What are some tips for mixing your own aromatherapy oils?

When making aromatherapy oils, use essential oils to create naturally-scented blends. Begin by mixing several drops of the desired essential oils, and write down the formula for each combination. Adjust the amounts of each scent as needed before making large quantities of the blend. Work with essential oils cautiously. The oils are highly concentrated, and some essential oils cause irritation when applied topically. Other oils, such as bergamot, increase the risk of sunburn.

To create a pleasing aromatherapy blend, use a combination of 30 percent top notes, 50 percent middle notes and 20 percent base notes. For instance, combine three drops of lavender, three drops of sweet orange and two drops of sandalwood to make a balanced scent.

Allow the essential oils to remain undisturbed for several days to determine whether the blend smells good. After creating the desired scent, mix 10 to 15 drops of the essential oil blend with 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil. Dab a small amount of the scented oil onto pulse points to use the blend.

To make an alcohol-based blend, mix 30 drops of the aromatherapy blend with 4 1/2 teaspoons vodka and 1 1/2 teaspoons distilled water. Store the aromatherapy oils in colored or tinted glass bottles, and label each bottle for easy identification.