Keep It Simply Scent-sational!

Synergistic blending is when the combination is more than the sum of its parts; it increases the potency without increasing the dosage. The following blends are examples of synergistic formulas for mind and body. Most essential oils are endowed with numerous therapeutic properties, but for reasons of clarity and space, only three or four "principal actions" are listed. It would take volumes to explore all the possibilities and permutations of synergistic blends, but these examples should give you a good idea of how many effects can be achieved with twelve essential oils.

Another thing to keep in mind is that in reality, aromatherapists rarely mix purely "physical" blends as the guide suggests. In fact, it is impossible to create a blend that only affects the body - since whatever affects the body also affects the mind and vice-versa. However, it is common in aromatherapy to mix a purely "mental" blend (usually for stress), for the mind is believed to be the source of almost all of our ills.

Generally a "mind" blend can be inhaled from a handkerchief, added to the bath water, vaporised in a diffusor, or used for aromatherapy massage. Most of the "body" blends are suitable for massage, however, steam inhalations or compresses may be more appropriate for certain ailments.

Bergamot

Principal actions: antidepressant, heals wounds, combats fever

Blending guide: Mind

To enhance its uplifting, antidepressant properties, blend with lavender and geranium

• three parts bergamot, two parts lavender, one part geranium.

To create a more sedative blend, mix with clary sage and vetiver

• three parts bergamot, one part clary sage, one part vetiver

Blending guide: Body

To reinforce its wound-healing and fever-reducing properties blend with lavender and eucalyptus

• two parts bergamot, one part lavender, one part eucalyptus

Black Pepper

Principal actions: stimulates the nervous system, aphrodisiac, stimulates the circulation, eases cold and flu symptoms

Blending guide: Mind

To enhance its mentally stimulating effect, mix with bergamot and grapefruit

• one part black pepper, three parts bergamot, two parts grapefruit

To enhance is aphrodisiac properties, mix with ylang ylang and sandalwood

• one part black pepper, one part ylang ylang, two parts sandalwood

Blending guide: Body

To reinforce its stimulating effect on the circulation, mix with rosemary and coriander

• one part black pepper, two parts coriander, one part rosemary

To support its warming, decongestant properties, mix with ginger

• two parts black pepper, one part ginger

Cedarwood

Principal actions: nerve sedative, decongestant, helps rheumatism and arthritis

Blending guide: Mind

To increase its stress-reducing properties, mix with rose otto and sandalwood

• three parts cedarwood, one part rose otto, two parts sandalwood

Blending guide: Body

To support its decongestant properties, mix with elemi

• three parts cedarwood, one part elemi

To support its ability to reduce rheumatic and arthritic pain, mix with juniper berry and lavender

• two parts cedarwood, two parts juniper berry, one part lavender

Chamomile (Roman)

Principal actions: nerve sedative, anti-inflammatory, eases muscular aches and pains

Blending guide: Mind

To enhance its calming effect, blend with clary sage and neroli

• one part chamomile, one part clary sage, two parts neroli

For a less expensive calming blend, mix with lavender and petitgrain

• one part chamomile, two parts lavender, one part petitgrain

Blending guide: Body

To reinforce its anti-inflammatory properties, mix with lavender

• one part chamomile, two parts lavender

To increase its muscle relaxant properties mix with lavender and marjoram

• two parts chamomile, one part marjoram, two parts lavender

Coriander

Principal actions: enlivening, aphrodisiac, stimulates the circulation, anti-rheumatic

Blending guide: Mind

To enhance its enlivening effect, mix with bergamot and rosemary

• two parts coriander, three parts bergamot, one part rosemary

To emphasize its sensual quality, blend with rose otto and sandalwood

• three parts coriander, one part rose otto, two parts sandalwood

Blending guide: Body

To reinforce its ability to stimulate the circulation and alleviate rheumatic pain, mix with marjoram and rosemary

• two parts coriander, one part marjoram, one part rosemary

Frankincense

Principal actions: a meditation aid (deepens the breathing), anti-inflammatory, heals wounds, eases painful menstruation

