An article about essential oils that blend with vanilla oil. Written by professional aromatherapist and author Sharon Falsetto.
Vanilla absolute or vanilla CO2 extract blends well with a wide variety of essential oils, adding a sweet, balsamic, “creamy” note to an essential oil blend. It is a popular oil to use in Holiday blends, as it is reminiscent, for many, of the season. Think about the purpose of your blend, the product base you are blending it with, and then compose a blend to fit that purpose.
As I discussed in a previous post, there are alternatives to vanilla oil but, if you want to use true vanilla, here are a few suggestions with which to blend it.
Vanilla Oil and Spice Essential Oils
Spice essential oils are popular during the the winter months because of their “warming” qualities. Spices such as nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), and clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) are also used in many Holiday dishes, so their individual and combined aromas are familiar to many.
When using spices as essential oils, remember to check individual cautions for use, as these particular essential oils are often more “volatile” than others and in some cases should not be used with seniors, pregnant moms, and with babies and children.
Balsam Essential Oils
As I suggested in a previous article, Peru balsam (Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae) can be used as an alternative to vanilla oil. However, essential oils of the “balsam family” also blend well with vanilla oil. Balsam essential oils, such as Canadian or fir balsam (Abies balsamea) and copaiba balsam (Copaifera officinalis), are also beneficial for respiratory problems.
Note that Peru balsam is now actually on the “banned list” under IFRA guidelines for fragrance use.
Vanilla Oil and Citrus Essential Oils
Citrus essential oils from the Rutaceae plant family, such as sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), lime (Citrus aurantifolia), lemon (Citrus x limon) and even neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara (flos)), blend well with vanilla oil, in addition to other essential oils with a lemon aroma.
Citrus essential oils add an uplifting, “happy” note to a blend. Many are also beneficial for digestive problems.
Take note that many citrus essential oils may cause sensitivity in large amounts, so be aware of that when using them to blend in a fragrance (photosensitivity and skin sensitivity).
Mint Essential Oils
I think that mint is a quintessential aroma of the Holiday season and, when combined with vanilla, adds a yummy note to any Holiday blend! Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) are the two most common types of mint essential oils used. Avoid using peppermint essential oil around babies, young children and pregnant moms; opt for the less “reactive” spearmint essential oil.
Vanilla Essential Oil Recipes
If you are looking for quality aromatherapy recipes, curated by professional aromatherapist and author Sharon Falsetto, check out our Botanical Aromatherapy membership school!
About the Author:
The author of this article has been working in the health care industry since the 1990’s and in the aromatherapy industry since the 2000’s. She is UK-certified aromatherapist and a NAHA Certified Professional Aromatherapist®. She is both a published author and editor in aromatherapy, a consultant, custom blend formulator and life-long herbal studies student. She is the author of Authentic Aromatherapy and the current chief editor of the NAHA Aromatherapy Journal. She has taken the online Master Gardener short course series with the University of Oregon. Sharon works from her garden studio in Sedona, Arizona, where she gardens and distills plants from her own aromatic gardens, surrounded by natural fauna and flora on an original pioneer homestead property.
