Essential oils and how to blend

   I give some well known and loved essential oils with their properties and some variations of blending to use. The blending of oils has very personal, wide range of variety of oils blends. There are though some rules to be taken in account.

I. Citrus oils [ Lemon, Lemon grass, Lime, Grapefruit, Orange, Tangerine, Citronella, Mandarin, Verbena ] Quality – refreshing, energizing, uplifting. Perfume note: top

II. Herbal oils – derived from herbs and plants [ Basil, Clary Sage, Angelica, Dill, Celery, Fennel, Majoram, Peppermint, Rosemary, Theme ]

Quality – calming, anti-bacterial, mind clearing, physical toner.

Perfume note: top, medium

III. Spicy oils – derived from spices, plants [ Aniseed, Coriander, Bay, Black pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Nutmeg ]

Quality – awakening, reviving, mind opening, inspirational, for relief massages on skin, circulation improving; Perfume note – middle/ base

IV. Floral oils – derived from distilled flower blossoms [ Lavender, Rose Damascena, Chamomile, Geranium, Jasmine, Neroli, Violet ] Quality – refreshing, soothing, relaxing, emotionally calming, affects on nervous system. Perfumery note – middle, base.

V. Exotic or tropical oils – derived from exotic fruits or flowers [ Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Bergamot, Palmarosa, Sandalwood, Vetiver ] Quality – emotionally calming, body cleansing, uplifting, mind soothing. Perfume notes – medium/ base.

VI. Woodsy oils – derived from trees [ Cedarwood, Cypress, Pine, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Myrthle, Rosewood ] Quality – detoxifying, soothing, recovering, anti-bacterial, grounding. Perfume note – Base, Medium

VII. Resins, Balsamic oils [ Frankincense, Myrrh, Vanilla, Benzoin, Camphor, Fir Needle, Galbanum ] – deeply spiritual, mind opening, Crown chakra oils, relaxing, meditative, sharpening psychic abilities.

Perfume note – base.

The best combinations are quite personal, by testing according to your own senses of aroma. The basic rules for advanced aroma therapist and some not suitable combinations are:

~ Resins and Woodsy generally don’t blend (for ex. Frankincense and Cedarwood). The reason is – both oils are personifyers and have strong, highlighted smell.

~ Resins blend well with all other oils [ Floral, Herbs, Spice, Citrus ] if the basis (quantity) is with Resins.

~ Woodsy oils generally don’t blend with Resins.

~ Woodsy blend best with Herbal, Spice (sometimes Floral)

~ Woodsy and Resins oils are usually basis of the blend. They don’t mix well in the same category oil (woodsy with woodsy)

~ Floral oils generally don’t blend with Resin, Woodsy, Spicy oils.

~ Floral oils blend best with Citrus, Exotic and floral, some Herbal.

~ Spicy oils don’t blend with Herbal, Floral and Citrus. They blend best with other Spicy, Resins, Woodsy.

~ Herbal oils don’t blend with Spicy. They blend well with Herbal, Woodsy, Citrus, Floral

~ Citrus oils don’t blend well with Spicy, Exotic, Woodsy; They blend with all others. 

[ nina Lea-nura * ]

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