DAVANA Essential Oil

Artemisia pallens Steam distilled from blossoms, Mysore, India, Ethically Farmed

At one time we offered a CO2 extracted Davana. We loved the aroma, but found it almost impossible to work with. It was ultra thick, almost a solid, and did not dilute easily in any carrier. Finally we have found a steam distilled Davana that is aromatically at least equal to our CO2 - and so much easier for the perfumer to blend.

We first experienced Davana over dinner with an Indian supplier, years ago. He passed around a small vial and told us all to apply some to our hand. Initially, I was unimpressed...it smelled sweetly balsamic, green and herbal and...then I smelled it again...warmly floral...oh, nice!. Then I smelled it on Anne...a floral wood note, with just a hint of spice...on Debi, a pure, unalloyed floral note that took much longer to develop...perhaps 30 minutes or so. And on Girish, my Indian friend...aaaaaaaahhhhh...I just didn't want to let go of his hand...it was the richest scent I have ever known a man to wear...rooted, sweet wood notes with overtones of I don't know what...marvelous.

Davana is truly our chameleon...it changes with every wearer. The perfect ingredient for a truly personal perfume.

Now, I have seen, on various websites, Davana recommended for wound healing, for skin infections and irritations. I do NOT recommend its use for these purposes. It is another untested oil and although it does not appear to be an irritant or a sensitizer, it should be avoided on broken skin. Its high Ketone level means that it could be toxic in high doses, and should be used with moderation.

Emotionally, it is relaxing and some claim has an anti-anxiety effect. I have seen one source claim that it is one of the most aphrodisiac of all oils.

Tony Burfield writes that Davana is used in perfumery to impart a fruity topnote to chypres and floral compositions, that it has a black currant note, an undertone reminiscent of hay absolute, with a fruity, winey dryout with just a hint of tobacco.