Katrina Rosales
There are several methods for extracting perfume from flowers at home, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The most widely used method is steam distillation, which involves passing steam through the flower material to evaporate the volatile aroma compounds, which are then condensed and collected separately. Solvent extraction, another common method, uses hexane or ethanol to dissolve the flower's aromatic compounds. Enfleurage, a rare and expensive process, involves placing flowers between layers of fat or oil and leaving them in the sun to absorb the scent. Alcohol infusions, though faster, require multiple infusions to create a strong fragrance. Finally, expression is a quick and easy method but yields a small amount of oil and may not work for all plants.
How to extract perfume from flowers at home
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Method | Steam distillation, Solvent extraction, Enfleurage, Maceration, CO2 super-critical extraction |
| Equipment | Distillation kit, Jars, Strainer, Spoon, Measuring spoons/cups |
| Materials | Flowers, Alcohol, Oil, Fat/wax, Beeswax |
| Time | Quickest method: Expressing. Longest method: Enfleurage (up to 1 month) |
| Cost | $200-300 for a distillation kit. Enfleurage is expensive. |
| Results | Homemade perfumes have a weaker scent and shorter shelf life than commercial perfumes. |
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What You'll Learn
Using oils like olive oil, corn oil, or sesame oil
To extract perfume from flowers at home using olive oil, corn oil, or sesame oil, follow these steps:
Firstly, you will need to gather your flowers of choice and your chosen oil. Cram as many flowers into a jar as you can, and then add your oil of choice. A minimum of 50 ml of oil is recommended to ensure you have enough flowery oil for your dilutions. It is important to use a known volume of oil so that you can make accurate dilutions and observe how the concentration of flower oil affects the scent. You can use extra virgin olive oil, or if you prefer a less pungent oil, opt for corn oil or sesame oil.
Once you have added your oil to the jar of petals, give the jar a good shake to ensure all the petals are coated in oil and that the oil and petals are properly mixed together. When your petals are fully covered in oil, seal the jar and store it in a dark place for 24 hours.
After 24 hours, you can remove the jar from the dark and take off the lid. Use a strainer to drain the flower petals, collecting the oil in another container. Use a spoon to press down on the petals against the strainer to extract as much of the scented oil as possible.
Finally, record your observations of the scent. Note that while extracting fragrance from flowers is generally safe, it is advised not to consume any part of the flower oil during the experiment. Dispose of the flower oil and flower remnants appropriately, and ensure that any equipment used is thoroughly washed before being used for cooking.
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Steam distillation
To perform steam distillation at home, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Prepare the Plant Material
Choose flowers suitable for steam distillation, such as lavender, chamomile, neroli, ylang-ylang, geranium, or clary sage. Cut, chop, or blend the flowers into small pieces to increase the surface area and maximise contact with steam.
Step 2: Set Up the Distillation Equipment
You can use a home steam distiller like the LETIME LT3000, which is a hand-operated kit. Prepare the kit by assembling the necessary components, including the column for holding the plant material. Use filtered or dechlorinated water to avoid any unwanted odours in your final product.
Step 3: Start the Distillation Process
Place the prepared plant material into the column and start the distillation process. The water is heated, generating steam that passes through the plant material. This extracts the essential compounds, including the aromatic compounds, and carries them away as vapour.
Step 4: Condense and Collect the Product
As the steam and vapour rise, they are directed through a serpentine pipe or coil tubing, where they cool and form condensation. This condensation is collected, containing both the floral water (hydrosol) and the essential oil.
Step 5: Separate the Essential Oil
After distillation, you will need to decant and separate the essential oil from the floral water. This can be done by letting the two layers separate and then carefully removing the oil, which will float on top of the water.
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Solvent extraction
To perform solvent extraction at home, you will need a solvent such as ethanol or hexane, and the flower petals of your choice. It is important to note that the type of flower and its fragrance compounds will impact the extraction process. Before beginning, remove the petals from the flower, retaining only the fragrant parts. For larger petals like roses or gardenias, consider rough-chopping them into smaller pieces.
