Listening to Scent: An Olfactory Journey with Aromatic Plants and Their Extracts

by Jennifer Peace Rhind

The olfactory journey described in this book introduces readers to the pleasures and benefits of educating and training the 'nose', our olfactory palate. Jennifer Peace Rhind explores the process of cultivating our sense of smell and demonstrates how the process itself can be therapeutic and enjoyable, as well as informative. She highlights the different skills involved, from olfactory vocabulary, awareness, and memory, through to discrimination and fragrance creation, and the activities that can help to acquire them, emphasizing the value of experiential learning. She describes the Japanese art of koh-do or the 'way of incense' and suggests ways of creating group events inspired by this. Based on her twenty five years' experience working with essential oils and aromatic plant extracts, she also leads the reader through a variety of scent families, with information on the botanical source, odour profiles, olfactory notes, and suggestions for comparison with other scents. This method of educating and training the 'nose' is fascinating, challenging and life-enhancing and will be of interest to anyone eager to develop their sense of smell, and of incalculable use to aromatherapy students and practitioners who must acquire these skills for their career.

Genres: Nonfiction

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Lora Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely and practical book about using the sense of smell in a mood enhancing or even spiritual context. There is practical information about 'educating the nose' and the assertion that this skill is not just for the perfumer.

The book is written by an author who understands the science of scent and is able to explain it in easily digestible language so that the complete beginner can understand the information. It goes into the Japanese art of koh-do; the way of incense, as well as a variant called kumikoh.

The vocabulary of the perfumer is explained in simple terms with the similarity of terms that come from music, even suggesting that some combinations of odours equate with chords. We are told how scents can be associated with other sensory perceptions or memories and the different types of 'notes'.

There is some very interesting information on how odours interact with the brain and the text discusses the effects of certain combinations and the art of learning to discriminate between individual odorants. The importance of olfactory memory is also covered as well as the basics of the perfumer's ingredients.

There is a chapter on sensory exercises and a large, encyclopaedic section with detailed info on each scent within the separate odour families. This would be an excellent reference book for someone who practices the perfumer's art. Creative blending and how three or more scents combined will create a new aroma is clearly explained and in the third part of the book, exercises are suggested for how to study scent in its natural environment, such as walking in the woods.

There are several color plates and a chapter on teaching yourself to differentiate scents through cooking with herbs and spices. The extensive appendices provide more information on terms used throughout the book and on chemistry as well as building 'accords' and a glossary.

There is even a section in the back for suppliers in different countries and a scent index separate from the subject index as well as an author index.

Overall this is a very thorough and well-researched book that is also well presented. I would recommend it to anyone taking up the art of perfumery and it has much for the experienced perfumer as well. Easy 5 out of 5 stars.

[Lady Fancifull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olfactory deconstruction so fine that I could smell the odours in my mind. Very scented heaven!,

I read Jennifer Peace Rhind's book on olfaction and natural perfumery, and became almost dizzy with delight.

I did not need to be told from the author's profile at the end of the book, that she has been deeply involved in a journey with aromatics, and with the essential oils and absolutes as aromatics in particular, for many many years. Her absolute knowledge from experience, as much as from her own studies and reading of other texts on the subject, is absolutely obvious.

And, as important to me as depth knowledge and creative thinking on a subject are - Rhind is also a clear and inspiring writer.

Though this book is particularly geared towards those who may be interested in, or are already, making natural perfumes and perfumery products, it will also be of deep interest to those who are involved in the therapeutic side of working with the essential oils. Despite my own relationship over many years with those oils therapeutically, I was absolutely delighted to find that Rhind was teaching me new information here.

Even for those who primarily are working therapeutically, aesthetic blending may well be part of the mix, particularly when working with clients whose prime reason for treatment is dis-ease presenting in psyche, or with causes from psyche, or those with chronic conditions, where the feel-good hedonic aspect of those oils will absolutely need to be considered.

Rhind explains very clearly the complex physiology and psychology of olfaction, how and why odour has its effects. However, the main thrust of her book is like spending time with a wonderful, creative educator who teaches practitioners of artistic disciplines - the book de-constructs the creation of perfumes, and, best of all, presents the aspiring (or experienced!) perfumer with a really in-depth programme for developing and refining their olfactory sensitivities, both in systematic, left brain ways, with wonderfully structured exercises, and with right brain, creative, playful, olfaction-as-meditation exercises.

