
Plant To Perfume Workahop
- karynsneddon12
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
From Plant to Perfumery: The Natural Perfume Journey
From Plant to Perfumery: The Natural Perfume Journey
1.
Plant Selection & Harvesting
Choose aromatic plants like lavender, rose, geranium, citrus peel, rosemary, or native botanicals such as mānuka, kawakawa, or rāurekau.
✅ Pick in the morning for maximum essential oil yield.
✅ Use fresh, organic, or wildcrafted botanicals when possible.
2.
Drying or Preparing Fresh
Some plants (like roots or bark) need to be dried before use; others (like flowers or citrus zest) can be used fresh.
✅ Dry in a dark, well-ventilated space to preserve aroma.
✅ Chop or bruise fresh leaves slightly to release oils.
3.
Distillation / Infusion / Enfleurage
Choose your method depending on the plant type:
Steam Distillation: Best for essential oils (lavender, rosemary, etc.)
Oil Infusion: Place botanicals in a carrier oil (e.g., jojoba, olive, almond), and warm gently over days or weeks.
Enfleurage: A traditional method using fat to absorb delicate floral scents (e.g., jasmine or gardenia).
4.
Strain & Bottle the Extract
Once your oil or extract has taken on the plant’s scent:
✅ Strain out all solids using muslin or cheesecloth.
✅ Store in dark glass bottles to preserve freshness.
5.
Blend Your Perfume
Natural perfumes are made using:
Top notes (citrus, mint)
Heart notes (flowers, herbs)
Base notes (woods, resins, spices)
Mix essential oils or infused oils into a carrier (like jojoba or alcohol) in desired ratios.
✅ Let your blend rest for at least 2–4 weeks to “mature”.
6.
Bottle & Label
Decant your finished perfume into a roll-on or spray bottle. Add a name, date, and ingredients.
1.
Plant Selection & Harvesting
Choose aromatic plants like lavender, rose, geranium, citrus peel, rosemary, or native botanicals such as mānuka, kawakawa, or rāurekau.
✅ Pick in the morning for maximum essential oil yield.
✅ Use fresh, organic, or wildcrafted botanicals when possible.
2.
Drying or Preparing Fresh
Some plants (like roots or bark) need to be dried before use; others (like flowers or citrus zest) can be used fresh.
✅ Dry in a dark, well-ventilated space to preserve aroma.
✅ Chop or bruise fresh leaves slightly to release oils.
3.
Distillation / Infusion / Enfleurage
Choose your method depending on the plant type:
Steam Distillation: Best for essential oils (lavender, rosemary, etc.)
Oil Infusion: Place botanicals in a carrier oil (e.g., jojoba, olive, almond), and warm gently over days or weeks.
Enfleurage: A traditional method using fat to absorb delicate floral scents (e.g., jasmine or gardenia).
4.
Strain & Bottle the Extract
Once your oil or extract has taken on the plant’s scent:
✅ Strain out all solids using muslin or cheesecloth.
✅ Store in dark glass bottles to preserve freshness.
5.
Blend Your Perfume
Natural perfumes are made using:
Top notes (citrus, mint)
Heart notes (flowers, herbs)
Base notes (woods, resins, spices)
Mix essential oils or infused oils into a carrier (like jojoba or alcohol) in desired ratios.
✅ Let your blend rest for at least 2–4 weeks to “mature”.
6.
Bottle & Label
Decant your finished perfume into a roll-on or spray bottle. Add a name, date, and ingredients.
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