Davana is a rich, fruity-herbal note steam-distilled from the flowering plant Artemisia pallens, a small aromatic herb grown in southern India. It belongs to the aromatic and fruity families and smells boozy and sweet, with dried fruit, apricot and tea-like facets that add warmth and depth.

What does Davana smell like?

Davana oil is unusual and complex: a sweet, jammy fruitiness reminiscent of dried apricots, plums or raisins, a boozy, rum-like note, and a herbaceous, slightly bitter edge. Its scent changes noticeably with skin chemistry, which perfumers find both challenging and appealing. It is quite different from most floral notes, closer to tobacco, cognac or fruit liqueur.

Where Davana comes from

The plant is cultivated mainly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, grown as a winter crop. The whole aerial parts are harvested at flowering and steam-distilled, giving a thick, amber oil.

• Also known as: Davanam
• Fragrance family: Aromatic / Fruity
• Type: Natural
• Main origins: Southern India
• How it's obtained: Steam distillation of the flowering plant
• Key aroma molecules: Davanone, davana ethers, nerol, linalool

Davana in perfume history

In India, davana is traditionally used in temple garlands and offerings, particularly to Shiva. Its use as a perfume and flavour material grew in the 20th century, when it became valued for adding fruity richness to fine fragrance, tobacco flavours and liqueurs.

Davana in modern perfumery

Today davana is popular in niche and artisan perfumery, especially in boozy, tobacco and gourmand compositions. It is also used in flavours for cakes, drinks and tobacco.

How Davana wears and what it pairs with

Davana works in the heart and base with good tenacity. It pairs well with tobacco, rum, vanilla, labdanum, rose, osmanthus, sandalwood and patchouli.

Safety and regulation

Davana oil contains linalool, an EU-declarable allergen above labelling thresholds.