OPUS OILS is one of the few niche perfumers involved in the quickly growing field known as “Natural Perfumery.” Natural Perfumes have been with us for thousands of years.  Recently, Italian Archeologists discovered a Perfume Production site in the Mediterranean that is at least 4,000 years old!  Primitive Perfumery began with the ritual use of incense, gums, and resins in religious ceremonies.  The word “perfume” comes from the Latin per fume, “through smoke.”  Eventually the ancients began to incorporate scented plants into animal and vegetable oils, which they used to anoint their body.  These Natural Perfumes were the only fragrances used throughout most of human history.  It was not until 1868 that the first synthetic fragrance was produced (“Coumarin,” which smelled like fresh mowed hay).  Recently, Natural Perfumery is enjoying a renaissance as modern-day artisan perfumers are rediscovering the joy of blending with only natural materials.  Natural Perfumes tend not to last as long as commercial synthetic fragrances, and therefore need to be reapplied more often.