Hi, Good News! Welcome to our blog, where we share everything you need to know about perfumes and fragrances. In this article, we will explore a unique and fascinating type of perfume that captures the smell of rain: mitti perfumes.
Mitti perfumes are made from a special ingredient called mitti attar, which is a natural oil extracted from baked earth. Mitti attar has a rich and earthy scent that resembles the aroma of wet soil after a rain shower. This scent is also known as petrichor, which is derived from the Greek words for “stone” and “the fluid that flows in the veins of the gods”.
What is Mitti Attar and How is it Made?
Mitti attar is one of the oldest and most traditional types of attars, which are natural perfumes made from essential oils and floral or herbal extracts. Attars are widely used in India, especially in the ancient city of Kannauj, which is known as the perfume capital of India. Kannauj has a long history of producing attars using a special distillation technique that dates back to the 16th century.
The process of making mitti attar is very complex and time-consuming. It involves collecting clay from different regions of India, baking it in a kiln until it turns red, and then soaking it in water for several days. The clay is then placed in a copper vessel called a deg, which is filled with pure sandalwood oil. The deg is sealed with clay and placed over a fire for several hours. The steam from the heated clay passes through a bamboo pipe called a chonga, which leads to another copper vessel called a bhapka, where it condenses into liquid. The liquid is collected and stored in glass bottles. This process is repeated several times until the sandalwood oil absorbs the essence of the clay.
The Benefits of Mitti Attar
Mitti attar has many benefits for both physical and mental health. It is said to have cooling, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help with skin problems, headaches, fever, and inflammation. It can also act as a natural deodorant and insect repellent. Mitti attar can also enhance mood, memory, and concentration by stimulating the olfactory system and the brain. It can evoke positive emotions such as joy, calmness, and nostalgia by creating a connection with nature and childhood memories.
Mitti attar can also be used for aromatherapy, meditation, and spiritual practices. It can help balance the doshas (the three energies that govern the body and mind in Ayurveda) and harmonize the chakras (the seven energy centers in the body). It can also create a sacred and peaceful atmosphere for prayer, worship, and contemplation. Mitti attar can also inspire creativity, imagination, and artistic expression by awakening the senses and stimulating the right brain.
The Varieties of Mitti Attar
Mitti attar can vary in color, fragrance, and quality depending on the source of the clay, the type of sandalwood oil, and the method of distillation. Some of the most popular varieties of mitti attar are:
- Ruh Gill: This is a premium quality mitti attar that is made from clay collected from the banks of the Ganges river in India. It has a fresh and green scent that resembles the smell of grass after rain.
- Kannauj Mitti: This is a classic mitti attar that is made from clay collected from various regions of India. It has a deep and earthy scent that resembles the smell of soil after rain.
- Wild Mysore Sandalwood Mitti: This is a rare and expensive mitti attar that is made from clay co-distilled with wild Mysore sandalwood oil in 1990. It has a rich and woody scent that blends well with the earthy notes of mitti.
How to Use Mitti Perfumes?
Mitti perfumes are versatile and can be used in different ways depending on your preference and occasion. Here are some tips on how to use mitti perfumes:
- Apply mitti perfume on your pulse points such as wrists, neck, behind ears, elbows, and knees. These are the areas where your blood vessels are close to the skin surface and emit heat, which helps diffuse the fragrance.
- Layer mitti perfume with other fragrances to create your own unique blend. You can mix mitti perfume with floral, citrus, spicy, or woody scents to create different effects. For example, you can combine mitti perfume with rose, jasmine, or orange blossom to create a romantic and feminine scent, or with patchouli, vetiver, or cedar to create a masculine and earthy scent.
- Use mitti perfume as a room spray or a diffuser to create a natural and relaxing ambiance in your home or office. You can spray mitti perfume on your curtains, carpets, pillows, or furniture to infuse them with the scent of rain. You can also add a few drops of mitti perfume to water and use it in a diffuser, humidifier, or burner to spread the aroma in the air.
- Use mitti perfume as a hair perfume to add a subtle and refreshing scent to your hair. You can spray mitti perfume on your hairbrush or comb and run it through your hair, or spray it directly on your hair after washing or styling.
A Comparison Table of Mitti Perfumes
| Name | Price | Size | Ingredients | Scent Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitti Attar by Tattva’s Herbs | $19.47 | 2.5 ml | Mitti oil, sandalwood oil | Earthy, woody, warm |
| Mitti Attar by Amuze Fragrance | $12.93 | 6 ml | Mitti oil, sandalwood oil | Earthy, green, fresh |
| Mitti Attar by OudNectar.com | $44.00 | 3 ml | Mitti oil, sandalwood oil, ruh khus oil | Earthy, grassy, herbal |
| Mitti Attar by Organic Product India | $2.49 | 1 ml | Mitti oil, sandalwood oil | Earthy, sweet, floral |
| Wild Mysore Sandalwood Mitti Attar by Kannauj Perfumes India | $65.00 | 3 ml | Mitti oil, wild Mysore sandalwood oil | Earthy, woody, rich |