The Essence of the Indian Home: 10 home-grown ingredients for scenting your space

Scent: Sandalwood
Origin: Mysuru
Form it is available in: Oil (the typical form of a fragrance used in perfumery)
Scent notes: A complex blend of notes from oriental to milky to fresh
How to use: As candles or incense sticks
When to use: A timeless scent that can be used through the year; preferably in the mornings.
Where to use: Living, dining room
Tip: It makes for a great natural scent if you have a balcony or a terrace. It can also be used in the bathroom for a bit of freshness.

Scent: Jasmine
Origin: Madurai
Form it is available in: Fresh flowers, oil
Scent notes: Floral
How to use: Enhance your nooks with an urn of fresh jasmine, or as a floral arrangement for the dining table.
When to use: Any time of the day, through the year.
Where to use: Bedroom, common areas

Scent: Turmeric
Origin: Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Odisha, Kerala, Karnataka
Form it is available in: Oil
Scent notes: Earthy, oriental
How to use: As candles or incense oil
When to use: A warm scent, it is best to use it during colder months and in the evenings.
Where to use: Living room, study

Scent: Peach
Origin: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
Form it is available in: Oil
Scent notes: Fruity, sweet
How to use: As candles
When to use: The fresh fruity scent is tailor-made for summer mornings.
Where to use: Bedroom, bathroom
Tip: The scent is also great for the kitchen.

Scent: Black Pepper
Origin: Kerala
Form it is available in: Oil
Scent notes: Spicy
How to use: As candles
When to use: The unusual spicy scent is perfect when entertaining guests in the living and dining rooms.
Where to use: Study, living, dining rooms

Scent: Citronella
Origin: Assam, Karnataka, Gujarat
Form it is available in: Oil
Scent notes: Fresh
How to use: As candles or incense sticks
When to use: Throughout the year
Where to use: Citronella is also a plant-based insect repellent, making it perfect to use wherever you’ve placed your plants.

Scent: Tuberose
Origin: Tamil Nadu|
Form it is available in: Fresh flowers, oil
Scent notes: Floral
How to use: It is great to use in its natural state. Alternatively, candles and incense oil infused with tuberose oil work well too.
When to use: A heady scent, it’s better to use it in the evenings and during winters and monsoons.
Where to use: Bedroom, common areas
 

Scent: Coconut
Origin: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Maharashtra
Form it is available in: Oil
Scent notes: Tropical, sweet
How to use: As candles or incense oil
When to use: The intensely tropical scent is lovely during the summer, throughout the day.
Where to use: Living room, bathroom

Scent: Nutmeg
Origin: Kerala
Form it is available in: Oil
Scent notes: Spicy, sweet
How to use: As candles|
When to use: Though spicy and distinctive, nutmeg is more subtle than other spices such as cinnamon and cardamom. Use it throughout the year in the evenings or early mornings.
Where to use: Bedrooms, living areas

Scent: Palmarosa
Origin: Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh
Form it is available in: Oil
Scent notes: Fresh
How to use: As a candle or incense oil
When to use: Throughout the year
Where to use: Kitchen, bathroom