An essential oil blend is created for aesthetic and/or therapeutic benefits. No special skill is required to produce a successful blend but a spirit of creativity and a thorough knowledge of Essential Oils will help, along with a clear understanding of the intended use of the blend. A sensible Aromatherapy blend employs all-natural, pure Essential Oils and delivers a clear benefit. The Essential Oils combined in it should be synergistic and harmonious enough to support and enhance oil’s effect.
Before starting your blending work, it’s very important to understand Essential Oils in general, as well as the specific parameters and aroma profiles of the Essential Oils you want to work with.
Essential Oils are essentially very volatile. When you uncap a bottle of essential oil and expose it to the air, its aroma profile immediately begins to spread, develop and change. It undergoes certain defined morphological changes during its life span.
The three main stages of these changes are known as the top note stage, middle stage, and dry out stage. These stages of volatility coincide with three characteristics of the aroma profile known as top notes, middle notes and base notes. The top note stage appears first and corresponds with the most volatile, productive and unstable aroma compounds of the essential oil.
The aromas of these compounds are very subtle, smooth and fleeting, sometimes lasting just for a few seconds before dissipating. As the top notes evaporate very gradually, the essential oil enters its middle stage, in which the aroma body is most developed and balanced. A portion of the top notes remain, the middle notes are most apparent and sensible while the base notes are beginning to develop slowly.
As the middle stage progresses slowly, the base notes become visible and more noticeable, because they consist of compounds that are slow to volatilization. When the base notes finally evaporate, a faint but light dry out note lingers. The aroma profile of the dry out stage is thin, sometimes pungent, and suggests the presence of the essential oil. The dry out component can be thought of as the matrix or the soul of the essential oil.
Based on their individual aroma profiles, Essential Oils can be categorized into top notes, middle notes and bottom notes. A very delicate, highly volatile essential oil like Bergamot is considered top note oil. Well balanced essential oil like Clary Sage would be known as middle note oil. Deep, rich, very tenacious essential oil like Patchouli is considered base note oil.
When creating a blend, attempt for balance between top, middle and base note Essential Oils. Well balanced essential oil has a complex aroma profile and maintains the Aromatherapy benefit throughout the various stages, although the characteristics of the scent may change. It is more stable and its usage spells a clear motive and defined benefit.
Before blending, analyze the various aroma profiles of the Essential Oils by dispensing a drop of oil on blotter paper or unscented tissue. Concentrate, inhale and note your impressions. Write notes and build notes for future reference. Trust your impressions and experience of the Essential Oils. Try to be connoisseur of smell. What do the different aromas remind you of? How do they under go change and develop throughout the various stages? How does the essential oil’s Fragrance make you feel?
As you develop a definite picture of the Essential Oils, visualize how they’ll work with each other in a blend. Just decide about the part of the oil to be used, which effects are to be enhanced and which harsh characters needs to be toned down.
As a basic blend, just try to imagine a “DAY OUT BLEND” that helps you relax and unwind after stressful day. Your blend should be soothing and relaxing to your nerves, but also able to drive away the troubles of the day and give that much needed boost to carry you through the at home.
Two of the excellent relaxing Essential Oils are Chamomile and Lavender. Uplifting oils include Bergamot and Lemon. A careful blend of these oils would produce a light, sweet aroma with complex top and middle notes. The Bergamot, Lemon and Chamomile essential oil components would lend this blend a fruity sweetness. The Lavender would make the sweetness a wee bit more floral-botanical.
If you need the blend to be a little less sweet and more stimulating, a little amount of herbaceous, yet penetrating Rosemary could be dispensed. The relaxing, spicy-woody oil of Rosewood will serve as an effective base to this blend. If you observe, all essential effects of these oils are purely complimentary and in no way conflicting!
Try and learn which Essential Oils would match the benefit and aroma you’re after. Then begin an experiment with various quantities and combinations, until you create the blend you want. Always try to keep notes on what you’re doing, so upon a perfect blend you can repeat and make it more perfect.
A workout blend would inspire a perfectly positive attitude about improving health and physical appearance. A perfect blend is invigorating, inspiring and uplifting and such properties of Essential Oils can help you boost confidence and commitment all through the day. Some Essential Oils are activating, others soothe and calm, and still others fight workout odors. Some work like catalyst, while others are purely energizing.
Some of the invigorating and inspiring Essential Oils are: Basil, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Fir Needle, Ginger, Grapefruit, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Orange, Peppermint, Petit Grain, Rosemary and Thyme.
Examples of soothing and relaxing Essential Oils are: Cedar Wood, Chamomile, Frankincense, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood and Ylang ylang.
Anti-odor and refreshing Essential Oils are: All Citrus oils, including Bergamot, Grapefruit, Limon, Lime, Orange, and Tangerine. Other anti-odor Essential Oils are Coriander, Fir Needle, Juniper Berry and Lavender.
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