Clary Sage for Ambergris. Ambrette for Musk.. I was wondering what could be used to sub for Opium?
(Hi I am new to this group but not active on Tribe I just logged in when I saw this group :))
(Hi I am new to this group but not active on Tribe I just logged in when I saw this group :))
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Re: Substituting EO's for scent
Fri, February 22, 2008 - 6:21 PMI at depends on how picky you are on your substitutions.
I have smelled real ambergris and clary sage is only vaguely like it.... and ambrette is sort of musky, but nothing like real musk.
So, Opium is mostly synthetics but here are the topnotes: mandarin, plum, clove, pepper, cilantro. Midnotes are lily of the valley, rose, jasmine. Basenotes are labdanum, benzoin, myrrh, opopanax, castoreum, cedar, sandalwood.
Usually when someone wants to smell like Opium they are referring to the basenotes which are classic oriental/amber incensey ones. Taking all the basenotes from natural EO's or absolutes would smell great. Since you probably don't want to harm beavers you could skip the castoreum. Then if you can afford it you could add some rose and jasmine, A touch of clove and pepper and voila. It would not have the complexity of Opium but would smell lovely if that is what you are after. Though I am not sure how you were thinking of making it into an incense. You could mix it with powdered sandalwood, or put the oils on a blank incense punk and burn it as a joss stick. Good Luck.
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Re: Substituting EO's for scent
Sat, February 23, 2008 - 9:30 AMThank you very much, yes I am burning this on sticks. I am trying to substitute the scents of these things because I don't want to use the real thing of course. What would you suggest as a sub for Civet? The description for Opium was amazingly helpful so much appreciated. -
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Re: Substituting EO's for scent
Sat, February 23, 2008 - 11:42 AMthere are not alot of plant materials that smell really animalic. Birch tar has a sort of animalic smoky fragrance though it is tricky since it is very overwhelming.
Africa Stone Tincture smells civetty. Cute little rock hyraxes poop and pee all over certain rocks and then it is tinctured. In high dilution it smells leathery. As far as I can tell it is truly cruelty free since the hyrax freely gives up its excrement and they are not harassed in the process. I have some I got from Mandy Aftel and it is pretty stinky . As far as incense goes I do not think you will notice the absence of the animalic too much. -
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Re: Substituting EO's for scent
Sat, February 23, 2008 - 3:11 PMWow learn something new everyday!
:)
I love Hyraxes
happylolday.blogspot.com/2007/...f.html
I just never knew they actually "made" anything :) Thanks again for all the help.
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Re: Substituting EO's for scent
Sat, February 23, 2008 - 3:56 PMIve heard that Dragons Blood is a good alternative to Opium for making incense. -
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Re: Substituting EO's for scent
Sat, February 23, 2008 - 11:23 PMMusk seeds sub for Musk
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Re: Substituting EO's for scent
Mon, June 9, 2008 - 10:35 AMIf anyone know of a good, reputable source for Dragons Blood ...
Id also be willing to strike up a trade with other members of this group as the barter / gifting
way seems to add something magikal to the craft. Plus I could send some samples of my work as part of the deal.
Ive got oodles of - - -
Pinon (wood, resin and aromatic decay)
Juniper (resin, bark and inner red wood)
Mountain Sagebrush aka Artemisia Tridentata.
If interested Email to: mysticmunk@gmail.com
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