Essential oil blending is a fun and therapeutic way to create unique and personal aromatherapy blends to suit your mood or intention for use. The first step to a well-rounded and balanced oil blend is understanding the different notes of an essential oil so you can make sure your chosen oils complement each other. Essential oil note classifications are based on how quickly an oil’s scent molecules evaporate and are divided into three distinct classes, known as Top, Middle, and Base note oils.
Top notes are the first fragrance to emerge from an aroma blend and give the initial scent scape. These are often citrus oil scents like bergamot, sweet orange and eucalyptus. Middle notes are the essential oil scents that make themselves known as the top note’s fade away and act as the main body of the blend. Middle note essential oils can include herbs and floral scents, such as lavender and rosemary and are typically used to help relax and instil a sense of calm or to support healing.
Base note oils are the slowest to evaporate and provide the longer-lasting scent of an essential oil blend. These oils can include frankincense, myrrh, ylang ylang and vetiver. Base notes are the foundation of an oil blend and can have a profound effect on a person’s mood and emotions.
An essential oil chart can be a helpful tool for new blending enthusiasts, but a quick and easy way to find out which essential oils fall into each note is to simply smell them. Once you can smell each individual oil and understand where they sit on the notes scale, you can then choose your favourite essential oils and mix them together to create a unique and aromatic scent.
Using an essential oil blending chart is also a great way to ensure that you are using your oils in the safest and most effective manner, especially when applying them to your skin. A common mistake is to overdo it with a single oil, particularly those that are high in phenols (phenols are a class of chemical compounds containing carbon rings that act as analgesics, antiseptics, and anti-infectives).
Adding the right amount of essential oil can be tricky as they all have different dilution rates. To avoid overusing your oils, use a carrier oil to dilute your oils and then apply the diluted mixture to your body. Use a dilution rate that is appropriate for your age, health status and olfactory sensitivity.
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