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. Once we gave all those toxic plug-ins, scented candles, and artificial aerosols the boot, we started to notice some pretty cool changes in our health and the health of our children. But you’ll still want your home to smell nice so here are some of our best essential oil blends for diffusers.
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Using one of these amazing essential oil recipes for your reed, personal, or room diffusers can bring beautiful scents 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 70% isopropyl alcohol or unscented witch hazel, then add ½ ounce purified or 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.
Best Essential Oil Diffuser Recipes
Here are some of our favorite everyday essential oil blends you can rotate through as desired. These include several of our most popular blends!
We recommend making these ahead of time in reused 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 fragrance blend that works best for you. Now you’ve got the essential oil scent combinations pre-mixed and ready to add to your diffuser as desired.
- Deep Breathing Blend – 1 drop each of cardamom, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree essential oil
- Good Bye Allergy Blend – 2 drops each of lavender, lemon, and peppermint essential oil
- Healthy Digestion Blend – 1 drop each of anise, caraway, fennel, ginger, lemon, and tarragon essential oil
- Joyful Blend – 2 drops each of grapefruit and orange essential oil, and 1 drop each of bergamot and lemon essential oil. We also love adding a drop of vanilla absolute.
- Immune Boosting Blend – Equal parts cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, orange, and lemon essential oils
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, cheery scents, including the best essential oil fragrances.
These relaxing essential oil blend recipes for diffusers will bring spring indoors! Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the aromatherapy benefits of the bright scents used in each recipe. Close your eyes, inhale, and picture the sheets flapping in the breeze. Ahhh.
- Good Morning, Sunshine! – 3 drops of orange essential oil and 1 drop each of ylang ylang and bergamot essential oil
- Clothesline Fresh – 3 drops of cedarwood essential oil, and 2 drops each of lemongrass and grapefruit essential oil
- Happy Gardener – 2 drops each of peppermint and lime essential oil, 1 drop of basil essential oil
- Raindrop Lullaby – 3 drops each of lemon and vetiver essential oils
- Clean, Clean, Clean – 2 drops lemon and lime essential oils, 1 drop rosemary and lavender essential oils
- Tutti Frutti Candy – 2 drops each of geranium, lemongrass, and grapefruit essential oils
Favorite Fall Essential Oil Diffuser Recipes
As the weather shifts and leaves begin to change, it’s the perfect time to bring the cozy scents of fall into your home with essential oil diffuser blends. Embrace the spicy, warm aromas of the season with blends like color-changing leaves, Mulled Apple Cider, and pumpkin pie.
These blends feature essential oil ingredients like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom to create a comforting and inviting atmosphere. Diffusing these fall-inspired blends can help you relax, unwind, and fully embrace the beauty of the autumn season.
- Harvest Spice – 3 drops cinnamon bark essential oil, 3 drops orange essential oil, 1 drop tea tree essential oil
- Pumpkin Pie Spice – 2 drops each of cassia and orange essential oil, and 1 drop each of clove and ginger essential oil
- Spiced Apple – 2 drops each of cinnamon, clove, and ginger essential oil.
- Spiced Chai Blend – 3 drops cinnamon bark essential oil, 2 drops ginger essential oil, 2 drops nutmeg essential oil, 1 drop clove essential oil
- Cozy Autumn Grounding Blend – 3 drops cedarwood essential oil, 2 drops each fir essential oil, and sweet orange essential oil
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 of douglas or white fir essential oil, 2 drops of cedarwood essential oil, 1 drop of juniper berry essential oil
- Grandma’s Cookies – 3 drops ginger essential oil, 2 drops clove essential oil, 1 drop cinnamon bark essential oil
- By the Fire – 3 drops of cardamom essential oil, 1 drop each of orange, cinnamon, and clove essential oil
- Let it Snow! – 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil, 2 drops juniper berry essential oil, 1 drop sage essential oil
- Kingly Gifts – 3 drops frankincense essential oil, 2 drops myrrh essential oil,1 drop sandalwood essential oil
- Carol in the Woods – 2 drops of sandalwood essential oil, 1 drop each of cedarwood, cypress, and myrrh essential oil
Stress Relief and Relaxation Blends
In today’s fast-paced world, creating a sanctuary of calm is more important than ever. These essential oil diffuser blends are thoughtfully crafted to help you unwind, melt away stress, and promote a peaceful atmosphere. Let the soothing aromas envelop you, bringing tranquility and relaxation to your home.
- Sleepy Time Blend – 2 drops each of Roman chamomile, lavender, and vetiver essential oil
- Calm and Collected – 2 drops each lavender and geranium essential oil, 1 drop each Roman chamomile, clary sage, and ylang ylang essential oil.
- Meditation or Holy Anointing Blend – 2 drops of frankincense essential oils, and 1 drop each of cassia, cinnamon, and myrrh essential oil
- Zen Garden – 3 drops sandalwood essential oil, 2 drops jasmine essential oil, 1 drop of ylang ylang essential oil
- Deep Relaxation – 3 drops lavender essential oil, 2 drops vetiver essential oil, 1 drop cedarwood essential oil
- Focus Blend – 2 drops of frankincense essential oil, and 1 drop each of cedarwood, sandalwood, and vetiver essential oil
Energy Boost Blends
Need a natural pick-me-up to get through your busy day? Our essential oil diffuser blends are designed to invigorate and energize your mind and body. Perfect for enhancing focus and vitality, these refreshing scents will help you stay alert and motivated, naturally boosting your energy levels.
- Energizing – 2 drops each eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary essential oils
- Mental Focus – 1 drop each bergamot, geranium, neroli, peppermint, sweet orange, and vetiver essential oils
- Focus and Concentration – 3 drops rosemary essential oil, 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil, 1 drop lemon essential oil
- Purpose – 2 drops each orange, peppermint, and ravintsara essential oil
- Lemon-Mint Energy – 2 drops each of peppermint and black pepper essential oils, 1 drop each of lemon, lime, and orange essential oil
These diffuser blends can help create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere in your home. Whether you want to freshen up your space, create a cozy ambiance, or boost your mood and energy levels, there’s a recipe for everyone. Experiment with different combinations and find your favorite scents that help you unwind, focus, or enjoy essential oils’ uplifting benefits. So, sit back, relax, and let these essential oil diffuser recipes safely transform your space and elevate your well-being.
