[ab] using the bf
Aromatherapy Blending [AB] using the Blending Factor [BF] is a simple 3-step process – add, divide & multiply.
To illustrate this, I will use an example of a synergy blend for body massage to relieve muscle aches & pains (myalgia) and improve circulation.
Lemongrass (3)
Spike lavender (6)
Black pepper (7)
Peppermint (1)
Helichrysum (5)
Step 1 – Add
Once the essential oils have been chosen, find the sum total by adding all the BFs.
3 + 6 + 7 + 1 + 5 = 22
Step 2 - Divide
Next, divide the BF of each essential oil by the sum total and round-off to the nearest hundredth decimal to get the proportion of each essential oil to be used in relation to the whole blend.** (read footnote)
Lemongrass: 3 ÷ 22 = 0.14
Spike lavender: 6 ÷ 22 = 0.27
Black pepper: 7 ÷ 22 = 0.32
Peppermint: 1 ÷ 22 = 0.04
Helichrysum: 5 ÷ 22 = 0.23
Step 3 - Multiply
Before calculating the actual number of drops for each essential oil, decide on the following: [a] the type of carrier oil used, [b] its quantity and [c] the dilution rate for the final product. Let’s say, for 30 ml (1oz) of Sweet Almond oil, the recommended dilution rate for massage is 2.5% which works out to be:
5 (ml) ➔ 2.5 (drops)
30 (ml) ➔ 2.5 x 6 = 15 (drops)
15 drops of the essential oil blend. Therefore:
Lemongrass: 0.14 x 15 = 2.1 ≈ 2
Spike lavender: 0.27 x 15 = 4.05 ≈ 4
Black pepper: 0.32 x 15 = 4.8 ≈ 5
Peppermint: 0.05 x 15 = 0.75 ≈ 1
Helichrysum: 0.23 x 15 = 3.45 ≈ 3
Finally, record the recipe by arranging the essential oils in a descending order which looks something like this:
Aromatherapy recipe for muscle aches & pain
5 drops Black pepper
4 drops Spike lavender
3 drops Helichrysum
2 drops Lemongrass
1 drop Peppermint
1 oz Sweet Almond oil
There you have it – [AB] using the BF. Don’t forget to date the recipe, give instructions on how to use it and try it out yourself!
**Footnote: Those of you who are familiar with the mathematical concept of Ratio, you would’ve probably noticed in Step 2 the implication behind the method. By dividing each essential oil's BF with the sum total, what you see is a ratio in aromatic strength:
0.14 : 0.27 : 0.32 : 0.04 : 0.23 (the blend composition in a single drop)
Since it would be ridiculous to measure a fraction of a drop because that's what the decimals mean, it makes sense to convert all the decimals into whole numbers by multiplying 100 throughout which will give you:
14 : 27 : 32 : 4 : 23
and,
14 + 27 + 32 + 4 + 23 = 100 (altogether, there're a hundred drops in this bend composition)
The essential oil with the lowest value means it’s the strongest (Peppermint) while the one with the highest value means it’s the mildest (Black pepper) in terms of scent. So, a harmony of scents can be attained by blending the essentials oils according to recipe above.
Theoretically speaking, of course.