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15 Important
Essential Oils
"Notes" are used to describe an oils particular
characteristic. The three notes are top, middle, and base. The top
notes are immediately noticed. These are light and fresh, such as
lime and lemon. The middle note makes up the bulk of the blend.
Typical middle notes are lavender, geranium, or rose. The base note
gives richness to the blend. Common base notes are moss, patchouli,
or benzoin. Each note needs to be in balance with the others and
should blend harmoniously. A full listing of essential oils
can be found in our Info Center under Essential Oil Dictionary.
Cedarwood -
The oil is extracted by steam distillation from lumber, shavings,
and sawdust. It has a sweet balsamic, pencil-wood aroma. It is a
middle note and is balancing and regulating.
Chamomile -The
oil is produced by steam distillation from the flower heads. The
scent is slightly fruity, sweet, fresh, and herbaceous. It is a
middle note and is balancing, soothing, regulating, and
sedative. Clove bud -The oil is obtained by water
distillation from the flower buds. It has a hot, fruity, floral,
peppery, and medicinal aroma. It is a middle note and is balancing,
uplifting, and stimulating.
Eucalyptus
-The oil is extracted by steam distillation of the leaves and young
twigs. The aroma is penetrating, woody, camphoraceous, fresh, and
slightly sweet. It is a middle note and is uplifting, balancing,
soothing, and stimulating. Geranium -The oil is extracted by steam
distillation from the leaves, stalks, and flowers. It has a
rosy-sweet, floral, minty, and fresh aroma. It is a middle note and
is balancing and stimulating.
Jasmine -A
concrete (a pure concentrate) is produced from the flowers by
solvent extraction. The absolute is obtained from the concrete by
separation with alcohol. It has an intensely rich floral scent. It
is exotic and long-lasting. It is a middle-to-base note and is
uplifting, balancing, soothing, regulating, and
sedative.
Lavender -The
oil is extracted from the flowering tops by steam distillation. The
scent is light, floral, soft, and mellow. It is a middle note and is
balancing, soothing, and regulating.
Lemongrass
-The oil is extracted by steam distillation of the fresh or dried
leaves. The aroma is clean, hay-like, citrus, and lemony. It is a
top-to-middle note and is balancing and sedative.
Orange -The
oil is extracted by cold expression and by steam distillation of the
outer peel. It has a sweet, fresh, citrus, and tangy scent. It is a
top-to-middle note and is balancing, soothing, stimulating, and
regulating.
Patchouli -The
dried leaves are steam distilled to produce the oil. The aroma is
earthy, musky, woody, and spicy. It is a long-lasting base note and
is uplifting, balancing, soothing, and regulating.
Peppermint
-Steam distillation is used to extract the oil from the flowering
herb. It has a fresh, minty, penetrating aroma. It is a top note and
is uplifting and stimulating.
Rose -The oil
is extracted by water or steam distillation from the fresh petals.
It has a floral, sweet, rich, and warm aroma. It is a middle-to-base
note and is balancing and relaxing.
Rosemary -The
flowering tops are steam distilled to produce the oil. The scent is
fresh, camphoreous, woody, and balsamic. It is a top note and is
uplifting and stimulating.
Tea Tree -The
oil is extracted by water or steam distillation from the leaves and
twigs. It has a strong medicinal, camphoraceous, and fresh aroma. It
is a top note and is uplifting and stimulating.
Ylang Ylang
-The oil is extracted by water or steam distillation. The aroma is
exotic, floral, sweet, and rich. It is a base note and is balancing,
soothing, stimulating, and regulating.
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