Perfume is big business in India, where the population spends a considerable amount on traditional and modern fragrances - proportionally much more than in more developed countries, where disposable income levels are higher. This is because many Indian people regard perfume as an indispensible part of life, rather than a luxury good or cosmetic enhancement.

Although some of India's fragrant secrets have been carefully guarded since ancient times, many Indian spices are now key ingredients in many international perfumes, aftershaves and other beauty products, making them essential to the worldwide cosmetics industry. Many of these spices have been sought after throughout history for their unique aromas.

Indian spices such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, patchouli and vetiver are so common around the world that many people do not consider their origin on the subcontinent. This was not always the case however, and for centuries Indian traders could live like kings when transporting spices around Asia, Europe and Africa for great profit.

Many traditional Indian perfumes and essential oils are made from relatively few ingredients, carefully formulated for a desirable and potent effect - and some of these formulations are never made the same way twice. Perfume oil such as attar and shamama can be bought from specialist stores worldwide, in much the same form it has been found in rural villages in India for centuries.

As well as smelling great, many of these perfume oils have health benefits that make them even more valued, with their component herbs and spices being capable of improving moods and staving off depression - not to mention their well-known aphrodisiacal properties.

Today, Indian nationals and expats keep the old traditions alive through vigorous use of fragrances - men and women alike, with many of the best-selling unisex fragrance brands incorporating Indian spices as essential ingredients. Indian women in particular are often praised for their natural beauty, which can partly be credited to holistic beautifying techniques practiced by many Indian females, which women from other countries are only too eager to learn.

As well as spices, herbs such as henna are widely used by Indian women for hair care, as the plant can protect hair from damaging UV light as well as strengthen follicles. The body scrub udwarthanam and paste navarakizhi are also made from herbs and spices, and herbal steam treatments are widely used to treat oily skin - making special use of citrus peel powder, fennel seed powder, lemon balm, peppermint leaves and rose petal powder.

Clint Starr writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.