Essential Oil Families & Categories: Organizing Your Aromatherapy Knowledge

Organizing essential oils into categories helps you understand their properties, predict their effects, create harmonious blends, and build comprehensive knowledge. There are several ways to classify essential oils—by botanical family, chemical composition, aroma type, and therapeutic properties. Each system offers different insights for your aromatherapy practice.

This guide explores the major classification systems and how to use them effectively.

Why Classification Matters

Benefits of Understanding Categories

For learning:

Organizes large amount of information
Creates mental frameworks
Predicts properties of new oils
Identifies patterns and relationships
Builds systematic knowledge

For practice:

Guides substitution decisions
Informs blending choices
Predicts therapeutic effects
Anticipates safety considerations
Supports professional communication

For blending:

Creates aromatic harmony
Balances top, middle, base notes
Combines complementary properties
Develops signature blends
Expands creative possibilities

Botanical Family Classification

What Botanical Families Tell You

Plants in the same family often share:

Similar chemical compounds
Related therapeutic properties
Comparable safety considerations
Aromatic similarities
Blending compatibility

Major Essential Oil Families

Lamiaceae (Mint Family):

Common oils:

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Clary sage (Salvia sclarea)
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Family characteristics:

Often rich in monoterpenes and monoterpenols
Many have calming or stimulating properties
Herbaceous aromas common
Wide range of uses
Generally accessible and affordable

Rutaceae (Citrus Family):

Common oils:

Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
Lemon (Citrus limon)
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi)
Lime (Citrus aurantiifolia)
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
Neroli (Citrus aurantium flowers)
Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium leaves)

Family characteristics:

High in limonene
Uplifting, bright aromas
Cold-pressed peel oils may be phototoxic
Generally affordable
Short shelf life (except neroli)

Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family):

Common oils:

Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Eucalyptus species
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
Cajeput (Melaleuca cajuputi)

Family characteristics:

Strong antimicrobial properties
High in 1,8-cineole or eugenol
Respiratory support common
Medicinal aromas
Often from Australian region

Asteraceae (Daisy Family):

Common oils:

German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)

Family characteristics:

Often contain sesquiterpenes
Anti-inflammatory properties common
Skin-healing applications
Calming effects frequent
Some have blue color from chamazulene

Burseraceae (Frankincense Family):

Common oils:

Frankincense (Boswellia species)
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
Elemi (Canarium luzonicum)

Family characteristics:

Resinous, balsamic aromas
Grounding properties
Skin rejuvenation applications
Used in spiritual practices
Ancient use history

Pinaceae (Pine Family):

Common oils:

Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)
Fir needle (Abies species)
Spruce (Picea species)
Juniper (Juniperus communis)

Family characteristics:

High in monoterpenes (pinene)
Fresh, forest aromas
Respiratory support
Grounding and calming
Good for environmental use

Geraniaceae (Geranium Family):

Common oils:

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

Family characteristics:

Rose-like aroma
Balancing properties
Skin care applications
Insect-repelling
Emotionally supportive

Santalaceae (Sandalwood Family):

Common oils:

Sandalwood (Santalum album, S. spicatum)

Family characteristics:

High in sesquiterpene alcohols
Deep, woody aroma
Grounding and calming
Skin care benefits
Meditation use

Using Botanical Knowledge

Substitution guidance:

Family members often substitute for each other
Consider specific chemistry differences
Example: Different eucalyptus species have different cineole levels

Safety patterns:

Some families share safety concerns
Example: Some Asteraceae oils affect those with ragweed allergies
Family knowledge helps anticipate issues

Aroma Classification

The Fragrance Wheel

Aroma categories:

Floral
Citrus
Herbaceous
Woody
Spicy
Resinous/Balsamic
Earthy/Grounding
Camphoraceous/Medicinal

Detailed Aroma Families

Floral:

Rose, jasmine, neroli, ylang ylang, geranium, lavender
Sweet, romantic, soft
Often emotionally supportive
Middle to base notes typically

Citrus:

Orange, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, lime, mandarin
Bright, fresh, uplifting
Top notes
Energizing and cleansing

Herbaceous:

Lavender, rosemary, basil, marjoram, clary sage, thyme
Green, fresh, sometimes camphoraceous
Middle notes often
Versatile applications

Woody:

Cedarwood, sandalwood, pine, fir, cypress
Deep, warm, grounding
Base notes
Calming and centering

Spicy:

Cinnamon, clove, ginger, black pepper, cardamom
Warm, stimulating
Middle to base notes
Warming applications

Resinous/Balsamic:

Frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, elemi
Deep, mysterious, spiritual
Base notes
Grounding and meditative

Earthy:

Vetiver, patchouli, spikenard
Deep, rich, grounding
Base notes
Calming and stabilizing

Camphoraceous:

Eucalyptus, tea tree, rosemary ct. cineole, peppermint
Medicinal, clearing
Top to middle notes
Respiratory and purifying

Perfumery Notes Classification

Understanding Notes

Top notes:

First impression of a blend
Evaporate quickly (15-30 minutes)
Light, bright, fresh
Examples: Citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus

Middle notes (Heart notes):

Body of the blend
Moderate evaporation (30 min - 2 hours)
Balance top and base
Examples: Lavender, geranium, chamomile

Base notes:

Foundation of the blend
Slowest to evaporate (hours to days)
Deep, rich, grounding
Examples: Sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli

Note Classification Guide

Common Top Notes:

Bergamot
Eucalyptus
Grapefruit
Lemon
Lime
Orange
Peppermint
Petitgrain
Tea tree

Common Middle Notes:

Chamomile
Clary sage
Cypress
Geranium
Juniper berry
Lavender
Marjoram
Rosemary
Thyme

Common Base Notes:

Cedarwood
Frankincense
Myrrh
Patchouli
Sandalwood
Vanilla
Vetiver
Ylang ylang

Blending with Notes

Balanced blend formula:

30% top notes
50% middle notes
20% base notes

Adjustments:

More top for energizing blends
More base for grounding blends
Personal preference guides final ratios

Chemical Family Classification

Organizing by Chemistry

Chemical families determine:

Therapeutic properties
Safety considerations
Aromatic characteristics
Shelf life
Application methods

Major Chemical Families

Monoterpenes:

Limonene, pinene, myrcene
Found in: Citrus, conifers
Properties: Uplifting, purifying, decongestant
Notes: Can oxidize quickly; store carefully

Sesquiterpenes:

Caryophyllene, chamazulene, farnesene
Found in: Chamomile, ylang ylang, cedarwood
Properties: Calming, anti-inflammatory, grounding
Notes: Generally gentle; longer shelf life

Monoterpenols:

Linalool, geraniol, menthol, terpinen-4-ol
Found in: Lavender, geranium, peppermint, tea tree
Properties: Generally safe, versatile, antimicrobial
Notes: Good for beginners; well-tolerated

Phenols:

Thymol, carvacrol, eugenol
Found in: Thyme, oregano, clove
Properties: Strong antimicrobial, warming
Notes: Can be irritating; use low dilutions

Aldehydes:

Citral, citronellal, cinnamaldehyde
Found in: Lemongrass, citronella, cinnamon bark
Properties: Uplifting, cleansing, antimicrobial
Notes: Potential skin sensitizers; dilute well

Ketones:

Menthone, camphor, thujone
Found in: Peppermint, rosemary ct. camphor, sage
Properties: Mucolytic, clearing
Notes: Some toxic at high doses; use cautiously

Esters:

Linalyl acetate, geranyl acetate
Found in: Lavender, clary sage, bergamot
Properties: Calming, balancing, pleasant aroma
Notes: Generally safe; well-tolerated

Oxides:

1,8-cineole (eucalyptol)
Found in: Eucalyptus, rosemary ct. cineole, ravintsara
Properties: Respiratory support, clearing
Notes: Avoid with young children

Therapeutic Classification

Organizing by Action

Calming/Sedative oils:

Lavender, chamomile, ylang ylang, vetiver
Support relaxation and sleep
Often high in esters and alcohols

Energizing/Stimulating oils:

Peppermint, rosemary, citrus oils, eucalyptus
Support alertness and energy
Often high in monoterpenes and cineole

Respiratory support oils:

Eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint, ravintsara
Support clear breathing
High in cineole, menthol, or terpenes

Antimicrobial oils:

Tea tree, oregano, thyme, clove
Support immune function and cleanliness
High in phenols or terpinen-4-ol

Skin-supportive oils:

Lavender, helichrysum, frankincense, geranium
Support skin health and healing
Various chemistry profiles

Emotionally supportive oils:

Rose, neroli, bergamot, ylang ylang
Support emotional wellbeing
Often floral or citrus

Building a Therapeutic Collection

Starter categories:

One calming (lavender)
One energizing (peppermint)
One respiratory (eucalyptus)
One antimicrobial (tea tree)
One skin-supportive (frankincense or helichrysum)
One emotionally supportive (bergamot)

Expanding by category:

Add alternatives within each category
Explore different profiles
Build depth over time

Practical Application

Using Multiple Classifications

Comprehensive understanding:

Same oil appears in multiple categories
Different systems highlight different aspects
Cross-reference for complete picture
Example: Lavender is floral (aroma), middle note (perfumery), Lamiaceae (botanical), high in linalool (chemistry), calming (therapeutic)

Study Organization

Recommended approach:

Start with one system (usually therapeutic or aroma)
Learn 10-15 oils deeply
Add additional classification knowledge
Cross-reference as you learn
Build integrated understanding

Quick Reference Development

Create personal guides:

Chart oils by multiple categories
Note which categories most useful for your work
Develop substitution lists
Track blending successes

Frequently Asked Questions

Which classification system is most important? Depends on your focus. For therapeutic work, chemistry matters most. For blending, aroma notes help. For learning, botanical families provide context. Most practitioners use multiple systems.

Do I need to memorize all categories? No. Understand the systems and how to use them. Reference charts as needed. Over time, common oils become familiar across categories.

Can the same oil be in multiple categories? Yes. Each classification system organizes differently. An oil appears once in each system but may share categories with different oils in each.

How do I use this for blending? Start with your therapeutic goal, select oils that meet it, then use aroma notes and perfumery classification to create a balanced, pleasant-smelling blend.

Are some families safer than others? Generally, monoterpenol-rich oils are safest. Phenol and aldehyde-rich oils require more caution. But individual oils vary—always check specific safety data.

How do chemical families relate to therapeutic properties? Chemistry drives properties. Monoterpenols tend to be calming and safe. Phenols are antimicrobial but potentially irritating. Learning these patterns helps predict effects.

What if I can't identify which category an oil belongs to? Use reliable references. Quality essential oil books and databases classify oils. Start with commonly-used oils and expand your knowledge gradually.

Last updated: December 2025. Classification systems are tools for understanding—use what serves your practice best.