is a debated topic in Islam, with a dominant school of thought believing it is haram (forbidden). As attars do not contain alcohol, they are often preferred by Muslims who wish to avoid alcohol-based perfumes.
In the Qur'an, it is written that Mohammed was a fan of perfume, using it himself and recommending its use to others. Another passage encourages good Muslims to spend money on attars, further promoting their use in Islamic culture.
In Arabian, Turkish, and Persian cultures, attars are used for prayer, with the robes of the Imam and the faithful richly anointed with rose and oud mukhallats. Arabs also traditionally keep a tray of attars to welcome guests into their homes and to pass around after dinner.
Attars in Hinduism
Attars are also used in Hinduism, with different sects worshipping deities through household and temple offerings in Sufi Islamic shrines and sacred khanqahs.
Attars in Buddhism and Sikhism
The use of attars is important in Buddhism and Sikhism as well, with these fragrances playing a role in cultural events such as weddings.
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Frequently asked questions
Attar, also known as itr, ittar, ottar, or simply perfume oil, is a type of highly concentrated perfume crafted from natural ingredients. Attar is free from alcohol and synthetic chemicals, and is typically sold in small quantities.
Attar is made through the distillation of flowers, herbs, spices, and other botanical sources. The essential oils extracted from these ingredients are then blended with a carrier oil, such as sandalwood or jojoba, to create the final product.
The word "attar" is derived from the Persian or Arabic word "itr", meaning perfume. Attars have been used since ancient times, with the earliest methods of producing essential oils developed by Ibn al-Baitar in the 12th and 13th centuries. Attars were widely studied and developed under various Islamic dynasties, including the Mughal Empire, and have been an enduring method of perfumery in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
