Exaltation

On one hand, it seems there is a paucity of exalting compounds. Jellinek, In addition to several aldehydes, considers only two aroma chemicals to be exalting—“nonalactone” and “styrol.” “Nonalactone” is somewhat ambigous as there are several, but all are milky, lactonic and a little woody. Poucher describes styrol: “Styrol (Styrolene) is a fragrant liquid, having an odour slightly recalling that of naphthalene…identified as a constituent of several, natural balsamic exudations, notably storax.”

Jellinek’s list contains only three naturals: alant oil, birch tar oil, and carrot seed oil. The second two are familiar to any perfumer, but the first one, also known as elecampane oil, seems impossible to find. He also lists two “resinoids,” tonka and olibanum (frankincense).

But, the odor effects diagram at right lists 11 compounds or aromas that are exalting, moving from stimulating to the more funky point on the diagram, erogenic. It may be hard to imagine the smell of cheese as being erogenic, but when appropriately disguised, it can have this effect.