Itr: Ancient Indian Knowledge of Perfumery

The word sugandhi, meaning well perfumed, is also mentioned in Rig Veda. Expressions involving the term 'gandha' are found in Taitriya Samhita, Maitrayani Samhita, Satapata Brahman and Taitriya Aranyaka.

Ancient Indian perfume technologists have prescribed six chemical processes for the production of cosmetic substance namely bhavanam, pacanam or paka, bodhah, vedhah, dhupanam, and vasanam.

Itr is made from the essential oils of natural ingredients such as Lavender, Amber, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Gurjum Balsam, Rosewood, Patchouli, Lime etc.

Cosmetics and Perfumes are now made from natural materials or artificial materials by extracting the aromatic molecules using different chemical processes, like distillation. The different essences may then be mixed in various proportions to get a particular kind of scent.

Cosmetic substances made from alchemical processes were also used in medicine.

Susruta Samhita mentions the use of oil bath, scented oil, anjanam (for eyes), sandal paste, smearing face with scented powder etc. for maintaining proper health.

Some traditional alchemical instruments, used by the Kannauj perfume makers, are on display in the gallery "Our Science and Technology Heritage of India' at the National Science Centre, Delhi.