essence

Noun

• a toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odor

• the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work

• any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant properties of a plant or drug or other natural product from which it is extracted

• the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
  • the gist of the prosecutor's argument
    
  • the heart and soul of the Republican Party
    
  • the nub of the story
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  perfume , effect , burden , core , gist , kernel , substance , center , centre , heart , heart and soul , inwardness