Overwhelmed by all the information out there on using essential oils?
Take a breath — you’re in the right place. Aromatherapy doesn’t have to be complicated (or expensive). With a few foundational oils and a simple carrier, you can create soothing massage blends, room sprays, home fresheners, and everyday favorites — all rooted in plant wisdom and made right at home.
Quick Start (Read This First)
If you’re applying essential oils to skin, dilution matters. For a simple refresher, see our guide: How to Dilute Essential Oils.
If you’re new to creating blends, this will help your recipes smell (and feel) more harmonious: How to Blend Essential Oils.
What You’ll Need
1) A carrier oil
2) These ten essential oils
3) Optional (but recommended) essential oils
Essential Oils for Pain Relief and First Aid
- Headache Ease: Add 2 drops Lavender + 2 drops Peppermint to 1 tbsp vegetable oil; massage into the nape of your neck.
- Bug Bite / Sting Relief: Add 1 drop Lavender “neat” to the area for quick relief.
- Poison Ivy Remedy: Mix 4 oz aloe gel/juice with 15 drops Lavender + 15 drops Chamomile. Add witch hazel to make a spritzer, or dab gel directly. (Chilled is extra soothing.)
- Muscle Relief Massage Oil: In 1 oz carrier oil (arnica is lovely), blend 4 drops Rosemary + 4 drops Lavender + 2 drops Marjoram + 2 drops Ginger. Massage into sore areas.
- Minor Burn Support: Run cold water over the area first. Dry gently, then apply 1 drop Lavender. Not for blistering or broken skin.
- Sunburn Soother: Mix 6 drops Lavender + 6 drops Tea Tree into 2 tbsp aloe gel; apply as needed.
- Motion Sickness: Inhale Peppermint from a portable inhaler or handkerchief.
Essential Oils for a Fragrant Home
Want more cleaning-specific blends? See: Essential Oil Combinations for Cleaning.
- Fresh Laundry: Add a few drops of Lavender or Geranium to a washcloth; toss into the dryer.
- Easy Air Freshener: Add a few drops of essential oil (try Peppermint, Lavender, or citrus like Lemon) to a spray bottle of water. Shake well before each use.
- DIY All-Purpose Cleaner Boost: Add a few drops of Lemon or Grapefruit to your household cleaner for a bright, clean finish.
- Carpet Deodorizer: Add 10 drops of Lavender, Geranium, Peppermint, or Lemon to baking soda. Shake, sprinkle, let sit 1+ hour, vacuum.
- Fragrant Sheets + Towels: Add 10–15 drops of your favorite oil to a small cloth; toss into the dryer.
- Natural Solvent Trick: Orange is a powerful natural solvent — use it to remove labels, sap, or gum (a few drops on a cloth).
- Closet + Drawer Freshness: Add 10–15 drops of a favorite oil to a cotton ball; place in an open baggie in a drawer or closet.
- Tick Support for Dogs: Add a few drops of Geranium to your dog’s collar. For more pet guidance, we strongly recommend “Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals” by Kristen Leigh Bell.
Essential Oils for Bath & Beauty
- Make Your Own Scented Soap: Add your favorite oils to an unscented liquid soap base (we love Lavender + Geranium; Rosemary is also gorgeous).
- Anti-Aging Face Oil: Use tamanu oil alone, or add a few drops of Lavender, Geranium, or Chamomile.
- Lustrous Hair: Add 1–2 drops of Rosemary to your hairbrush before brushing.
- DIY Perfume: Blend 20 drops of essential oils into 2 oz vodka or jojoba. Let steep 1–2 weeks. (Vodka = spritz, jojoba = perfume oil.)
- Perfumed Lotion: Add 12–15 drops of your preferred essential oil to 4 oz unscented lotion; shake vigorously.
- Botanical Body Powder: Mix 10 drops Geranium with bergamot + ylang ylang into 2 tbsp cornstarch.
Essential Oils for Emotional Balance
- Concentration + Memory: Diffuse equal parts Rosemary + Lemon while studying or working long hours (or use a portable inhaler).
- Sleep Support: Add 1–2 drops of Lavender, Chamomile, or Marjoram to a handkerchief beneath your pillow.
- Hotel Room Reset: Spritz the air to freshen and soften a stuffy room — try Geranium, Lemon, and Lavender.
- Anxious / Ungrounded: Diffuse equal parts Lavender + Geranium, or dilute in a carrier oil and apply to nape, temples, and wrists.
- Energizing Citrus Spice: Diffuse 8 drops Grapefruit, 4 drops Orange, 4 drops Ginger, 4 drops Peppermint. Or mix with 8 oz water, shake well, spritz.
- Candle Diffusers: A simple, economical way to scent a room — Lavender for calm, citrus like Orange for uplift, Geranium for grounding.
- Aromatherapy Foot Bath: Add 10–12 drops Lavender, Lemon, or Peppermint to 1 tbsp Epsom salts; add to warm (or cool) water and soak.
- Quick Grounding: Diffuse Lavender or Geranium, or dilute in a carrier oil and dab onto pulse points.
For Kids
When in doubt, dilute more — and reference our dilution guide: How to Dilute Essential Oils.
- “Monster-Away” Spray: In a 4 oz spritzer bottle, mix 5 drops Lavender + 5 drops Chamomile. Shake well and spritz bedtime worries away.
- Relaxing Baby Massage Oil: Add 3 drops organic Lavender + 1 drop Chamomile to 2 oz organic safflower oil or organic sweet almond. Massage gently into skin (except face).
- Resource Tip: We highly recommend the book Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child by Valerie Ann Worwood for safe, effective use with children.
Personal Care
- Peppermint Flower Waters: Wonderfully cooling in summer and supportive during hot flashes — keep a 2 oz bottle in your bag.
- Athlete’s Foot Support: Blend grapefruit seed extract + 2 drops Tea Tree; apply once or twice daily.
- DIY Deodorant Oil: Mix 2 drops Lavender, 1 drop Tea Tree, 1 drop Lemon in 2 tbsp grapeseed; apply lightly.
- Quit Smoking Support: Use black pepper oil in a portable inhaler; inhale when cravings hit.
- Fresh Shoes + Feet: Add a few drops of Lemon to shoes. Add Tea Tree for extra power and athlete’s foot support.
Shop the Oils
Start with a simple capsule collection: one carrier oil + Lavender + Peppermint + Lemon + Tea Tree. Then expand as you fall in love.
- Carrier Oils: Sweet Almond · Grapeseed · Jojoba · Safflower
- Everyday Essentials: Lavender · Peppermint · Lemon · Tea Tree
- For Home + Mood: Orange · Grapefruit · Geranium · Rosemary · Eucalyptus
- Optional Add-Ons: Marjoram · Ginger
FAQ
Do I need to dilute essential oils before applying to skin?
Yes — dilution is a best practice for most topical use. For a simple guide, read: How to Dilute Essential Oils.
What essential oils should beginners start with?
Most people love starting with Lavender, Peppermint, Lemon, and Tea Tree, plus one gentle carrier oil.
How do I make my own essential oil blends?
Use a simple framework (top/middle/base notes) and start small. This beginner guide helps: How to Blend Essential Oils.
How should I store essential oils?
Heat, light, and oxygen can reduce shelf life. For best practices, read: Storing Essential Oils.
