My family utilizes aromatherapy all day, and we love our essential oil diffuser recipes! They enhance our mood, health, and virtually every aspect of our lives! We have a steam diffuser in nearly every room in our home, and once we gave all those toxic plug-ins and aerosols the boot, we started to notice some pretty cool changes in our health and the health of our children.
Table of Contents:
- Aromatherapy Techniques
- Special Note on Steam and Reed Diffusers
- Favorite Essential Oil Blends
- Spring-Inspired Diffuser Blends
- Christmas Essential Oil Blends
Using one of these amazing essential oil diffuser recipes can be a fantastic way to bring a wonderful, pleasant aroma into a room, in addition to all the other benefits of using quality essential oils in your home. You can use a single essential oil or an EO blend. The sky is the limit!
Aromatherapy Techniques
Not only is inhalation the oldest form of essential oil use, but it is also arguably the safest. Inhaling carries the aromatic benefits from your favorite healing plants directly into your respiratory system and mucous membranes, dispersed throughout the steam or air molecules. Most essential oil diffuser recipes are relatively secure for most people due to the high level of dispersion.
You can obtain more direct benefits by breathing in the steam directly, inhaling right from the bottle, or a few drops on a cloth.
When inhaling essential oils, you only need a small amount to create a significant impact. Diffusers will use a bit more, but direct inhalation is up close and personal, and it only requires a couple of drops. Here are some methods you can choose to utilize your favorite essential oil diffuser recipes.
Diffusion – Good for blends intended to affect the entire room. Place anywhere from 3-10 total drops in your diffuser and let it disperse throughout the room. If you have a smaller space, use 3-4 drops, a large room calls for 8-10 drops. If you don’t own a diffuser, you can also place the EOs in a pot of simmering water.
The benefits will last after the diffusion has ended; there is no need to run it continuously. This method works best for oils that are energizing, antimicrobial, promoting memory and focus, relaxing. Ex: citrus, lavender, rosemary
Personal inhalation – Good for portable, direct inhalation for specific benefits to an individual. You only need a few drops due to the close proximity of use. Place 1-2 drops of a single oil or a pre-prepared blend of oils on the inhaler, then hold it close to the nose and breathe in periodically.
Inhalers can be a piece of porous jewelry, a bit of cloth or handkerchief, or inhalers made of a wick of sorts placed in a glass tube. This method works best for personal benefits such as clear breathing, focus, anxiety, headaches, and stress relief. Ex: eucalyptus, bergamot, peppermint.
Steam inhalation – Technically also personal inhalation, “tenting” is more intensive and not very portable. When the oils need to be inhaled in greater concentration and affect the respiratory system more directly, You can place 2-3 drops of a single oil or pre-prepared blend in a bowl of boiling water – usually warmed in and poured from a tea kettle.
Place a towel over your head and drape it over the bowl (forming a tent of sorts), close your eyes, and breathe deeply. This method works best for clearing the nasal passages and respiratory system. Ex: eucalyptus, citrus, tea tree.
Sprays – Aromatic sprays have benefits of both inhalation and, in the case of antimicrobial oils, surface cleaning benefits. Combine 10-20 drops of a combination of oils to ½ ounce alcohol or witch hazel, then add ½ ounce distilled water and shake to combine. Spritz in the air, on linens, or clothes as desired.
This method works best for air freshening, cleaning, antimicrobial purposes, body sprays, and even topical anti-inflammatory benefits and healing. Ex: tea tree, lemon, thyme.
Special Note on Steam and Reed Diffusers
Steam Diffusers
The most effective and most popular way to utilize aromatherapy is through steam diffusion. Using this type of diffuser is simple. You can easily find diffusers online (this is my favorite one).
First, fill your diffuser with tap water up to the “fill line” or fill marker.
Add 4-6 drops of your favorite oil or blends; see below for LOTS of great ideas.
Reed Diffusers
Reed diffusers are more “old school” and are the more traditional way to utilize aromatherapy. What did people do before electricity, right? ????
They aren’t as simple as steam diffusers, but they’re still easy to use. Take a small glass container (you can usually find some great options at a thrift store) with a narrow opening and add in the following:
Several reed diffuser sticks (these are the ones I bought) OR bamboo skewers (4-6 should do), 1/8 cup – 1/4 cup carrier oil (depending on the size of your bottle), 15-25 drops of essential oils (as low as 15 drops for 1/8 cup carrier oil and as much as 25 drops for 1/4 cup).
I have found the best carrier oils include fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and sunflower oil.
Favorite Essential Oil Blends
Here are some of my favorite essential oil blends for everyday use, special occasions, and more!
We recommend making these ahead of time and reusing old 5 ml bottles. Be sure to label your bottles so you don’t forget what’s in them! Start by mixing 10 drops of each essential oil in your empty bottle and then tweak the ratio to create a smell that works for you.
- Deep Breathing Blend –Cardamom, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree
- Focus Blend – Cedarwood, frankincense, sandalwood, and vetiver
- Good Bye Allergy Blend – Lavender, lemon, and peppermint
- Healthy Digestion Blend – Anise, caraway, fennel, ginger, lemon, tarragon
- Holy Anointing Blend – Cassia, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh
- Immune Boosting Blend – Cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, orange, and lemon
- Joyful Blend – Orange, lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, and vanilla absolute
- Sleepy Time Blend – Roman chamomile, lavender, and vetiver
Spring-Inspired Diffuser Blends
After a long, cold, dark winter, we’re all happy to see the tulips and daffodils. From clothes hanging on the line to that clean house feeling, our spirits are lifted by the bright colors and fresh smells, including the best essential oil scents.
These diffuser blends will bring spring indoors! Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the aromatherapy benefits of the best essential oil scents used in each recipe. Close your eyes, inhale, and picture the sheets flapping in the breeze. Ahhh.
- Good Morning, Sunshine! – 3 drops orange, 1 drop ylang ylang,1 drop bergamot
- Clothesline Fresh – 2 drops lemongrass, 2 drops grapefruit, 3 drops cedarwood
- Happy Gardener – 2 drops each peppermint, 1 drop basil, 1 drop lime
- Raindrop Lullaby – 3 drops lemon, 3 drops vetiver
- Clean, Clean, Clean – 2 drops lemon, 2 drops lime, 1 drop rosemary, 1 drop lavender
- Tutti Frutti Candy – 2 drops geranium, 2 drops lemongrass, 2 drops grapefruit
Christmas Essential Oil Blends
Nothing says Christmas like the scent of a real pine tree or grandma’s cookies! Close your eyes, inhale, and let the holiday memories bring a smile to your face! These Christmas essential oil blends for your diffuser will help you enjoy the smells of the season all winter. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the aromatherapy benefits of the essential oils used in each recipe.
See more about the kingly gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh!
For these Christmas essential oil blends, follow the instructions that came with your diffuser. Fill to the fill-line with water, then drop in the oils!
- Oh, Christmas Tree! – 3 drops douglas or white fir, 2 drops cedarwood, 1 drop of juniper berry
- Grandma’s Cookies – 3 drops ginger, 2 drops clove, 1 drop cinnamon
- By the Fire – 3 drops cardamom, 1 drop each orange, cinnamon, clove
- Let it Snow! – 3 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops juniper berry, 1 drop sage
- Kingly Gifts – 3 drops frankincense, 2 drops myrrh, 1 drop sage
- Carol in the Woods – 2 drops sandalwood, 1 drop cedarwood, 1 drop cypress, 1 drop myrrh
