Increasingly, aromatherapy is one of the most fashionable types of alternative medicine in the world today. Perhaps one of the reasons it is so popular is that it is quite helpful for a number of different applications. In the world of medicine, there are a number of different applications. Women use it to ease labor pains on a regular basis. It has even been used to help rehabilitate people with heart problems. You don’t have to be sick to benefit from aromatherapy, though. It can simply help you to focus your mind. It can improve your memory, improve your mood, it can even invigorate you after a long night. In order to truly understand the world of aromatherapy, though, you must also understand the meaning of the term “notes.â€
Aromatherapy is based on the use of essential oils. There are a number of different essential oils that are used in most aromatherapy circles. Most recognize more than 150 different essential oils as important to the practice of aromatherapy. In order to help classify these essential oils, notes or the characteristics of the scent are used. There are three types of notes: top notes, middle notes, and base notes.
Top notes, on a general basis, are essential oils that tend to evaporate rather quickly. For the most part, essential oils that are classified as top notes tend to have anti-viral properties. Top notes are almost always quite fresh. They usually have properties that make them seem uplifting. They are also lighter scents than most. If you go to purchase essential oils that have been classified as top notes, they are usually quite inexpensive. They act very quickly. They usually have very little substance, and the first whiff of a top note essential oil will give you a good impression of the oil itself. Top notes do not last as long as some others. Top notes include basil, bergamot, cajuput, cinnamon, clary sage, corriander, eucalyptus, grapefruit, hyssop, lemon, lemongrass, lime, mandarin, tangerine, neroli, verbana, nialoui, orange, peppermint, petitgrain, ravensara, sage, spearmint, tagetes, tea tree, and thyme.
Most essential oils fit in the category of middle notes. Middle notes tend to be most helpful in giving a sense of body to whatever essential oils blend they are being used in. They do a good job of balancing the blends, which is one of the reasons they are so popular. For the most part, when you go to smell an essential oils blend, the middle notes will not always hit you at once. It may take a few minutes before you even notice them in any essential oils blend. Middle notes are warmer style fragrances. They have soft overtones that make them perfect for blending. Middle notes include bay, black pepper, cardamom, chamomile, cypress, fennel, geranium, ho leaf, ho wood, hyssop, juniper, lavender, marjoram, melissa, myrtle, nutmeg, palma rosa, pine, rosemary, spikenard, yarrow.
Essential oils that are called base notes tend to be heavier than any other notes. They have a very solidified scent. Base notes stay present for a much longer period of time than any other oil, and they can truly help to slow down the level of evaporation most other essential oils experience. These are very intense experiences. Their rich nature tends to be relaxing for most, and they also tend to be the most expensive of all aromatherapy essential oils. Base notes include balsam peru, cassia, cedarwood, cinnamon, clove, frankincense, ginger, jasmine, myrrh, neroli, oak moss, patchouli, rose, rosewood, sandalwood, valerian, vanilla, vetiver, and ylang ylang.
If you intend to make your own combinations of notes, there are several important points to keep in mind. Remember that top notes hit hard to begin with, but leave quickly. Try balancing them evenly with a blend of middle notes and base notes. Remember that you want your final blend to be emotionally enjoyable. Blending your own notes to make sure that you get a scent that works for you or anyone you intend to give it to is essential for the perfect aromatherapy procedures. Enjoy your blending experience.
Posted in Aromatherapy