Smell is one of the most important and beneficial sense known.
Blending essential oils is all about inhaling! For those of you who are brand new to essential oils and aromatherapy, one of the best ways to begin creating personal fragrances is by experimenting with combining essential oils that you love from the very first inhale.
The first skill you’ll need to develop is identifying aromas. Perfumers and aromatherapists catalog aromas into components or “notes.”
If you’re not sure where to get started with your personal essential oil blend, try practicing with these pre-formulated essential oil recipes to get an idea of your personal preferences:
Let’s take a deeper look at the part of the plant used, as this is an important aspect of how we relate to the essential oils used in aromatherapy.
Roots: “Roots provide stability by attaching the plant to the earth and absorbing nutrients and water from the surrounding soil, which enables the plant to survive. Therefore essential oils extracted from the roots of plants tend to be stabilizing and strengthening. They have an affinity with the earth element and tend to be grounding.”
Examples: Ginger, vetiver
Wood: “Wood oils reflect the durable nature of trees providing strength and endurance needed to tackle life’s challenges… wood oils are centering and equilibrating. Wood oils have the power to open our consciousness to high spheres without making us lose control. Hence, they are particularly useful in rituals, meditation, and yoga.”
Examples: Cedar wood, sandalwood
Flowers: “Flowering plants produce the seeds for reproduction within the flower itself. The flower also produces the scent to attract insects for pollination. Many floral oils have an affinity with the reproductive system and are referred to as aphrodisiacs.”
Examples: Roman chamomile, clary sage, clove bud, geranium, Jasmine, lavender, rose,
Leaves: “Essential oils produced in the leaves correspond to the lungs of the plant… essential oils produced in the leaf have a strong affinity with the respiratory system.”
Examples: Basil, cypress, eucalyptus, peppermint, bay leaf.
Fruits: “The fruits of plants protect and nurture the seeds that will enable new plants to be created. Essential oils derived from the fruits are often associated with nourishment and creativity.”
Examples: bergamot, grapefruit, juniper berry, lemon, lime, wild orange
Resin: “Many trees and shrubs produce resins. The gum has powerful wound-healing properties… these essential oils have been extensively used in rituals and religious ceremonies, and they have a very pronounced, soothing, comforting, fortifying, and elevating action on the soul and spirit.”
Examples: Frankincense, myrrh
Seeds: “…essential oils produced in the seed bring us back to the physical world, being less sophisticated, more humble and straightforward. They are generally invigorating and have a strong affinity with the digestive system.”
Examples: Cardamom, fennel