Blending guide: Mind

To enhance its ability to focus the mind during meditation, blend with juniper berry and cedarwood

• two parts frankincense, one part juniper berry, one part cedarwood

Blending guide: Body

To increase its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, mix with lavender and geranium

• one part frankincense, two parts lavender, one part geranium

To enhance its ability to ease painful menstruation, mix with clary sage and cypress

• one part frankincense, two parts cypress, one part clary sage

Geranium

Principal actions: antidepressant, restorative, anti-inflammatory

Blending guide: Mind

To enhance its uplifting, antidepressant properties, mix with bergamot and lavender

• one part geranium, two parts bergamot, two parts lavender

To increase its ability to restore vitality during periods of prolonged stress, mix with clary sage and neroli

• one part geranium, two parts clary sage, one part neroli

Blending guide: Body

To increase its anti-inflammatory properties, mix with lavender

• one part geranium, two parts lavender

Juniper Berry

Principal actions: nerve sedative, anti-rheumatic, relieves painful or difficult menstruation, eases cold and flu symptoms

Blending guide: Mind

To enhance its ability to reduce nervous tension and anxiety, mix with bergamot and sandalwood

• two parts juniper berry, three parts bergamot, one part sandalwood

Blending guide: Body

To enhance its ability to relieve painful or difficult menstruation, mix with clary sage and lavender

• two parts juniper berry, one part clary sage, one part lavender

To enhance its anti-rheumatic properties, mix with rosemary and cypress

• two parts juniper berry, two parts cypress, one part rosemary

To reinforce its ability to ease cold and flu symptoms, mix with lemon and pine

• two parts juniper berry, two parts lemon, one part pine

Lemongrass

Principal actions: antidepressant, eases muscular aches and pains, combats fever

Blending guide: Mind

To enhance its ability to uplift the emotions and restore vitality during periods of prolonged stress, mix with mandarin and neroli

• one part lemongrass, four parts mandarin, two parts neroli

Blending guide: Body

To reinforce its ability to reduce muscular aches and pains, mix with rosemary and coriander

• one part lemongrass, two parts rosemary, three parts coriander

To enhance its fever-reducing properties (especially for colds and flu), mix with mandarin or orange and ginger

• one part lemongrass, three parts mandarin or orange, one part ginger

Rosemary

Principal actions: mental stimulant, anti-rheumatic, stimulates the circulation, fungicidal

Blending guide: Mind

To enhance its ability to increase mental clarity, mix with peppermint and lemon

• three parts rosemary, one part peppermint, three parts lemon

Blending guide: Body

To reinforce its anti-rheumatic properties, mix with lavender and frankincense

• two parts rosemary, one part lavender, one part frankincense

To increase its fungicidal properties, mix with geranium

• one part rosemary, one part geranium

Rose Otto

Principal actions: antidepressant, reduces nervous tension, decongestant, promotes regular menstruation

Blending guide: Mind

To enhance its antidepressant, stress-reducing properties, mix with bergamot and neroli

• one part rose otto, five parts bergamot, two parts neroli

Blending guide: Body

To increase its decongestant properties, mix with lavender and frankincense

• one part rose otto, two parts frankincense, one part lavender

To support its abilty to promote regular menstruation, mix with chamomile (Roman) and clary sage

• one part rose otto, two parts clary sage, one part chamomile

Ylang Ylang

Principal actions: aphrodisiac, antidepressant, nervine, helps palpitations

Blending guide: Mind

To enhance its sensual properties, mix with patchouli and sandalwood

• one part ylang ylang, one part patchouli, two parts sandalwood

To support its antidepressant, stress-reducing properties, mix with bergamot and clary sage

• one part ylang ylang, two parts clary sage, three parts bergamot

Blending guide: Body

To enhance its ability to slow down rapid breathing and heartbeat (palpitations), mix with lavender and neroli

• two parts ylang ylang, two parts neroli, one part lavender

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