Fragrance & Essential Oil Families

The following list includes essential oils and fragrance notes and places them into aromatic fragrance families . These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Essential Oil General Safety Information:  Essential Oils (EOs) are highly concentrated extractions of plants and can be harmful if not used carefully.  Incorporating EOs into your lifestyle should not cause unnecessary work, but it is important to heed all safety precautions. Never take EOs internally, even if a label say it is safe for consumption by mouth.  Never put undiluted EOs directly onto your skin (NEAT) to avoid sensitization of skin, and never apply NEAT to broken skin.  Some EOs can cause irritation, sensitization or allergic reactions in some individuals.  When using a new oil topically for the first time, perform a skin patch test on a small area of the skin.  Some EOs are phototoxic and can cause irritation, inflammation, blistering, redness and/or burning when exposed to UVA rays of the sun.  Discontinue using EOs immediately if you encounter any irritation, redness or reaction.  Take care when adding EOs directly to bathwater.  EOs do not stayed mixed in water, and can, therefore “pool” causing the EO to touch body areas in full strength with the potential for irritation.  Some EOs should be avoided during pregnancy or by those with asthma, epilepsy, or other health conditions.  Avoid using EOs near the genitals, mouth, nose, eyes and ears. Extreme caution should be used with children and elderly (due to medication mix).  Care should be taken when using EOs near animals as not all EOs are safe to use on dogs, cats, birds, horses or other pets.  EOs are flammable; keep them away from fire hazards.

AQUATIC – refreshing, light, and clean scent like rain, sea glass. This scent category conjures up images of breezy summer sailing days drinking limoncello in Positano by a sparkling ocean or reading a paperback book on the beach. Scents like:

• Marine notes like algae
• Salt
• Seaweed
• Fresh sea air

CAMPHORACEOUS – Strong scents that are known to be beneficial for clearing the respiratory system due to their clarifying, penetrating, energizing, purifying, and almost medicinal aromas. Scents like:

• Cajeput
• Camphor
• Eucalyptus
• Laurel Leaf
• Lavandin
• Marjoram
• Menthol
• Pennyroyal
• Sage
• Tea Tree

CITRUS – Citrus scents are crisp and clean with herbal notes to give that refreshing scent and revive the senses.  Aromas are characteristic of the rinds from which they are extracted. They can be described as tangy or tart, fresh, clean, vibrant, invigorating, exciting, energizing, and uplifting. Scents like:

• Bergamot
• Blood Orange
• Geranium
• Grapefruit
• Juniper
• Lemon
• Lemon Eucalyptus
• Lemongrass
• Lime
• Litsea Cubeba/May Chang
• Mandarin
• Orange
• Pink Grapefruit
• Spike Lavender
• Tagetes
• Tangerine
• Wintergreen
• Ylang Ylang

FRUITY – fruity scents are evocative of hot summer days. They can be sweet, but the best ones never get cloying, and can range from playful to sophisticated, depending on the other notes the fruit is paired with. Scents like:

• Apple
• Blueberry
• Cherry
• Mango
• Melon
• Nectorine
• Peach
• Pear
• Pinneapple
• Strawberry
• Watermelon

GOURMAND (SWEET) – evokes a sense of something yummy, sweet, indulgent, delicious ‘dessert-like’ scents like the top of a crème brûlée.  Almost-but-not-quite cloying—and powdery. Scents like:

• Benzoin
• Burnt sugar
• Caramel 
• Cassia
• Chocolate
• Copaiba
• Vanilla

GREEN – crisp, lively, sporty. Scents like:

• Cucumber
• Green Tea Leaves
• Rosemary
• Lavender

HERBACEOUS – Smelling green or grassy. These fragrances often have mild floral yet invigorating spring-like scents that are associated with lush, wet foliage. Essential Oils that have herbaceous scents can be further described as smelling green or grassy. They are reminiscent of the aroma of fresh leaves, moss, mown grass, herbs, and trees. Scents like:

• Angelica Root
• Basil
• Bay Laurel
• Catnip
• Chamomile
• Clary Sage
• Eucalyptus
• Eucalyptus Radiata
• Fennel
• Fresh Leaves
• Hyssop
• Lavender
• Lemongrass
• Marjoram
• Melaleuca/Tea Tree
• Melissa
• Moss
• Mown Grass
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Sage Dalmatian
• Spike Lavender
• Thyme
• Trees
• Yarrow

