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

While I am not new to aromatic extracts, I am new to perfumery. This book has opened my mind up to a new method of appreciating aromas. Listening to Scent also acts as a valuable resource for discriminating scents, especially as a newbie.

So far so good. A nice mix of science and a sound source of how to speak about odors. It’s here where you can learn how to talk abotu scents verbally, and she gives techniques on how to associate memeories and feelings with science, biology, and language.The title is a riff on the ancient way thatJapaneese “listen” to incense. You can light incense, or smoulder it....smouldering brings out woody facets without burning notes. Herein Rhind talks about how to recognize scents and parts of odors and assoicate them with names and people and places.... a fun ride. And the kindle edition is nice big text so i can use my finger on my paperwhtie without jumping to another line.

Loved the book. Very helpful

very good

Great book!!

Very beautiful book

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 botanicalHer 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 itI 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!I'm not quite sure why it comes up in the format 'cards' - I got it as digital download

Of all the five human senses of seeing, hearing, tasting, touch, and smelling, the least developed is arguably the last one. I remember having a conversation among friends about how technology had been able to replicate human sensory patterns upon computers. Visually we use high resolution images. Audibly, we can produce high fidelity sound devices, headsets, and great sound effects. Touch-wise, we have the mouse, the keyboard, and of course the modern touch screens available with tablets and modern computers. The senses of taste and smell are the least developed. This book is about cultivating a sense of smell through listening, learning, and cultivating our olfactory faculties. According to the author, a biologist with a PhD in mycotoxicology, there are other benefits such as improved cognitive abilities, general well-being, even healthy aging! Written in three parts, the book covers smell and scent matters through educating, profiling, and experiencing.Part One lists some vocabulary, odour description, and how the scent can be associated with the other five senses. We learn about how our brains and olfactory systems function, the cognitive, the interpretive, and the emotional. First steps in cultivating this scent ability include keeping a reference of our own scents, preferably in a quiet and peaceful environment. Called "perfumery education," readers are encouraged to label what they smell, experience first hand about essential oils, and how it changes over time. Other smells include the balsamic, the woody, the medicated, the green, the floral, the fruity, and many more. After learning how to identify and distinguish the different scents, one can build upon that with creative blending. At the end of it all, one realizes that the journey itself is more interesting than the destination of learning.Part Two describes to olfactory profiles which link each family of scents to unique qualities. Eleven families are listed: balsamic, woody, spicy, coniferous, herbaceous, medicated, green, agrestic, floral, fruity, and citrus. Like a mini encyclopedia of herbs and natural oils, readers will marvel not just at the precise descriptions of each, but also the hunger to want to smell the oils for ourselves. It is that seductive.Part Three points readers toward some practical exercises that they can do in the natural world. Whether it is walking in the forest, by the beach, strolling through a garden or when in the kitchen, there are many ways to stimulate our olfactory senses as well as to enhance our culinary prowess. There is even an appendix on the chemistry of it all.So What?=======This is a very unique book, which not only describes the various smells out there in nature, it makes us want to smell these aroma and fragrance. Using very colourful language and precise terminology, the author has empowered our noses to smell in ways never known before. Readers' vocabulary would be enriched. Their cognitive abilities will be stimulated. Their sensory perceptions will be taken to new heights. Their emotions will enter a deeper level of experience. There are three groups of people who can benefit from the reading of this book. The first group is of course the technologists, in particular computer enthusiasts. In our Internet-connected world of social media and e-connections, we tend to overuse our hands (touch), our eyes (sight), and our ears (hearing). God had created us with more than these senses. The sense of smell is one of them, but sadly underutilized. This book brings back a good sense of appreciating what smell can do to our overall health.The second group is the nature lovers wanting to grow in understanding and appreciating the natural world. Gardeners, farmers, or simply anyone interested in gardening will find this book helpful in expanding as well as being able to identify each smell for what it is. Sometimes, our lack of precise vocabulary can hinder learning. Everyone knows what it means to be "pungent." Yet, what are the levels of describing aromatic smells? This book equips one to grow in this precision and descriptive ability.The third group is the spiritual person who wants to make associations between nature and the supernatural. In the realm of spirituality, chapter 12 of the book makes reference to the "spirit of koh-do," which is the Japanese way of incense that connects listening to smell. It reminds me of the way the Eastern and Western churches use incense in worship rituals to bless, to venerate, and to sanctify the place. The Bible has made references to many aromatic herbs such as myrrh, aloes, cassia, nard, and praises to God be as incense like in Psalm 141:2 " May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."Wonderful and "scent"-sational book.Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.conradeThis book is provided to me courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Bought as a gift. The recipient started reading it straight away and enjoyed the content and new knowledge.

I love how the author organised this book it makes understanding the natural raw materials really easy to grasp as well as their chemical compounds and which family they fall in. Thank you for writing such a useful book!