It’s no secret that not all essential oils are made equal. They vary from price, sourcing, benefits, effects and of course, their scent. To group essential oils by their scent is to pick out the ones that have similar scent profiles. There are several types of categories in terms of scent.
Citrus is generally a very likeable scent as it is very refreshing, zesty and tangy. They are great to use when you need a little pick me up and dealing with nausea. These oils are obtained from citrus fruits such as bergamot, grapefruit, lime, and can also be obtained from other plants such as lemongrass and citronella.
Floral is basically anything that smells flowery, the flowery scent varies in intensity and is often accompanied by other scent profiles such as earthy (clary sage and lavender), sweet and heady (jasmine, neroli and ylang ylang), deep (geranium and rose), and even fruity or citrusy (chamomile and palmarosa).
Herbaceous scents are oils that smell like green, like herbs, moss, trees etc. Essential oils that are categorized with herbaceous scent are basil, clary sage, dill, fennel, marjoram oregano, rosemary, thyme and more. They are brilliant for grounding emotions, promoting deeper concentration and deodorizing stale odors.
Minty scent is generally another very likeable scent. It energizes the senses with its cool and wonderfully invigorating scent. This scent comes from plants from the mint family such as peppermint, spearmint and wintergreen. Eucalyptus is sometimes categorized as minty, too.
Essential oils obtained from resins such as benzoin, elemi frankincense, myrhh and peru balsam will have a very rich, warm and woody scent that’s also very comforting emotionally. They quiet down the mind and allow for enhanced focus and spirituality which makes them ideal for yoga, meditation and spiritual practices.
Life is no fun without a little bit of spice. Essential oils that are considered spicy such as black pepper, cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg exude a warm and stimulating aroma to combat fatigue, sluggishness and poor focus. While they are wonderful to diffuse, they should be avoided using topically as they are more irritating to the skin.
Woody scents are often used as a base note because the scent lingers on. They are often warm, smoky, musky, woodsy, sensual and a popular choice for male perfumes and colognes. Examples of oils that fit into this category are cedarwood, patchouli, pine, sandalwood, vetiver and etc.
Despite the stark difference in the scent profile, a fantastic thing is that they can blend harmoniously together. Citrus would be the most versatile as they can blend with all the other types of scents. Mint scents tend to go well with both floral and herbaceous scents. Resins, spice and woody scents together are definitely a gorgeous combo worth mentioning. Remember that essential oils are for external use only. Never ingest them even if the label says it is safe to do so. You may also consult in a medical professional or a qualified aromatherapist for a second or third opinion, and/or if you have a medical condition or are pregnant/nursing.