There are many benefits of using essential oils in skin care. The essential oils are easily absorbed through the skin and they can be added to vegetable oils, moisturizers, scrubs, face masks, ointments and so on. It is also especially beneficial that they have an appealing scent which works on the emotional level as well. I love applying my morning facial cream with geranium because I also love the aroma and it makes me happy. The essential oils have been used throughout history for healing, cleaning, religious ceremonies, flavoring, skin care and perfumes.

Some of the benefits of essential oils in skin care are:

                                     

Blending essential oils can be tricky and it requires practice. I learned long time ago that it is a good idea to write down the recipes of the blends so you remember the great ones. 

Blend Equalizers

If your blend is not smooth and has some sharp edges then it's a good idea to consider using blend equalizers. Blend equalizers are the essential oils that will smooth out the sharp edges in a blend. According to Battaglia, Lavabre says the essential oils of sweet orange, Spanish marjoram, fir, tangerine, pine and rosewood are considered equalizers. If your blend contains cineole rich essential oils Lavabre suggests that fir and pine needle are ideal to use.

Blend equalizers will balance the blend and this will make the blend flow harmoniously. The equalizers' main purpose is to hold the blend together without having any or very little effect on the blend's personality. Battaglia says equalizers  can be used in large amounts, if blend modifiers are also used then equalizers can be used up to 50%.

Blend Modifiers

If you realize that your blend is flat and uninteresting then it may be a good idea to add a drop of a modifier. Blend modifiers will contribute to its unique personality as well as give the blend a lift. Some modifiers are cinnamon, peppermint, clove, vetiver, cistus and German Chamomile. Even when used in small amounts the modifiers can influence the overall aroma of the blend, so it is suggested by Battaglia to use them sparingly. Don't use more than 3%.

Blend Enhancers

Blend enhancers can slightly modify a blend without overpowering it. They have a pleasant aroma and Battaglia says they can be used up to 50%. Geranium, bergamot, clary sage, cedarwood, lavender, may chang, spruce, lime, lemon, lavender, palmarosa, jasmine, myrrh, rose otto, neroli are considered blend enhancers according to Battaglia.

Natural Extenders

When you use expensive essential oils such as rose, jasmine and neroli you want to take advantage of their exquisite aroma. Battaglia says that Lavabre recommends using natural extenders to make the blend more affordable. The natural enhancers should be compatible with the expensive essential oils of course. 

Battaglia shares a formula that shows how it is possible to maintain the equisite rosy aroma of a blend by adding two less expensive essential oils with rosy and floral aroma. Battaglia chooses to add the less expensive essential oils of rosewood and palmarosa  as natural extenders to a rose absolute blend. He is using patchouli as a base note which has a rich, sweet and earthy aroma.

Palmarosa 10%

rose absolute 20%

rosewood 60%

patchouli 10%

 Essential oils are expensive and it is annoying when you create blends that don't turn out so well. Hopefully the tips mentioned above will be useful. Happy Blending!

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Blending essential oils is not always easy and it is also very subjective. Fortunately, there are some tips that are useful and can help you create a pleasing and balanced blend.

First of all you need to familiarize yourself with the top, middle, and base notes. Battaglia agrees with Lavabre, who suggests the following ratio:

top notes: 20-30%

midddle notes: 40-80%

base notes: 10-25%

Battaglia used to believe in a different ratio but he writes that Lavabre's ratio works perfectly for aromatherapy.

For a detailed list of the essential oils and if they are top, middle, or base notes, read my post Make Your Own Perfume:

It is important that the blend you make doesn't brake up into three stages that smells differently, you don't want them to leave the others behind. If the essential oil blend falls apart it is not formulated very well. 

So how should  a well balanced blend be like? Battaglia says a well balanced blend has a top note that retains some of the middle note, and the base note retains some of the middle note. The changes during the evaporatio process will be very smooth.

What are some things you can do to fix your blend?

If you have formulated a blend with the top note too far removed from the middle note then you can bring the blend into harmony by adding an essential oil with softer quality that vibrates from the middle towards the top. Rose otto, neroli or clary sage can be used.

If you formulated a blend where the base note is way too pronounced and doesn't have any connection to the middle note, then you have to lift the blend with an essential oil that is brighter and resonates from the middle to the base. Geranium, lavender, rosewood, or ylang yland are suitable.

If you formulated a blend with mostly top notes then you should consider adding rosewood or sandalwood to the blend. 

Learn about blend equalizers, blend modifiers, blend enhancers and natural extenders  here.

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Lymphedema may be localized or generalized. Kahn says lymphedema may be due to a primary or secondary cause. The primary cause is  also referred to as congenital, and the secondary cause is caused by a known condition which could be radiation or trauma, or removal of lymph nodes. 

The Aromatherapy Treatment Strategy

The aromatherapy treatment is to reduce the swelling by stimulationg the lymph flow by using cool compresses and lymphatic drainage massage techniques. Kahn suggests to use essential oil such as fennel seed, juniper berry, and cypress for the compress. Lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage that assists the lymph flow, decrease pain, balance the central nervous system and boosts immunity. Kahn recommends to use laurus nobilis, lemon, rosemary, grapefruit, peppermint and lemon essential oils. These oils assist lymph fluid circulation and  aid in elimination of wastes from the interstitial tissue.

The leg should be elevated. Kahn also suggests to incorporate deep breathing, yoga, self massage, nutritional and lifestyle advice. Aromatherapy baths are also recommended and they should not be too hot, the heat can cause filtration of fluids into the tissue and make the condition worse.

Kahn further says it is important to use pH balanced moisturizing lotion with essential oils such as tea tree and lavender to minimize the risk of infections.