Local Scent: Telon Oil
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When asking people from our Jakarta office what smell reminds them the most of their childhood, the answer is unanimous: telon oil. In Javanese the word telon means “three”, which perfectly describes what telon oil is made of: three different oils. More precisely, telon oil is a formulation of fennel oil (16%), cajuput oil (62%) and coconut oil (22%). Sometimes, eucalyptus oil is used instead of cajuput oil.
In Indonesia, telon oil (also called myniak telon) is often applied on the babies’ chest, tummy, back, hands and feet to create a sensation of warmth. People also use it to stimulate the babies’ nerves, to prevent bloating and to improve the digestive system performance, although these benefits have not been scientifically proven.
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Ms Afnan Atharrayhan and her family
“I discovered telon oil because of my mother,” said Afnan Atharrayhan, mother of two young kids. “She was using it a lot on me when I was a baby. And now, I also use it for my two kids. Normally I rub them with the oil three times a day, but my oldest kid likes it so much that she often rubs herself with it just for fun. […] While most people apply it to keep babies warm, I also use it as a mosquito repellent… and it works! When I smell telon oil, it makes me feel calm and relax. I guess it’s a smell I’ll never get tired of.”
The smell of telon oil is quite pungent. At first, it smells botanical and somehow medicinal with hints of mint. Without a doubt, it is different and distinctive. In Indonesia, telon oil is very common and can be found in grocery stores and even in some accommodation stores.