Aromatherapy Recipes using Essential Oils

Here are some of our favorite easy-to-make DIY aromatherapy recipes using pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils. Whether you're new to aromatherapy or a seasoned enthusiast, these blends are a wonderful way to bring the benefits of essential oils into your daily routine.

Bath & Soak Recipes

Lemon and Ylang Ylang Mineral Bath

A clean, sweet fragrance that awakens the senses without being too relaxing or too energizing. Mix 2 tablespoons sea salt, 1 tablespoon baking soda, and 1½ teaspoons borax. Add 4 drops ylang ylang and 6 drops lemon essential oil. Mix well and pour under running bath water. Tip: Add a few drops of lavender to make this blend more balancing.

Relaxing Lavender Honey Bath

Honey has a naturally calming effect. Combined with lavender essential oil, it makes a luxurious bath treatment. Mix 2 oz. honey with 5 drops lavender essential oil. Store in a jar and use 1–2 tablespoons per bath.

Buttermilk Bath Salts

1 cup buttermilk powder, 1 cup sea salt, up to 24 drops of your favorite essential oils. Blend well and store in a sealed jar. Use ½ cup per bath. Makes enough for 4 baths.

So Easy to Make Bath Salts

1 cup sea salt, 1 cup Epsom salt, 1 cup baking soda, and your favorite essential oils. Try French lavender, rose geranium, and ylang ylang extra. Use about 6 drops of essential oils per ¼ cup salt blend. Use ¼ cup per bath.

Bath Mush

¼ cup aloe gel, ¼ cup honey, ¼ cup sea or rock salt, ¼ cup heavy cream or powdered milk, 2 tsp. jojoba oil (optional), 5 drops essential oil. Stir well when pouring into bath water to disperse. Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.

Body Care & Massage

Relaxation Massage Blend

A blend for deep relaxation and stress relief. Add to 1 oz. carrier oil of your choice and massage as desired. May also be used as a bath oil. 3 drops lavender, 3 drops tangerine, 3 drops marjoram, 1 drop chamomile.

Peace and Love Massage Oil

3 drops patchouli, 3 drops sandalwood, in 1 oz. unscented base oil.

Ginger Body Scrub

Invigorating — best used in the morning. ¼ cup sea salt, ¼ cup cornmeal, ⅓ cup olive oil or another base oil, 2 drops ginger, 4 drops peppermint, 3 drops rosemary. Mix salt and cornmeal. Combine warmed oil and essential oils, then mix with dry ingredients. Apply in circular motions in the shower, working from the extremities inward. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Rosemary Mist

A sense-stimulating post-shower spritz. In a spray bottle combine 5 oz. distilled water, 1 tsp. olive oil, 6 drops rosemary essential oil, and 1 sprig fresh rosemary. Shake well and spritz onto damp skin.

Aromatherapy Body Powder

Mix 1 cup cornstarch and 1 tablespoon baking soda in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add 15–20 drops of your favorite essential oils. Shake well before use. Especially nice for the feet.

Cornmeal Face Scrub

¼ cup yogurt, ¼ cup cornmeal, 5 drops lavender, 5 drops patchouli, 5 drops grapefruit essential oil. Mix together and refrigerate for a couple of hours before using. Store in the refrigerator.

Skin Toner

2 oz. green tea, 5 drops lavender essential oil, 5 drops geranium essential oil. Shake well before each use as essential oils do not dissolve in water. Apply with a cotton pad to face and neck after cleansing.

Bath Bombs & Melts

Bath Melts

2 parts cocoa butter, 2 parts baking soda, 1 part citric acid, powdered herbs, color (optional), essential oils of your choice. Melt cocoa butter, add essential oils and color. Mix in powdered ingredients, pour into molds, and refrigerate until set.

Fragrant Bath Fizzies

1 cup baking soda, ½ cup cornstarch, ½ cup citric acid, 15 drops essential oil, food color (optional). Mix all ingredients. Mist lightly with water until mixture holds together. Pack into soap molds and allow to dry overnight.

Fizzy Bath Kisses

2 oz. cocoa butter, 2 oz. baking soda, 2 oz. citric acid, 3 tbsp. powdered oatmeal, 10 drops bergamot, 5 drops rose, 10 drops ylang ylang, food color (optional). Melt cocoa butter, add color and essential oils. Mix in dry ingredients and pour into molds. Freeze for 10–20 minutes until set. Use 1–2 per bath, or 3–4 for extra moisturizing.

Vanilla Rose Bath Fizz

Blend ½ cup baking soda and ¼ cup each cornstarch and citric acid. Add 1 tsp. each melted cocoa butter and vanilla essential oil, and ½ tsp. rose otto oil. Mix well. Slowly blend in 1 tsp. rose water. Pack into molds, turn out onto waxed paper, and dry for 24 hours. Store in an airtight container.

