Making a fruit perfume Using a tincture:

Making a fruit perfume Using a tincture:

Methods:

• Make a fruit tincture. A tincture is an herbal preparation in which the oils of a plant are extracted into a solvent. To create your own tincture, take fresh, frozen or dried elderberries and remove the stems.Take a quart jar with a tight fitting lid and fill it 2/3 of the way full of the elderberries.Fill the rest of the jar with Everclear grain alcohol and store the mixture in a cool, dry place. Shake the mixture several times a week and wait 6 weeks for the mixture to extract. After 6 weeks, drain the mixture and store it in a glass bottle. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place and your tincture will last for years to come.

• Combine the tincture with the essential oils. In a small glass vial, combine 3 drops of the tincture with 3 drops of mandarin essential oil, 3 drops lime essential oil and 3 drops grapefruit essential oil. For a fuller aroma, add 3 drops of vanilla essential oil as well. 3 drops is the recommended amount for this recipe, but you can increase or decrease the amount of each essential oil, depending on your own personal preferences.

• Add the carrier oil. Fill the rest of the glass vial with your carrier oil of choice. Shake or roll the vial to stir the perfume. If you don't have a carrier oil, you can also experiment with carrier alcohols. Carrier alcohols include other high proof alcohols, like Bacardi 151 rum.You can also use vinegar or rubbing alcohol as a carrier alcohol.

• Enjoy the perfume. Apply drops of the perfume behind your ears and on the backs of your wrists. Feel free to play around with the recipe until you find a scent that works for you. For a stronger citrus scent, increase the amount of essential oils you use.For a more berry-filled scent, add more of your tincture to your mixture.