They stimulated European exploration and global colonization. Many were prized as highly as gold. Perfumes were especially important when people were less conscious of cleanliness - they masked body odors. Perfumes work as antiseptics. For example, workers in perfume labs in France are said to have fewer lung and bronchial disorders.
Perfumes also increase perspiration rate and help cool the body, which is important in the tropics.
B. Perfume Making. The perfume master works like a composer mixing different fragrances, called notes, to produce a perfume. The largest amount of money spent on the development of a new perfume is in marketing. Most perfumes are mixtures of absolutes. Light and oxygen can ruin perfume.