| One of the great advantages of blending oils is that | | | | number to the carrier oil. Close the bottle and label |
| you can create your own mixture according to the | | | | clearly. Shake well before using. |
| scents you prefer. It is very important that both you | | | | You can make enough of your blend for just one |
| and your partner like the smell of the oil you are | | | | massage or you can make a larger quantity and |
| using; if you use something too heavy or cloying it | | | | store it. For a full body massage, you will need about |
| could leave you or your partner with a headache, and | | | | 20 ml of oil; if you are just doing a face massage, 10 |
| the benefits of the massage will be reduced. Create | | | | ml of oil is enough. It is probably not worth mixing |
| what Marguerite Maury called an "individual | | | | quantities of less than 10 ml. |
| prescription." First decide what effect you are hoping | | | | Storing oils |
| to achieve: Do you want the aroma to sedate or | | | | Essential oils are highly volatile and therefore |
| revive, to energize or to calm? Do you want to use | | | | evaporate easily. Because heat, air, and light can |
| oils for their therapeutic properties or simply to | | | | affect them, they should be kept in dark glass |
| pamper? Select two or three from your list and | | | | bottles in normal to cool temperatures (about |
| make a light blend. A weak blend usually smells better | | | | 64°F/18°C). Although some wood oils can |
| and is more effective than a stronger one. | | | | improve with age, most oils deteriorate and should be |
| I usually use a 2 percent dilution on my clients - eight | | | | used within 2 years. They can be stored in the |
| drops of essential oil to 20 ml carrier oil - as I prefer | | | | refrigerator to prolong life. (Don't worry if your oils |
| to use a lighter fragrance rather than an | | | | solidify in the refrigerator - they will return to liquid |
| overpowering one. | | | | form when back at room temperature.) Citrus oils |
| When you make your own blend, pour the amount | | | | should be used within a year. However, once |
| of carrier oil you need into a small, dark bottle using a | | | | essential oils have been diluted in a carrier, their shelf |
| funnel. With your chosen essential oils work out the | | | | life is reduced to a few months. |
| number of drops required and carefully add this | | | | |