Blending Basics

Making great essential oils blends is not just luck; it requires following a basic framework to achieve your desired result.  Understanding the three blending basics below will help you create beautiful, well-balanced essential oil combinations!

Understanding Essential Oil Notes

Essential oils are classified by their notes or scent characteristics.

Top Notes gives the first impression of the blend. They evaporate quickly and, their aromas do not last long.

Middle Notes are the heart of the aroma; they give body to the blend and have a balancing effect. The aroma of the middle notes may take a couple of minutes to detect.

Base Notes are normally very heavy. Their aroma is solid and long-lasting. Base notes slow down the evaporation of the other oils. These fragrances are often pungent.

To create a harmonious blend, aim for a combination of all three notes (see below for balances).  Please note – essential oils that are very strong can overtake your blend. Experiment with these drop by drop.

Base Notes 20%

  • Angelica Root (medium)
  • Balsams (medium)
  • Cedarwoods (strong)
  • Frankincense (medium)
  • Helichrysum (medium)
  • Patchouli (medium)
  • Sandalwood (medium)
  • Spikenard (strong)
  • Tumeric (medium)
  • Valerian Root (medium)
  • Vetiver (strong)

    • Base/Middle

    • Cinnamon (strong)
    • Clove (medium)
    • Myrrh (medium)
    • Rose (strong)
    • Ylang Ylang (medium)

    Middle Notes 50%

  • Bergamot (medium)
  • Black Pepper (medium)
  • Cajeput (strong)
  • Cassia (medium)
  • Chamomile (strong)
  • Cilantro (medium)
  • Clary Sage (medium)
  • Coriander (medium)
  • Cypress (medium)
  • Firs (medium)
  • Geranium (very strong)
  • Ginger (medium)
  • Grapefruit (medium)
  • Ho Wood (medium)
  • Jasmine (very strong)
  • Junipers (medium)
  • Lotus (light)
  • Majoram (medium)
  • Melissa (medium)
  • Neroli (medium)
  • Nutmeg (medium)
  • Orange (medium)
  • Oregano (strong)
  • Palmarosa (medium)
  • Rosemary (strong)
  • Rosewood (medium)
  • Tangerine (medium)
  • Tea Tree (medium)
  • Wintergreen (strong)

    • Top Notes 30%

  • Aniseed (medium)
  • Basil (strong)
  • Birch (strong)
  • Cardamom (strong)
  • Citronella (medium)
  • Eucalyptus (strong)
  • Lavender (strong)
  • Lemon (strong)
  • Lemongrass (very strong)
  • Lime (medium)
  • Mandarin (light)
  • Peppermint (strong)
  • Pines (strong)
  • Spearmint (medium)
  • Spruces (medium)
  • Thyme (strong)

    • Understanding Essential Oil Categories

    Essential oils can be broadly categorized by their aromas. There are eight basic aroma “families” in which the essential oils have a similar scent. 

    Herby

    Angelica Root
    Basil
    Cilantro / Coriander
    Clary Sage
    Geranium
    Majoram
    Oregano
    Peppermint
    Rosemary
    Thyme

    Woodsy

    Cedarwood
    Balsam
    Juniper
    Fir / Pine / Spruce
    Cinnamon
    Cypress
    Frankincense
    Ho Wood
    Myrrh
    Rosewood
    Sandalwood

    Minty

    Birch
    Peppermint
    Spearmint
    Wintergreen

    Spicy

    Aniseed
    Allspice
    Black Pepper
    Cardamom
    Cinnamon / Cassia
    Clove
    Coriander
    Cumin
    Ginger
    Nutmeg
    Oregano
    Turmeric

    Earthy

    Angelica Root
    Clary Sage
    Frankincense
    Myrrh
    Patchouli
    Spikenard
    Valerian Root
    Vetiver

    Medicinal

    Cajeput
    Eucalyptus
    Helichrysum
    Lavender
    Marjoram
    Rosemary
    Oregano
    Peppermint
    Tea Tree

    Rare, Exotic

    Chamomile
    Helichrysum
    Jasmine
    Lotus
    Melissa
    Neroli
    Rose
    Sandalwood

    Citrus

    Grapefruit
    Lemon
    Lime
    Orange
    Mandarin
    Tangerine
    Bergamot
    Citronella
    Lemongrass
    Neroli

    Floral

    Chamomile
    Clary Sage
    Geranium
    Jasmine
    Lavender
    Neroli
    Palmarosa
    Rose
    Ylang Ylang

    Making the Mix

    Essential oils work best in synergy with one another.  And here is the fun part… applying what you’ve learned!  Try to balance your blends (base/middle/top notes) and make agreeable mixes by selecting essential oils from categories that blend well together.  Typically, if the drops touch, the oils make a good match!  Please note – essential oils of the same category blend well together, woodsy oils blend well with everything and it’s best to use between two and five oils in your blends.

    Essential Oil Dilution Guide

    While the use of essential oils is considered very safe, they are extremely concentrated and need to be diluted for safe use. The active chemical constituents found in essential oils are so powerful that they can cause some very serious health problems if not used correctly. Hence, it is important to dilute properly and use caution when handling and applying the oils. The easiest way to dilute essential oils is by using a carrier oil -sweet almond, avocado, hemp seed, coconut, sesame and grape seed are all great ones! Lastly, WE RECOMMEND YOU DO NOT INGEST ESSENTIAL OILS. For more information, visit our Safety page.