Effect of Fragrance of Weeds on the Behavior of Consumers

Minju Kim1   Byeonghwa Yang2   Songmun Kim1,3,*   

1School of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University
2Department of Psychology, Kangwon National University
3Gangwon Perfume Alchemy Ltd. Co.

Abstract

The fragrance has a great influence on consumers' cognition, emotional response, attitude, memory, and behavior since the human sense of fragrance is physically and neurologically closer to the hippocampus of the brain. The fragrance materials are exposed to humans ranging from skin interaction to inhalation. We have lots of stories and literature on the usage of fragrance in everyday life in Korea from the Dangun myth to present K-beauty cosmetics. In Korean history, such archives as Dong-Eui-Bo-Gam and Gyu-Gak-Chong- Seo at Joseon Dynasty clearly recorded the application of many weeds for the manufacture of various fragrance products. In recent times, fragrances in weeds have been being applied to touch the consumer’s feelings. The present mini-review is an attempt to introduce and discuss fragrant weeds in the archives and in science journals, effects of fragrant weeds on the human electroencephalographic activity, and effects of fragrance on the behavior of consumers. This review could be useful for the development of natural cosmetic and perfumery products from fragrant weeds.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (IPET) through High Value-added Food Technology Development Program, funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA)(317044-03).

Figures & Tables

Fig. 1. Biosynthetic pathway of terpenoids in plants.