Perfumery 

Flowers hold a central place in the arts, literature, and spiritual practices of the Muslim world.  Many men and women scent their hands and face with rosewater before praying. The poems of Rumi and Hafiz often center on gardens: places of love, spirituality, fertility, and beauty. Emperors across Central Asia prized the fountains, reflecting pools, and blossoming rose and jasmine of their carefully cultivated gardens.

Afghanistan was once known for its impressive biodiversity. Years of turmoil have destroyed gardens and natural habitats and interrupted the distillation of flowers and plants for perfumery, once common practice.  

Gulestan is helping to recreate the perfumery tradition in the east region of Afghanistan. Working with local varieties of flowers and wild plants, Gulestan is producing natural essential oils and perfumes and supporting the age-old ideal of the garden as a multi-sensory paradise. 

Discover contemporary perfumes of Afghanistan by visiting the Gulestan gallery.