What I am particularly enthused with in her writing is the absolute sense of generosity and empowerment which shines out. She is not laying down rigid formulaic monkey-see, monkey-do, she does that wonderful thing of giving the reader a brilliant tool box, the understanding of what the tools can and cannot do, and then says, metaphorically - go make, explore, learn from your own experience.

There is an excellent amount of safety information, specific information about chemistry in each of the oils and absolutes mentioned, to keep perfumers aware of cautions which may be needed, skin sensitivity issues and the like.

I particularly appreciated the information on the aromatic profiles of individual chemical constituents, in isolation. Many of us with familiarity with the oils and absolutes may not have encountered that wide a palette of each component as a stand-alone, so, I am looking forward, from descriptions of the odour notes of the isolate, and my own knowledge of essential oil chemistry, to tease apart the full odour of a particular botanical

Her book is meticulously and brilliantly referenced, with academic thoroughness, and gives those who want to find out more left brain stuff the detailed information to find it

I was absolutely delighted to get offered this as an ARC from the publishers, Singing Dragon, via NetGalley. And just a word on Singing Dragon - they have a great and growing reputation as publishers of books in the complementary medicine field which are thorough, serious, innovative, sensible texts. To be honest, the fact that Rhind's book is published by Singing Dragon let me know in advance this was going to be a good `un!

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ideas for exercises

The best asset of this book are the good ideas it contains in regards to exercises for training the sense of smell and natural aromatics evaluation. The glossary should be quite useful for the student in the art of perfumery too

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review

This book is a plethora of interesting topics, though it is not exactly what I was expecting from the back of the book description. I was expecting more of a guide to appreciating the various aromas of the things around you and training your nose to detect various scents on a more nuanced level. In a way we did get this in the book, but it was much more focused on the aromatherapy side and not just general smells. I was hoping for the exact differences between say, an oak tree and a pine tree and what exactly causes these two woods to smell different. I am a tea reviewer so I spend a lot of time sniffing things, not just tea, but everything I can get my nose on. That way when a tea has a very specific aroma, I can recognize it.

Now after that opening paragraph you are probably wondering, why did I give this book 4 stars if I was so sad that it was not what I was wanting? Because it was still good and a great reference for aromatherapy and understanding how perfumes work. Did you know that some people have olfactory blind spots? I certainly didn't, and now I am curious to see if I have one, maybe I do and since I cannot smell it I have never noticed! I found the various charts very helpful (but I am a lover of all things chart) and plan on using them for future reference.

I also really enjoyed the lesson on Koh-Doh, the Japanese art of Listening to Scent. I am tempted to blend Koh-Doh with Chado in the future, though I worry the aroma of the incense might distract from the aroma of tea! It is a beautiful art and I am glad to have been introduced to it.

This is a great guide to aromatherapy, I think it can be exceptionally useful to someone new to the art and wanting to expand their knowledge, or for someone who is well versed in the art and wants a handy guide with useful charts.

The only reason this book was given 4 out of 5 and not a perfect 5 is because I found it a bit dry. It was very to the point and concise, while I do appreciate that in informative books, I found that this made it feel a bit rushed and impersonal. Other than that, I am very pleased to have read Listening to Scent.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a an e-copy of this book from NetGallery.Com. It was not always an easy book to get through, even if the reader is fascinated by the sense of smell. As an olfactory-driven person, I was interested in how the author would explore such an esoteric topic. (Along those lines - kudos to the publisher Singing Dragon for promoting it.) While I learned a great deal from Rhind's efforts, the book does read a bit like a Ph.D. dissertation. It's "wordy" when it didn't need to be, and could have used significant editing. That said, it's a worthwhile read and I recommend it for those interested in chemistry and the part that the brain plays in discernment of odors.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as I love aromatherpay and perfume and this is an interesting approach to looking at scent. It was however a very short book, some chapters were just a page long, although on refelection if you can say it succinctly why draw it out! Overall an interesting and enjoyable read.