Narcissus Oil can be obtained from several species of the Narcissus flower: Narcissus poeticus, N. tazetta, and N. jonquilla. In perfumery, the May-blooming, fairly rare N. poeticus is the most significant. This species originated in Persia (what is now Iran), grows wild in and around Grasse, and is now cultivated virtually all over Europe. In Greek legend, Narcissus was a youth who committed suicide after falling in love with his own reflection. His body then disappeared and was replaced by the flower. This is not how the flower got its name, however. The name is derived from the Greek "narce," which means 'to be numb.' This name refers to the narcotic effects of narcissus, which can be overwhelming at times. Narcissus is said to be influenced by the magic of Venus, the goddess of love. It has long been used to manifest new relationships or enrich current ones.

In China, it is associated with acquisition and good fortune. The ancient Romans used narcissus, then a solid unguent, in preparing a fragrance that they called Narcissinum. It also used by the Arabs in some of their early perfumes, and to cure baldness. The French used it to combat hysteria and epilepsy, while in India, the oil is applied along with rose, sandalwood and jasmine, to the body before prayer in temples. The white flower, also known as Poet's Narcissus and Pheasant's Eye, grows to about 18 inches and produce one or two blooms per stem. It has pure white petals and a shallow, wrinkled, reddish or orange crown, and a strong floral, pungent odor. The bulbs contain alkaloids that, if eaten, can produce severe digestive problems including vomiting and diarrhea, accompanied by trembling and convulsions. Narcissus Oil used to be extracted by enfleurage. The newer method is extraction with volatile solvents, which gives a concrete and absolute. Using petroleum ether, the yield of concrete from N. poeticus varies between 0.2 and 0.26%. Five hundred kilograms of the flowers yields 1kg concrete, 300gr absolute of the essential oil. Today, the absolute is produced primarily in the Netherlands and in the Grasse region. It is very expensive as well.

The scent resembles a blending of jasmine with hyacinth. It is a very heady oil that has a profound effect on the nervous system. It soothes nerves and relieves stress and tension. However, in high doses, the scent can cause headaches and vomiting in some people. Sometimes confused with narcissus is jonquil. Although they are of the same species, they are considered separately in perfumery. Jonquil is often used as a top note component in fragrances. In the early 20th century, perfumes containing narcissus notes were in vogue. It fell out of favor, and production of the oil steadily declined until about thirty years ago, when it had a resurgence in many of the perfumes of the 70s (Balestra, Halston Night, Samsara, etc.). In the past, narcissus was used in cosmetics such as powder, lipstick and fragranced soaps. Now, it is used in cosmetics primarily as a component of perfumes that has been adapted for an entire line of products.