Blending Essential Oils - Scent Groups
Essential oils can be grouped by scent profiles, and while there's no one universal list, we aromatherapists typically organize them into 7 to 9 main scent families.
Here's a common breakdown:
1. Floral
Soft, sweet, romantic scents.
Examples: Lavender, Rose, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Neroli, Geranium
2. Citrus
Fresh, uplifting, bright.
Examples: Sweet Orange, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Mandarin
3. Herbaceous
Green, fresh, slightly sweet or spicy.
Examples: Basil, Clary Sage, Marjoram, Rosemary, Chamomile
4. Minty
Cool, refreshing, sharp.
Examples: Peppermint, Spearmint
5. Camphoraceous
Strong, penetrating, medicinal.
Examples: Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Cajeput, Ravintsara, Camphor
6. Woody
Grounding, earthy, dry.
Examples: Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Palo Santo, Rosewood
7. Earthy/Rooty
Deep, rich, grounding.
Examples: Vetiver, Patchouli, Spikenard, Angelica Root
8. Spicy
Warm, stimulating, sometimes sharp.
Examples: Clove, Cinnamon, Ginger, Black Pepper, Cardamom
9. Resinous/Balsamic
Sweet, deep, soothing, often used in meditation.
Examples: Frankincense, Myrrh, Benzoin, Elemi, Peru Balsam
Some oils can fall into more than one category depending on how they're perceived (like lavender being both floral and herbaceous). But these 9 are a great starting point for organizing scent profiles for blending, and DIY enthusiasts.
