Aromatherapy is using essential oils to promote emotional and physical wellness. Essential oils are extracted from plants using steam distillation or cold pressing techniques. When inhaled, the scent molecules of essential oils travel up the nose and interact with scent receptors that send messages to the brain.
How to Create a Balanced Blend
Essential oil blends are a great way to enhance the benefits of your favorite oils. They provide a more complex fragrance than single oils and can help deliver specific therapeutic results. Whether you want to relax before bedtime, invigorate your morning workout, or boost focus throughout the day, the best essential oil blends can help. When creating your blend, it is essential to consider the ratio of top, middle, and base notes to create a harmonious aroma. The top note is the first scent that people notice and typically has a short, sharp fragrance that evaporates quickly. The middle note is the heart of the fragrance and has balancing properties. The base note is the last scent people smell and has a long, deep fragrance. To determine what ratio of each oil you should use, try experimenting with the different combinations in your diffuser. A good rule of thumb is to start with a 30:50:20 mix, where 30% of the mix is your top note, 50% is your middle note, and 20% is your base note. Once you have found a combination that you like, be sure to test it before using it. Use cotton swabs to dip into each oil in your blend, then hold the swab about a foot away from your nose.
How to Choose the Right Oils
The suitable oils can help you relax, lift your mood, and even combat stress. But it’s important to use therapeutic-grade, pure oils—not perfume or fragrance oils. You should also avoid any oils derived from nuts, as these may trigger allergies in some people. If you’re new to using essential oil blends, start with the ones recommended by aromatherapists or your healthcare provider. When you choose the oils for your blend, look for those labeled ‘for aromatherapy’ and have a short ingredient list. Look for brands that use clean distillation methods and are transparent about what’s in their products. As you experiment with blending, remember that the results are only sometimes immediately apparent. The scent can take on a different flavor depending on how many oils you add to your mix. You may prefer one oil over another, or that one works better in a specific type of diffuser than the others. It would be best if you aimed for your blend to contain a top, middle, and base note so that the overall effect is well-rounded and balanced. Try experimenting with mixtures of two to five unique oils. This is the best balance between keeping a mixture recognizable and ensuring that each oil is given enough space to display its properties fully.
How to Dilute the Oils
When creating an essential oil blend, proper dilution is a crucial step to consider. Essential oils are highly concentrated and must be diluted with a carrier or dispersing agent before they can be safely used for topical application on the skin. This is because it will help protect the skin from irritation and reduce potential adverse reactions or contraindications. A good rule of thumb is that the higher the dilution, the more potent the oil. However, the user’s individual needs and concerns should always be considered. A standard dilution for general use is 3% essential oil/carrier. You can add three to five drops of essential oil for every ounce of carrier oil. Carrier or base oils are derived from plants and can be found in products such as body butter, lotions, and creams. It is essential always to choose high-quality carrier oils, such as those from our shop. A dilution chart or guide is helpful when creating an essential oil blend. This will help you remember what dilution percentage to use for each purpose. It is also helpful to have a set of gloves when working with the oils and a few droppers or pipettes for precise measuring.
How to Apply the Oils
Aromatherapy is a natural, holistic method of healing and relaxation that uses the power of plants to treat and soothe the mind and body. Essential oil blends can help relieve stress and anxiety, calm the mind, relax sore muscles, promote sleep, and more! When blending your aromatherapy oils, it is essential to remember that these potent plant extracts are highly concentrated and should be used sparingly. For this reason, it is recommended to always dilute your oil with a carrier oil or other dispersing agent. You should also test your oil blend on a small skin area before full-body application to ensure it is safe for your specific skin type and sensitivities. As you become more familiar with the different properties of each essential oil, it becomes easier to find combinations that work well together. Aromatherapy blends can be made with as few as two or as many as six unique oils. Still, it is generally advised to stick with a blend of five or fewer unique oils to avoid creating an unpleasant or overpowering fragrance. The different components work spectacularly together to provide a powerful yet gentle therapeutic experience far exceeding what the individual oils could do independently.