Bath Cookies

2 cups rock salt, ½ cup baking soda, ½ cup cornstarch, 2 tablespoons almond oil, 1 tsp. vitamin E oil, 1–2 eggs, 6 drops essential oil. Mix together and cut out with cookie cutters. Bake at 350° for 10–12 minutes. Allow to cool. Use 1–2 per bath. Note: These are perishable due to the eggs. Use promptly or give as gifts.

Wellness & Therapeutic Blends

Homemade Inhaler

Save an empty lip balm tube, wash thoroughly, and let air dry. Place a small piece of cotton inside and add drops of your chosen essential oil or blend directly onto the cotton. Easy to carry in a pocket or purse.

Essential Oils for Cold and Flu

Best antiviral choices: Ravintsara, eucalyptus radiata, and tea tree. These oils help fight viral infections and support the immune system. Mix 10 drops in 1 tablespoon carrier oil and massage onto the upper chest and back. Or place 3 drops on a tissue and inhale deeply.

Cold and Flu Steam Blend

4 drops eucalyptus (unrectified), 4 drops Scotch pine, 3 drops lemon. Add to a large bowl of steaming water. Cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl, and inhale deeply for 2–5 minutes. May also be added to a diffuser or vaporizer. For children and the elderly, substitute Eucalyptus smithii, a gentler variety.

Essential Oils for Congestion

Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus radiata, rosemary, lavender spike, and tea tree help loosen congestion and fight viral and bacterial infections. Mix 10 drops in 1 tablespoon carrier oil and massage onto the upper chest and back.

Essential Oils for Headache

Peppermint, lavender, Roman chamomile. Place 1 drop on each temple and at the nape of the neck. Or mix 5 drops lavender and 1 drop peppermint into 1 tablespoon carrier oil or lotion and massage neck and shoulders.

Essential Oils for Body Aches

Lavender, Roman chamomile, sweet marjoram. Mix 10 drops in 2 tablespoons carrier oil or lotion and massage areas of discomfort.

Eucalyptus Pain Relief Blend

Apply a massage oil blend of lavender and eucalyptus to the affected area before a warm bath, then massage again after. For small areas like a shoulder, use 20–30 drops per 1 oz. carrier oil.

Spritzers & Room Sprays

Spritzer Guidelines

Use 4 oz. distilled water as your base. For a facial mist: 8–10 drops essential oil. For a body spray: 30–40 drops. For a room spray: 80–100 drops. Shake well before each use.

Germ Fighter Spray

An antiseptic spray for cuts, scrapes, or use as a room spray. 12 drops tea tree, 6 drops eucalyptus (unrectified), 6 drops lemon, 2 oz. distilled water. Combine in a spray bottle and shake gently before use.

Pet Odor Control Spray

A natural aromatic spray for dogs. Pour into a 1 oz. spray bottle filled with water: 10 drops lavender, 10 drops geranium, 6 drops lemon. Shake vigorously before each use. Spray directly onto your dog from about 10 inches away. Avoid the head and eyes.

Natural Household Cleaning

All-Purpose Surface and Glass Cleaner

1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, ¼ cup rubbing alcohol, 10 drops lemon, 10 drops rosemary, 5 drops peppermint essential oil. Mix in a spray bottle, shake well, and spritz.

Orange Glass Shiner

4 oz. water, 4 oz. apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon borax, 1 tablespoon orange essential oil, 1 tsp. lemon essential oil. Combine in a spray bottle and shake well before each use. Spray on glass or mirrors and wipe immediately with a clean cloth. Use gloves and keep out of reach of children.

Natural Dish Soap

Fill a 32 oz. squirt bottle with liquid castile soap. Add 10 drops lemon, 10 drops lavender, and 10 drops orange essential oil. Shake well. Not suitable for automatic dishwashers.

Kitchen Sink Scrub

½ cup baking soda, ⅛ cup vinegar, 5 drops lemon, 5 drops orange essential oil. Combine all ingredients. Also try lime or bergamot.

Tub and Shower Scrub

½ cup baking soda, 10 drops tea tree, 10 drops lavender, 10 drops geranium essential oil. Using a damp sponge or cloth, scrub the tub and shower. For serious mildew buildup, combine 20 drops tea tree with water in a spray bottle and spray the area daily for 5 days, then twice a week.

Seasonal & Holiday Recipes

Holiday Bath Salts

2 cups Epsom salts, ½ cup sea salt, 4–6 drops peppermint oil, 2–3 drops red food coloring. Divide into two bowls, tint one red, and layer the red and white salts in a clear jar. A beautiful and fragrant holiday gift.

Fall and Holiday Diffuser Blend

Frankincense pairs beautifully with orange or clementine and spruce or fir. Add spice oils such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or clove. Use in a diffuser or aroma lamp. Start with 1 drop frankincense and build from there.

Christmas Spice Potpourri

2 cups dried pink rose petals and buds, ½ cup dried bay leaves (crumbled), ½ cup dried orange peel, ½ cup dried pomegranate slices (chopped), 1 tablespoon grated nutmeg, ½ cup small pine cones, ½ tablespoon orris root powder, 1 tsp. cinnamon powder, ½ tsp. mixed spices (mustard seed, peppercorns, juniper berries), 10 drops frankincense, 5 drops clove, 20 drops orange, 5 drops myrrh essential oil. Mix and allow to cure in a sealed container for several weeks, stirring occasionally.

Scented Holiday Cards

Place 1 drop of a holiday blend on the inside corner of each card before sealing. Try cinnamon and orange, clove, or an evergreen blend. A lovely surprise for the recipient.

Scented Bookmarks

Add a few drops of essential oil to a bookmark and tuck it into a gift book. Orange is great for kids. For students, try peppermint, rosemary, and basil to support focus and alertness. Include a small bottle of the oil so they can refresh the bookmark.

Ylang Ylang Chocolates

Place loose chocolates in a box with a piece of absorbent paper scented with 1 drop of ylang ylang. Cover and let sit for a few days. Try orange or mandarin for a different twist.

Frankincense Soap

Wrap an unscented bar of soap in cheesecloth and sprinkle with a few drops of frankincense essential oil. Place in an airtight container for one month, then discard the wrapping. Decorate with gold or silver leaf for a beautiful gift.

Four Thieves Essential Oil Blend

A legendary blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. Inspired by the story of four thieves in 15th-century France who used aromatic herbs for protection. Use in a diffuser or dilute in a carrier oil.

Crafts & Home Fragrance

Scented Rocks

½ cup plain flour, ½ cup salt, ¼ tsp. essential oil, ⅔ cup boiling water, food coloring (optional). Mix dry ingredients, add essential oil and boiling water. Blend in food coloring if desired. Form into rock shapes and allow to dry. Place in a bowl to scent a room.

Scented Beeswax Heart

Use a cookie cutter to cut a heart shape from a sheet of natural beeswax. Wrap in cheesecloth and infuse with a few drops of rose otto. Seal in a plastic bag for one week. Remove the cloth and attach a ribbon hanger. Decorate with dried flowers. Hang in the kitchen or bath.

Fireplace Logs

Use 1 drop of essential oil per log and only one log per fire. Allow the oil to soak in before burning. Good choices: sandalwood, frankincense, myrrh, cypress, and cedarwood.

Aromatherapy Play Dough (Gluten-Free)

¼ cup cornstarch, ¼ cup brown rice flour, ¼ cup salt, 1 tsp. cream of tartar, ½ cup water, ½ tsp. essential oil, ½–1 tsp. natural food coloring, ½–1 tsp. dried herbs or tea (optional). Combine dry ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat. Mix until a ball forms. Remove from heat and mix in essential oil. Knead in dried herbs. Repeat with different colors and scents. Store in an airtight container.

Sweet Bags for Linens and Drawers

4 cups orris root powder, a handful each of dried lavender, marjoram, lemon peel, orange peel, and rose petals, 5 cotton pads, 30 drops essential oils (10 each of cypress, clove, and nutmeg). Crush dried herbs and mix with orris root. Add essential oils to cotton pads and cure with herbs in a sealed jar for one week. Divide into fabric pouches and use to scent linens, gloves, and scarves.

Perfumed Drawer Lining Paper

Cut paper to size and roll into a tube. Seal in a plastic bag with a sheet of blotting paper scented with your chosen essential oils. Leave for about a week to allow the scent to permeate. Can be customized with anti-insect oils such as cedar or rosemary.

Skin Care

Lemon Citrus Nail Soak

Lemon has been used for hand and nail care for centuries. It whitens nails and stimulates healthy growth. Mix 8 oz. spring water, 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel, and 10 drops lemon essential oil. Soak fingertips for 10 minutes.

Rose Otto Bath

For a relaxing and sensuous bath, mix 3 drops of rose otto in 3½ tablespoons of heavy cream and add to bathwater. For an even richer scent, add a few drops of sandalwood or jasmine.

Cellulite Blend

Stimulates circulation. In 100 ml hazelnut oil combine: 2 ml eucalyptus citriodora, 2 ml lemon, 2 ml cedarwood, 2 ml sage, 2 ml cypress, 2 ml niaouli. Apply 2–3 times per day for 30 days.

Recipes for the Kitchen

Peach Smoothie with Mandarin

3 ripe peaches, 1 cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, 4 ice cubes, 1–2 drops mandarin essential oil. Blend and enjoy. Use only food-grade essential oils.

Christmas Ginger Cookies

Add 3 drops of ginger essential oil per batch of cookies. Use only food-grade essential oil.

Shop All Essential Oils

For all your essential oil needs, explore our complete collection of pure, therapeutic-grade oils at Valley of the Moon Aromatherapy.