For natural perfumery. For oriental perfumery: Attar and Mukhalats making. In natural cosmetics: facial acne serums, mild infections, irritated skins, fungal serum; In aromatherapy: joints and articulations massages; oedema, water retention in legs, arms massages or body oils; Stress relief, Mood enhancement, Relaxation, Emotional balance 

IDENTIFICATION

INCI Name: Pandanus Odoratissimus Flower Oil

SYNONYMS: Pandanus odoratissimus L.f., Pandanus fascicularis Lam.

CAS Number: 91770-47-7 (ECHA EC Number: 294-832-334)

EXTRACTION METHOD: Steam distillation

PART USED: Male flowers

ORIGIN: India- Coastal Region (Ganjam district of Orissa) Pandanus plantations

COMMON NAMES/VERNACULAR: Rooh Kewda, Kewda, Fragrant screw-pine, Kewra, Ketaki, keora, al-kādī or Adan flower oil. Ruh Kewra.

APPEARANCE: Clear to light yellow liquid

ODOUR NOTE: Middle to base note

Aroma Description: Rosy-Fruity: At first a mix of fresh watery floral grass/leafy, softly sweet (reminiscent of Rose water and fresh roses cut stems and leaves); Then a very floral dry down with warm fruity undertones. Cooling, Refreshing. Highly aromatic. Suave and sensual. Slight variation may occur with harvesting seasons.

TYPICAL MOLECULAR COMPOSITION: 2-Phenylethyl methyl ether/PEME (75.8%), Terpinen-4-ol (17.6%), α-Terpineol (1.2%), P-Cymene (1.8%), β-Pinene, 2-Phenylethyl alcohol. 

QUALITY: 100 % pure and natural. Organic. Whole essential oil.

STORAGE CONDITION: Keep bottles tightly closed, in a cool, dry place protected from sunlight and heat sources. Store away from children and pets’ reach.

INFO AND INTERESTING FACTS:

Pandanus plants (Pandan/ Screw-pine/Skroefpalm) are easy to spot in subtropical regions of the world, growing freely along seashores, riverbanks and ponds, with their aerial roots and their terminal palm-like foliage. This specific Pandan plant, the pandanus odoratissimus or odorifer is native to Polynesia, Australia and India and, the male individual produce spikes of very aromatic white flowers. The keora/kewra/Kia plant is appreciated for its fragrant leaves, but is highly prized for the very unique, sweet yet fresh, floral and fruity scent of its male flowers, a complex aroma that is often compared to that of the Rose. Our Kewra essential oil is steam distilled from these fresh flowers, harvested early mornings, from male pandanus tree grown in the Ganjam region in India. Kewra essential oil and its water (distillate, hydrosol) is particularly important in Indian perfumery and Ayurvedic medicine. 

• Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory
• Antispasmodic
• Antiseptic
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Immune boost
• Circulatory, Diuretic
• Calming and relaxing
• Tonic and mood boosting, uplifting, energizing.
• Antioxidant

Pandanus odorifer (KEWRA) essential oil has been used 

In Ayurvedic medicine for:

• Headaches and earaches (external application)
• Rheumatic pains
• Oedema (fluid, water retention, heavy legs...)
• Diverse clearing, cleansing products supporting various skin conditions (facial serums for acne, dry skin, to help ease symptoms of psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea.
• Relaxation and reducing stress
• Libido boosting
• In synergies.
• Breath freshening
• In diverse ointments, advertised as, healing aids for minor burns, antifungal 

In Ayurvedic cosmetics: 

• Used a luxury ingredient in Asian and Arabic perfumes (ATTARS and MUKHALATS) due to its sweet, floral aroma
• In face washes often mixed with rose water
• In antioxidants creams that help maintain skin elasticity.
• In anti-oedema, water retention creams and lotions, massage oils.
• In clarifying skin creams, to even skin tones, to help lighten patches, scars marks…
• In crack relief balms and lotions (advertised as healing aids)
• In various fragranced day creams
• In soaps, lotions, and candles

In relaxation practices (Yoga, meditation)

• In incense sticks (Agarbatti Agar)
• Space element/Ether (Akasha): Emptiness, openness, expansiveness, potential for growth and abundance.
• Letting-go, lightness, breathing, opening up, being nothing yet everything, emptying creating space, before filling up.
• Focus and clarity
• Heart chakra (Anahata)
• Pitta Dosha

In aromatherapy:

• In face serums, lotions or creams for acne, irritated skins, mild fungal and mild infections. To help cleanse and re-balance the skin surface.
• Synergies to help boost the immune system
• for its calming and uplifting scent, often incorporated into blends for promoting relaxation and emotional balance, in diffusers, homemade massage candles, and body cream or oils for topical applications
• In synergies to help reduce anxiety and boost moods
• In refreshing synergies for Menopause
• In massage oils for joints and articulations.
• To fragrance shower gels and natural soaps
• In diffusion for calm and focus. 

