There are three main "notes" for essential oils: top, middle, and base.
Top
TOP:
The first smell to arise from a blend and evaporate quickly. The top note fragrance is usually light, fresh, sharp, penetrating, and airy. These oils add brightness to a blend. The aroma of top note oils reminds us of wind chimes or a flute. Top notes stimulate and clear your mind, uplifting your energy. Notice that all citrus oils are top notes.
Essential Oils
Distilled Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
Orange (Citrus sinensis)
MIDDLE:
Also called the “heart” note, these oils give the blend aromatic softness, fullness, and can round off any sharp edges. Middle notes can have both top and base note aromas within them. They are harmonizing for your blends. Middle notes provide balance both physically and energetically. They are soothing and harmonizing for the mind and body.
Essential Oils
Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora ct. 1,8 cineole)
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
BASE:
These oils provide a deep, warm, grounded quality to your blend. They function as fixatives by reducing the evaporation of the top notes. Base notes add intensity to a blend and often have an earthy aroma. The aroma rises slowly to your nose, unlike top notes, which penetrate quickly. Base notes are used to relieve stress, anxiety, and insomnia. They are calming and grounding. Many oils derived from woods, resins, and roots are base notes. Ylang Ylang is an exception as it is extracted from a flower.
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