History and Uses

The use of scents can be traced back to the Egyptians in about 1000 BC. Incense and scented oil baths were common among the upper classes. The Roman Empire used scented oil massages in their public bath facilities. During Europe’s Middle Ages bathing was less frequent and the lack of building ventilation led to the use of dried flower pedals to mask offensive odors. These flower pedals were also used in “sachets” to keep clothing smelling fresh, larger sachets or bunches were hung over doorways or in rooms, and people often carried “nosegays” to mask fowl odors. I’m sure you have seen these “nosegays” portrayed in period movies.

Modern uses of potpourri and scents have not changed very much. Basically dried flower pedals and or dried vegetation that have a pleasing odor are used to enhance or mask unwanted scents. While today’s intensity and frequency of objectionable scents is less, there is still a desire to use the pleasant scents that are offered by sccented massage oils, potpourri, and potpourri enhancer oils (refresher oils) to make life more pleasant. Many people use potpourri scents to evoke feelings and set environments. The range of scents is so broad today that just about any environment or condition can be evoked; from tropical ("Tropical Melon"), Christmas holidays ("Christmas MeLange"), Mom’s kitchen ("Apples N' Spice"), and warm southern nights (“Magnolia Blossom") just to name a few.