Place the petals into a jar and cover them with the solvent. Close the jar tightly and shake it to ensure all petals are fully immersed in the solvent. Then, seal the jar and store it in a dark place for approximately 24 hours. During this time, the solvent will absorb the flower's fragrance.
After 24 hours, open the jar and use a strainer to separate the flower petals from the solvent, collecting the scented solvent in another container. Press the petals against the strainer with a spoon to extract as much of the fragrance as possible. The solvent now contains the flower's fragrance and can be used as a basic perfume.
Another variation of solvent extraction is enfleurage, a traditional method that uses fat or oil and flowers. Place a layer of fat, such as animal fat or solid plant oil (e.g., coconut oil), on a glass plate, and cover it with delicate flower petals placed closely together without touching. Cover with another glass plate and let it sit at room temperature for several days. Repeat the process with fresh flowers, replacing the used flowers with new ones. After about a month and up to twelve changes of flower layers, scrape the fat from the glass plates, resulting in a waxy enfleurage pomade infused with the flower's fragrance.
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Alcohol infusions
To begin, select a flower with a fragrance that appeals to you. It is important to note that some flowers, such as violets or lilies, are low-yield and should be avoided. Roses, jasmine, lavender, honeysuckle, and gardenia are popular choices for perfume-making. Once you have selected your flower, remove the petals from the flower, retaining only the fragrant petal portions. For larger petals, such as roses or gardenias, consider rough-chopping them into smaller pieces.
Next, you will need to choose a high-proof alcohol for your infusion. Grain alcohol or vodka are commonly used as they have a high alcohol content and are readily available. Place your petals in a glass jar and cover them with the alcohol, ensuring that the jar has a tight-fitting lid to prevent exposure to air and light. Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dark place for maceration. The length of time needed for maceration will vary, typically ranging from several weeks to several months, depending on the flower used and the desired aroma intensity.
Once your petals have macerated and the alcohol has extracted the fragrance, strain the petals from the alcohol to complete your first infusion. If you plan to perform multiple infusions, retain the alcohol and add a new set of fresh petals, allowing them to infuse before straining again. Each infusion will draw out water from the petals, diluting the alcohol slightly, so it is recommended to use a strong alcohol for multiple infusions.
After your final infusion, carefully filter the mixture to remove any remaining flower material. Your floral perfume is now ready for use! However, it is important to note that depending on the flower used, the fragrance may not last long on the skin as it evaporates with the alcohol. To make the fragrance last longer, consider adding base notes such as orris root, glycerin, sandalwood, or patchouli. Store your perfume in a dark glass bottle, and enjoy your homemade floral scent!
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Enfleurage
To perform enfleurage at home, you will need a glass bowl, a carrier oil such as babassu oil or coconut oil, vitamin E, and of course, flowers. First, heat your chosen oil until it becomes fully liquid, at about 80°F. Add the vitamin E and mix well. Next, add the flower petals to your glass bowl and pour the oil over them. Cover the bowl and keep it in a warm place, ideally at 75°F-80°F. Every 12-24 hours, remove the petals from the oil and replace them with fresh petals. Repeat this process until you achieve the desired fragrance level. Finally, remove any excess water from the oil with a pipette, and your floral perfume is ready to use!
It is important to note that enfleurage is a time-consuming and costly process due to the large number of flower petals required. Additionally, it may be challenging to obtain certain flowers unless they are in season. However, enfleurage is a great option for extracting scent from delicate flowers that cannot be distilled, and it does not require any specialist equipment.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest method to extract perfume from flowers at home is enfleurage. In this process, a layer of fat (animal fat or solid plant oil, such as coconut oil) is spread on a plate of glass. Delicate petals or flowers are placed on top of the layer of fat, as close together as possible, without touching one another. Another plate of glass is placed on top of the flower material and the process is repeated. The glass-fat-flower sandwich is then left to set at room temperature for three days.
The types of flowers that are best for homemade perfume are those with a strong fragrance, such as rose, jasmine, lavender, honeysuckle, and gardenia.
The equipment needed to extract perfume from flowers at home is simple and easily accessible. You will need a glass jar or bottle, oil (olive oil, vegetable oil, or another plant-based oil), and the flowers of your choice.
