Make a Sweet Synergy of Essential Oils for Easy Calm

by Christine Pressler, CA

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A Calming Sweet Synergy of Essential Oils

During an essential oils workshop the other day, the discussion turned to Coriander and the oil’s primary chemical constituent: Linalool.

Linalool encourages feelings of peacefulness, a calming of the spirit, and a quieting of the mind.

While we discussed the various attributes of Linalool, an attendee mentioned that she now understood why she loved Sweet Basil essential oil so much.

Since I also love Sweet Basil, I pulled out my Sweet Basil and Coriander essential oils and combined a drop of each in one of my little scent appreciation glasses. Wow! The combined aroma was quite pleasant!

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Creating a Synergy Drop by Drop

As the workshop continued my mind slipped back to the Sweet Basil and Coriander blend. Frequently, I reached for my little glass, giving the blend another evaluating sniff.

The aroma inspired me. So, as soon as the workshop wrapped up, I pulled out my formulating notebook, set out my bins of essential oils before me, and put on my blending cap.

I knew Sweet Basil and Coriander were going to be the star performers. And I knew I wanted to blend with oils from just the two plant families represented by Sweet Basil and Coriander. Additionally, I wanted to enhance the calming Linalool content.

And so, Sweet Synergy came quietly to life, drop by drop, in my blending glass.

The aroma of Sweet Synergy is sweet and fresh, a bit minty, with a subtle licorice-y note. But, don’t worry, it’s just a touch of licorice, enough to bring a grounding energy and enhance the sweetness of the blend. The Spearmint adds a coolness that encourages inhalation.

⭐️Sweet Synergy Recipe

• 3 drops Sweet Basil essential oil (Ocimum basilicum)
• 3 drops Coriander essential oil (Coriandrum sativum)
• 2 drops Sweet Fennel essential oil (Foeniculum vulgare)
• 1 drop Holy Basil essential oil (Ocimum sanctum/ O. tenuiflorum)
• 1 drop Spearmint essential oil (Mentha spicata)

🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below

This is a beautiful blend to have on hand when you’re looking for something different for mental calming and energy cleansing. It’s one I love having as a stock bottle.

☀️Chemistry Spotlight: Linalool thru the Looking Glass

Linalool is the phytochemical associated with the calming influence of Lavender. But, did you know the linalool in Lavender essential oil is one of TWO types?

These stereoisomers, or enantiomers, of linalool have the exact same chemical make-up, but they are mirror images of each other. While they both enhance calm and support restful sleep, they have slightly different aromas.

Sweet Synergy combines both types of linalool to produce a rich aroma and a gently uplifting energy.

(R)-linalool has a rich, deep, woodsy, floral aroma. This enantiomer is found in Lavender, Bergamot Mint, and Sweet Basil essential oils.

(S)-linalool has a fresh, more citrusy, floral aroma. This enantiomer is found in Sweet Orange, Hops, and Coriander essential oils.

Essential Oils from the Apiaceae Family

Coriander and Sweet Fennel belong to the Apiaceae family of plants. Also called Umbellifers, this family encompasses a wide range of plants, over 3500 species, and includes carrot, parsley, celery, and poison hemlock!

Both Coriander and Sweet Fennel essential oils are distilled from the seeds of the plant. Seed essential oils often provide an energy that inspires mindful activity and spiritual growth.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

Coriander essential oil is rich in (S)-linalool and encourages a calm peacefulness. The (S)-linalool in Coriander gives it a citrusy aroma that’s enhanced by a smaller amount of limonene.

Coriander essential oil smells clean and green with a touch of warm clove and cooling citrus. Its complex aroma lends itself to enhancing the aromatic properties of many other oils.

“(Coriander) is cool, it’s hot, ever-changing, depending on the receiver’s mood…fragrant yet subtle…like its action upon the human spirit.”⁽¹⁾

~Valerie Ann Worwood, Aromatherapy for the Soul (1999)

Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Sweet Fennel essential oil is very rich in the ether trans-anethole which gives the oil its “etheric” quality. Its aroma enhances spiritual connection and creativity, and encourages release of energetic blocks. Because it also contains a significant amount of energetically uplifting limonene, Sweet Fennel helps lift the spirit to those etheric planes.

