How to Combine Essential Oils
Combining, or blending, essential oils is not an exact science and depends on the oils you're using and the desired effect. When combining oils for perfumes, you can alter the ratios based on your personal taste. On the other hand, some aromatherapy and medicinal blends have specific ratios for specific uses. There are thousands of possibilities concerning the types of oils you can blend and the ratios you can use, but regardless of the intended result the core principles for combining the oils are the same.
Things You'll Need
- 1-ounce amber glass bottle with lid
- Clean towel
- Essential oils
- Self-stick labels
- Eye-droppers (optional)
Instructions
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Sterilize the amber bottle and lid by immersing them in boiling water for ten minutes. Set the bottle neck-down and the cap screw-side-down on a clean towel to drain.
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2
Add the first oil to the bottle. This wIf your essential oil bottle has a dropper top, then upend the bottle and the oil will dispense, drop-by-drop, into the amber bottle. If your bottle does not have a dropper top, use an eye dropper. Be sure to use a separate dropper for each oil.
If you are blending oils for perfume, add the darker or more earthy scents, like patchouli, first. The earthy scent acts as a base note from which you can build your scent. If you're following an aromatherapy recipe, add the scents in the amounts and order specified in the recipe.
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3
Add the next oil to the bottle. If you're making perfume, try adding a middle note, like rose or orange oil. Cap the bottle and gently roll the bottle between your hands to blend the scents.
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Open the bottle and add the third oil to your mixture. You can add another middle note or add a high note, like lemon, to round off the scent. Cap the bottle and roll it between your hands.
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Continue adding each of your intended essential oils. Cap and roll the bottle between your hands after each oil to blend the scents.
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Open the bottle and wave it under your nose to test the scent. At this point you can adjust the scent by adding one or two drops of any of the oils you have already added until you reach your desired aroma.
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Label the bottle with the date and the name of the blend that you've created. Store the bottle in a cool, dry place and use as you would any other essential oil.
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Tips & Warnings
Suggested Aromatherapy Blends (from "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy"; Valerie Ann Worwood; 2000):
Mood-lifting Blend: 7 drops nutmeg, 6 drops bois de rose, 2 drops frankincense, 9 drops lemon, 6 drops rose.
Stress Blend: 3 drops rosemary, 4 drops lemon, 3 drops lavender, 2 drops chamomile.
Suggested Perfume Blends (from "Perfumes, Splashes & Colognes"; Nancy M. Booth; 1997):
Citrus Grove: 4 drops clary sage, 2 drops neroli, 7 drops tangerine, 7 drops mandarin, 12 drops lemon.
Exotic Gardenia: 6 drops amber, 6 drops bois de rose, 6 drops jasmine, 12 drops gardenia.
Do not use essential oils directly on the skin. If you intend to use them on the skin, add them to a carrier oil, or alcohol, in a separate bottle.
