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BLENDING
Up to three essential oils can used together in a blend, allowing you the freedom to create blends which are not just pleasing to the nose but also addressing any conditions you might like to help.
SYNERGY
Certain oils enhance each others properties and effectiveness in such a way that “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts” . This is why three oils are usually used in a blend.
Aromas have been classified by perfumers like notes on a musical scale, and a simplified version is used by aromatherapists.
Essential Oils are categorised by :-
Family ~ floral, spice, resin, herb, woody & citrus
Note ~ Top, middle and base note
Top note oils have a light fresh aroma evaporate quickly from the blend, and tend to be mentally uplifting and stimulating Too much top note in a blend will mean that the aroma will not last for long.
Middle note oils are the heart of the blend, and evaporate more slowly. They tend to affect the body metabolism.
Base note oils are heavy and their aroma emerges slowly, and can linger for a very long time. Too much in a blend can overpower all the other fragrances. They tend to be sedating and relaxing.
Try to get a balance in your blend by not using oils from one note group.
Oils will generally blend well within their own families, and certain other combinations also are accepted as good together.
Citrus & spice
Woods & resins
Herbs & flowers
Some essential oils seem to “fight” and do not create a harmonious blend, like rose and eucalyptus or peppermint and orange, while others seem to belong naturally together.
All of this said, it is important to remember that there are no hard and fast rules about blends. You can use any combination that pleases your nose and/or has the therapeutic properties that you need. Be guided by what you like, it is a very personal decision, and I recommend that you never use a blend that you find unpleasant, it is likely that you will not benefit from it even if the oils have the properties that you want.
Below is a link to my personal Aromatherapy database. It gives information on the properties, note and family for oils and also an ailment search facility to help you decide which oils will be appropriate.
SYNERGY
Certain oils enhance each others properties and effectiveness in such a way that “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts” . This is why three oils are usually used in a blend.
Aromas have been classified by perfumers like notes on a musical scale, and a simplified version is used by aromatherapists.
Essential Oils are categorised by :-
Family ~ floral, spice, resin, herb, woody & citrus
Note ~ Top, middle and base note
Top note oils have a light fresh aroma evaporate quickly from the blend, and tend to be mentally uplifting and stimulating Too much top note in a blend will mean that the aroma will not last for long.
Middle note oils are the heart of the blend, and evaporate more slowly. They tend to affect the body metabolism.
Base note oils are heavy and their aroma emerges slowly, and can linger for a very long time. Too much in a blend can overpower all the other fragrances. They tend to be sedating and relaxing.
Try to get a balance in your blend by not using oils from one note group.
Oils will generally blend well within their own families, and certain other combinations also are accepted as good together.
Citrus & spice
Woods & resins
Herbs & flowers
Some essential oils seem to “fight” and do not create a harmonious blend, like rose and eucalyptus or peppermint and orange, while others seem to belong naturally together.
All of this said, it is important to remember that there are no hard and fast rules about blends. You can use any combination that pleases your nose and/or has the therapeutic properties that you need. Be guided by what you like, it is a very personal decision, and I recommend that you never use a blend that you find unpleasant, it is likely that you will not benefit from it even if the oils have the properties that you want.
Below is a link to my personal Aromatherapy database. It gives information on the properties, note and family for oils and also an ailment search facility to help you decide which oils will be appropriate.
THIS IS A LIMITED VERSION OF THE PROGRAM
IF YOU LIKE THIS PROGRAM YOU MAY PURCHASE THE FULL VERSION FOR £30. IT CONTAINS 40 OILS, AND YOU CAN EDIT AND ADD YOUR OWN ENTRIES
CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ORDER YOUR OWN COPY
GAYE DOMINA
TEL: 01732 865629
Email: info@good-
HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS
Massage:
As mentioned before essential oils are always diluted in carrier oil for use in massage. This is normally expressed as a percentage. The usual percentage for body massage is 2½ - 3½ %, which means 5 - 6 drops of oil in 10 ml of carrier oil.
Never use more than 8 drops at any one time, no matter how much base oil you use.
Carrier oils are usually cold pressed which means they are pure and unchanged by treatments with heat or chemicals.
