How to blend essential oils?

Chapter 1: Understanding the Notes

Essential oils are classified into three main "notes" (Top, Middle, and Base), which indicate how long their scent lasts and the overall character of the aroma.

• Top Notes: These are the initial, light, and fresh scents that greet you. Often citrusy or herbaceous, top notes are vibrant but evaporate quickly (e.g., Lemon, Bergamot, Peppermint).

• Middle Notes: Known as the "heart" of a blend, middle notes have a lasting presence. They tend to be floral, herbal, or fruity in nature and provide balance between the lighter top notes and the heavier base notes (e.g., Lavender, Rose, Ylang Ylang).

• Base Notes: Deep, rich, and enduring, base notes form the foundation of a fragrance and remain the longest. They can be described as the lingering essence of a scent that stays with you long after the moment has passed—much like "the subtle remnants of last night's perfume." (e.g., Sandalwood, Patchouli, Cedarwood).

Here are Mia's Garden essential oils, categorized into Top, Middle, and Base notes:

Chapter 2: Choose your purpose

Eating an orange gives you a natural dose of vitamin C, which boosts immunity and supports wellness. Similarly, essential oils are concentrated extracts from plants, like Lavender or Lemon, packed with powerful compounds. For example, it takes several pounds of oranges to make a small bottle of orange essential oil, offering the same benefits in a concentrated form.

Essential oils can be blended for therapeutic purposes, like relaxation or energy, or to create unique fragrances. For example:

• Relaxation & Stress Relief: Choose calming oils like
  Lavender, Sandalwood, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang

• Energizing & Uplifting: Choose uplifting oils that are bright, fresh and stimulating like

  Bergamot, Sweet Orange, Rosemary, Lemon

• Sleep Support: Choose oils that calm the nervous system and promote relaxation and tranquility
  Lavender, Clary Sage, Chamomile, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

• Mood Enhancement: Choose oils that promotes positive feelings that are bright and uplifting like
  Bergamot, Sweet Orange, Rose, Ylang ylang, Geranium

• Mental clarity & Focus: Choose oils that improve concentration, boost cognitive functions like

  Rosemary, Peppermint, Lemon, Basil, Eucalyptus

• Emotional healing & Balance: Choose oils that are calming, nurturing, and stabilising like
  Rose, Clary Sage, Geranium, Frankincense, Lavender

• Respiratory support: Choose oils that helps with decongestion and has soothing properties like

  Eucalyptus, Tea tree, Peppermint, Cypress, Lemon

• Anxiety and stress management: Select oils that are calming and with stabilising effect like

  Lavender, Bergamot, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, Clary Sage

• Spiritual growth and meditation: Choose grounding and centering oils that helps with enhance mindfulness, deepening meditation practice like
  Frankincense, Sandalwood, Myrrh, Cedarwood, Patchouli
  

• Air freshening & Purification: For purifying the air, creating a fresh and clean atmosphere, choose oils that have antibacterial and deodorising properties like
  Lemon, Tea tree, Eucalyptus, Cypress, Bergamot

• Female hormonal support: Choose oils known for their balancing and calming effects like
  Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Rose, Frankincense.

Chapter 3: Blending Ratio

A typical blend often follows the 3:2:1 rule, which is a good starting point:

• 3 parts top notes

• 2 parts middle notes

• 1 part base notes

This ensures a balanced, harmonious blend. You can adjust the ratios to create more intensity or depth in your blend.

Another variation would be 1:2:1 rule, but that is if you want a blend that is more emphasised on the middle note, where the middle note is the star (like a calming floral blend).

Chapter 4: Safety considerations

• Always dilute essential oils as they are very potent and will burn the skin.

• Never blend or store essential oils in plastic containers. Instead use small glass bottles with tight-sealing caps to prevent evaporation. Amber or dark-colored bottles help protect the oils from UV damage.

• Avoid sensitive areas like eyes, mucous membranes, and broken skin.

• Some oils can be phototoxic (e.g., citrus oils), so avoid direct sunlight after application.

• If pregnant, nursing, or using oils on children, always check for safety guidelines for specific oils.

Chapter 5: Dilution percentage

1. Dilution Ratios (Based on the Type of Use):

   • For general topical use (adults):

     • 2% dilution: This is a common and safe dilution for most adult uses, including massage and skincare. It’s generally 12 drops of essential oil per 1 ounce (30 mL) of carrier oil.

     • 1% dilution: This is suitable for sensitive skin, children over 2 years old, and for facial applications. It’s generally 6 drops of essential oil per 1 ounce (30 mL) of carrier oil.

     • 0.5% dilution: This is a very mild dilution, often used for daily skincare routines, or when you're unsure about sensitivity. It’s 3 drops of essential oil per 1 ounce (30 mL) of carrier oil.

   • For children (2-12 years old):

     • 1% dilution: This is typically considered safe for children. It’s usually 6 drops of essential oil per 1 ounce (30 mL) of carrier oil.

     • 0.5% dilution: For younger children or more sensitive skin, a 0.5% dilution (3 drops per 1 ounce) is recommended.

   • For babies (under 2 years old):

     • 0.25% dilution: Very diluted oils are best for infants. For example, use 1 drop of essential oil per 4 ounces (120 mL) of carrier oil.

   • For elderly or sensitive individuals:

     • 1% dilution or lower. Older adults or people with compromised skin may be more prone to irritation.

   Important: Always perform a patch test when trying a new essential oil blend to check for any sensitivity or allergic reaction. Apply a small amount of the diluted oil to the inner elbow or wrist, wait 24 hours, and observe for any redness or irritation.