Before you start making blends find a comfortable workplace away from sunlight in a well ventilated room so essential oils are not concentrated in the room. It is better that you work on a surface where you will not be worried about spills. Place a special plate or a thick towel on the surface before you start to catch any accidental spills. You should have easy access to hot water. Prepare equipment and material for mixing. Equipment should be washed in hot soapy water, sterilized and allow to cool and air dry. I usually wash all the equipment to mix my own formulations in the dishwasher.
Components of mixtures:
1. Essential oil: It is the basis of any blend as it is the essential oils that have an impact on psycho-emotional sphere and the body. It is essential in the sense that it contains the essence of the characteristic fragrance of the plant from which it is derived. If you are not engaged in professional aromatherapy, buy essential oils in small quantities. Essential oils can oxidize, deteriorate and gradually lose their therapeutic value and aromatic quality over long periods of time. The shelf life of essential oils is usually 18 to 24 months from the date of manufacture unless the label specifies a shorter period. Keep them tightly sealed in a cool dark place. Essential oils should be mixed cautiously and sparingly. The usual measure is by drop(s). Open only those oils that are required for the recipe for the preparation of the blend. Essential oils are flammable and safety precautions should be followed for any type of blending.
2. Carrier (base) oils: Most essential oils must be diluted with carrier oil before use so they will not damage the skin. You can dissolve one or more oils in a carrier oil or blend. Base oils are usually sold in bottles from 50 ml to 400 ml. In the article IMPORTANCE OF CARRIER OILS this topic will be covered in more detail. The main carrier oils are: domestic vegetable (olive, sunflower, corn, etc.) and herbal cosmetic (sweet almond, grape seed, jojoba, wheat germ, avocado, peach, apricot, etc.). Do not use mineral oil.
3. Bases for creams and lotions: They do not contain any fragrances and are used to prepare creams and lotions for the desired skin structure. Buy them for adding to the recipe of essential oils to make your own creams and lotions with natural aromatics and essential components.
4. Salt: Sea or Epsom salt is an excellent base for bath salts mixed in equal portions. For exfoliating facial skin, use only fine salt.
5. Distilled water: Used to make pink or lavender water. It is also used as a component for lotions.
Try to stick to the simple recipes at first when preparing a blend of oils at home. Recommendations for the preparation of blends differ depending on the author. However, there is a general recommendation to use 3 to 5 essential oils for therapeutic blends (some authors recommend no more than 3) and 4 to 7 oils for perfume compositions. Start with simple combinations. Preparation of the blends require not only time, diligence, and experience, but also intuition. Remember that often a simple combination is more effective than complex composition of oils.
Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids. Do not sniff the undiluted oil from the bottle. Apply a drop to the wall of a glass and act as a true connoisseur. Sniff the aroma, evaluate, and take notes.
The shelf life of natural products can be extremely difficult to predict and it is recommended to mix the ingredients of the blends in small amounts. If you want to apply the oil on a small patch of skin 10 ml of the composition is adequate. For a complete massage use 20 ml. If you decide to try a new blend prepare 5 ml to make sure that it suits you.
It is recommended to consider the time needed to prepare your compositions and have everything at hand before you start. Make sure you have the following:
1. The desired number of bottles for the compositions you plan to make.
2. Consider the number of compositions that you will prepare and have the recipes on hand.
3. The necessary herbal and essential oils for making blends.
4. Containers for mixing, measuring cups, beakers, pipettes, stirrers and funnels.
5. Prepare labels. Make sure the exterior of your bottles are clean and free from oil or the labels will not stick.
6. Notepad and pen for notes to record the amount and proportion of essential oils used.
7. Carefully check the name of the oil and observe the dose.
Don’t forget to check yourself, family members or friends for any allergy of the oils you plan to use for yourself or them.
Start the creation of your own blends with the lowest dosages and adding essential oils by a few drops. Take notes about their successes and “failures”. The best way to learn is to prepare the blends according to the recipes or your notes in small quantities and use them. It is good doing this together with interested friends; “one nose is good and two noses – better.”
