Aromatherapy essential oils can have a very beneficial effect on the body in a number of ways.  These oils have been used for centuries in human society to treat everything from depression to broken bones. Essential oils have an immediate effect on our sense of smell, and the scent of these oils stimulates receptor cells, which transmits corresponding impulses to the brain’s limbic system, which controls emotions, memory, blood circulation, and endocrine functions. If you get a massage with these oils, their beneficial properties are also absorbed into your skin and travel throughout your body.

There are 3 main categories of aromatherapy essential oils. Each category has a different rate of evaporation.

Top note oils are the most stimulating category.  These oils have strong scents, with perfume qualities that last from 3 to 20 hours.  Basil, peppermint, coriander, eucalyptus, and thyme are all top-note oils.

Middle note oils have scents that last about two to three days , and directly impact the metabolic functions of the body. These scents are not as strong as top note oils, and include chamomile,  juniper, lavender and rosemary.

Base note oils are the slowest to evaporate and their scents can last up to a week. These oils comfort and relax the body, and include ginger, jasmine, rose, and cedarwood.

The best perfumes use a combination of all three all three notes. Since there are no fixed rules for blending perfumes, you can follow your nose to create the scents that appeal to you most. You can then use these aromatherapy essential oils perfumes to wear, to inhale, or as massage oils any time you want.