Seamus Hammond
Poppies are flowers renowned for their vibrant colours and delicate petals, and their enchanting qualities have inspired perfumers to create scents that capture the essence of the flower. While the poppy is not a commonly used ingredient in perfumery, its subtle fragrance has been described as earthy, green, and slightly smoky. Some perfumes that feature poppy notes include London Poppy by Floral Street, Smoky Poppy by The Body Shop, California Poppy by Deconstructing Eden, Papavero Soave by l'Erbolario, and Yves Saint Laurent Opium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overall Smell | Earthy, green, acrid, bitter, sweet, floral, delicate, fresh, spicy, tropical |
| Species | Oriental, California, Blue, Red, Himalayan Meconopsis, Opium, Breadseed, Somniferum |
| Perfumes | Deconstructing Eden's California Poppy, Papavero Soave by l'Erbolario, The Body Shop's Smoky Poppy, London Poppy Eau De Parfum, YSL Opium |
| Notes | Sweet pollen, mimosa, poppy, vanilla bloom, nectar, citrus, dark green leaves, amber, musk, berries, clove, neroli, orange blossom, cedarwood, amber, myrrh |
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What You'll Learn
Poppy-inspired perfumes
Poppies have a subtle fragrance that is often described as earthy, with a hint of bitterness. While poppy is not a commonly used ingredient in perfumery, its delicate scent has inspired the creation of fragrances that capture the essence of this enigmatic flower. Poppy-inspired perfumes evoke feelings of elegance, freshness, and grace. Here are some unique poppy-inspired perfumes:
London Poppy Eau De Parfum by Floral Street
London Poppy is a vibrant and resilient fragrance that captures the energy of its namesake city. It features notes of neroli, orange blossom, Florida orange, Sicilian lemon, apricot blossom, jasmine sambac, sunflower accord, marine accord, cedarwood, hinoki woods, and black amber. This vegan and cruelty-certified perfume is crafted by master perfumer Jerome Epinette and is said to be a "love letter to London".
Papavero Soave by l'Erbolario
This perfume is mentioned by a user on Basenotes as one of the few fragrances they have encountered that contains poppy. While they cannot vouch for the accuracy of its poppy scent rendition, they do recommend it.
California Poppy by Deconstructing Eden
This fragrance is described as "summery and buzzy" with notes of sweet pollen, mimosa, poppy, vanilla bloom, nectar, bright citrus, and dark green leaves.
Smoky Poppy by The Body Shop
Recommended by a user on Basenotes, this perfume is said to be a "spicy Oriental fragrance" with a powdery dry-down.
Yves Saint Laurent Opium
This perfume features the warm, spicy scent of the opium poppy, along with other oriental notes such as vanilla, amber, and myrrh.
It's worth noting that the exact fragrance of poppy-inspired perfumes may vary, as the scent of the opium poppy itself can change over time as the plant matures.
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Poppies' therapeutic properties
Poppies are herbaceous flowering plants that belong to the subfamily Papaveroideae of the family Papaveraceae. While poppies are cultivated for their attractive flowers and seeds, they also have therapeutic properties that have been recognised for thousands of years.
Poppy seeds are rich in oil, carbohydrates, calcium, and protein. Poppy oil can be used for cooking, salad dressings, and products like margarine. It can also be added to spices for cakes or breads. The seeds are edible and commonly used in baked goods like poppy seed bread. They are a good source of nutrients, including calcium and protein.
Poppy products are used in paints, varnishes, and some cosmetics. The sap from the seed pods, which can be white, orange, or red, may be used in cosmetics as well.
Poppies also have medicinal properties. The ancient Sumerians in Mesopotamia used the plant medicinally, referring to it as "hul gil" or "the plant of joy". The ancient Greeks also described the medicinal uses of poppies, and opium was identified as an addictive agent by Arabic physicians over 900 years ago. Opium, derived from the opium poppy, has been used as an analgesic and narcotic medicinal and recreational drug since ancient times. It contains powerful medicinal alkaloids such as morphine, codeine, and heroin. These compounds have sedative, antitussive, and antidiarrheal properties and can be used to treat abdominal cramping and pain. However, they are highly addictive and can lead to poisoning, sedation, sluggishness, and abdominal contractions.
In addition to their therapeutic properties, poppies have become a symbol of remembrance, especially in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other Commonwealth realms, due to their regrowth in the poppy fields of Flanders, Belgium, after World War I.
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The scent of different poppy species
Poppies have captivated humans for centuries with their vibrant petals, delicate appearance, and rich symbolism. While their scent is often described as subtle, poppies do have a unique fragrance that varies across different species.
The California poppy, for instance, is said to have a summery and buzzy aroma, with notes of sweet pollen, mimosa, vanilla bloom, nectar, bright citrus, and dark green leaves. This variety, native to California, offers a warm and inviting scent profile.
