Botanical Name: Artemesia Vulgaris

Origin: Morocco

The smell has power, strength and long-lasting depth; it is sweet, herbal, bitter and boozy. This oil is a must purchase for any serious natural perfumer; it is worth mentioning that on dry down you get a very different smell, it is not overbearing, it is actually very refreshing. I think of Davana for the mulled wine aroma, crossed with my Organic Common Oregano and Organic Sage Dalmation, bizarre but it really works and is highly distinctive.

At the same time I must add anyone smelling this oil from the bottle neat can expect the following - within 5 minutes your head will spin, you will struggle to concentrate and you will feel as high as a kite. Not a nice sensation at all and therefore I want to make it absolutely clear I do not recommend this oil to the aromatherapist or home enthusiast. This oil is best suited to the natural perfumer. Should any aromatherapist ignore my warning then I advise your blend contains no more than 0.25% of Artemisia vulgaris.

There are in excess of 390 Artemisia species and the vulgaris grows freely around the world in Morocco, India, Turkey, China and all around Eastern Europe. I mention this because it will have a bearing on the chemistry. As the key component is a-thujone which is a potential skin irritant and potentially poisonous it makes sense to know your origin; Indian for example contains in excess of 60% a-thujone where as this Moroccan material contains 42.35%.

The name Artemisia came about due to King Mausolus who was ruler of Caria (Turkey) until he passed in 353BC. Back then it was perfectly normal to marry blood, and King Mausolus did just this, he married his sister called Artemisia and her name was given to this specie of plant. When King Mausolus died his sister/wife had an extravagant tomb built in his honour called Mausoleum of Mausolus and today this is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.