Mixing Ratios for Essential Oils Aroma & Benefits

Caryn Gehlmann, Clinical Aromatherapist

My monthly Q&A with Caryn is a fun opportunity for me to answer your blending questions. When you’re blending essential oils, it helps to know how to use mixing ratios. This helps ensure that you have a pleasant, balanced aroma without sacrificing the therapeutic benefits of the blend. (For more information on blending essential oils with carrier oils for safe usage, take a look at e3’s dilution guidelines.)

So this month’s question is: How do I figure out the mixing ratios when I’m blending different essential oils? What I’m hearing is that many of you want to know how to make sure your new blend smells good, while still retaining the therapeutic benefits of the blend. For example, it’s no fun having a blend that supports your immune system, if it smells so bad you never want to use it! Is there always a standard formula or can you experiment with your mixing ratios? I hear that a lot so read on for some easy blending ratio tips that work.

Here is what a recent e3 customer wanted to know:

If you want to blend two middle notes, how do you create the rations correctly? For example, should Lavender and Peppermint have equal parts? Or what about blending Juniper, Rosemary, and Blackberry?  How would you determine the right ratio for each?

What great questions! The first thing I recommended to her was to check out this blog with some helpful blending tips Secrets to Blending Essential Oil Scent Notes. Don’t forget you can use the search on e3’s education blog to find answers to all kinds of questions!

A common formula in aromatherapy for fragrances is 30% Top Note(s) + 50% Middle Note(s)+ 20% Base Note(s) -— meaning you can use multiple, complementary oils in each note range as long as they match the percentage.

However, mixing ratios for therapeutic essential oils are dependent on the intended focus of the blend. So when you are blending, always ask yourself: Am I blending for a physical issue, emotional focus, body oil scent, etc.?

With the example of Lavender and Peppermint, they can be an equal ratio but they don’t have to be. Even though both are middle notes, Peppermint will be bossy and act like a base note. So equal parts would probably have Peppermint being the lead note, that might work if you want the blend for the analgesic properties of the Peppermint. Also, the type of Lavender you use Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandula latifolia can make a big difference.

So my recommendation would be to start with a few drops only of each — smell it and see if it resonates with you. You could use 3 drops each on an odor strip to test the scent throw. Then add 1 or 2 drops at a time until you have reached the balance that feels right for you. Make sure you write down in your notes the amount of drops you added so that when you recreate the blend you will have the formula.

Now for the Juniper, Rosemary, and Blackberry blend. My first question is what kind of Blackberry oil? Blackberry oil is usually either a carrier oil or a synthetic oil. (e3 never carries synthetic products, but be aware that sometimes synthetic oils are sold with a label that says natural, even though they’re not.) If Blackberry is a synthetic the guidance of essential oil blending will not apply as synthetic molecules are much larger.

If it is a carrier oil, then you can proceed. First, I would recommend blending the Juniper (either Juniperberry or Juniper Berry) and Rosemary first. Again, you could use 3 drops each on an odor strip to test the scent throw. Once you like the balance of these two, then you can determine the ratio of Blackberry carrier oil based on your desired outcome and intent.

There are two things I love about being an aromatherapist, creating new essential oil blends and answering questions about essential oils. That’s why I’m really excited to begin offering interactive virtual blending classes where I get to do both!

If you’d like to join me for an Art of Blending Class, sign up for e3’s newsletter to find out when our next class will be held.

Sometimes when you’re just getting started with blending, it can feel a little overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! Having guidance and the right blending tools can make all the difference.

Download our free guide that will walk you through the steps, The Art & Science of Blending Essential Oils. And keep your great questions coming!