Illicit by Jimmy Choo

 

Today's fragrance is all about the ginger, beautifully blended with the other notes. I've found that the chapter 7 from the book Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects is called The Amazing and Mighty Ginger, which sounds like the title of an old-timey comic book about a ginger superhero. But it is really a good source of information, from which I will share the bits I've found more interesting.

Ginger, cardamom and turmeric are all members of the same plant family. It is believed that Indians and Chinese have been using ginger as a tonic root to treat many ailments for over 5000 years.

Long before history was formally recorded, ginger was used as a flavoring agent. In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, if you wanted to buy a pound of ginger it would cost you a sheep. And during medieval times, it was used in sweets. Last but not least, Queen Elizabeth I of England is credited with the invention of the gingerbread man.

Ginger has been shown to have a positive impact on health on many levels. It can be used to alleviate nausea and vomiting. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties, among other benefits. Is there anything that ginger can't do? Here's my favorite scientific discovery about ginger: it has been reported that it can protect rats from Gamma rays. 

Ginger, well, ginger beer, has even changed law. Last year marked the 90th anniversary of  Donoghue v Stevenson. A case of a Scottish lady who found a snail inside a ginger beer bottle introduced the concept of "negligence" to the legal world and became the foundation of the modern law of negligence.

Illicit by Jimmy Choo, in a much better way than this post, is a beautiful ode to ginger. The opening is fresh, zesty and spicy. And as it dries down, subtle white flowers emerge along with caramel and honey. This is candied ginger dripping honey and caramel with a flower bouquet in the background. A stunning interpretation of ginger.