Homemade Lemon Verbena Perfume Recipes

The Spanish first brought lemon verbena to Europe, where it was used widely in perfume in the 18th century. Today, even though lemon verbena can be used in teas and savory dishes, it is still a fragrance widely used in perfumes. Lemon verbena is a woodsy scent, which helps add spiciness to many fragrances. Because of the woodsy smell, lemon verbena in cologne makes an attractive scent for men.

Fruitwood Scent

Use high quality 80- or 100-proof vodka as a carrier for your perfume. The vodka is almost completely odorless and evaporates quickly, leaving behind pure fragrance on your skin. Combine 5 tsp. of vodka with 1/2 tsp. of distilled water, 15 drops lemon essential oil, 10 drops grapefruit oil, 10 drops lemongrass oil, 2 drops benzoin oil, 3 drops cedarwood oil, 5 drops neroli oil, and 10 drops verbena oil. Pour all ingredients into a dark glass bottle and let them steep for 2 to 3 weeks. Occasionally shake the bottle and invert it to mix the scent. Fruitwood scent is a round, citrusy scent. The lemongrass and verbena help to add a woodsy smell to the scent.

Citrus Scent

A refreshing, citrus scent will make you feel more alert. Start with 1/3 oz. Jojoba oil as a base scent. Jojoba oil is a waxy plant residue that makes a good carrier for other fragrances. Add essential oils drop by drop to the carrier oil. Use 10 drops bergamot oil, 5 drops lemon balm, 10 drops petitgrain (from unripe oranges) oil and 5 drops lemon verbena.

Victorian Lavender Verbena Scent

In the book “Gone with the Wind,” Scarlett O’ Hara’s mother adored verbena as one of her favorite scents. During that time, people made verbena lavender perfume using pure essential oils. Verbena lavender perfume is a fun recipe to experiment with because the verbena and lavender blend harmoniously together. Lavender provides a relaxing scent, while verbena refreshes the mind. Bergamont acts as a refreshing top note, and an initial invigorating scent. Start with 1 cup cologne alcohol (vodka can substitute). Add 1 dram (or 1 ½ teaspoons) oil of verbena, 20 drops oil of lavender and 20 drops oil of bergamot.