by Shaheen Darr

Created on: October 22, 2008   Last Updated: December 30, 2011

Arabic perfumes are an exotic and rich combination of incense and oils but without an alcohol base that is normally used in Western perfumes. Their fragrances are strong and spicy but unique and there is bound to be one that will appeal to your senses.

For Muslims the use of alcohol is avoided so natural products like rose, jasmine, lilies, sandalwood, musk and citrus fruits were used to create beautiful smells. The oil from the flowers was extracted by a distillation process and with the advent of Islam and the love of perfume that Prophet Muhammad had, "halal" perfume production spread even more.

Incense and fragrant herbs were burnt for fragrance, and rose water was and is very popular in Muslim countries. Attar, as it is called, can be combined with sandalwood, musk and amber to create oriental or Arabic scents. Even today you find rosaries or tasbees which have prayer beads that have been perfumed with rose water. As you touch the beads the smell of rose water fills and enhances the atmosphere around you. Exports of flowers from Egypt form the base of many perfumes used in European cities like Paris.

There are some other natural sources that are commonly used to make Arabic perfumes. The first is Oud which originates from the Aquilaria trees found in India and South East Asia. The wood found inside these trees gets a particular mould which gives it a unique fragrance. When you use Oud on your skin, the initial scent is quite strong but over time it becomes more subtle and is quite lasting. You can either use the wood or the Oud oil and this is burnt so that the smell from the smoke that emanates from it can linger around the house or on your clothing.

Then there is Bukhoor which are pieces of woodchips called Agarwood which have been scented with fragrant oils. Both Oud and Bukhoor are burnt in special oil or charcoal burners to create fragrant smoke. A piece of lit charcoal is placed in the burner and small pieces of Bakhoor are placed on this burning charcoal. If you leave the smell to travel around a room with the windows shut, the smell will linger on in the room for quite a while. These days electric burners are used instead of the traditional charcoal burners. The smell of Bukhoor signifies special occasions like weddings, and its fragrance helps to create feelings of wellbeing and pleasantness in social gatherings or in private homes.

Arabic perfumes leave a distinctive smell in most Muslim homes and in the shopping malls or souks of Middle Eastern countries. The exotic names used for Arabic perfumes add to their overall appeal as do the elaborate and exquisite presentation boxes in which they are sold.

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