Spatial Atmosphere Management: A Multi-Sensory Philosophy of CareI often emphasize that
spatial atmosphere management is not decoration, but a philosophy of sensory integration. At Wufu Nursing Home, in addition to carefully crafted perfume, we also guided the design of warm lighting, soothing colors, and curated soundscapes:

• Sight: Moving away from sterile white walls, embracing warm tones to create a homelike environment.
• Sound: Playing soft music in public areas, reducing mechanical noise and environmental stress.
• Touch: Using cushions and upholstery with gentle textures, giving residents a sense of comfort and care.

These seemingly small details transform a facility from merely functional into genuinely humane. For residents, such atmosphere eases loneliness and anxiety. For caregivers, it provides much-needed emotional support. A calm environment reduces stress, helping prevent fatigue and burnout.

From Taiwan to the World: Reconnecting People and Nature
As Chair of the International Perfume Foundation (IPF) in Asia, and as a spatial atmosphere consultant and natural perfume designer, I see Taiwan’s innovations in long-term care beginning to shine on the global stage. The success of Wufu Nursing Home is not simply a victory in evaluation—it is a powerful demonstration that:
Natural perfume is not a luxury, but an essential element of healthcare.

By introducing natural perfume into care institutions, we are doing more than improving air quality. We are using scent to reconnect people with nature. For residents, this creates familiarity and a sense of safety. For caregivers, it offers moments of balance amidst the intensity of their daily responsibilities. Ultimately, stability of body, mind, and spirit is the foundation of sustainable care.

Conclusion:
Atmosphere as the Invisible Guardian of HealthWufu Nursing Home’s perfect score is a testament to the dedication of its team—especially under the leadership of Supervisor Huang Hui-ling, herself a certified IPF Natural Perfumer. Through her guidance, fragrance design was not just conceptualized but successfully implemented in daily practice. This case reminds us that the success of healthcare and long-term care facilities does not depend solely on spotless environments, but also on the holistic creation of atmosphere.

I firmly believe the future of healthcare and eldercare will increasingly rely on this power of atmosphere.
​When natural perfume and multi-sensory design are widely applied, they will not only improve institutional performance and reputation but—most importantly—protect the health and well-being of both residents and caregivers.
The dedication and vision demonstrated in Taiwan deserve to be seen by the world. Through the platform of IPF, I hope more international colleagues will recognize that natural perfume and spatial atmosphere management are not merely aesthetic choices, but vital keys to restoring harmony between humanity and nature in the 21st century.

For more info about Spatial Scent Atmosphere Projects contact the International Perfume Foundation - www.perfumefoundation.org

As I hiked through nature parks in early Spring, I observed that not all plants or trees grow or sprout all together. Some plants develop leaves or flowers in early Spring and some in Summer. Nature seems to be choreographed perfectly to provide us with necessities. Questions that come to my mind: How do plants grow or who programmed them to grow at their optimum time? In addition, how are we connected to their sprouting time ?

There is one tree that catches my attention at the earliest Springtime, and it is Magnolia. As we transitioned from Winter to early Spring, we tend to be tired, feeling sluggish and often are sick from cold and flu. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we need the Yang energy to ‘wake’ up from hibernation. Magnolia is such an amazing tree that cannot wait to develop buds and flowers sooner before it grows the leaves. Magnolia trees develop these ‘hairy’ buds, and the little hairs remind me of nasal hair. When these hairy buds bloom, beautiful flowers, ranging from white to pink to dark red, emerge. Some species even have amazing scents.

So, why are Magnolia trees in such hurry to bloom in early Spring when temperatures are still low?
Magnolia buds have traditionally been used in Transitional Care Management (TCM) for sinusitis (infections of sinus) and Spring allergies. The fuzzy hairs on the buds can be rubbed off when dried. The buds can be crushed to make tea for treating runny nose or sinus infections. The Magnolia flowers have warming energetic to provide us with the Yang (or warming) energy that we need to kick start and awaken our inner energy from hibernation.

Mother Nature has programmed the necessary botanicals for our well-beings. In our modern high-tech society, I would say that we need to learn to use nature’s programmed applications (Apps) once we are connected. We learn from ancient experiences, observations and practices using our senses.
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As mentioned earlier, Magnolia buds can be made into tea. Magnolia flowers, particularly the light pink type, can be cleaned and soaked in rice vinegar overnight. The petals turn into delicious appetizers that taste like Japanese ginger. The pickled petals can be a warming substitute on sushi platters.

