Ivy

lat. Araliaceae

Group: Grass and Green Components

Ivy, also known as Hedera Helix, is an evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plant of the family Araliaceae. Native to Europe and temperate Asia, this plant is also called English ivy and its name originates from Old English ifig, even though the original meaning of this world is lost. Ivy is probably the most popular house and wall vine, and claimed to be the only plant that does not make walls damp. The fibers found on its stem attach themselves against any kind of surface they run to. In most cases, ivy climbs up the bark of trees, brickwork or stones. This is why some of old common names for ivy in Britain include "Bindwood" and "Lovestone".

As a plant that carries its life throughout the winter, and grows strong and green even on a hilly, rocky and infertile land, ivy has always been intriguing to the ancients of all cultures. In ancient Roman tradition, ivy was dedicated to Bacchus (and its greek counterpart Dionysus) god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine. This god was often depicted wearing a wreath woven of ivy and grapevines, as the ancients believed that wearing a wreath of ivy leaves prevents alcohol intoxication. Being so tightly bound to wood, earth or stone, ivy was also regarded as a symbol of fidelity among the ancient Greeks. During wedding ceremonies, the newlyweds were crowned with ivy-wreaths as a symbol of devotion and marital fidelity.

The magical powers of this herb have been preserved in many ancient inscriptions. Mid-century writings teach us that ivy guards against negative powers and all kinds of hazards. This plant is so tightly connected to virtue and prosperity that in England they used to believe that ivy doesn’t grow on a grave of a soul that is unhappy in its afterlife.

Ivy was often carried by women to attract good fortune, and used for love charms. A timeworn belief from Old England says that a young girl makes a powerful love charm by pressing a leaf of ivy against her heart and repeating: "Ivey, Ivey I love you, In my bosom I put you, The first young man who speaks to me, My future husband he shall be".

The name ivy has also been used as a common name for a number of other unrelated plants, including the infamous poison-ivy, Toxicodendron radicans. The common ivy, used in perfumery, doesn’t have this darker side. Its fruits are bitter in taste and only moderately toxic to humans. Still, they provide excellent source of food for many birds including blackcaps, and woodpigeons. The fragrant soul of the berries comes to life when they’re rubbed. It emanates an aromatic and slightly resinous fragrance, lending a fresh and green soul to the composition. The note of ivy belongs to lively herbal notes, offering a breath of freshness and warping the composition in the veil of green. Fresh and optimistic, very intensive interpretation of the green ivy note is found in the Lolita Lempicka fragrance. Ivy, which is also a symbol of this house, here states from a tag line: "I cling or else I die.”

 

Perfumes and Colognes With Ivy