MINTY – Minty scent are strong-scented and are distinctly known for their bracing, fresh fragrances. They are reputed to be clearing and cooling when used in aromatherapy and topical applications. Scents like:

• Helichrysum
• Spearmint
• Pennyroyal
• Peppermint
• Sweet Birch
• Wintergreen

ORIENTAL & BASE NOTES – as their name suggests the oriental perfumes originate from the more exotic parts of the world.  Warm and sensual, there is also a certain depth to this scent that is quite popular with the more adventurous. These Essential Oils are harmonious compositions of exotic resins, woody, warm and sensual, spices and florals, rich, deep, opulent scents.  A subgroup containing more woody oriental aromas is comprised of earthy, wood accords, such as sandalwood or cedarwood mixed with patchouli or vetiver and sweet, spicy notes. Scents like:

• Black Pepper
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Copaiba
• Frankincense
• Jasmine
• Myrrh
• Orange Flower Blossom    
• Orchid
• Orris
• Oud
• Patchouli
• Sandalwood
• Vanilla
• Vetiver

RESINOUS/MUSKY – Deep, rich scents that are smoky, woody, earthy, sweet, leather-like, and warm. Their mellow, alluring, and long-lasting fragrances. Largely considered masculine, the woody perfumes often have light top notes with a muskier heart. Made from sandalwood, patchouli and oakmoss, these warm, dry and musky notes provide an air of sophistication and mystery to all who wear them. Women frequently prefer the sultry, woody notes for evenings.  These Essential Oils exude deep, rich scents that are smoky, woody, earthy, sweet, leather-like, and warm. Their mellow, alluring, and long-lasting fragrances lend a reassuring quality that makes them ideal for use in spiritual practices. Scents like:

• Amber
• Benzoin
• Cinnamon
• Citronella
• Clove
• Elemi
• Frankincense
• Galbanium
• Labdanum
• Musk
• Myrrh
• Oakmoss
• Patchouli
• Peru Balsam
• Thyme

SPICY – Exotic, warm, intense aromas that are often reminiscent of baking and other warm memories. Aromatic spices provide a broad range of smells, with strong heavier base notes, they are commonly used to stimulate energy and focus. Spicy fragrances are, mysterious, frankly, sensual, sultry. Cardamon is a cool spice, which has a minty freshness. Clove and cinnamon are considered warm spices and are often paired with warm ambery resins and woody notes. These Essential Oils have exotic, warm, intense aromas that are often reminiscent of baking and other warm memories. With strong scents, they are commonly used to stimulate energy and focus. Scents like:

• Allspice
• Anise
• Basil
• Black Pepper
• Cardamom
• Cassia
• Cinnamon
• Clove Bud
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Pink and Black Pepper

SWEET & FLORAL- Unapologetically romantic, often reminiscent of the flowers from which they are extracted and can be described as being feminine, flirty, powdery, subtle, modest, playful, romantic, and even poetic. They are often sweet-smelling and create a feeling of cheerfulness. Floral scents are considered to be classic and timeless. Scents like:

• Chamomile
• Cherry Blossom
• Frangipani
• Freesia
• Gardenia
• Geranium
• Honeysuckle
• Jasmine
• Lavender
• Lily
• Neroli
• Orange Blossom
• Orchid
• Petitgrain
• Rose
• Rosewood
• Violet
• Ylang-Ylang

WOODY/EARTHY – Deep, warm, lingering scents. Often described as smelling “brown,” these aromas are reminiscent of the scents of a forest floor or damp soil. Their fragrances are soft, masculine, musky, and sensual. Their alluring, seductive, and hypnotic qualities create an atmosphere of mystery. These Essential Oils exude deep, rich scents that are smoky, woody, earthy, sweet, leather-like, and warm. Their mellow, alluring, and long-lasting fragrances lend a reassuring quality that makes them ideal for use in spiritual practices. Scents like:

• Bamboo
• Benzoin
• Cedarwood
• Citronella
• Clove
• Frankincense
• Elemi
• Frankincense
• Galbanium
• Labdanum
• Myrrh
• Oakmoss
• Patchouli
• Peru Balsam
• Rosewood
• Sandalwood
• Tobacco
• Thyme
• Vetiver

Woody Notes

• Carrot Seed
• Cedarwood
• Cypress
• Fir
• Juniper Berry
• Oakmoss
• Palo Santo
• Patchouli
• Pine
• Rosewood
• Sandalwood
• Spruce
• Valerian
• Vetiver

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

Til next time,