Blending Basics

Making great essential oil 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

Their notes or scent characteristics classify essential oils.

Top Notes give 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 that essential oils with very strong scents can overpower your blend. Experiment with these drop by drop.

Base Notes 20%

  • Angelica Root (medium)

  • Balsam (medium)

  • Cedarwoods (strong)

  • Frankincense (medium)

  • Helichrysum (medium)

  • Patchouli (medium)

  • Sandalwood (medium)

  • Spikenard (strong)

  • Tumeric (medium)

  • Valerian Root (medium)

  • Vetiver (strong)

Middle Notes 50%

  • Bergamot (medium)

  • Cajeput (strong)

  • Chamomile (strong)

  • Clary Sage (medium)

  • Coriander (medium)

  • Fir (medium)

  • Ginger (medium)

  • Ho Wood (medium)

  • Junipers (medium)

  • Majoram (medium)

  • Neroli (medium)

  • Orange (medium)

  • Palmarosa (medium)

  • Rosewood (medium)

  • Tea Tree (medium)

  • Black Pepper (medium)

  • Cassia (medium)

  • Cilantro (medium)

  • Clary Sage (medium)

  • Cypress (medium)

  • Geranium (very strong)

  • Grapefruit (medium)

  • Jasmine (very strong)

  • Lotus (light)

  • Melissa (medium)

  • Nutmeg (medium)

  • Oregano (strong)

  • Rosemary (strong)

  • Tangerine (medium)

  • Wintergreen (strong)

Top Notes 30%

Understanding Essential Oil Categories & Making the Mix

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

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 categories touch in the picture, 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.

  • 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)

Citrusy

Grapefruit
Lemon
Lime
Orange
Mandarin
Tangerine
Bergamot
Citronella
Lemongrass
Neroli

Herby

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

Rare, Exotic

Chamomile
Helichrysum
Jasmine
Lotus
Melissa
Neroli
Rose
Sandalwood

Earthy

Angelica Root
Clary Sage
Frankincense
Myrrh
Patchouli
Spikenard
Valerian Root
Vetiver

Medicinal

Cajeput
Eucalyptus
Helichrysum
Lavender
Marjoram
Rosemary
Oregano
Peppermint
Tea Tree

Floral

Chamomile
Clary Sage
Geranium
Jasmine
Lavender
Neroli
Palmarosa
Rose
Ylang Ylang

Spicy

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

Woodsy

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

Blending Basics

Minty

Birch
Peppermint
Spearmint
Wintergreen

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.