In Traditional Indian/Asian/ Arabic cuisine: 

• As a flavouring agent in various food and soft drinks

Superb in synergies for diffusers, Kewra essential oil is also perfect to use in all calming, purifying and balancing skin intended applications, well diluted in a carrier oil, a butter, a neutral cream base, a gel.

Massages, body care, and Well-being:

• Body massages: use 1 to 6 drops essential oil for 10 ml carrier oil (0.5 to 2 % concentration) Soothing, circulatory, energizing Massage, targeted massages: 5-8 drops per 10ml of a neutral carrier oil (Almond, Apricot kernel, Macadamia, Moringa, Jojoba) or any Ayurvedic carrier oils- (Amla, Aloe…)
• Face care use 1 to 3 drops essential oil for 10 ml carrier or base (0.5 to 1 % concentration) Face creams/serums/lotions: 1-2 drops per 10ml (0.1-0.2%) neutral or soothing or beneficial carrier oil (Calendula, rosehip, Hemp seed…)
• Daily Body care, Hair care use, Body oils, Perfumed oils 2 to 6 drops essential oil for 10 ml carrier or base (1 to 2 % concentration)
• Aromatic baths and bath oils: First dilute 10 to 15 drops of kewra essential oil into 2 tablespoons of unscented castile soap, shower gel or Epsom salts and add to your bath water before relaxing.

Diffusion

• Ultrasonic Diffusers to create a relaxed ambience: by itself or in a blend with other beneficial essential oils, 5-7 drops. Run your diffuser for 10 min 3 times a day.
• Homecare: to create Aromatic sprays for a relaxed, uplifting ambiance, for linen cupboard, for pillow sprays. (in a bottle with spray, dilute essential oils into perfumer’s base mix well .Top up with  Hydrosols or water)

Perfumery:

• Western perfumery: 1-5% dilution in perfumers base combined with other essential/ absolute oils
• Attar and Arabic perfumery: Up to 10% in concentrated blends or more in soliflore attars (Sandalwood + Kewra Attar) diluted in Carrier oils neutral or naturally fragranced- the most traditional being sandalwood nut oil, Saffran oil, and Sesame oil. (You can try Green tea, Calendula, Bellis...)

Others:

Cooking:  1 drop added cold the buttery or syrupy phase of your preparations, brings a powerful aroma to your dishes. Great in fruits salads, marmalades, meringues but also in your sweet and sour sauces. 

As a traditional Indian flavour ingredient. 

Note: Traditionally, it is Kewra water that is used in India to aromatize dishes. Take inspiration from India culinary traditions (Biryani, Ice cream, Rabri/Rabadi…) to aromatize and perfume your savoury or sweet dishes or drinks. 

As Always with essential oils, thread lightly, use with scarcity, as they are strong and can destroy your dish. 

Never cook (as in high heat) with essential oils as heat changes their molecular nature and destroys their properties. Once well diluted in an appropriate support (cold or just warm oils, butter, cream, syrup) they can be used to aromatize, teas and tisanes, , sauces, cream cheese, yogurts....

1.Pre- dilute: Start by diluting 1-2 drops of your essential oil per 100 ml of base (vegetable oil, butter, cold syrup, honey...) Let infuse for a few hours and taste. Always start with a few drops only Adjust/ balance for taste if necessary (increase base quantities if too strong, add essential oils drop by drop, if too light). 

Note: If you are a beginner, add 1 drop of essential oil to a small bowl. In a different bowl add 2-3 tablespoons of your chosen base (oil, butter, sauce, syrup...) Dip the tip of a toothpick into the essential oil and use the soaked tip to mix in your chosen base. Repeat until you reach a harmonious taste)

2. Use: add a few drops of your pre-diluted essential oil to the finishing touch/ end stages of your dish.

• Floral oils: Davana, Rose, Beeswax absolute, Honeysuckle absolute, Jasmine, Ylang-ylang, Rose Geranium
• Citrus oils: Bergamot, Lemon, Orange
• Woody oils: Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Cypress, Palo Santo
• Spicy oils: Cinnamon, Cardamom
• Resins: Frankincense, Myrrh

To promote deep meditation, focus and concentration

In 100 ml of Jojoba (Neutral) Sandalwood nut oil or saffron oil (Naturally fragrant) add: 

• 20 drops ml of Myrrh essential oil.
• 10 drops of Palo Santo essential oil.
• 10 drops of Frankincense Sacra essential oil.
• 5 drops Davana essential oil.
• 5 drops of Kewra essential oil.

