Definition
Elemi has been in use in European perfumery since at least the sixteenth century, when it was imported from the Philippines through the Manila Galleon trade. Before synthetic alternatives, it served as an affordable resinous material with fixative properties.
The Osmetheca Encyclopedia entry on elemi provides further detail on its botanical sourcing and extraction methods.
Use in perfumery
Elemi resin and its essential oil are used in perfumery for their fresh, citrus-like facet combined with a resinous depth that bridges top and heart notes. The oil contains phellandrene and elemicin, giving it a characteristic green-lemony-balsamic profile that complements both citrus and incense compositions (Fragrantica encyclopedia, accessed 2026-05-27).
In niche perfumery, elemi appears most often in incense-forward compositions and in citrus-aromatic structures where a resinous undertone is desired. Houses such as Comme des Garçons and L'Artisan Parfumeur have used elemi in compositions that bridge fresh and smoky registers. The material is relatively affordable and widely available, unlike many tropical resins, making it accessible to smaller houses (Basenotes wiki, accessed 2026-05-27).