Though women and youths are always smitten by branded perfumes, ittars never fail to attract women, especially during the holy month of Ramzan. Many shops in Shivajinagar make huge profits in this month, cashing on the special ittar fragrances that are brought to the city.
Traders say in the recent times, demand for natural oils has increased as they are eco-friendly.
According to religious beliefs, the ittar was used by the Prophet, as it’s non-alcoholic. “It is said that the ittar was first used in Arab. During the Moghul rule, Princess Mumtaz Begum use to take bath in a of rose petals. This segregated scent in summer and the Moghuls used this idea and bought ittar to India,” explains Badrul Hassan, attar trader.
Ittars come in various scents including rose, mogra, kewda and sandalwood.
The oils obtained from herbs and wood are distilled into a wood base and then aged. The ageing period can last from one-to-ten years depending on the botanicals used and results desired. These natural scents are free from chemicals.
The Indian ittars start from `50 and go upto `1,000. However, French and Arab ittars cost `40,000. Youngsters have started to use ittars as they are eco-friendly.
However, medical experts say using perfumes including ittar, could cause allergies. “Once exposed to sun, perfumes react to UV rays, which can cause rashes to humans. Since ittar is alcohol free, sensitivity maybe little less. People are advised to use antiseptic creams to heal rashes,” suggested Dr Shyam Prasad, Dermatologist.
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