How To Choose Essential Oils

Essential oils can be grouped in a various number of ways. They can be further grouped according to botanical classification, therapeutic properties, chemical components and also distillation methods.

With regards to aromatherapy, essential oils can be grouped to what is considered "notes". What is a note? A note is usually determined by how quickly  the volatile molecules of the essential oils enters the air and is discernible to the human nose. This is the 'note' value. They are grouped into Top or Head notes, Middle or Heart Notes, and Base or Foot Notes. Just as they are listed, the top note usually is the scent which is smelled immediately, the middle note a little later and the base notes are the longest lasting scents. Many feel that the base notes serve to 'anchor' or 'ground' an essential oil blend.

Top Notes or Head Notes

These are the lightest scents and usually have the most volatile chemicals. Top notes include (but not limited to):

Citrus oils such as orange, lemon and bergamot
Mint oils suck as peppermint, wintergreen and spearmint
Conifer oils inlcude cedar and pine

Middle Notes or Heart Notes

These so-called 'heart' notes that linger in the air just a little bit longer. Essential oils that are usually considered middle notes include:

Herbaceous oils such as  lavender and geranium
Spicy oils such ascinnamon and clove
Floral oils as in ylang ylang and violet

Base Notes or Foot Notes

This reference could be labeled as the deep, heady oils that help to secure or intensify a blend.  It is the base notes that enable the blend to linger in its essence.

Resins include oils such as frankincense and myrrh
Wood oils such as sandalwood, neroli and patchouli
Exotic absolutes as jasmine, rose, geranium and oakmoss

Notes:  Of course, like almost everything in the world today, everything is subjective - including the 'notes' of any essential oil. However, that is what makes this part of aromatherapy so fascinating! Each person, each nose is a world unto itself!

Important Facts to Know

Things to remember not to do:

• DO NOT try to diagnose someone else's  ailments.  That's why there are reference books.

• DO NOT wash excess essential oil off with water; use vegetable or olive oil instead to dilute the oil - as water will not mix with it.

• DO NOT use essential oils on pregnant women or children under age 2.

• DO NOT use essential oils near fire. EO's such as orange, fir, peppermint may be flammable.

• DO NOT expose your skin to the long-term sun exposure after using citrus essential oils. Citrus EO's may cause sensitivity to sunlight.

• DO NOT touch the little plastic orifice reducer located on the bottle of essential oil - or the dropper. It's designed to allow the little droplets to drip back into the bottle after you use it. Touching it will contaminate the oil that returns to the bottle.

Partial listing of Oils and their uses:

Eucalyptus: Enhancing deep breathing and aids in relieving head colds. It is recommended for muscle aches, pains and the like.

Frankincense: Frankincense may help treat lung and genitor-urinary complaints, ulcers, chronic diarrhea. It is also used in products for mature skin, acne, fungal infections, boils, hard-to-heal wounds, and may assist in healing scars.

Geranium: Has been known to relieve stress-related conditions. Helps to fight burns, cuts, eczema and many skin conditions. It is also used in many skin care products and provides a balance in basic properties for both oily and dry skins.

Jasmine: Is always a relaxing, intoxicating, and warming essential oil. It's aphrodisiac properties are well known and it has been a long standing favorite in childbirth as a relaxing and supportive remedy. Jasmine is also valued in skincare as an aid to dry, sensitive and irritated skin.

Lavender: The essential oil that almost everyone knows and recoomends. Never be without it! It truly is known among Aroma therapists as a miracle oil! It has many claims to fame, including helping to treat rheumatism, muscle sprains, respiratory troubles, abdominal upsets, insomnia, it is soothing to the nerves, and lifts the spirits, eases the pain from burn or sun-damaged skin, and helps heal various types of skin infections.

Peppermint helps in treating asthma, nausea (put a drop in your glass of water), colic, cramps, colds, fevers, fainting, headaches, mental and nausea.

Rose: Is a soothing relief for headaches, nervous tensions or other stress related conditions.

Rosemary oil is wonderful for alleviating mental fatigue, helping circulation problems, and as a general pain reliever, not to mention the wonderful aroma that permeates the room when being diffused.

Sandalwood is so relaxing to breathe and has a warming and aphrodisiac effect on the psyche. Its value in skincare and moisturizing ingredients is well known as well as its healing properties.

Sweet Orange - The aroma of sweet orange helps treat tension, abronchitis, colds and is soothing to the senses.

Tea Tree is a long standing essential oil known as a strong disinfectant, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal remedy.

A few blends to try:

Oils that may be helpful to clear sinuses include oregano, frankincense, eucalyptus or even peppermint. Simply put a few drops of essential oil into a bowl of steaming water - about 4-5 cups. Place a towel over your head and breathe the steam for 15-30 minutes. This is great for clearing sinuses and providing head cold relief.

Want to try a floral spray to mist your bedroom or bathroom? Just put a approximately 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil into about one ounce of distilled water and spray away! Or you can also put a few drops of the mixture on your pillow case or even a bit of cloth and tuck it into your dresser drawers!

Try a few favorite essential oils such as peppermint in a base oil of sweet almond or jojoba oil for use during massages. Other soothing effects can be achieved by mixing a blend of about 4 drops of Lavender per tablespoon of carrier oil, 1 drop of Frankincense per tablespoon of carrier oil, or rosemary per tablespoon of carrier oil.  A full body massage usually requires 1 to 2 ounces of carrier oil. Any type of carrier oil is usually accepted except mineral oil. Most prefer a combination of Sweet Almond Oil or Jojoba oils.

Good things to know

3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons = 1 ounce (oz)
6 teaspoons = 1 ounce (oz)
10 milliliter (ml) = 1/3 oz.
15 milliliter (ml) = 1/2 oz.
30 milliliter (ml) = 1 oz.
10 milliliter (ml) = approximately 300 drops

Usually 2 drops of Essential Oil should be used per teaspoon of any Carrier Oil but some recipes may need more or less.