When these petals fall from trees, I feel the generosity of nature, as if food and medicine are sprinkled’ for us to use. This is a classic example of our connections with the natural world.
I feel very grateful to live and learn old wisdom and to live as one with our natural world.

A Beautiful Way to Capture the Scent of Flowers

 Have you ever wished you could bottle the scent of fresh flowers straight from your garden? Some flowers, like roses or lavender, can be distilled into essential oils, but others—like lilacs, gardenias, and jasmine—are too delicate for traditional extraction methods. That’s where enfleurage comes in—a centuries-old technique that allows us to capture the pure, natural fragrance of flowers in a way that no other method can.

The Enchanting Scent of Lilac
One of the most magical flowers to experience in spring is lilac.. As soon as its blossoms appear, the air fills with a fresh, powdery sweetness that feels both nostalgic and uplifting. Lilac has a complex fragrance—a mix of honeyed florals, soft vanilla undertones, and a slightly green freshness that makes it truly unique. Walking past a blooming lilac bush on a warm day is like stepping into a cloud of pure springtime bliss.
But as beautiful as lilacs smell, their scent is heartbreakingly fleeting. Once picked, their delicate fragrance fades quickly, and unlike roses or lavender, lilacs do not yield an essential oil through steam distillation. This makes enfleurage one of the only ways to capture their true scent and preserve their beauty beyond the blooming season.
Imagine being able to enjoy the fragrance of lilacs long after their short-lived bloom is over—whether in a perfume, a solid balm, or a scented oil. With enfleurage, you can do just that. This method gently absorbs lilac’s aromatic molecules into a creamy fat base, preserving its scent exactly as it exists in nature.

​The Marigold (or Marygold) or Tagetes known in México as “Cempasúchil or Cempasúchitl”, (a Nahuatl word divided in two roots “Cemposalli”, meaning “twenty,” and “Xochitl, meaning “flower,” calling Marigolds the “flower of twenty petals,”) is a very emblematic flower during the month of November in Mexico. 
According to the legend,  Marigolds also known as Cempasúchitl or Cempasúchil were miraculously gifted to the Nahua (the Aztec people) by Tonatiuh, their Sun God, so that they might honour their dead.

In ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, Cempasúchil was deeply linked to cultural, medicinal, and religious practices. It was associated with the Aztec Rain God, Tlaloc, and was used in water and fertility rituals. Additionally, the plant had a recognized medicinal properties and was used to treat illnesses related to cold and water such as hydropsy, the build-up of fluid in the body’s tissue. This condition, known as a disease of water, along with ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen), was symbolically linked to the Rain God Tláloc and other rain and water deities. Cempasúchil was also used to promote menstruation, and ​aid urination.

Marigold is also used in perfumery by its sunny fragrance boasting a unique and uplifting fragrance that captures the essence of summer. Its scent is characterized by a blend of citrusy, green, and subtly spicy notes, evoking warmth, positivity, and joy. Definitively a heart note to use or even a base note combined with sandalwood.

REFERENCES:

1. Fragrenza - Marigold Essential Oil in Oriental and Floral Fragrances
2. Bailey Van Tassel  Home Garden - 9 recipes of edible flowers - Marigold
3. Flavour Fields Your culinary edge - Marigold Flowers
4. Valley of Roses - The enchanting marigold - a fragrant delight for summer perfumes
5. Aztecs Mexicolore - Tagetes erecta L (Cempasúchil) - López Estrada, Daniel

For many years the International Perfume Foundation (IPF) has been very proactive in supporting bees as being critical for returning flowers to nature.
Yet according to recent studies, this support is undermined by honey marketers who adulterate as much as 70% of the world’s supply of honey, making it the third most adulterated food, behind milk and olive oil.
“Honey can be faked and adulterated in many different ways to fraudulently control the market,” according to the World Honey Market. “Common strategies include diluting the honey with sugars or syrups or feeding corn syrup to the bees rather than allowing them to forage for pollen.” 
The impact of this fake honey threatens domestic beekeepers’ existence, while bees are prevented from performing their key role as pollinators by fake honey factories, putting our entire food supply at risk. All because of the efforts to flood the US and EU honey markets with fake honey, primarily from China. 
Again, from the World Honey Market: “Beekeepers in the United Kingdom have been hit particularly hard. The U.K. received 47% of Europe's honey imports from China in 2018, but a Honey Authenticity Project lab analysis of 11 supermarket brands found that none complied with E.U. labeling standards.”

