When combining essential oils for aromatherapy one should consider the scent notes that each oil may contribute to the finished blend as this will assure a more pleasing outcome.
What are scent notes?
Scent notes are divided into three categories, high (top), middle, and low (base) much like musical notes on a scale.
A fragrance can have either one single note or more to create a well rounded fragrance experience. The Top Note:
The top or high scent note is the very first scent your nose picks up
in a fragrance. It usually is light and very fleeting, dissipates
quickly not lasting long. The Middle Note:
The middle scent note takes more time to detect because it is in
between the top and low (base) notes. The middle scent note can mix
well with the top or low notes and be very hard to pick up and
distinguish all alone. Sometimes it combines and takes on the qualities of
the other notes. The Base Note:
The base or low scent note is the total opposite of the top note. This
is the fragrance with the most longevity and is able to stick around
for a while. These base notes tend to smell "heavy" to your nose. Many
of the wood fragrances are considered to be your base notes.
When blending an aromatherapy fragrance the most pleasing ones are
balanced in that the contain a top, middle and base note making a well
rounded balanced fragrance.
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