What is it?
Aromatherapy recipes make use of blends of natural extracts of  plants also known as essential oils to overcome various ailments that shroud every day living such as stress, depression, indigestion, menopause, nausea, immune deficiencies and fatigue.



Aromatherapy has traveled 6000 years from the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman times to this era. Today, thousands of therapists and beauticians put to use aromatherapy recipes perfected over the years by applying various blends of essential oils for physical and emotional well being.

The key to perfecting an aromatherapy recipe is the art of blending essential oils. The art of blending can be improvised when supported by the knowledge of the characteristics of essential oils. Essential oils vary in their aroma and therapeutic use. Hence, essential oils can be used as a blend for either its therapeutic benefits or for inhaling the fragrance.

Before one decides to concoct a unique blend of essential oils it would help to check this brief introduction to the potent extraction known as essential oils:
• Always remember that essential oils are very potent and volatile liquids that can be very harmful if used carelessly.




• Never apply undiluted oil on the skin without use of carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, hazelnut oil, sunflower oil or grape seed oil.
• Essential Oils which are not preferable for home use include: cinnamon, clove, hyssop, and sage.
• Essential Oils which should not be used during pregnancy include: basil, clove, cinnamon, fennel, hyssop, juniper, marjoram, myrrh, peppermint, rosemary, sage, and white thyme.
• Essential Oils which are not recommended for steam facials include: bay, clary sage, ginger, juniper, pine, and tea tree.
• Essential Oils which are photosynthesizing include, but are not restricted to: lemon, bergamot, lime, and orange.
• Do not go out into the sun for at least two hours after applying these oils to your skin.
• Mugwort, Rue, Sassafras, Tansy, Thuja, Wormwood essential oils should NEVER be used in Aromatherapy.

Aromatic Recipes:
What makes a commercial perfume different from an aromatic one? Apart from essential oil which is a common ingredient, the fact that commercial products also include synthesized chemicals makes reproducing the commercial perfume naturally a difficult proposition. Synthesized chemicals are used to reproduce the essential characteristics of natural essential oils and other ingredients. Perfumers use synthesized chemicals and chemicals extracted from essential oils because they are often cheaper than using pure essential oils and because the chemicals are standardized and will be more consistent in aroma.

In aromatherapy blending for aromatic use only natural ingredients such as essential oils, absolutes, CO2s, grain alcohol, carrier oils, herbs and water are used.

Blending Basics for an Aromatic Recipe
Essential oils can be categorized into broad groups based on their aromas.



The categories under which the essential oils may be categorized according to their aromatic characteristics include:
• Floral - Lavender, Neroli, Jasmine
• Woodsy -Pine, Cedar
• Earthy -Oakmoss, Vetiver, Patchouli
• Herbaceous -Marjoram, Rosemary, Basil
• Minty -Peppermint, Spearmint
• Medicinal/Camphorous - Eucalyptus, Cajuput, Tea Tree
• Spicy -Nutmeg, Clove, Cinnamon
• Oriental -Ginger, Patchouli
• Citrus -Orange, Lemon, Lime

Oils in the same category generally blend well together. One can blend with other categories to create a unique aroma.

Here are some popular known categories that generally blend well together:
• Florals blend well with spicy, citrusy and woodsy oils.
• Woodsy oils generally blend well with all categories.
• Spicy and oriental oils blend well with florals, oriental and citrus oils.



Be careful not to overpower the blend with the spicy or oriental oils.
• Minty oils blend well with citrus, woodsy, herbaceous and earthy oils.

Therapeutic Recipes
Therapeutic blends focus on emotional and physical well being. Massage is perhaps one of the most popular ways to use essential oils for a therapeutic purpose. It combines the healing art of aromatherapy with the healing art of touch.



It is very important to select oils not only for the therapeutic actions they deliver but also to make sure that none of the oils used have any contradictions or safety issues that could lead to side effects.

Blending Basics for Therapeutic use:
• When creating a new blend, it is advisable to start with small quantities with the total number of drops being 5, 10, 20 or 25 drops. This will avoid wastage of oil if the blend does not provide therapeutic results as expected.
• Creating concoctions including only using essential oils, absolutes or CO2s. After creating the blend one can dilute it by adding carrier oils, alcohol, etc.
• Record the blend created by jotting down the oils used in the blend and the number of drops used for each oil. This will help recreate the blend as and when required.

Aromatherapy used for a therapeutic use or therapeutic recipes are classified as problem solving remedies. The various concoctions one can avail include therapeutic recipes for:
• Aches and Muscle Pain
• Air fresheners for Home & Office
• Alertness, Refreshing and Uplifting
• Allergies
• Anti-infective, Anti-Fungal
• Calming and Relaxation
• Colds, Flu, Bronchitis
• Depression
• Diffuser Blends
• Health Concerns, Miscellaneous
• Holidays
• Insect & Pests
• Massage & Bath Blends
• Pets
• Skin & Hair Care
• Women's Health

Here are few simple therapeutic recipes one can concoct to combat various health issues:
• 3 drops of orange essential oil and 2 drops of ginger can combat depression
• Drops of Roman chamomile, clary sage and bergamot oils can drive out insomnia
• A few drops of peppermint, cypress and lavender oils can reduce menstrual cramps
• Roman chamomile, lavender and vetiver oils can help relieve stress.
• A few drops of peppermint and lemon oils can help enhance memory power
• Strengthen the immune system with a few drops of eucalyptus, pine and peppermint oils. Fight acne with toning lavender and antiseptic tea tree oil.
• Ease a grieving heart with oils of warm rose and sandalwood. • Disinfect the kitchen sink with the citrus smell of lemon, lime and grapefruit oils.