There are literally thousands of essential oil combinations at your disposal. Blending oils together creates unique fragrances. It can also increase the therapeutic benefits of the oils, which will provide you with a better experience when using them for aromatherapy or for treating illnesses.
You have the option of buying oil blends already combined or you can create your own blends. However, before attempting to make your own combinations, you need to know the basics. Understanding the chemistry or chemical components of the oils you plan to use is the first step.
Essential Oil Chemistry: What Does It Mean?
Simply put, the chemistry of an essential oil refers to the components that make it look, smell and act the way it does. It’s what makes each one of the oils different. It determines its properties, instability and thickness. The chemistry or chemical compounds also determine the therapeutic effects of the oil. You must have a basic understanding of the chemistry of essential oils before you can blend them correctly.
Without this knowledge, you would not know what benefits the oils provide. As a result, it would be difficult to blend oils that complement each other and achieve the desired effect. You can learn more about the chemistry of essential oils at Abundant Health.
How to Achieve the Desired Effect
When you combine or blend the right combination of essential oils together, the mixture will be stronger and provide more benefits than what you would receive when you use one of the oils by itself. Even the sequence in which you blend the oil can have an effect on how it smells and performs.
To achieve the desired effect you need to know how you plan to use the blend, so you can choose the right combination of oils. For example, if you need a blend to help you sleep, then you would look for oils that have calming and relaxing properties. Some of the best oils to help you rest and sleep better include lavender, roman chamomile, marjoram, frankincense, valerian root and clary sage.
You would then combine two or more of these oils together to create a mixture that helps you relax and fall asleep. On the flip side, if you want a blend to wake you up and give you energy, then orange, lemon, rosemary and grapefruit essential oils are great choices.
Normally you would blend oils with similar properties together but not always. For example, blending lavender with orange creates a wonderful fragrance that is also very relaxing. If you’re new to the art of blending essential oils, the American College of Healthcare Sciences has some great information on pairing essential oils to help you get started.
Stock Up On Your Oils
Before you can begin making essential oil combinations, you need to have a good supply of oils on hand. If you purchase the oils separately, then select two or three different oils from each scent group. For example, lavender, rose and geranium are all in the same scent group. Adding all three to your collection will give you a good selection to choose from when pairing oils.
Another great option is to buy an essential oils starter kit that contains a variety of the most popular oils used for blending. Once you get the hang of it, you can begin purchasing oils separately. After learning the basics surrounding essential oil combinations, it’s time to start experimenting with different blends.
