An essential oil blend can be created for therapeutic effect, or for a unique fragrance – or both. You do not need to be an expert in the use of essential oils to create blends.

The Nature of a Good Blend

A good aromatherapy blend uses all-natural, pure essential oils and delivers a benefit. The oils in it should be synergistic to support and enhance each oil’s effect.

Before beginning your blending work, it’s important to understand essential oils in general, as well as the specific characteristics and aroma profiles of the oils you want to work with.

You will want to familiarize yourself with the fragrance and effect of essential oils

Breathe the aroma and

i) note how it makes you feel – calm, uplifted, focused, sensual

ii) note the scent – light, fresh, strong, sweet, green, herbal

As you develop a descriptive picture of the oils, think about how they’ll work with each other in a blend. What part of the oil do you want to work with? What effects do you want to enhance? What characteristics do you want to tone down?

Some pointers for creating a balanced blend

There is no limit on how many essential oils you can use in your blend.

You may want to use essential oils with a strong fragrance sparingly – such as peppermint or basil. Lavender may be useful for toning down strong scented oils. You can add just a drop or two of any essential oil to create an appealing fragrance in your blend.

Blended essential oils will merge over time and the fragrance may change. You can leave the blend for a day, then return and test the fragrance. It may be perfect!

And as you experiment with your blend creations keep a record of the number of drops you use of each essential oil in the blend, so that you can recreate the same blend later on.

Common Sense Blending

Learn which oils match the benefit and aroma you’re looking for. Then experiment with quantities and combinations until you create the blend you envision. Always keep notes on what you’re doing so when you hit upon that perfect blend you can repeat your success. Happy blending!

Massage, burner or direct inhalation

Pure essential oils need to be diluted before they can be applied to the body. Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils for massage. An example would be oils like Sweet Almond, grapeseed or jojoba oil.

Blends to use in an aroma burner or for direct inhalation do not need to be diluted at all. In fact, if you are creating a blend for your burner, you want the mixture to consist of only pure essential oils.

E.g. Creating a Simple Blend

Imagine an “End of the Day Blend” to help you relax and unwind after a busy, stress-filled day. This blend should be soothing and relaxing, but also uplifting to chase away the cares and worries of the day and give you a little boost to carry you through an evening at home.

Two excellent relaxing oils are chamomile and lavender. Uplifting oils include bergamot and lemon. A blend of these oils would produce a light, sweet aroma. The bergamot, lemon and chamomile would give this blend a fruity sweetness. The lavender would make the sweetness a bit more floral-herbaceous. If you want the blend to be a little less sweet and more stimulating, a small amount of herbal, penetrating rosemary could be added. The relaxing, spicy-woody oil of rosewood might serve as an effective base to this blend.