Sweet Fennel has a sweet, warm, mellow, black licorice/anise aroma.

Essential Oils from the Lamiaceae Family

One of the most recognizable members of the Lamiaceae family is Lavender. But this family is actually referred to as the Mint Family. The largest of the plant families, it contains over 7000 species! Lamiaceae includes all the mints, basil, thyme, sage, rosemary, and lavender.

Sweet Basil, Holy Basil, and Spearmint essential oils are distilled from the leaves of the plant. They encourage emotional and spiritual cleansing and promote deep stress-reducing breaths.

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Sweet Basil essential oil is very rich in (R)-linalool—the same type that’s found in Lavender. This contributes to the calming attributes of the oil. Throughout history, Basil has been considered a protective and clarifying herb.

The aroma of Sweet Basil essential oil is sweetly herbal with a touch of anise that blends beautifully with the Sweet Fennel.

“The fragrance (of Sweet Basil) alone strengthens the nerves…clears the head and gives the mind strength and clarity.”(2)

~Julia Lawless, Aromatherapy and the Mind (1994)

Holy Basil/Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum / O. tenuiflorum)

Like Sweet Basil, Holy Basil (Tulsi) essential oil is also considered a protective herb. It’s venerated in India as the avatar of the goddess Lakshmi (Tulasi), symbolizing prosperity and transcendence. It’s this lifting to the spiritual realm that is captured in the energetics of Sweet Synergy.

Holy Basil has a complex aromatic profile that is at once earthy, sweet, and minty.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

While Spearmint essential oil contains just a trace of linalool, it does contain a fair amount of limonene, which contributes to the uplifting nature of the oil.

Sweet and fresh, with a gentle mintiness that’s softer and milder than Peppermint, Spearmint enhances the minty aroma in Holy Basil. Spearmint essential oil gives Sweet Synergy a happy sparkle.

What to Expect When You Diffuse Sweet Synergy

The aroma of cool sweet Spearmint is first. Then comes a fresh green herbal aroma with ethereal, warm clove-like notes that are accented by mellowed minty notes. And finally, much later into diffusion, a deeper anisic (licorice-y) quality appears as the lighter aromas dissipate.

Sweet Synergy is calming and grounding. It provides a cleansing energy and clearing of negative thoughts.

As you diffuse Sweet Synergy, imagine floating off into the sunset, the high clouds glowing softly with the setting sun.

“Let your mind go and your body will follow.”(3)

~Sara McDowel from L.A. Story (1991)

Do you have a favorite essential oil or blend that you enjoy using to enhance your calm and cleanse your energy? Please let us know in the comments below!

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Mom’s Essential Oils Shopping List

Find each of these essential oils (except Holy Basil) on my Energy & Focus shopping list on Amazon—featuring Plant Therapy and Edens Garden essential oils. Also visit my favorite suppliers to find the essential oils I personally use in the Sweet Synergy blend:

• Coriander essential oil (Coriandrum sativum):
  • Aromatics International, organic
  • Plant Therapy, sustainable (Direct and Amazon).

• Holy Basil/Tulsi essential oil (Ocimum sanctum / O. tenuiflorum):
  • Aromatics International, sustainable
  • Plant Therapy (not currently available).

• Sweet Basil essential oil (Ocimum basilicum):
  • Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon)
  • Aromatics International, organic.

• Sweet Fennel essential oil (Foeniculum vulgare):
  • Aromatics International, sustainably wildcrafted
  • Plant Therapy, sustainable (Direct and Amazon)
  • Edens Garden, sustainable (on Amazon).

• Spearmint essential oil (Mentha spicata):
  • Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon)
  • Aromatics International, organic.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.

Chris P | Author, Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skin Care Formulator

Chris (“Mom”) enjoys formulating bespoke aromatherapy, skin care, and herbal products to support her family, pets, friends, and clients. She also loves experimenting with recipes in the kitchen. An avid reader, writer, and lifetime learner, Chris enthusiastically explores research rabbit holes and then writes about her discoveries.💚 (Learn more >>)