Essential oils are one of the many gifts from nature. Plant material that is expertly distilled and bottled results in a potent scent that can be used in aromatherapy, body care recipes, and for pure enjoyment. But some of these precious essential oils are just that: precious. They can fetch a high price tag for various reasons including the oil content of the botanical or even the extraction method. Pure, quality essential oils, like the ones we sell here at Mountain Rose Herbs, may be slightly more costly but the result is a deeper, richer aroma, and a profound aromatherapeutic benefit. Like a fine wine, you get what you pay for.
While there are no exact replacements for a particular fragrance, it is possible to achieve a relatively close scent profile. These recommended scent substitutions are based purely on aroma alone and are my personal suggestions. This list is a good place to start, but I also suggest you do some additional experimentation on your own. Not only is it fun, but it’s a great way to find what works with your personal perfume preferences. When applicable, I’ve also listed constituent and action replacements. Sometimes a particular essential oil is used for its chemical make up or to achieve a specified action. This is helpful if you’re seeking essential oils that can be substituted for their desired therapeutic effects.
While these replacements mimic the aroma of a treasured oil, sometimes a scent substitute just doesn’t cut it. Four of the five oils on our list are available as a roll-on essential oil, providing these precious scents in an attainable and easy-to-use way.
Without further ado, here is the list I’ve complied of essential oil alternatives for five of the most high-priced oils we offer: vanilla absolute, jasmine absolute, helichrysum essential oil, lemon balm essential oil, and Bulgarian rose essential oil.
Vanilla absolute is extracted from the pods of Vanilla planifolia, a tropical plant that is increasingly feeling the pressures of climate change and habitat loss. This base note oil is well known for its characteristic warming, rich, and sweet scent.
Recommended Scent Replacements:
Heady and sweet, jasmine absolute is often used for its alluring floral aroma. A strikingly unique middle note fragrance, jasmine absolute has no direct scent replacements and is difficult to replicate. However, playing with a combination of essential oils can get you close. I recommend adding either ylang ylang, vetiver, or patchouli essential oil to geranium as a close substitution.
Recommended Scent Replacements:
Recommended Constituent/Action Replacements:
Helichrysum essential oil is another unique scent that is difficult to replace due to its earthy, sweet, and dry floral smells. I recommend blending a combination of clary sage and either bergamot or carrot seed essential oil.
Recommended Scent Replacements:
Recommended Constituent/Action Replacements:
Lemon balm essential oil has a fresh, herbaceous, citrus fragrance which leaves plenty of room for replacement exploration based on personal preference. Try citrus if looking for a pick-me-up, lemon tea tree, or lemongrass for an herbal lemon aroma, or I find litsea cubeba, sweet marjoram, or coriander to be similar as well.
Recommended Scent Replacements:
Recommended Constituent/Action Replacements:
Precious indeed, this steam distilled oil is prized for its sweet, rosy, floral scent.
Recommended Scent Replacements:
Recommended Constituent/Action Replacements:
You may also enjoy:
Topics: Aromatherapy
As Director of Product Development & Management, Christine Rice has been working with the botanical goodies at Mountain Rose Herbs for over 14 years. With a Certificate in Aromatherapy from The American College of Healthcare Sciences, she works closely with the essential oils and hydrosols that we offer. She connects with the aromatherapy industry through our National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy business membership and contributes on working committees with The American Herbal Products Association. In addition to her love for aromatics and blending essential oils, Christine can be found gardening and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She enjoys canning and preserving food, knitting when she has time, and keeps busy with her energetic daughter.
Essential oils are one of the many gifts from nature. Plant material that is expertly distilled and bottled results in a potent scent that can be used in aromatherapy, body care recipes, and for pure enjoyment. But some of these precious essential oils are just that: precious. They can fetch a high price tag for various reasons including the oil content of the botanical or even the extraction method. Pure, quality essential oils, like the ones we sell here at Mountain Rose Herbs, may be slightly more costly but the result is a deeper, richer aroma, and a profound aromatherapeutic benefit. Like a fine wine, you get what you pay for.
While there are no exact replacements for a particular fragrance, it is possible to achieve a relatively close scent profile. These recommended scent substitutions are based purely on aroma alone and are my personal suggestions. This list is a good place to start, but I also suggest you do some additional experimentation on your own. Not only is it fun, but it’s a great way to find what works with your personal perfume preferences. When applicable, I’ve also listed constituent and action replacements. Sometimes a particular essential oil is used for its chemical make up or to achieve a specified action. This is helpful if you’re seeking essential oils that can be substituted for their desired therapeutic effects.
While these replacements mimic the aroma of a treasured oil, sometimes a scent substitute just doesn’t cut it. Four of the five oils on our list are available as a roll-on essential oil, providing these precious scents in an attainable and easy-to-use way.
Without further ado, here is the list I’ve complied of essential oil alternatives for five of the most high-priced oils we offer: vanilla absolute, jasmine absolute, helichrysum essential oil, lemon balm essential oil, and Bulgarian rose essential oil.
Vanilla absolute is extracted from the pods of Vanilla planifolia, a tropical plant that is increasingly feeling the pressures of climate change and habitat loss. This base note oil is well known for its characteristic warming, rich, and sweet scent.
Recommended Scent Replacements:
Heady and sweet, jasmine absolute is often used for its alluring floral aroma. A strikingly unique middle note fragrance, jasmine absolute has no direct scent replacements and is difficult to replicate. However, playing with a combination of essential oils can get you close. I recommend adding either ylang ylang, vetiver, or patchouli essential oil to geranium as a close substitution.
Recommended Scent Replacements:
Recommended Constituent/Action Replacements:
Helichrysum essential oil is another unique scent that is difficult to replace due to its earthy, sweet, and dry floral smells. I recommend blending a combination of clary sage and either bergamot or carrot seed essential oil.
Recommended Scent Replacements:
Recommended Constituent/Action Replacements:
Lemon balm essential oil has a fresh, herbaceous, citrus fragrance which leaves plenty of room for replacement exploration based on personal preference. Try citrus if looking for a pick-me-up, lemon tea tree, or lemongrass for an herbal lemon aroma, or I find litsea cubeba, sweet marjoram, or coriander to be similar as well.
Recommended Scent Replacements:
Recommended Constituent/Action Replacements:
Precious indeed, this steam distilled oil is prized for its sweet, rosy, floral scent.
Recommended Scent Replacements:
Recommended Constituent/Action Replacements:
You may also enjoy:
Topics: Aromatherapy
As Director of Product Development & Management, Christine Rice has been working with the botanical goodies at Mountain Rose Herbs for over 14 years. With a Certificate in Aromatherapy from The American College of Healthcare Sciences, she works closely with the essential oils and hydrosols that we offer. She connects with the aromatherapy industry through our National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy business membership and contributes on working committees with The American Herbal Products Association. In addition to her love for aromatics and blending essential oils, Christine can be found gardening and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She enjoys canning and preserving food, knitting when she has time, and keeps busy with her energetic daughter.