Algeria's microclimate and geographical diversity provide several advantages for growing plants for perfume, aromatics, medicinal herbs, and essential oils.
Located in North Africa, Algeria has a diverse microclimate due to its vast territory and geographical features.  The country experiences a Mediterranean climate along the northern coastline, characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Inland, the climate transitions to a desert climate, with extreme temperatures and very little rainfall.

Mediterranean Climate 
The northern coastal region of Algeria experiences a Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. This climate is ideal for cultivating a wide range of aromatic plants, including lavender, rosemary, thyme, and geranium. These plants thrive in the moderate temperatures and benefit from the region's sufficient rainfall.

Mountainous Areas 
Algeria is home to the Atlas Mountains, which run through the country. The higher elevations in these mountainous regions offer cooler temperatures and greater rainfall, creating microclimates suitable for growing plants like rose, chamomile, and mint. These plants are commonly used in perfumery, aromatherapy, and medicinal applications.
Algeria is known for its production of high-quality rose and jasmine flowers. The flowers grown in Algeria's microclimate tend to have intense fragrance profiles, making them desirable for perfume production.

Sahara Desert 
Algeria's vast Sahara Desert, covering a significant portion of the country, presents unique opportunities for cultivating certain plants used in perfumes, aromatics, and essential oils. Desert-adapted plants such as myrrh, frankincense, cypress, and juniper grow well in the arid conditions of the desert. These plants have aromatic qualities and are valued for their essential oils. 

Indigenous Flora 
Algeria boasts a rich biodiversity with a variety of native plant species. Many of these plants have aromatic, medicinal, or cosmetic properties. For example, the Atlas cedar, Aleppo pine, eucalyptus, and various herbs like thyme, oregano, and sage are found in Algeria and can be utilized for their essential oils or medicinal benefits.
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Organic Production Potential 
Algeria has vast areas of relatively untouched or minimally cultivated land, which presents opportunities for organic farming practices. Growing plants for perfume, aromatics, medicinal herbs, and essential oils under organic conditions can enhance their quality and appeal to the market.
Altogether, Algeria's diverse microclimates, ranging from the Mediterranean coast to the Sahara Desert, provide favorable conditions for a wide range of plants used in perfume, aromatics, medicinal herbs, and essential oils. This abundance of natural resources contributes to the country's potential for cultivation and production in these sectors.

All of nature is sacred to those with animist beliefs, and so the abundant beauty of Bali’s natural world is deeply revered.
If you've ever been to Bali, you've likely seen small, woven baskets filled with colorful flowers, incense, and other small offerings. These are called Canang Sari, and they're an essential part of Balinese Hinduism

Canang Sari is a form of daily offering made by the Balinese people, usually placed in front of homes, temples, and other holy places. The word "Canang" comes from the Javanese word "Cenang," which means a small palm-leaf container. "Sari" means essence, thus, Canang Sari is a small basket filled with offerings that symbolize the essence of life.

The basket itself is made from young coconut leaves that are woven into a square shape. The Balinese people believe that everything in the basket is symbolic, and each element represents a different aspect of life.

The flowers, which are usually frangipani or other local flowers, represent purity, while the rice grains represent prosperity and gratitude. The betel nut and leaves symbolize the preservation of the five senses, while the lime represents health and beauty. The incense stick represents the connection between humans and the divine.

In Martha M. Tyson’s wonderful book: The Healing Landscape: Therapeutic Outdoor Environments, she perfectly sums up what is so essential about gardens:
“The garden or landscape is connected to people in a way that is uniquely healing in its essence. The restorative qualities of gardens span the human spectrum and have no social, cultural, or ethnic boundaries. Gardens may contain elements that are specific to culture, climate, or time; however, the simple truth of their existence reflects the universal for human interaction with nature, with humans as stewards of the land.”

Tyson is talking about one of three benefits to human healing that gardens can provide.
The first benefit is the restorative power of enjoying a completed garden.
The second wellness benefit is a prequel to the completed garden: the therapeutic effects gained from the process of gardening.
Anyone spending serious time gardening will feel the amazing positive effects that come from the gardening process.  The satisfaction coming from gardening and major stress reduction are two great reasons for gardening. And once the gardening process is completed, the wellness benefits of a completed garden kick in!
The third benefit is The Healing Garden.