Apply and massage to 

Relaxing Massage Oil (100ml):

• Kewra: 10 drops (0.5%)
• Lavender: 10 drops (0.5%)
• Ylang-ylang: 5 drops (0.25%)
• In 100ml sweet almond oil

Nourishing Face Serum (30ml):

• Kewra: 3 drops (0.1%)
• Rose: 3 drops (0.1%)
• In 30ml jojoba oil

Exotic Perfume (30ml):

• Kewra: 30 drops (3%)
• Sandalwood: 15 drops (1.5%)
• Jasmine absolute: 10 drops (1%)
• In 30ml perfumer's alcohol

How to Apply:

Attars are highly concentrated, perfume oils, so a little goes a long way. Start with a small amount and adjust as needed. Have fun, experiment and customize by adjusting the ratios of oils to suit your personal preference.

• Apply a small amount to pulse points such as wrists, behind ears, and the base of the throat.
• For a more subtle scent, apply to the inside of your elbows or behind your knees.
• To enhance the longevity of your Perfume, apply a small amount of unscented cream to the skin before applying your homemade attar.
• For a more diffused effect, apply a few drops to your hair or clothing.

The unique floral and fruity aroma of kewra makes it a prized ingredient in Indian perfumery, adding depth and complexity to various fragrance compositions.

Kewra Rose Attar

Ingredients:

• Kewra essential oil: 10 drops
• Rose essential oil: 5 drops or Rose absolute 3 drops
• Sandalwood essential oil: 3 drops
• Jasmine absolute: 2 drops
• Carrier oil (Sandalwood nut, Jojoba or Sweet almond): 10 ml

Mixing Instructions:

• In a small dark glass bottle, add each essential oil and the absolute(s).
• Top up with the carrier oil (s) of your choice.
• Close the bottle tightly and gently shake to mix.
• Allow your Perfume oil to mature for at least 24 hours before use.

Kewra Spicy Attar

Ingredients:

• Kewra essential oil: 8 drops
• Cardamom essential oil: 3 drops
• Cinnamon essential oil: 2 drops
• Vetiver essential oil: 2 drops
• Carrier oil (Sandalwood, Saffron, Jojoba, Sweet almond…): 10 ml

Mixing Instructions:

• Add each essential oil one by one into a small dark glass bottle.
• Top up with the carrier oil of your choice.
• Secure the cap and gently shake to blend.
• Let your perfume oil mature for at least 24 hours before using.

Native to Asia (India) and Polynesia, Pandanus produce male and female flowers on different plants. The aromatic male flowers are harvested to produce the essential oil and fragrant water, while the unscented female flowers are left to develop into edible fruits (pineapple/ screw pine-like looking). 

Different parts of the plant itself are widely used for various purposes, from food (fruit) to handicrafts (fragrant leaves are used for flavouring, roofing, or for weaving mats, baskets…)

The roots, leaves and male flowers play an important role in Ayurvedic medicine and cosmetic.

The Kewra (Pandan) fresh male flowers hold a significant importance in many cultures, used during various ceremonies and traditional health practices. The male flowers are also (steam or hydro-) distilled into the essential oil (Rhu) or attars.

Cultural and Religious Uses 

symbolizing purity and auspiciousness, Kewra fresh flowers are used as offerings in rituals, Religious Ceremonies, Temple Decorations, Weddings...

Culinary Applications

In many cultures, Kewra/Kevda/keora flowers water and oil are used as special ingredients and as flavouring agents, not only for their distinctive aroma but also for their cultural significance. They add a touch of delicate luxury and festivity to dishes served at important family events and celebrations. They are added to both savoury and sweets dishes and to beverages served during these events and enhance a celebration with a sensory communion of spirit, taste and scent. 

Traditional Indian Attars

Kewra oil is an essential component in several traditional Indian attars:

• Kewra Attar: A pure attar made by distilling kewra flowers into sandalwood oil.
• Shamama Attar: A complex blend that often includes kewra along with other floral and herbal essences.
• Motia-Kewra Attar: A blend of jasmine (Jasminum sambac) and Kewra essential oils.
• Gulab-Kewra Attar: A combination of rose (Rosa damascena) and kewra essential oils.

These attars are used not only in perfumery but also in aromatherapy, Ayurvedic practices, and as traditional remedies for various ailments. 

For more detailed information, please go check this LINK TO Instructions of use essential oils page

DO NOT USE UNDILUTED and SEEK MEDICAL AND SPECIALIST ADVISE WHEN IN DOUBT.

SEE OUR PAGE ON PRECAUTION - HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFELY