Essential oils are natural plant extracts derived through various means (mainly distillation) from plants of all kinds for our enjoyment, health and wellbeing.

As natural chemical compounds, essential oils are made up of chemical constituents which possess wide-ranging therapeutic properties that work with our body to help it to heal, repair and regenerate as well as improve the general function of organs and entire systems.

It is important to mention that while essential oils offer wide-ranging therapeutic properties, COVID-19 is a new virus that we don’t yet know enough about to understand how essential oils and other natural treatments will respond to it. In addition to that, there is currently no known cure for COVID-19 – all current treatments help the body while it tries to heal.

We’re therefore not able to provide advice specific to the virus, but what we can do is offer suggestions that may help with general immunity, health and wellbeing and help to combat things like the common cold and flu.

At this point, it is important to understand that essential oils are highly concentrated chemical compounds and they should be handled with care. For the successful use of essential oils, please follow the industry standard safety advice and guidelines, and always check the safety data for each essential oil, often referred to as a “contraindication”.

• For external use only – do not ingest.
• Do not apply directly to the skin, always use diluted in a carrier substance, eg carrier oil.
• Do not use on babies of 0-6 months***.
• Safe dilution levels for babies and toddlers (up to 4 years old): 1%***.
• Safe dilution levels for children aged 4-8 years old: 1%***.
• Safe dilution levels for healthy, strong, fit 8 year olds and over: 2%***.
• Safe dilution levels for the elderly, frail or ill: 1%***.
• Avoid contact with the eyes and sensitive areas of skin.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• Store in a cool, dark and dry place.
• Keep away from direct sunlight.
• Keep the bottle cap tightly sealed.
• Always patch test first before using.
• Always check the safety data of each essential oil before using it.
• Key contraindications include phototoxicity/photosensitivity, pregnancy (there are many oils contraindicated for pregnancy), and certain health conditions.

***This dilution information is for guidance only. It depends on the individual, their health, any occurring symptoms, issues or concerns. Age is sometimes a difficult factor to predict. It is always best to seek the expert advice of a qualified professional who can advise accordingly for each individual.

How do essential oils work?

Julia Lawless sums this up perfectly in her book, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils where she explains that they have three distinct modes of action: pharmacological, physiological and psychological. 

She states that,

“The pharmacological effect is concerned with the chemical changes which take place when an essential oil enters the bloodstream and reacts with the hormones and enzymes, etc;

 

The physiological mode is concerned with the way in which an essential oil affects the systems of the body, whether they are sedated or stimulated, etc;

 

The psychological effect takes place when an essence is inhaled, and an individual responds to its odor.”

Taking this advice into consideration…

On occasion it might be suitable and most appropriate to simply inhale the aroma or be surrounded by the scent of specific oils. 

However, if we can take advantage of the benefits we get from inhaling the aromas, and the benefits we get from applying to the skin, the best results will be experienced.

When we inhale the aroma, we get an immediate response. The aroma is usually pleasing and we begin to process thoughts and feelings about it. The smell triggers nervous impulses which often changes behaviours and the three combined – the emotional response, the thought patterns and the nervous impulses – begin to change our thoughts, feelings and emotions.

If the right oils are used, we can begin to feel differently, think differently, behave differently, view our world, our experiences and our situation differently. It is also probable that we will begin to feel relaxed and calm, or stimulated and awake.

What we notice when we consciously inhale a pleasing aroma is that it is impossible to think about anything else at that very moment, other than the pleasing aroma and how much we like it. 

If this is done over a few minutes, that can have a profound effect on our entire psychological and emotional state of being.

On other occasions it might be better to apply essential oils to the skin via a carrier substance – a carrier oil, during massage or by using a skincare product.

Now, when applied to the skin, essential oils have a triple beneficial action which you can read more about in our article, The best essential oils for skin (and each skin type).

Essentially, we get the benefit of essential oils and the carrier ingredients providing nourishment and healing for the skin, and the added benefit of the chemicals of essential oils mixing with the chemicals inside our own bodies, helping to improve the functions of organs and entire systems. Our in house aromatherapist Gareth says

If we can get the combination of both, inhalation and application to the skin, the positive effects on our health and happiness will be amplified.

Inhalation gives us an immediate stimulus that helps us to feel better and think better. Then application on the skin and absorption into our bloodstream creates an effect that sustains the changes over a longer period of time. 

Consistent and regular use of essential oils over time will greatly affect and positively contribute to our overall health, happiness and wellbeing.

PLEASE NOTE:

Essential oils are designed to be complementary to conventional treatments and medicine, not a replacement for them. They offer us a unique and personal way of looking after ourselves each day at home. They can help us to stay well and healthy and keep injury and illness at bay. They can also add to our ability to recover quickly from illness, dis-ease and injury. 

However, if symptoms persist, please consult your doctor. In situations where life-concerning illnesses or injuries exist, please consult your doctor and seek specialist advice from a qualified and practicing aromatherapist before using essential oils.

Our recommended essential oils

Stimulating essential oils that are useful for tiredness, lethargy, malaise:

Peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, thyme, scotch pine and lemongrass.

Refreshing essential oils:

Bergamot, orange, lemongrass, lime and geranium.

Essential oils for study, concentration, focus and enhanced memory:

Please read our article about this here.

Essential oils that are relaxing, calming and fortifying:

Lavender, mandarin, bergamot, geranium, frankincense, chamomile, benzoin and sandalwood.

Essential oils for cold and flu-like symptoms, respiration and general immunity:

Eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon, lemongrass, lavender, rosemary, marjoram, myrrh and peppermint.

Essential oils for digestion:

Lavender, chamomile, peppermint and geranium.

Essential oils for children aged six months to four years:

Niaouli, tea tree, lavender, chamomile and mandarin.

Essential oils for teenagers:

Lavender, bergamot, geranium, eucalyptus, frankincense, rosemary, palmarosa, tea tree, benzoin and marjoram.

Essential oils for sport:

Lavender, marjoram, black pepper, rosemary and chamomile.

Essential oils for meditation:

Frankincense, sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, lavender and neroli.

Sensual essential oils:

Lavender, rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, sandalwood, vanilla, benzoin and geranium.

Essential oils that combat stress and anxiety

Read our article, 10 essential oils to combat stress and anxiety and encourage better sleep – naturally!

How to use essential oils at home

The following are some suggestions for how you could use essential oils at home and work. These ideas follow general guidelines and are designed for you to make small batches, as and when needed, for your own therapeutic purposes.

Please remember to follow the safety advice and check the safety data for each individual essential oil. 

For best results, seek a qualified expert who can offer personalized and tailored solutions.

There are some additional ideas, recipes, blends and product making instructions shared in our article Energizing and revitalizing essential oils for spring.

You can use them in an oil burner or oil diffuser

Check out our article on getting the most from your essential oil burner or diffuser. 

Inhale the aroma from the bottle

There are a couple of ways you can do this.

You can place a few drops (two to three) on a tissue, handkerchief or cotton wool pad

Eitherither inhale it directly; or you can place it in your breast pocket and let the aroma drift upwards.

Top tip:

Put your tissue, handkerchief or cotton pad in the palm of your hand. Place your hand in the prayer position. Put your nose between your thumbs and in between your palms. Then inhale and enjoy the aroma.

Carry your favourite essential oil with you wherever you go. 

Take it out and inhale the aroma when you need it the most. 

Top tips:

Remember not to leave the top off the bottle for long; two minutes maximum.

Do not spend too long sitting and inhaling without a break. One minute maximum, return the cap to the bottle, pause for 30 seconds and repeat if you’d like.

You could do a daily or regular steam inhalation

Most people love going into steam rooms with their beautiful fragrances and warmth, and the good news is you can recreate some of that experience at home! Most people will wait until they are unwell with a cough, cold or flu-like symptoms, but there is nothing stopping you from making it a daily or regular practice.

Steam inhalation with the right essential oils can help to open up breathing pathways, reduce inflammation, ease coughs and congestion. It can also help to clear the mind, aid relaxation, revive the senses and lift the mood. 

The essential oils mentioned above can help to kill potentially harmful microbes but again, we prefer to err on the side of caution because we don’t know the effect they will have against COVID-19. But generally speaking they may help to maintain a healthy mind and body.

• Boil some water and add it to a bowl.
• Place two to three drops of essential oil into the bowl.
• Place a towel over your head and your face over the bowl of water.

To begin with, the water will be extremely hot and it might be hard to stay under the towel and over the bowl for a long time. Just short bursts is fine until you are able to stay under the towel for one minute.

Top tip: replace the drops of oil every three minutes. The water will be extremely hot and the oils will quickly evaporate.

Make a bath soak or foot soak 

Here is a great recipe for a foaming orange, frankincense and sandalwood mineral bath soak. Of course, you can swap the essentials out for ones that are better suited to your needs and preferences.

If you are able to have a bath, it will work wonders. A bath is great, because it helps to:

• Warm the muscles, joints and bones.
• Encourage circulation.
• Slow down, deepen and lengthen the breathing rhythms.
• Reduce the heart rate.
• Encourage rest and relaxation.
• Soothe digestion.

If you don’t have a bath, a foot soak/bath will work well. For added pleasure, sit next to your oil diffuser or oil burner!

Can you add essential oils directly to the bath?

This is not something we would advise. You should only ever add essential oils to a bath or foot bath diluted into a carrier substance. 

Oil and water do not mix, so the essential oils will just float on the surface. When they come into direct contact with the skin, they may cause irritation.

In addition, essential oils are volatile, which means they evaporate when exposed to air. This process happens even faster when they are heated. In a hot bath or foot soak, the essential oils won’t last very long and you won’t get many of the benefits you seek.

You could make a simple massage oil

This could be as simple as using one or two carrier oils and one to three essential oils. The best massage oils are grape seed oil and sweet almond oil, and they are very cheap! 

You can then add your essential oils to the blend to make your simple massage oil.

A simple 100g massage oil formula would include 98% carrier oil and 2% essential oil. For children under 4 years old, the elderly or frail, reduce the essential oil dilution to 1%.

Make some simple skincare products 

You could make simple products like balms, butters, oils and serums or go one step further to make some creams and/or lotions. 

You can do this by joining one of our online classes like our Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products.

If that is a step too far right now, we also have a number of recipes available in our Free Natural Beauty Recipe Book.

Essential oils are typically some of the first ingredients that people encounter when they are just starting out in natural skincare formulation—or using natural products in general! They are typically accessible, affordable, easy to use, and provide wonderful benefits just by themselves. But essential oils aren’t just useful for the beautiful scents they can provide! There is an amazing therapeutic benefit to choosing the right essential oil or oils for your product. And the combination of both of those factors—fragrance and function—is where you have the opportunity to really hone and expand your formulation skills.

Scent is important! While some customers smell a product first, before then testing it on their skin, and others test first, then smell on themselves, the fact still stands that getting the right fragrance is imperative. Something that works well but doesn’t smell good won’t build the same emotional connection—and people will pass, no matter how soft it makes their skin feel. Scents are so powerful because of the way our brains are wired. Smell is linked to and controlled by the limbic system in the brain—this is the pleasure center. It controls what we like and dislike, influences how we feel and what we think, and is a key part of how we judge things. Scent triggers an immediate emotional response that is distinctly different from all other sensory input… which means that scent is often the deciding factor between making a sale or having something put back on the shelf.

As important as scent is, the real power comes from selecting essential oils that provide both the fragrance as well as the therapeutic properties. There is no other ingredient in your skincare that will offer the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellness benefits that essential oils offer.

So, if the goal is to incorporate both an evocative, beautiful fragrance as well as the functional wellness, how do you do that?

Successfully Formulating with Essential Oils

To really combine the powerful sensory and therapeutic effects of essential oils, you need to follow a process in selecting the right oils that asks the right questions—not just choosing the scent and hoping the effects are what you want, or choosing for effect and hoping the scent combination is appealing.

You should also consider the following questions when selecting essential oils to use in your skin care formulations:

• What is the purpose of the product?
• Who is the target market?
• What skin type are we making the product for?
• What problems should the product focus on?
• Are there any contraindications we need to be aware of?
• What therapeutic properties will help to solve those problems and deliver the required solution and suit the specific skin type?

Which essential oils match the criteria you are looking at here?

With that information gathered, it’s then important to begin to consider the aromatic properties:

• What essential oils possess the fragrance that you like the most?
• What is your favourite aroma/essential oil?
• Which ones resonate the most when thinking about the purpose of your products, the audience and the problems that need solving?
• What aromatic quality are you striving for? For example, uplifting and refreshing, grounding and relaxing, spicy and mysterious?

Which essential oils possess the qualities you are looking for here?

Are you able to find a match between those you chose to start with when thinking about the therapeutic properties and the oils you looked at for their aromatic qualities?

If so, hooray!

If not, then some compromises need to be made on one side or the other. One thing is certain, you are now starting off from a more informed place with a good selection of possible essential oils. You’ve deliberately chosen them because they match what you are looking for and now it is a case of finding a blend that works for you from both therapeutic and aromatic perspectives.

One top tip that has worked for some is to select one oil that resonates the most, one oil that you find absolutely divine (your favourite oil) and one oil purely for its therapeutic purpose. This way, you are combining the power of your intuition as well as imbuing your products with the passion you feel when you are making them. And then, of course, using the essential oils that address the therapeutic or health challenge. With these three things in mind, the blend you then create actually works on all levels—emotional, spiritual and physical.

Note: You must make sure that it is safe to use the oils you select, and that they are not contraindicated for use, and that the dilutions are correct and safe. Essential oils are powerful tools, and they should be handled with respect and care!

Taking it One Step Further

This is, obviously, just one very small drop in the broader knowledge of essential oils—and we encourage you to study and inform yourself about their uses, benefits, and safety considerations! It’s extremely important to know what you’re doing with essential oils, as well as what not to do with them, so you can harness the optimal health and wellness benefits without causing accidental harm or injury.

If you want to get started incorporating essential oils into your products in a thoughtful, intentional, and powerful way, then getting the right information is key! Our Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products is a wonderful place for absolute beginners to start their journey into making amazing, effective, and safe products, and for those who might have a little more experience, learn how to formulate like a professional with our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation.

Love learning about essential oils? Save this image below on Pinterest so you can be sure to remember!

You can read so much about the wonderful benefits of so many oils, that it leaves you even more confused about what to use!

Here is a secret….reading about essential oils will only get you so far.

To really get to know them, learn their properties and benefits and choose what to use in your skincare products with more ease and clarity you need to remember one thing.

The secret to really getting to know your essential oils is so obvious it sounds silly even saying it. But it is so often overlooked.

Ready for it?

The secret is to smell them!

Not just have a quick whiff and decide if you like it or not but to take your time really experiencing the aroma.

Notice how the oil makes you feel. What it reminds you of. What associations you make. How you would describe the aroma.

When we ran live classes, we always carried out this exercise with students and they were amazed with how much they could learn about an essential oils just from the aroma!

We don’t run live classes anymore BUT we have found a way to bring the same experience to you online and we’re offering you the chance to do so for free (more on that in a moment).

Why only reading about essential oils is holding you back

Thanks to the growth of aromatherapy and natural skincare, we are armed with large sources of information. We know the names of many essential oils, can find out about where they come from, how they are extracted and also from books or courses, we can also find out about the many therapeutic properties they possess.

The thing is, despite this huge amount of information how much do we actually, truly and honestly know about essential oils?

Can you tell from a textbook which ones you like? Can you tell how they make you feel or what they remind you of? Do you feel confident using them? Can you remember what each of them is good for? Chances are you don’t.

5 benefits of learning about essential oils through smell

If you want to truly get to know essential oils, you need to spend time exploring, enjoying and getting to their aromas. It is from this point that we’re able to truly know and therefore also work with essential oils.

1) It brings the oil to life!

You know what it actually smells like and how it makes you feel. The benefits to the mood and emotions that essential oils offer are huge but very difficult to understand just by reading about them.

2) You start to build a relationship with them rather than reciting facts you have read.

When you know what it smells like you know if you like it or not and how much. A book will give you logical reasons about why you should use an oil. But a human is not solely a being of logic but also of emotion, thought, feeling and spirit…sometimes the logical answer isn’t always the right one! The only way you will ever know if an essential oil is right for you, is to smell it. If a book recommends a certain oil with an aroma that you dislike, it will not be the right one to use.

3) It helps you choose what to use in your products.

Essential oils are in used in skincare products for two reasons, their therapeutic properties and to provide a fragrance. Therapeutic properties can be looked up in a book but in order to become skilled at selecting which oils to use you need know what they smell like too.

4) You can start to build more complex blends.

You can’t learn to blend oils purely through reading about them.

5) It makes learning and remembering information about the oils so much easier.

Your sense of smell amplifies your ability to store and recall information about the oil. Smell is controlled by the limbic system, which is the oldest known part of the brain, and the place that stores our memories. Therefore smelling the oil will trigger your memories of what you’ve learnt.

Join our bonus Getting to know your essential oils class!

Put your books down, dust off your essential oil bottles, and discover the only true way to really get to know your essential oils with our Director Gareth Després, a skilled and experienced aromatherapist.

This an experiential and fun class and challenge that is designed to help you get to know a selection of essential oils by experiencing them first hand for yourself, rather than just reading about them.

Gareth will take you through his tried and tested techniques which you’ll be able to continue to use to help you experience the magic, awe and wonder of any other essential oil and really get to know them like you’ve never imagined.

How to take part

Join our Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products and you’ll receive the worksheets and audio class FREE!

What people said about the last class

“I really enjoyed this activity. I started making my own creams only recently and stuck with just a couple of oils that I liked. But this activity encouraged me to play with different oils and now I feel much more adventurous!”
– Mehroo

“I loved this activity! It made me really stop and think about each oil as well as look into some I may have bypassed before. I ordered some new oils just for this task which I now love but know I would not have considered before.
I loved the feeling of group participation. I feel closer to members of the group and it feels more like a face to face course rather than online.”
– Hayley

“I’ve really enjoyed it too. It was a chance to swot up on the things I’ve learned and learn new stuff too, plus read about other’s impressions. It reminded me of how just a small range of oils can offer a lot of variety”
– Wendy

We look forward to seeing you in class!

Would you like to know a secret?

There is an easy and enjoyable way to boost the effectiveness of your studying… by using essential oils!

Essential oils possess a vast range of therapeutic properties for mind, body and spirit and are great for all kinds of things from 

• Healing skin complaints
• Alleviating aches and pains
• Fighting infections
• Speeding up the process of recovery from illness, injury or disease
• Combating stress and anxiety
• Improving moods and lifting the emotions

to mention just a few… 

 But did you also know that they are excellent at helping us to focus and concentrate and also help to improve our memory?! 

Well it’s true and that also makes them extremely useful during study or at work, or in fact, anything that requires focus and concentration as well as a good memory! 

Here are three of our top essential oils, as chosen by our Aromatherapist Gareth Després, to help you focus and concentrate and to help you to improve your memory.

Frankincense (boswellia carterii) 

Action on the mind, body, emotions and spirit

Frankincense is a fabulous essential oil that possesses cephalic and fixative therapeutic properties which have a direct action on helping us to stay focused and maintain concentration.

 In addition, frankincense helps to create space in our psyche and energy in our body (essential components for effective study) by slowing down, deepening and lengthening the breath. This has the knock-on effect of reducing tension, worry, fear, stress and anxiety so that we can focus our efforts on the task at hand. 

Don’t be confused by the fact that frankincense is a sedative because this does not mean it will send us to sleep. Rather, it helps us to stay calm and relaxed, grounded and centred and able to undertake the task of study with greater ease… it will also not keep us awake when we would rather be asleep! 

So if you are studying in the evening, frankincense is probably the oil of choice, rather than the more stimulating and awakening oils of rosemary and lemon.

Avoid during 1st trimester of pregnancy

Lemon (citrus limonum)

 Action on the mind, body, emotions and spirit

Lemon is all about cleansing, cleaning, clearing and creating anew: excellent qualities to have when focus is needed for study or work!

As a cephalic it helps to focus the mind and improve our ability to memorize. As a stimulant for the hippocampus, it is known to significantly increase our ability to concentrate… therefore making lemon an essential companion for work and study! 

The aroma of the oil is sweet and refreshing and pleasing to many which has the benefit of lifting our spirits and improving our moods. This helps to remove stress, anxiety, fear and worry and make study or work a more pleasurable experience.

Oh and as an immune stimulant and circulatory tonic, lemon has the knock-on effect of keeping us well, healthy and vibrant so we can keep going and minimize the downtime we experience when we’re unwell! 

*The hippocampus is involved in the storage of long-term memory, which includes all past knowledge and experiences.

Caution during pregnancy, phototoxic, can irritate sensitive skin.

Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis)   

Action on the mind, body, emotions and spirit

Rosemary is all about action and getting things moving. It is best known for its stimulating and awakening action on the mind and body and that makes it a valuable aid during times of tiredness and lethargy or lack of desire and motivation.

It’s also a hugely positive oil that alleviates stress and anxiety and that can help to boost self-confidence and enthusiasm. This can be important when studying for something important or learning something new.

Do not use during pregnancy, or when living with epilepsy or high blood pressure.

How would you best use these essential oils? 

The best way to access these benefits would be to inhale the aroma. There are several ways you can do so: 

1) Oil burner or electric oil diffuser. To find out how to get the most from your oil burner or diffuser, read this article here.   

2) Tissue, handkerchief or cotton wool pad. Place 2-4 drops of essential oil on a tissue, handkerchief or cotton wool pad and inhale at regular intervals during your study. Alternatively, fold your your tissue or handkerchief or cotton wool pad in the breast pocket of your shirt (if you have one). We found cotton wool pads to be the best solution because it seems to retain a stronger aroma for a longer period of time. 

3) You could also make a simple oil-based perfume that you could apply to your wrists and neck. For information about how to make a simple oil-based perfume click here and use the essential oils mentioned above to specifically help you with your studies.  

We hope you enjoy enhancing your studies with essential oils! 

Love reading about essential oils? Make sure to pin this post to remember 🙂

We know that you love using essential oils in skincare! Today we wanted to share another really fabulous way of using and enjoying essential oils, in an oil burner or diffuser.

This complete mini-guide to oil burners/diffusers will cover:

• Why use an oil burner.
• Where to use your oil burner.
• The difference between oil burners and diffusers including the pros and cons of each.
• How to use oil burners.
• Top tips for getting the most from your oil burner.

Let’s get started!

Why would you use an essential oil burner or electric oil diffuser?

Oil burners and electric diffusers are a great way to enhance or improve the fragrance of our homes, which also helps us to feel good because when we smell something pleasant it brings a smile to our face, lifts our spirits and improves our mood.

The added benefit of using essential oils in this way is that we are also able to access their amazing therapeutic properties!

You see, when vaporized or diffused, essential oils:

• Kill airborne microbes and purify the air around us.
• Improve respiration by stimulating, clearing and opening the breathing pathways and
• killing infectious bacteria (eucalyptus, tea tree, rosemary, peppermint, frankincense, lavender).
• Stimulate, sedate or balance nerves (lavender and rosemary).
• Stimulate, sedate or balance hormones (rose, bergamot and geranium).
• Stimulate, sedate or balance the beating rhythms of the heart (rose, ylang ylang, peppermint, rosemary or lavender).
• Boost focus, concentration and memory (lemon, frankincense, rosemary, peppermint).
• Induce a state of meditation (frankincense, sandalwood and vetiver).

Yes, these benefits are all available to you through the power of smelling and inhaling these wonderful oils!

Where would you use an oil burner or electric diffuser?

The great thing about oil burners and electric oil diffusers is that you can use them pretty much anywhere!

At home, you can use them to great effect in your:

• Bedroom
• Bathroom
• Dining room
• Living room
• Office/study

At work, as long as your colleagues don’t mind, you can use them:

• At your desk
• In reception
• In meeting rooms/conference halls

You could even use them in studios or workshop spaces eg yoga studios, gym classes, craft rooms, art studios, etc.

Essentially, wherever there is an electric socket for an electric diffuser or a safe/stable place for an oil burner, you’re pretty much good to go.

What’s the difference between an oil burner and an electric diffuser?

Oil burner:

An oil burner has a bowl where you place the water and add your drops of essential oil. The water and essential oil are gently heated by a small tea light candle that is placed under the bowl.

Most oil burners either come with a copper or porcelain bowl and either is suitable. For example, I prefer a copper bowl because, from my own personal experience, it produces a more noticeable fragrance than the porcelain. However, a burner with a copper bowl is perhaps not as aesthetically pleasing as some porcelain ones on the market; ultimately it’s a matter of personal taste!

Positives: oil burners are cheap ($5-30+), easy to find and they produce an excellent aroma. They are portable, robust and don’t break, and can be used pretty much anywhere that is safe (ie not a fire hazard and out of reach of children and pets).

Negatives: oil burners require a lit candle, which means you’ll have a naked flame in your home and that means there is a fire risk. Also, oil burners create an aroma by heating the essential oil, which changes the composition of the oil slightly and you don’t get as pure an aroma as when you inhale the oil in its natural room temperature state. The heat from the candle flame obviously heats the bowl with the water and oil which means there is a risk of being burnt – be careful not to touch the bowl or spill the contents!

Electric oil diffuser:

An electric oil diffuser has a small compartment where the water is placed and a few drops of oil are added. The particles are diffused into the air through a variety of means (depending on the type you use – vibration or humidification).

Positives: electric oil diffusers don’t require heat to release the fragrance which means you get a higher quality aroma. They are considered a little safer to use than oil burners because they don’t carry a direct fire risk.

Negatives: they are much more expensive ($30-100+) and not as easy to come by (unless you shop online of course). They are powered by electricity so there is a risk of electric shock – they should not be used in bathrooms or within reach of children or pets. The can be quite brittle so may break easily making them a little more tricky to travel with.

How do you use oil burners or electric oil diffusers?

Ok, so this is the really easy part!

All you need is a little water in the bowl of the oil burner or container of your electric oil diffuser (maybe half to two thirds full) and a few drops of essential oil (3-5 drops for a small bowl/container, 5-8 drops for a medium sized one and 7-10 drops for a large one).

Remember, you don’t have to add lots of essential oil to start with because you can always add more – you can top it up later. Less is definitely better!

And finally, just pay a little attention to health and safety.

Oil burners are best kept out of reach of children and pets and on raised surfaces – bedside tables, coffee tables, cabinets, mantelpieces, desks and worktop surfaces etc. Also, please don’t leave them unattended… there is a naked flame and anything can happen! If you leave the room, it’s best to put the candle out. Make sure the water doesn’t completely dry up whilst the candle is still burning or you’ll burn the container.

Electric oil diffusers are a little safer to use than oil burners because there is no naked flame. Just be very careful about the wire, especially with pets around! Also, don’t use them in a bathroom – electric appliances and bath water are not a good combination! Use an oil burner in the bathroom instead.

If you want to buy or use an electric diffuser, make sure you get one that has an automatic off switch. This helps to keep the diffuser in good working order and also helps to prevent any electrical problems that may cause a fire… you wouldn’t want the aroma of burning wires and plastic to fill the air around you!

The size of burner or diffuser is important, too. Always check the advice from suppliers but small ones don’t tend to provide enough fragrance for average or large sized rooms. They are, however good when sat next to them eg at a desk, or bedside table and the aroma is unlikely to travel far and upset anyone else in the same room. Medium sized burners and diffusers are probably the most suitable for use at home and large burners and diffusers are probably best used in large office spaces, receptions, meeting rooms and conferences.

Top tips for getting the most from your oil burner:

• Close the door! This will intensify the aroma in the room and ensure it doesn’t all escape. Obviously this should be avoided if you are using an oil burner with a candle!
• What mood would you like to create in your home? How would you like to feel? Energised, relaxed, calm, etc. Choose a corresponding oil.
• Create a little sanctuary for yourself! Enhance your space further with candles, crystals, music, and plants.
• Take some time for self-care. Why not enjoy a foot soak or mediation whilst enjoying the aroma of your oil burner.
• When you take a bath with essential oils, use the same oils in an oil burner in your bathroom. That way you can enjoy the full benefit of the oils – absorption through the skin and the aroma.

So if your oil burner or electric oil diffuser has been sitting on the bookshelf or bedside table or in a box somewhere gathering dust, why not get it out and start experimenting with fragrances in your home or at work?!

Most fragrances available in shops today are a combination of natural and synthetic fragrance ingredients diluted in perfumers’ alcohol and these often irritate the skin. One of the best reasons to make your own natural perfume is to have a custom blended fragrance that you love that is also 100% natural and toxic free. It is also so easy and fun to make.

Another benefit is that many botanicals also have therapeutic properties that are grounding, energizing, relaxing, stimulating, uplifting, and balancing. You may craft a single note perfume if you like or try using two to three essential oils in your blend. Although our choice of scents is quite personal, making perfume for someone else could also be a very special present.

Note classification

The essential oils that are used in a perfume can be classified into a top, middle and base notes and this can be used as a guideline when making your own perfume. However, it is totally up to you what blend you want to use and may want to refer to a note classification purely for fragrance longevity guidelines. It is worth noting that the base notes are a valuable addition to the blend because they are known as fixatives which hold onto the top notes stopping them from evaporating quickly.

Top notes:

These are the first impression of the perfume, light and evaporate quickly. These notes usually, but not always come from fruits. The general properties of these oils are uplifting, stimulating and clearing.

Examples include: lemon, grapefruit, lime, citronella, bergamot, eucalyptus, lemongrass, neroli, peppermint, pine, tangerine, tea tree and thyme

Middle notes:

The main scent of the perfume, but also mellow and comes out after the top note. They tend to come from flowers and herbs and have uplifting and harmonizing aromas.

Examples include: chamomile, cypress, geranium, juniper, marjoram, orange, rosemary and spruce.

Base notes:

These are heavier oils with heavier molecules, which are the slowest to evaporate. They tend to be grounding, relaxing and warming and tend to come from woods and spices. They offer rich and deep scent to the perfume which is often a musk scent.

Examples include: cedarwood, clove, frankincense, ginger, myrrh, patchouli, rose, sandalwood, vanilla, vetiver, and ylang ylang.

How to make a natural oil-based perfume

There are two types of homemade fragrances: solid and liquid. Below are two recipes for gorgeous woody perfumes, one for a solid and one for liquid perfume, which are easy to make and can be tailored to your personal preference.

1) Solid perfume

This is a recipe for a beautiful and totally natural woody solid perfume. This base is made of beeswax and jojoba oil. Once you learn to make the base, you can add any essential oils you like to create your own blends.

For this perfume you will need the following:

• 14g beeswax
• 45ml jojoba oil
• 8 drops juniper berry essential oil
• 6 drops patchouli essential oil
• 6 drops cypress essential oil
• 2 perfume tins, 30ml each

Please check the contraindications for these essential oils before using eg they are all contraindicated (unsafe) during pregnancy.

Directions:

1. Melt the beeswax and the jojoba oil on the stove in a water bath or bain-marie.
2. Once these are melted, you can add your essential oils into the blend.
3. Pour your blend into two, 30ml solid perfume tins. Allow to cool and then place the cap over the tin.
4. To use, rub the ball of your finger across the solid perfume and smooth onto your skin.

2) Liquid oil-based perfume

The next recipe is for a beautiful woody and spicy liquid all natural perfume, which of course can also be modified to your individual taste.

To make this blend you will need:

• 10ml jojoba oil
• 15 drops frankincense essential oil
• 9 drops lavender essential oil
• 6 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 15ml glass bottle (a roll-on bottle or one with a pipette works well)

Directions:

1. Pour the jojoba oil into a glass bottle.
2. Add the drops of essential oils carefully.
3. Place the lid on the bottle and shake gently to ensure all the oils are blended.

Storing your natural perfumes

Owing to their different rates of evaporation, it stands to reason that a perfume’s fragrance will change over time. The more it is exposed to light and air, the more quickly it will deteriorate, which is why proper storage is essential.  It is important to store your liquid fragrances in dark-colored bottles out of direct sunlight and to put the cap back on the oils as soon as you’ve used it. Heat, light, oxygen and moisture will compromise their quality and cause them to degrade. Essential oils are highly concentrated and some can burn the skin if applied directly, so always use them in a carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond or grape seed. Finally, if you are prone to skin sensitivity, test a small amount of your blend on your forearm for allergic reactions before using it liberally.

If you’d like to discover how to create an eau de toillete-style spray-on perfume using perfumers’ alcohol click here.

Happy blending!

Spring time is a wonderful time for revitalizing and energizing; leaving winter behind and embracing the new season. Here are our favourite essential oils for detoxing, energizing  and cleansing plus some easy recipes to try at home. Why not combine some of the suggestions for a DIY Aromatherapy Detox?

Our top three energizing and detoxifying essential oils:

Lemon Citrus limonum

Lemon zest, light and fresh! Detoxifying and energizing, purifying and cleansing. Good for circulation, gets energy moving, revitalizes our mind and body! 

When lemon is vapourised/diffused the aroma lifts the room, freshens the atmosphere and keeps harmful microbes at bay. 

Lemon is a wonder of the first-aid cabinet, a strong antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral. Excellent for cuts and wounds, boosting immunity, soothing coughs and colds.

Safety data: Can irritate sensitive skin. Do not use on skin exposed to direct sunlight. Do not use in pregnancy.

Grapefruit Citrus paradisi

Fresh and citrus, yellow and green, uplifting and reviving. Balancing, clearing and detoxifying. 

Clears mind and spirit of negative feelings. Excellent for stress. 

A tonic that helps to detoxify the digestive system. 

Antiseptic, antitoxic, diuretic and a depurative – helps to get things moving in the body – reducing trapped fluid, reducing cellulite and easing congested skin. 

Also fantastic after exercise to disperse lactic acid.

Safety data: Can irritate sensitive skin. Avoid or use in low dilution.

Peppermint Mentha pipperita

Stimulating, energizing, awakening, detoxifying and warming. Strong and sharp, green and clearing. 

Peppermint cuts through negativity and mental clutter, relieves headaches and migraines and releases unhelpful thoughts. Relieves lethargy and tiredness. Brings you into the present moment, re-energizes and gives you get-up-and-go! 

Cleanses the body of toxins, strong tonic to the digestive system that soothes aches and pains, acts quickly to remove harmful microbes out of the system.

Safety data: Can irritate sensitive skin. Avoid in pregnancy. Avoid if epileptic. Avoid if suffer with heart disease or serious heart/cardiac conditions.

Aromatherapy spring detox recipes

The following recipes are for therapeutic purposes and they do not follow the same guidelines and measurements you would use to make professionally formulated cosmetic products i.e. we mention tablespoons and drops rather than percentages and grams. 

They are very small quantities and are therefore designed for single use only. They should be used straight after being made.

Revitalizing shower scrub

• Mix 2 tablespoons of coarse sea salt (or sugar) with 1 tbsp carrier oil of your choice (eg sweet almond)
• Add 2-4 drops of a refreshing, revitalizing essential oil (peppermint, lemon or grapefruit are our favourites)
• Mix together well
• Apply to the skin in circular movements for a stimulating, uplifting exfoliating shower experience
• Rinse off afterwards

Leaves skin, soft, smooth, energised and glowing!

Cleansing shower ritual

As you step under the water imagine a bright white light descending on you, purifying your energy field, washing away anything that is no longer serving you and filling you with a pure white light. 

