If you study aromatherapy, you will learn about botanical families; but if you study perfumery, you will learn about fragrance families. So, what exactly is the difference between botanical families and fragrance families—and is there any overlap? Here's a quick look at defining both botanical families and fragrance families for aromatherapy and perfumery.

Botanical Family

A botanical family defines a group of plants that share common botanical features and, in the case of aromatherapy, therapeutic properties. Aromatherapists learn the common traits of each botanical family that produces aromatic plants (and essential oils) so that they become familiar with making suggestions for alternative essential oils with similar properties.

A plant classification system was devised a long time ago to bring an “order” to the numerous plant species in the world. Many plants are mistaken for others due to the usage of common English names. The plant classification system gives each plant a unique scientific name within the classification system. Think of it like this:

What it is: A scientific classification in biology such as the Linnean classification system developed by Carl Lineaus (1707-1778) in the 18^th century.

How it works: Plants are sorted by DNA, flower structure, and evolutionary history.

Example: The Lamiaceae (mint) family includes mint (Mentha spp.), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) because they share square stems and specific flower shapes.

Fragrance Family

A fragrance family defines a group of scents (or chemical components) of plants (for natural perfumery) that share similar aromas. Perfumery concentrates on the note and scent of an essential oil in comparison to the overriding notion of a therapeutic property for aromatherapy purposes; in addition to essential oils, a natural perfume may be made up absolutes and botanical extracts.

Just as the plant classification system is complex for botanists and aromatherapists, the fragrance classification system can be complex for perfumers too. There are various fragrance classification systems and perfumers may also adapt a system to suit their own needs. Past and present fragrance classification systems include:

• the fragrance wheel
• genealogy charts
• industry personalization.

Think of it like this:

What it is: An artistic and commercial classification in perfumery.

How it works: Scents are sorted by their dominant aroma profile and overall impression.

Categories: Fragrance groups include floral, amber, citrus, fougère and more.

What a Perfumer Looks for in Botanical and Fragrance Families

In our Build Your Own Natural Perfume Business Accelerator, we look at the following criteria in detail when making a natural perfume:

• botanical families (as discussed above)
• fragrance families (as discussed above)
• notes – top, middle, or base.

Botanical or Fragrance Family?

The study of aromatherapy takes into account both the botanical plant family and chemical family of an essential oil and relates each to a therapeutic property; in natural perfumery, the chemical components of fragrance families denote a particular aroma that the natural perfumer uses to create a perfume blend.

Although aromatherapy and perfumery are two different practices, just as botanical and fragrance families are two different types of classification, there is an overlap between the two modalities. And this is the unique aspect of our Build Your Own Natural perfume Business Accelerator as it views the business through both an natural perfumer and aromatherapist lens, giving an in-depth and unique education that is exclusive to our business, and giving you an edge over your competitors.