Preparation of the blend step by step
Method 1:
1. Calculate the quantity of base oil to the preparing blend, based on the volume of the bottle and the amount of essential oils. Calculate the number of drops of each essential oil, based on the amount of base oil.
2. Pour a measured amount of the carrier oil or water as required by the recipe to the blend in the mixing vessel.
3. Add essential oils to the base oil.
4. Stir well to ensure that essential oils are completely dissolved in the base oil before contact with the skin.
5. Place a label with information about the compound on the bottle.
6. Pour the blend into the bottle using the groove mixing vessel or funnel.
7. Close the bottle tightly containing the prepared mixture as well as the bottles of used essential oils.
Method 2:
1. Calculate the quantity of carrier oil or other base oil needed to prepare the blend based on the volume of the bottle and the amount of essential oils. Calculate the number of drops of each essential oil needed based on the amount of base oil.
2. Prepare and place the label on the bottle.
3. Measure out the calculated quantity of base oil and pour through a funnel into the bottle.
4. Measure the right amount of each essential oil in the bottle.
5. Close the bottle tightly and shake it for a few seconds. The blend may appear cloudy due to air bubbles buy will disappear over time.
Example.
Recipe for cleansing oil for face (any skin type): 15 ml of jojoba oil (you can add any oil pleasing to you, or a cosmetic oil for home cooking, the best of which is olive oil. Add 2 drops of rose, jasmine and neroli oils. The result will be a 2% blend.
Create the blend:
1. For example; you want to try this recipe and plan to store the mixture in a bottle with a volume of 5 ml. It is recommended to have a bottle with a slightly larger volume than is specified so you can use 5 ml of jojoba oil as a base. This means that the number for the mixture of this recipe should be less than 3 times (15 ml = 5 ml x 3). Unfortunately, 2 by 3 without a remainder is not divisible. In such cases, I just either increase the concentration or add a minimal amount of essential oils, where the minimum quantity is 1 drop. The prepared solution is more concentrated than the recipe – this will be a 3% solution instead of 2%. Or simply you can select the kind of oil that does not add to the blend – for example, do not add jasmine oil. Then get the 2% solution with rose and neroli oils.
2. Put a label with information about the compound.
3. Pour 5 ml of jojoba oil in a bottle.
4. Use 1 drop of rose, jasmine and neroli oils (3% solution) or 1 drop of rose and neroli oils (2% solution).
5. Close the bottle and shake it to mix and dissolve with the essential oils.
Note 1. Very carefully increase the concentration of essential oils in blends. In this mixture the essential oil is quite mild and not toxic, so the increasing concentration up to 3% of essential oils is acceptable.
Note 2. To reduce the amount of drops take a pipette with a minimum diameter of the hole and use it. The fact is that bottles with dispensers have different drops depending on the hole of the dispenser, temperature and surface tension of the oil.
Creating blends requires very specific knowledge and skills:
1. Knowledge of the properties of aromatic oils (light, medium or heavy; the properties of the oils – for example, bactericidal, etc.)
2. Methods of use
3. Selection of the most appropriate carrier (the type of cosmetic or vegetable oil, water, etc.)
The art of blending essential oils depends on the ability to find different but complementary flavors in the degree of volatilization and its healing properties or (for perfume compounds) scents. In the article “GUIDE TO THE SELECTION OF ESSENTIAL OILS FOR BLENDS” you will find information on the basic properties of essential oils for blending. In the article “AROMATHERAPY APPLICATION METHODS’ GUIDE” describes the main methods and recommended concentration for formulations depending on the methods. However, the different essential oils recommendations sometimes differ from the standard, so if you make up your own blend, be sure to read all available information about the oils you plan to use. For example, peppermint and lemon oils, if they are used for skin care must be dissolved in carrier oil and it’s concentration should be less than the standard. The article “IMPORTANCE OF CARRIER OILS” contains detailed information about the oils – the basics for massage and other styles of blends.