Blending Essential Oils

The blending of essential oils allows you to enhance the experience by creating a harmonious mixture which resonates. There are 3 methodologies for blending oils: by note; by botanical family; and by synergy. I try to mix a blend which meets all 3. The oils I have mentioned in my last posts (lemon, lavender and sandalwood are an example of this approach).

Blending by note:

Piesse first categorised essential oils by note, transposing their aromas to a musical scale whereby the individual scents become a harmonious piece of music: the top notes are light, fresh and uplifting and have an immediate effect. They evaporate quickly, usually within the space of 1 to 2 hours; the middle notes form the core of the blend. They act as a fixative to bind the high notes in for longer and as a catalyst to bring on the low notes sooner; the base notes have a heavy aroma that takes longer to emerges but lingers for longer.

Blending by botanical families:

Oils are grouped by botanical family, and then blended across families that compliment each other:

1. Flowers blend well with the exotics (such as sandalwood and ylang ylang) and with citrus oils;
2. Citrus oils blend well with flowers and herbs;
3. Herbs blend well with citrus oils and oils from trees;
4. The oils from trees blend well with the citrus and spice oils;
5. Spice oils blend well with trees and resins;
6. Finally the resins blend well with the spices and exotics.

Synergy:

Synergy occurs when one creates a blend based on their function, use or chemical constituents. Sometimes these blends can smell odd as they cut across families and notes.