How to Blend Essential Oils: A Step-by-Step Guide
Essential oils are potent and highly concentrated liquids that are extracted from the various parts of plants, including the leaves, bark, and flowers. When correctly blended, essential oils can provide a wide range of benefits—from therapeutic relaxation to energy boost—that can assist with a variety of physical and mental conditions. If you’re interested in incorporating essential oils into your everyday routine, read on to learn how to blend essential oils.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before you can start blending essential oils, you’ll need to gather the necessary supplies and preparation materials. Depending on the types of oils you plan to use and the desired outcome, you may need to obtain additional items.
- Essential Oils of Choice: Depending on the blend you’d like to create, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate essential oils for your blend. Be sure to double-check the safety guidelines for each oil, as some may not be suitable for your needs.
- Carrier Oil: As essential oils are highly concentrated, they might be too strong for use on their own. You’ll need to obtain a carrier oil, such as Sweet Almond or Fractionated Coconut oil, to dilute the essential oils. Be sure to select a carrier oil that’s suited for the purpose of your blend.
- Containers: Depending on the size of your blend, you may need several containers of varying sizes. Select different sizes of bottles, jars, flasks, vials, or other containers to store each oil. Make sure they lids are fully sealed.
- Dropper Bottles: For easy application, consider purchasing dropper bottles to store your blend in. This will help you control the amount of oil you’re using without having to measure the drops.
- Labels: Select labels or stickers that you can use to label the container you’re using to store your blend. This will ensure you can easily identify the blend as well as its ingredients.
- Gloves and Safety Goggles: As essential oils can be highly concentrated and can cause irritation, you should always wear gloves and safety goggles when handling them.
Step 2: Dilute the Essential Oils
The next step to blending essential oils is to dilute them for safety and prevent skin irritation. For topical application, essential oils should be diluted with a carrier oil at a ratio of 1:1. That means one part essential oil should be blended with one part of carrier oil.
- To dilute the essential oils, measure out one part of the carrier oil and pour it into the container.
- Once you’ve measured out the carrier oil, add one part of the essential oil. For example, if you’re using 10ml of carrier oil, you’d add 10ml of the essential oil.
- Using a stirring rod or spoon, stir the mixture until the essential oil is fully blended with the carrier oil.
Step 3: Decide on the Correct Proportion
After you’ve determined the type of essential oils you’d like to use and diluted them, the next step is to decide on the correct proportion of the oils in the blend. Generally, an essential oil blend should contain no more than 10 drops of essential oils in total. To determine the correct proportion of each oil, it’s best to refer to the safety guidelines for each essential oil.
Tip:
When creating essential oil blends, it’s best to start with a low proportion of each oil and gradually increase the amount. This way, you’ll be able to determine the correct proportion while avoiding potential skin irritation.
Step 4: Mix the Essential Oils
Once you’ve decided on the correct proportion of essential oils, it’s time to mix them together. Add the essential oils to the carrier oil one at a time, stirring each oil before adding the next.
- Using a stirring rod or spoon, stir the carrier oil and each essential oil until the oils are fully blended.
- Continue stirring until all of the essential oils have been added and fully blended with the carrier oil.
Step 5: Label the Blend
Once the blend is complete, you should label the container and store it in a safe place. This will ensure that you don’t use the blend on the wrong parts of your body.
When labeling the container, include the following information:
- The type of essential oils used
- The dilution ratio
- The expiration date
- The carrier oil used
- The date the blend was made
Step 6: Test the Blend
To make sure your blend is safe for use, you’ll need to test it on a small patch of skin. Pick a place such as the inside of the wrist and apply a small amount of the blend. If you experience any skin irritation, the blend may not be suitable for you.
Step 7: Use the Blend
Once you’ve tested the blend and are comfortable using it, you can incorporate it into your everyday routine. Essential oil blends can be used in a variety of ways, such as aromatherapy, massage oils, and more.
Aromatherapy
If you’d like to use the blend for aromatherapy, you can add a few drops to an oil diffuser or to a bowl of steaming water. This will release the aroma of the blend and benefit from its therapeutic properties.
Topical Application
To benefit from the physical and mental health benefits of essential oils, you can apply the blend topically. Before use, apply a small amount of the blend to a patch of skin to test for allergies. If any irritation occurs, discontinue use. Once you’ve determined the blend is safe for use, apply it directly to your skin or add it to your favorite lotion or moisturizer before use.
Conclusion
Blending essential oils can be a fun and therapeutic exercise that can have a wide range of physical and mental benefits. By following the steps outlined above, you can create your own unique essential oil blend to suit your needs. However, always be sure to read the safety information for each essential oil and carry out a patch test before use.