They contain all their beneficial elements, vitamins, minerals and proteins.
Grape seed is the only exception: after being cold pressed the oil is thick, black and sludgy, The oil is then minimally refined to make it usable.
There are many suitable carrier oils, here are details of a few.
GRAPE SEED OIL (Vitus vinifera)
Cheap, versatile general usage oil used for all skin types.
SWEET ALMOND (Prunus amygdalus var. Dulcus)
ATTN. People with nut allergy
Medium priced, used for all skin types, especially dry, inflamed and ageing.
JOJOBA (Simmondsia chinensis)
ATTN: People with nut allergy.
Note: Jojoba "oil" is actually a wax. It has a very long shelf-life. Highly penetrative, natural moisturiser and anti inflammatory, has chemical structure which resembles sebum.
All skin types, especially acne and inflamed. Light texture, particularly suitable for use on the face. Very expensive, due to cost is usually used as 10% max blend.
Inhalation: put 3 or 4 drops of your chosen oils into a bowl of hot water, but not boiling as the oils will evaporate too quickly and you may burn your face. Place a towel over your head and breath in the vapours, This is an excellent method for colds, catarrh, bronchitis, sinusitis.
Bath: Put up to 8 drops of your chosen oils into a full bath of water once it has been filled. Stir the water well before entering the water. Depending on the oils chosen this can be great for the evening wind down to help sleep or as a refreshing wake - up before an evening out or first thing in the morning. You can mix the essential oils with a little carrier oil or perfume free bath foam.
Spray : Essential oils can be used effectively in sprays as an insect repellent, room deodoriser - to help prevent the spread of infection in the sick room or simply as a perfumed air freshener. Much healthier than an aerosol spray.
Add your chosen oils to a small amount of vodka before adding water. Don’t make up too much in one go as the mixture will not stay fresh for more than a couple of weeks.
Diffuser: Have many of the same applications as sprays. There are many types of oils diffusers available in the shops. The most common being the type where you put a few drops of your chosen oils into the bowl and it is usually heated by a tea light placed underneath. There are also electric version for when a live flame would be inappropriate, for example in a child's room.
You can also get terra cotta light bulb rings which are placed around a bulb and the heat from a lighted bulb releases the aroma.
You can also add essential oils to those little humidifiers that you hang on radiators.
There are even special diffusers that you can plug into you car cigarette lighter.
They contain all their beneficial elements, vitamins, minerals and proteins.
Grape seed is the only exception: after being cold pressed the oil is thick, black and sludgy, The oil is then minimally refined to make it usable.
There are many suitable carrier oils, here are details of a few.
GRAPE SEED OIL (Vitus vinifera)
Cheap, versatile general usage oil used for all skin types.
SWEET ALMOND (Prunus amygdalus var. Dulcus)
ATTN. People with nut allergy
Medium priced, used for all skin types, especially dry, inflamed and ageing.
JOJOBA (Simmondsia chinensis)
ATTN: People with nut allergy.
Note: Jojoba "oil" is actually a wax. It has a very long shelf-
Inhalation: put 3 or 4 drops of your chosen oils into a bowl of hot water, but not boiling as the oils will evaporate too quickly and you may burn your face. Place a towel over your head and breath in the vapours, This is an excellent method for colds, catarrh, bronchitis, sinusitis.
Bath: Put up to 8 drops of your chosen oils into a full bath of water once it has been filled. Stir the water well before entering the water. Depending on the oils chosen this can be great for the evening wind down to help sleep or as a refreshing wake -
Spray : Essential oils can be used effectively in sprays as an insect repellent, room deodoriser -
Diffuser: Have many of the same applications as sprays. There are many types of oils diffusers available in the shops. The most common being the type where you put a few drops of your chosen oils into the bowl and it is usually heated by a tea light placed underneath. There are also electric version for when a live flame would be inappropriate, for example in a child's room.
You can also get terra cotta light bulb rings which are placed around a bulb and the heat from a lighted bulb releases the aroma.
You can also add essential oils to those little humidifiers that you hang on radiators.
There are even special diffusers that you can plug into you car cigarette lighter.