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Creating your own therapeutic oil blends
Blending oils yourself can help you target aromatherapy to your own needs. Choosing oils for a particular condition is not difficult, but you must also factor in which oils are safe for use and whether you have any allergies or sensitivities to an oil. If you have young children, elderly, or pets in your home you will want to choose oils that are safe for them.
Safety
When working with essential oils, it is recommended that your wear gloves and eye protection. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should not come into contact with skin (undiluted), and particularly not with eyes or mucous membranes (inside of your nose or mouth, or genital areas). Whenever you use an essential oil topically, it should be diluted in a carrier oil (e.g. sweet almond oil, jojoba, olive oil, etc.). Several oils should not be used at all. Unfortunately, the list of safe oils varies from source to source. I would recommend erring on the side of caution. I have included basic safety information for each oil listed on this site under the oil’s description
Blending tips
Essential oils are divided into top, middle and base notes. The top notes are the ones that hit your nose first, but evaporate quickly. The base notes are heavier and their scent is intense and lingering. The middle notes are balancing between top and base notes. You do not have to pay attention to notes when blending, but doing so may help you achieve a more pleasant blend more efficiently. As well, combining a top note with a base note will “fix” the top note scent (i.e. make it last longer).
- When 2 or more oils are combined, sometimes the effects of the blend are enhanced beyond what each of the individuals oils contribute on their own–that is, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts (or 1+1=3). This is referred to as synergy.
- Novices should not create blends of more than 3 or 4 oils. Keeping it simple can still be very effective.
- For each condition that I list on this site, I give the most commonly used oils for that condition as well as divide them into their blending notes to help you create your own blends.
- Some oils are very strong and can easily dominate a blend. Once you have decided what oils you want to include in your blend, give them a little whiff to get an idea of odor intensity. Go sparingly with the strong oils.
- Perfumers will often blend from the bottom up, that is they start with a few drops of a base note, then add a few drops of a middle note and evaluate the result. Then they will add a few drops of the top note. It is best to let a blend rest for a day or so to see how the scents mingle with each other. When in doubt, 3 drops of top note, 2 drops of middle note, and 1 drop of base note can be a good starting point. You can adjust to suit from there.
- Always write down how many drops of each oil you used in a blend. I didn’t follow my own advice once, and that was the best room spray I ever made! Regret.
