You can steep alkanet dried roots in surgical alcohol and use it on the bare wood. It imparts a pinkish tint, but when oil is applied it turns the finish reddish. Applying the alkanet separately gives some control over how red you want the finish.
Surgical alcohol is pure. Methylated, also called denatured, alcohol will darken wood, leaving a brown tint. So do not use it!
Also bear in mind that some stains and some oils will cause allregies. As a victim of oil containing essential oils of lemon or some such, I can tell you the experience is not at all pleasant. It can be life threatening.