Allow anything negative to be washed away, any unhelpful thoughts or habits or old ‘stuff’ you want to get rid of. Emerge lighter and brighter!

Spring detox bath salts

• Mix 3 tablespoons of coarse sea salt (or Epsom salts) with 4-6 drops of your chosen essential oil. 
• Peppermint, lemon and grapefruit will all help to detoxify the mind, body and spirit, get your energy moving and flowing. 
• Mix together well and sprinkle into the bath just before you get in. 
• Enjoy a cleansing, reviving, uplifting soak.

Springtime bath ritual

As you are enjoying the wonderful uplifting aroma, visualize any positive changes you’d like to experience in your life. 

See them as if they are already happening and enjoy how it makes you feel! 

As the water drains away imagine it taking away anything that is holding you back, anything that isn’t serving you. 

Step out confidently and positively knowing good things are coming your way!

How to use essential oils: a quick guide

Oil blends

These can be used to rub into the temples and across the forehead to uplift, stimulate, clear the mind and help with headaches. 

For digestion and toxin elimination apply to the abdomen and massage gently in a clockwise direction. 

To stimulate circulation massage legs in upward strokes from the feet upwards, or the arms from the hands upwards.

Make a blended oil by mixing essential oils with a base or carrier oil. Cold pressed organic sunflower oil is great (you can also use another carrier oil of your choice eg olive oil or almond oil). 

Use 2 drops of essential oil per 5ml carrier oil and be very careful not to get any in your eyes.

Bath

Six drops in the bath will work wonders! It’s very important to dilute essential oils first and not place them directly in the bath. Dilute in a little vegetable oil, milk or sea salt before adding to the bath. Enjoy a reviving and energising soak.

To make a properly formulate bath soak check out our Foaming Orange, Frankincense and Sandalwood Mineral Bath Soak

Oil burner

Add 6-8 drops to an oil burner or diffuser to vaporize the oils into the air. Uplifts and purifies the atmosphere. Helps ease breathing, coughs and colds and prevents germs spreading. Spreads good vibes!

To find out how to get the most out of your oil burner or diffuser, click here

Room spray

For a basic room spray use 49% water, 49% vodka and 2% essential oil (eg 49ml water, 49ml vodka and 40 drops essential oil). Shake well and spritz around your home to freshen, uplift and get the energy flowing! Shake before each use.

Essential oil safety information

Always check safety information and contraindications for individual oils before use. 

Essential oils should always be diluted and used at concentrations of 2% (or less for some oils). 

As a guide use approximately 20-40 drops per 100ml or 2-4 drops per 10ml which is equal to a dilution of 1%-2%. 

Many oils are not suitable for use whilst pregnant or on children. Seek advice from an aromatherapist before use.  Always patch test before use. Apply a little blended oil inside of your elbow and check for any reaction (24hrs is recommended).

 A detox usually concentrates on food and drink but aromatherapy offers a detox of a different, more holistic and enjoyable sort!

Below you’ll find ideas for:

• Top detox essential oils
• Cleansing and detoxing your skin
• Breathing easy – oil diffuser blends
• Detox massage blends
• Aromatic bath: time to rest body and mind
• Complete aromatherapy detox spa day
• Inhalation oils

Try out the ideas that appeal to you or create your own aromatherapy detox spa day!

IMPORTANT: Remember that before you use essential oils you should check their contraindications and health and safety information (more details are at the end of this post). If you have any medical conditions we recommend you consult your doctor and/or a professional aromatherapist first.

TOP DETOX ESSENTIAL OILS

In need of some help with a detox? How about using some essential oils?

Black pepper, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, fennel, and lemon are fabulous oils to help with your detox. Use them in a bath, as a steam inhalation, in your oil burner/diffuser and even better as a massage oil or body butter for your abdomen!

My top blends

• Grapefruit 3 drops, geranium 2 drops, black pepper/ginger 1 drop (oil burner/diffuser).
• Grapefruit 3 drops, geranium 2 drops, black pepper/ginger 2 drops (bath).
• 5ml sweet almond oil – 1 drop each grapefruit, black pepper/ginger, geranium (massage).
• You could also try grapefruit, lemon and ginger; or grapefruit, lemon and fennel.

CLEANSE YOUR SKIN

Cleanse your skin with this amazingly delicious body scrub! At room temperature the coconut oil will start to soften and you can help this along by gently giving it a stir with a spoon. Then add your essential oils and continue to stir before finally adding your unrefined brown sugar. Give this a good mix with a spoon or fork – no need to whisk – and you are good to go.

This will smell absolutely delicious! Sweet, refreshing and zingy!

This body scrub will unblock the pores, remove dirt, dust, grime and potentially harmful microbes, cleanse the skin and leave it feeling silky smooth. The smell is absolutely divine too!

You could also check out Attic Teas www.attictea.com because they have a wide range of amazing teas to help with cleansing, hydrating and detoxifying the system!

BREATHE EASY

Using essential oils keeps our respiratory system happy and healthy and I’d like to present some ideas you can try at home to give yourself an aromatic boost!

Oil diffuser/burner

Using an oil diffuser or burner is a wonderful way of creating an ambience for your home or office. The smell of the essential oils opens our breathing pathways, helps to bring us into the present moment and to lift our spirits, stay focused, relaxed and calm. Essential oils also kill airborne microbes which stop the spread of infection.

Place 6-8 drops of your chosen essential oils into your oil diffuser or burner.

• Positivity: 3 drops of grapefruit, 3 drops of  geranium, 2 drops of black pepper
• Balance: 3 drops of geranium, 3 drops of bergamot, 2 drops of lavender
• Refreshing: 3 drops of lemongrass, 3 drops of lavender
• Relaxing: 4 drops of lavender, 3 drops of frankincense, 1 drop of chamomile
• Stimulating: 4 drops of rosemary, 2 drops of lavender, 2 drops of ginger

Steam inhalation

Place three drops of your favorite essential oil (rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus for the morning, lavender or frankincense for the evening) into a bowl of very hot water. Put a towel over your head and put your head over the bowl for approximately one minute at a time. Do this three to five times, placing two drops of essential oil into the bowl each time.

