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What Is Orange Blossom Perfume?

O. Parker
O. Parker

Orange blossom perfume is made from essential oil distilled from bitter orange tree blossoms. The bitter orange tree produces delicate white, fragrant flowers. Using a distillation method, the fragrance of the flowers is extracted into a liquid form. To make perfume, the essential oils are mixed with other fragrance-free oils, or water and alcohol. An orange blossom perfume can also be made from orange blossom water, either on its own or mixed with other fragrant waters.

Many plant leaves and flowers contain essential oils. Essential oils are volatile, fragrant oils. To extract the essential oils from plant material, a method of steam distillation is used. The distillation process releases the essential oil from the plant material without damaging the fragrance. A by-product of the distillation process is a scented water.

Many bath salts are scented with orange blossom fragrance.
Many bath salts are scented with orange blossom fragrance.

Orange flower essential oil is used to make orange blossom perfume oil. A few drops of the orange blossom essential oil is mixed with distilled water and perfumers alcohol. The alcohol and the orange blossom essential oil are mixed together slowly so that the fragrance can infuse the alcohol. Once the essential oil and the alcohol is blended, it is allowed to sit undisturbed for a period of 24 to 48 hours. Distilled water is then added to dilute the mixture for use.

Orange blossom perfume may be made from orange blossom water.
Orange blossom perfume may be made from orange blossom water.

Perfume oil is often used as a perfume, though it is heavier than alcohol-based perfumes. On its own, essential oil is often too strong and too expensive to use straight as a perfume oil. The rose essential oil often is mixed with a "carrier" oil — the unscented, less expensive carrier oil is infused with the orange flower scent, making it suitable for use as a perfume.

Orange blossom perfume is made with extracts from the bitter orange plant.
Orange blossom perfume is made with extracts from the bitter orange plant.

Orange blossom perfume water has a delicate scent and a light refreshing feeling. As a perfume, orange flower water can be used alone. It is also used as a toner for the face and body, and it can be used in cooking to add a little perfume to the food.

The scent of orange blossom perfume can be added to fragrance salves, bath salts, creams, shampoos, and other skin care products. A few drops of essential oil mixed into unscented shampoo, body lotion, or face cream creates a richly scented product.

Orange blossom extract may be used to perfume unscented shampoo.
Orange blossom extract may be used to perfume unscented shampoo.

In the orange growing regions, a homemade perfume can be created using fresh bitter orange flowers. The flowers are picked and soaked in water for 24 hours and then strained. The water absorbs essential oils as the petals soak. With the petals removed, the water is simmered on a low heat until it is reduced to a fragrant orange blossom perfume water.

Discussion Comments

Ocelot60

@raynbow- You can also create a variation of this homemade fragrance by adding 20 to 40 drops of lavender oil to the mixture. This scent creates a nice contrast to the orange blossom oil, and the two scents go very nicely together when worn.

Raynbow

Orange blossom perfume can be made at home quite easily. Start by finding a spray bottle that is made of glass or metal for your perfume mixture. If you use a plastic bottle, it may become damaged by the alcohol in the mixture.

Next, all you will need is vodka and orange blossom oil. Put enough vodka in the spray bottle to fill it about three fourths of the way, and add 40 to 60 drops of the orange blossom oil. Finally, mix your ingredients together by shaking the bottle. Just like that, you will have a natural fragrance that is ready to use.

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    • Many bath salts are scented with orange blossom fragrance.
      By: joanna wnuk
      Many bath salts are scented with orange blossom fragrance.
    • Orange blossom perfume may be made from orange blossom water.
      By: raven
      Orange blossom perfume may be made from orange blossom water.
    • Orange blossom perfume is made with extracts from the bitter orange plant.
      By: Malgorzata Kistryn
      Orange blossom perfume is made with extracts from the bitter orange plant.
    • Orange blossom extract may be used to perfume unscented shampoo.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Orange blossom extract may be used to perfume unscented shampoo.
    • An orange blossom perfume can be made from orange blossom water mixed with other fragrant waters.
      By: Liv Friis-larsen
      An orange blossom perfume can be made from orange blossom water mixed with other fragrant waters.
    • A few drops of orange blossom oil may be added to an unscented skin cream or lotion.
      By: Alliance
      A few drops of orange blossom oil may be added to an unscented skin cream or lotion.