SHENNONG

Discontinued & Vaulted

Notes included:

"Chen Pi" Aged Dried Mandarin Orange Peel, Panax Ginseng, Angelica Sinensis, Angelica Dahurica, Angelica Pubescens, Schisandra Chinensis, Kaempferia Galanga, Golden-and-silver Honeysuckle, Chinese Mugwort, "Wu Mei" Smoked Plum, Chinese Jujube, Ginger, Chinese Cinnamon, Clove, Frankincense, Atractylodes Lancea, Bupleurum Chinense, Sanguisorba Officinalis, Agastache Rugosa, Wurfbainia Vera, Cyperus Rotundus, Ligusticum Chuanxiong, Murraya Exotica, Chinese Liquorice, Lotus Seeds, Chinese Oolong Tea, Vintage Pu'er Tea, Osmanthus, Plum Blossom, Magnolia, Chinese Peony, Honey, White Sandalwood, Agarwood, Musk, Ambergris

Format: Extrait

Perfumers: Eugene Au & Emrys Au

- LIMITED EDITION - 

Shennong, a scent we created specifically as a sign of homage for one of the most important figures in Chinese culture, Shennong the Flame Emperor. Being a significant ethnocultural symbol of the Chinese people, Shennong is often associated with the discovery of Chinese herbs and tea, as well as his crucial contribution to the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Taking inspiration from the unique vibes of traditional Chinese medicine halls – the characteristic “Bai Zi Gui” which is a large multi-drawer wooden cabinet used to store all the wonderful herbs; wafts of crushed aromatic herbs coming from the boat-shaped grinders; mysterious smells of boiling herbal soups and herbal pastes filling the air – which are all very familiar to us since we were kids, we therefore introduce a range of novel raw materials into this composition, among them are rare extracts and essences of aromatic Chinese herbs specifically developed for this extrait. These materials are then blended with special techniques developed from and inspired by classical Chinese pharmacopoeias, including the “Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica” compiled around the Han Dynasty which is attributed to Shennong, as well as the infamous “Compendium of Materia Medica” which was written by Li Shizhen during the Ming dynasty. Other than a series of traditional Chinese herbs, tea is also regarded to have been Shennong’s discovery. In this composition, we incorporate notes of Chinese oolong tea and vintage pu’er tea which blend well with the fragrant herbs. In addition to that, a selection of floral and woody materials, including osmanthus, plum blossom, magnolia, Chinese peony, white sandalwood and agarwood, is also introduced to the composition. These blossoms and woods are also conventionally used in TCM practices for their therapeutic benefits. Not only that, all of these aromatic Chinese herbs are also commonly used in traditional Chinese incenses, as the traditional art of Chinese incense making and TCM both share the same origin. Through different combinations of herbs, one can achieve certain desired effects and benefits.

With Shennong extrait, we aim to embrace diversity in perfumery and play with some of the core symbolic elements and traditional art from the East while merging them with Western perfumery, creating a truly East-meets-West scent. The introduction of a series of novel raw materials in this composition, as well as the unusual techniques involved in working with these materials inspired by the classical “Jun Chen Zuo Shi” system employed in TCM practices, have allowed us to continually push the boundaries and expand our horizons as scent artists while exploring and expressing freely the many possibilities of perfumery.

It is normal to have some sediments in this scent due to the nature of the raw materials used. Just gently shake well before applying it.