Aromatherapy 101
Learn · Start here
Welcome to essential oils. Whether you're lighting your first diffuser or building a collection, this is the simple, no-jargon starting point - from a company that has bottled essential oils in small batches in Minnesota since 1995.
What is an essential oil?
An essential oil is the aromatic essence of a plant - captured from its flowers, leaves, bark, peel, resin, or roots. No synthetic fragrances, fillers, or additives; just the concentrated scent of the plant itself. Because they're so concentrated, a few drops go a long way.
How essential oils are made
Steam distillation
Steam passes through the plant material, lifting its aromatic compounds, which are then cooled and separated. Most oils, from lavender to fir needle, are made this way.
Cold pressing
Citrus oils like orange, lemon, and grapefruit are pressed from the fruit peel, keeping their bright, fresh character.
Understanding scent notes
Perfumers describe aromas in three layers - a helpful way to build a blend that feels balanced:
Top notes
The first, brightest impression - citrus and mint. Lively, but they fade fastest.
Middle notes
The heart of a blend - florals, herbs, and warm spices like cinnamon and clove.
Base notes
The deep, lasting foundation - resins and woods like frankincense, myrrh, and cedarwood.
Ways to enjoy essential oils
Diffusion
The easiest place to start. Add 3-5 drops to a water-based diffuser to fill a room with aroma.
Personal inhalation
Add a drop to a tissue or personal inhaler and enjoy the scent wherever you are.
Diluted topical & body
Blended into a carrier oil, oils become a personal fragrance or a nourishing body-care ritual. Always dilute - see How to Dilute Safely.
Room & linen mists
A few drops in a water-based spray freshen a room, a closet, or your linens between washes.
A note on tradition
Aromatic plants have been part of human ritual for thousands of years - frankincense and myrrh burned as sacred incense, sandalwood and cedar woven into meditative traditions, lavender scenting Roman baths. We share these traditions throughout our A-Z guide for their cultural and historical interest.
The Wyndmere difference
Our essential oils contain no synthetic fragrance and no fillers, and our single oils come undiluted unless the label says otherwise (like our oils in jojoba). We list the botanical name, plant part, and extraction method on every product, and we've been a woman-owned, family-run company in Minnesota since 1995.
Ready to begin?
The best first oil is simply one whose scent you love. Browse the full A-Z Oil Guide to find your favorite.