Recently, at the annual conference for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, Floracopeia had the great pleasure of interviewing Dr. Vasant Lad, founder of the Ayurvedic Institute and probably the single most influential individual for Ayurveda in the western hemisphere.

In this soon to be released video interview, David Crow asked Dr. Lad to share some of his thoughts about the use of attars. His response put a grin on our faces and has stuck with us ever since…here’s a taste of what he said:

“Attar preparations are organic, non-chemical, and non-alcoholic. They can be used for marma therapy and aromatherapy…One drop of attar is applied to the radial artery, carotid artery, the heart center at the sternum, and one drop to the top of the head. Suddenly these molecules of attar make your entire aura become fragrant, and wherever you go you are highly welcome by the people…Apart from that, attars have a great self healing power.”

The Anti-Anxiety and Euphoric Botanical Perfumes

The effect of botanical perfumes on health and consciousness is profound and well-documented by both traditional Ayurvedic and modern scientific research. Pure, plant based perfumes are one of the most important and effective ways of accessing the calming and euphoric properties of aromatic plants. In Ayurvedic Medicine, these perfumes are known as attars and their use is an art and science that has been passed down over hundreds of years.

The word attar specifically refers to a botanical oil distilled into a base of sandalwood (and sometimes vetiver). Some of the most well known attars are the Rose Attar, Saffron Attar, Parijata Attar and others.

The Healing Properties of Attars

The health benefits of using attars are numerous. When used regularly, they are rejuvenating and increase sensual enjoyment. Mental and physical relaxation combined with heightened alertness, improved concentration, enhanced memory, regulation of the nervous system, and restoration of immunity suppressed by stress are only a few of the benefits that these aromatic treasures give. Is it any wonder that these plants, which produce a luxurious abundance of intoxicating fragrances, are associated with higher consciousness and the opening of the heart?

Use attars as you would any fine perfume. Because they are free of synthetics ingredients, their fragrances promote health, wellbeing, and happiness. Excellent for romance, meditation, mental concentration, and many other purposes.

Free Gift: Our Offering to You

As a way of encouraging you to make ‘the art of using attars‘ a part of your everyday lifestyle, everyone who purchases any product this weekend will receive the following audio piece from David Crow.

Floracopeia Exclusive Audio: The Healing Properties of Attars and Botanical Perfumes

In this piece from his lecture at the Southwest Conference of Botanical Medicines, David Crow speaks on:

• Attars as an Unbroken Lineage of Ayurvedic Alchemical Distillation
• The Profound Effect of Attars on Health and Consciousness
• The Positive Effect of Using Botanical Perfumes for Ecological Preservation
• The Revival of Traditional Botanical Perfumery
• The Public Health Hazard of the Cosmetic Industry
• The Primary Difference Between Botanical Perfumes and Synthetic Perfumes

(If you purchase this weekend, you will be sent the audio link by Monday morning, 8/31/09)

In addition, the following attar oils are on sale for this weekend only (ending 8/31/09)

Weekend Sale: 20% Off  These Attar Oils

ROSE ATTAR: The most popular of all our attars, this organically cultivated Damascus rose is harvested after the monsoon rains in the Himalayas, and distilled into sandalwood oil. BUY ROSE ATTAR HERE

SAFFRON ATTAR: This exquisite attar overflows with a fragrance that is very true to pure saffron water. Saffron is a great medicine for the heart, and its fragrance in incense has been used traditionally for its heart-opening and compassion-enhancing powers. BUY SAFFRON ATTAR HERE

SAVITRI ROSE PERFUME: A Floracopeia custom blend, “Savitri” rose perfume is blended using two unique oils: the rosa bourbonica, and ruh khus. An intoxicating and sensual perfume that stands among the finest. BUY SAVITRI ROSE PERFUME HERE

WHITE GINGER LILY-VETIVER ATTAR: This exotic and sublime attar is created by infusing a cold water membrane-filtered extract of fresh white ginger lilies into a base of vetiver oil. It is a Floracopeia favorite of which few are been able to resist after meeting it’s sweet, intoxicating fragrance. BUY WHITE GINGER LILY-VETIVER ATTAR HERE

PARIJATA ATTAR: The luscious aroma of night-blooming parijata flowers has a heavy, intense, and intoxicating sweetness, but not like jasmine or frangipani; it is more like sugar cane juice, barley malt, or a dark honey. BUY PARIJATA ATTAR HERE

BAKUL ATTAR: This attar captures the bakul flowers intoxicating aroma, giving a perfume that has notes of both the sacred sandalwood oil and the floral qualities reminiscent of orange, tuberose, and gardenia. BUY BAKUL ATTAR HERE

KEORA ATTAR: The white infloressences of this tropical tree are traditionally distilled to create an attar with a diffusive sweet, hyacinth, honey-like fragrance that is balanced by the soft warmth of sandalwood oil. BUY KEORA ATTAR HERE

BLUE LOTUS ATTAR: Mysterious, elegant, ancient, and intoxicating, this contemporary attar is blended at Floracopeia using a highest-grade absolute extract of blue lotuses infused into soft, rich, and sweet sandalwood oil produced from a sustainable plantation project in New Caledonia. BUY BLUE LOTUS ATTAR

Tags: aromatherapy, Ayurveda, David Crow, essential oils, vasant lad

This entry was posted on Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 10:12 pm and is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.