Your Own Special Blend

There are times when one might want to create a very special blend to highlight qualities that we would like to have in our lives. Each of us is unique and our wishes, wants and needs may also be very different, add to that the fact that aromas affect each of us differently and you start to have an idea of just how impossible it is to create one blend to suit everyone.

Using the information on these tables you can create an essential oil blend which can then be used in many different ways. This special blend can become the base for so many different things such as personal perfume, body creams or lotions, aroma lamps, potpourris, scenting linens or paper etc. etc. Once you have made your final choice do check for any contraindications of use, particularly if you are using the blend in a product on the skin.

When first starting to blend keep it simple. I would suggest that you stick to three or four oil. For a beginner to intermediate blender these are more than enough and you will be able to create some beautiful blends with a little practice.

To choose your essential oils look through the charts and decide on what aspects/qualities you want to highlight. Look at the essential oils listed under those headings. Before you make your final selection of essential oils, sniff each essential oil and please discard any that you find aromatically unpleasant or any that bring up any unpleasant memories for you. Make your final choice of 3 or 4 oils.

Start by adding your essential oils to a dark glass bottle drop by drop. As you add each drop write down what it is you have added. Once you have added your oils close the bottle and let it sit for a week or so (or at least a couple of days if you can’t wait). Smell it again. The aromas have now had a chance to marry. Is this your aroma? If not now you can play with it adding a drop or two more of one or other of the oils in your blend and see if this makes a difference (remember to add this to your previous notes on the blend). Give it another week and smell again. If you like it use it. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t love all your blends. Essential oils don’t always marry quite the way we expect them too. Sometimes one just needs to start again, perhaps changing one of the oils in the blend, or starting from the beginning again.

Some oils have a stronger odour intensity than others and in order not to have them overpower the blend you would perhaps add less of that oil. The charts will indicate the odour intensity of each oil from 1 – 9. Oils also evaporate at different rates and in order to keep it simple we have stuck to the classification of Top, Middle and Base notes. Top notes will evaporate most quickly, Middle notes produce the heart of the blend and Base notes are the longest lasting. You do not need to have a top, middle and base note in your blend but when creating or adjusting your blend it may help to remember that a top note will lighten the blend – this is what hits your nose first, the middle notes are the heart of the blend and the base notes will provide the fixative in the blend – helping it to last longer. One other thing the classification into Top, Middle or Base notes and the Odour Intensity is my classification. As this is rather subjective other sources may classify the oils differently.

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