Start your essential oil blending journey with our aromatherapist, Jo Kellett.
When we talk about a blend of essential oils, we’re talking about a number of oils added to a blending oil, such as Peach Kernel, Jojoba or Sweet Almond which can then be used therapeutically for your wellbeing.
You can choose up to 3 different essential oils for a blend – this is recognised as the best amount to use for the most effective synergy of each of the oils, taking into account what they offer and how they complement each other.
Before creating a blend, it’s worth considering what effect you want. You may want to feel stimulated or peaceful, relaxed or rejuvenated. Recognising your intended effect will help you to select the right oils for your blend.
The combination of aromas is also crucial to a good blend. Have a smell of each of your chosen oils and make sure you like the aroma before you blend them together. Part of how aromatherapy works is the overall aromatic result. When we smell a fragrance that we like, it will ultimately benefit us more. Our sense of smell is so intrinsically linked to our memories, that if you smell something that you don’t like, it’s not going to have a very calming or uplifting effect.
Stress-busting blends
So many of my clients come to me looking for solutions to help cope with stress, sometimes because of a certain life event, others because of work or day-to-day living. Essential oils are a great tool for managing stress and keeping our mental health balanced.
Here are a couple of blends for making you feel calm and relaxed, but don’t feel you must follow these; part of the joy of aromatherapy and blending oils is to have a go and see what you come up with.
Add 5 drops of essential oil to 10mls of blending oil for topical application or 10 drops in 20mls of blending oil for a full body treatment. Use no more than 10 drops in any one application.
Relaxing Massage Oil Blend – To help you relax when feeling overwhelmed:
- 10ml Blending Oil
- 1 drop of Neroli (Orange Blossom) – Citrus aurantium amara
- 2 drops of Bergamot – Citrus bergamia
- 2 drops of Frankincense – Boswellia carterii
Warm the oil between your palms and massage into upper chest, neck and shoulders in gentle sweeping movements.
Peaceful Massage Oil Blend – To help you get a good night’s sleep:
- 10ml Blending Oil
- 2 drops of Lavender – Lavandula angustoflia
- 2 drops of Mandarin – Citrus nobilis
- 1 drop of Roman Chamomile – Anthemis nobilis
Warm the oil between your palms and massage into upper chest, neck and shoulders in gentle sweeping movements.
For more essential oil blend ideas from Jo head over to out IGTV channel.
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