Oriental poppies, on the other hand, are known for their earthy and bitter fragrance. The foliage of the somniferum variety, also known as the opium or breadseed poppy, emits a faint, green, and slightly acrid aroma, likely due to the alkaloids in its sap. This species may appeal to those seeking a more complex and intriguing scent.
The seeds of poppies also contribute to their overall scent profile. Poppy seeds have a distinct nutty and buttery aroma, adding depth and warmth to the overall fragrance of the flower. This nutty scent is captured in fragrances like Lèlior's Poppy Valley, which blends the scent of poppy seeds with ambrette, purple fig, and tonka beans for a comforting and intriguing fragrance.
While some poppy species have a more noticeable fragrance than others, their scent is often described as delicate and understated. Poppies blend beautifully with other notes, enhancing their complexity and making them a versatile ingredient in perfumery. Their subtle earthiness can add a touch of sophistication and depth to a fragrance, creating a calming and nostalgic aroma.
In conclusion, the scent of different poppy species varies from warm and earthy to nutty and buttery, with some having a more subtle aroma than others. Poppies have found a beloved place in the world of fragrance due to their ability to evoke emotion and influence our state of mind with their calming and nostalgic qualities.
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Perfumes with poppy notes
Poppy-inspired fragrances often evoke feelings of elegance, freshness, and grace. The scent of the poppy flower is said to be delicate, with a hazy, indeterminate fragrance that smells like a combination of warm dry earth and flowers. The opium poppy, in particular, has a floral and sweet scent that is often used as a top, middle, or base note in perfumes.
- London Poppy by Floral Street: A fresh, citrus, and floral fragrance with notes of Sicilian lemon, Florida orange, and a salty marine accord. This vegan perfume is described as an "urban mood lifter" and is said to embody the resilience of London and the enduring poppy flower.
- Wild Poppy Nest: This perfume captures the wild and almost tropical vibe suggested by the flowers on the bottle art.
- Smoky Poppy by The Body Shop: A spicy, oriental fragrance with a powdery dry-down.
- California Poppy by Deconstructing Eden: This perfume combines sweet pollen, mimosa, poppy, vanilla bloom, a drop of nectar, bright citrus, and dark green leaves to create a summery and buzzy scent.
- Poppies in October by Sugar & Spite: This fragrance blends poppies with amber, vanilla, skin musk, bright berries, and clove.
- Yves Saint Laurent Opium: This perfume features the warm, spicy scent of the opium poppy, along with other oriental notes like vanilla, amber, and myrrh.
- Papavero Soave by l'Erbolario: This perfume is said to capture the scent of poppies, although the accuracy of its portrayal may vary.
While the exact scent of poppies is difficult to pinpoint, these perfumes interpret the flower's essence in unique and captivating ways.
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The use of poppies in perfumery
Poppies are not commonly used in perfumery to extract essential oils due to their subtle fragrance. However, their delicate scent has inspired perfumers to create fragrances that capture the essence of this enigmatic flower. Poppy-inspired perfumes often evoke feelings of elegance, freshness, and grace.
The scent of poppies is described as hazy and indeterminate, somewhere between warm dry earth and flower. Some say it has an earthy, green, and slightly smoky scent with a bitter quality, likely from the alkaloids in the sap. Others describe it as sweet and floral, which attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. The exact composition of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and terpenes in the scent of the opium poppy can vary depending on the species, variety, and growing conditions.
Poppy essential oil is not widely available, but certain therapeutic oils with floral characteristics, such as rose or chamomile essential oil, are used in aromatherapy for their potential therapeutic benefits. The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is known for producing opium, which has potential pain-relieving properties due to its alkaloid content.
Some perfumes that feature poppy notes include "London Poppy" by Floral Street, a fresh, citrusy, and floral scent with notes of Sicilian lemon, Florida orange, and a salty marine accord. "Smoky Poppy" from The Body Shop is another fragrance that captures the essence of poppies, reminding some of a spicy Oriental fragrance. "California Poppy" by Deconstructing Eden is a summery blend of sweet pollen, mimosa, poppy, vanilla bloom, nectar, bright citrus, and dark green leaves.
Additionally, Yves Saint Laurent's "Opium" features the warm and spicy scent of the opium poppy, combined with other oriental notes like vanilla, amber, and myrrh. These perfumes showcase the diverse ways in which poppies have inspired and been incorporated into the world of perfumery.
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Frequently asked questions
Some perfumes that are said to smell like poppies include:
- London Poppy Eau De Parfum by Floral Street
- Papavero Soave by l'Erbolario
- Wild Poppy Nest
- Deconstructing Eden's California Poppy
- Smoky Poppy from The Body Shop
- Yves Saint Laurent Opium
The fragrance of poppies is described as delicate, floral, and sweet. The somniferum (opium/breadseed) varieties have a faint scent that is earthy and green. The scent of the opium poppy can change over time as the plant matures.
Yes, poppy essential oil is not widely available, but certain therapeutic oils with floral characteristics, such as rose or chamomile essential oil, may be used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and uplift the mood.