Plants and flowers offer tremendous healing benefits that include rebuilding immune systems, detoxifying organs and tissues, and even slowing the aging process.
And there are many ways you can bring plants into your home and lifestyle, using them safely and effectively to enhance your wellbeing. 

You can learn more about the benefits of healing gardens from Dr. Danica-Lea Larcombe, who has a background in environmental health and has completed a PhD on biodiversity and human health through the Centre for Ecosystem Management at Edith Cowan University. Her "study from home" MasterClass starts each first Monday of the month. 
Reconnecting with nature is such an important activity for all of us in today’s stress-filled environment, and gardening and gardens (especially healing gardens) can lead us to health and happiness in several significant ways.

By JAN KUSMIREK, IPF Chair UK, 
Essential Oils Expert, Aromacosmetologist, and Aromatherapist 

It surprises me how many Greek gods and goddesses have retained their provenance if nothing else than by name. The world of plant entomology throws up both common and botanical naming. Daphne, Artemis, Nerine, Adonis, Zephyr to name just a few, and then of course, Narcissus.

Narcissus was a young and handsome hunter. You may recall a nymph called Echo who fell in love with him. Echo had been cursed by Hera, the wife of Zeus, because she had helped Zeus avoid being caught philandering with nymphs, as was his way.  Echo chattered so much with Hera distracting her from realising that Zeus had gone on his way.

Hera condemned Echo to silence, allowing her to speak and repeat only the last words spoken to her. Effectively, this curse killed any conversation. The only recourse Echo had to express her love to Narcissus was to follow him around and repeat the last word he said. Not much fun for either party. Narcissus was tired of her attention and always rejected any advances she made. Eventually she just faded away in despair and left only her voice which can sometimes be heard in certain places.

Now some of Narcissus’ actions might be understandable but he was primarily in love with himself. He felt himself to be admirable in every way. Now Nemesis, the goddess of retribution, seeing what had befallen Echo and his unkind treatment of Echo, decided to punish Narcissus. She so placed him looking into a clear mirror-like pool where he saw himself reflected. He was in love with himself already, but this reflection was a hammer blow of infatuation. But once he saw that his reflection was unobtainable and so out of reach he went out of his mind. He lost his will to live and committed suicide. 
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Two sad stories about the whims and vicissitudes of the pantheon of gods who behaved like humans. But how come the Daffodil was named for Narcissus?
Some think it was so named because its flowers bend down or horizontal to admire themselves. Nice thought, but the Greek name is derived from the word “narkos” the route of our word “narcotic”. It can also mean numbness without feeling which perhaps was the emotion shown to Echo.

Aromatic plants come from a variety of plant families, and it is important to know the difference between shrubs, herbs, roses, climbers and ground cover and also their fragrant parts.   Some plants are known for their scented foliage while others rely on their flowers. Plants such as lavender have both.
For this article I will cover fragrant flowers.  

Shrubs with scented flowers
Many aromatic shrubs are Mediterranean, growing best in full sun and being able to tolerate drought conditions.  When the oils in the foliage are released in hot weather, the leaves give off scent.  You may brush past one of these shrubs for the scent to be released, or you may notice the scent when handling the leaves.  An example of this is the lavender plant.  Mediterranean plants need soil that is well drained and light. 

Climbing plants with scented flowers
You will be fortunate if you can remember a wall of sweet peas growing in your childhood garden.  The scented flowers on mass give off an intoxicating fragrance that is forever etched in your memory.  I challenge you to invoke that fragrance right now!  And then there is honeysuckle and sweet jasmine…
The beauty of growing climbers with scented flowers is that you invoke these memories for yourself and others by the sheer power of mass aromatic wonder.

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Ground cover plants with scented flowers
Aromatic ground cover plants can give off an aromatic scent when their leaves are brushed against or lightly crushed underfoot at the edge of a border, or they can offer scented flowers in garden beds and borders. Ground cover plants spread over bare soil, shading out weeds and providing a visual link between plants or different areas of the garden..

​If you would like to know more I would love you to join my six-week course to learn Healing Gardening and why not... decide to 'Become a Certified Healing Gardener'.

More info on the course