A steam inhalation is particularly effective at giving our lungs a bit of a clear out and it also helps to cleanse the skin on our face! I do this once a week as a regular routine to kill any potentially harmful microbes, remove excess mucus from the system, unclog the pores, open the breathing pathways and to deepen the breath. It’s really easy to do and only takes 5-10 minutes. It’s also a very effective way of getting essential oils into the system and it’s a fantastic stress buster!

Inhalation oil

Breathing is one of the most important functions of our body and we don’t even think about it very often, but the air that we breathe, as well as its quality, has a direct impact on our overall health and happiness. The wonderful thing about aromatherapy is that we use our breath to inhale the wonderful aromatic qualities of essential oils that also help us to stay well and be happy and healthy.

Try placing a drop of essential oil on a tissue or cotton wool pad and sitting quietly and inhaling the scent for a few minutes. For the morning you might enjoy rosemary, peppermint, lemongrass or eucalyptus and for the evening, good choices are lavender, chamomile or frankincense.

 DETOX MASSAGE BLENDS

Massage oils can be very effective at helping to soothe and stimulate internal organs and filter and eliminate waste products. I’ve listed my key detoxifying oils further down the blog. My top blend would be grapefruit and juniper, with either lemon or black pepper. Apply this blend to the abdomen and/or soles of the feet for optimal detoxifying effect. Here are two blends for you to try out and they should each last for three or four massages.

Stimulating and awakening blend (daytime)

• 10ml grapeseed oil/sweet almond oil
• 3 drops juniper
• 2 drop grapefruit
• 1 drop lemon or black pepper

Relaxing and calming blend (evening)

• 10ml grapeseed oil/sweet almond oil
• 3 lavender
• 2 geranium
• 1 juniper

By gently and slowly massaging the abdomen in a clockwise direction the internal organs are soothed and stimulated helping the flow of digestion and urination. The essential oils are also absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream where they then help to improve the functions of the respective body systems. Essential oils are absorbed very quickly into the bloodstream when massaged onto the soles of feet which makes essential oil massage here very effective indeed.

You could make up your own blends using some of the following oils that I would recommend for a good abdomen detox.

Another tip I have picked up along the way is to drink plenty of water and where possible, warm/hot water (from a heated/boiled kettle). Apparently this is absorbed into the bloodstream much faster and helps to remove toxins more easily. This is not my field of expertise so I would advise researching this yourself first.

You could also check out Attic Teas too and ask them for detox advice using tea – www.attictea.com

AROMATIC BATH: TIME TO REST BODY AND MIND

It’s time to put your feet up, put some candles on, and relax in a nice warm bath with beautiful smelling essential oils. A bath is an amazing way of resting, relaxing, unwinding and retreating from the outside world.

Aromatic bath salt solutions

• 4 tablespoons of Epsom or Dead Sea salt
• 4 drops juniper, 3 drops grapefruit, 2 drops black pepper

OR

• 4 tablespoons of Epsom or Dead Sea salt
• 4 drops juniper, 2 drops lemon, 1 drop grapefruit, 1-2 drops fennel

Place the salt into a dish and add your essential oils then mix thoroughly with a spoon. When your bath is ready, add the bath salts, step into your bath and relax.

The bath brings warmth to our bodies during the colder and wetter winter months, alleviates aches, pains and stiffness, encourages local blood circulation, slows the heart rate and blood pressure, and deepens and lengthens the breathing.

Whilst in a greater state of relaxation, our body can then work more effectively on its job of homeostasis (balance) which it does by filtering and removing waste, among other things. Essential oils are the perfect combination because they help us to relax, rest and recuperate, to lower blood pressure and heart rate, to deepen and lengthen the breathing, to alleviate aches and pains, and to filter and remove toxins from the system.

COMPLETE AROMATHERAPY DETOX SPA DAY

Aromatherapy detox home spa! Give your mind a rest. Come back to the here and now. Return to the present moment. Leave your emotional baggage at the door for someone else to carry. Turn your inner TV off and give the drama a rest for a while… everything can wait. For now give your feet, legs, heart, lungs, back and brain a rest.

For this spa day you might like to enjoy:

Body Scrub – Face Mask – Oil Burner Blend

Bath Salts – Anointing Oil – Herbal Tea

First make your body scrub, then face mask, then bath salts and finally the body oil. Decide what oils to use in your oil burner and get the oils ready. Once the products are all made and ready, apply the face mask, then prepare the oil burner, light the candle, run a nice warm bath and close the door to keep the aroma inside the room.

Make your cup of herbal tea and when your bath is ready, take your cup of tea, bath salts and body scrub into the bathroom. Add your bath salts to the bath and step in. Take a spoon with you so that you can take the body scrub out of your dish with something clean and dry. Leave the anointing oil for later! So now then, what products to make how to make them?

Lemongrass and lavender body scrub

• 30g of coconut oil, 55g of unrefined brown sugar, 10 drops of lemongrass, 10 drops of lavender.
• Soften the coconut oil by gently stirring it with spoon at room temperature. Add the essential oil drops, and finally add the sugar mixing thoroughly all the time.

Face mask

Face masks are very easy to create and gorgeous to use! Find some ideas here.

Oil burner blend

Select your favourite essential oil(s) and when you are ready to run your bath, place six to eight drops into your oil burner. Close the door to the bathroom allowing the smell to fill the room.

Aromatic bath salts

• 4 tablespoons of Epsom or Dead Sea salt
• 4 drops of juniper, 3 drops of grapefruit, 2 drops of black pepper or lavender or geranium
• Place your salt into a dish and add the essential oil drops then mix thoroughly. When your bath is ready, add the salt and step in. Please note – do not allow water to get into your product prior to adding to the bath!

Essential oil with jasmine flower on wooden plank

Anointing oil

This is really simple and you can either make a body oil or a perfume oil. A perfume oil is stronger and should only be used on small points on the body (wrists, temples, behind the ears, solar plexus, the heart and third eye – middle of forehead) whereas the body oil is less pungent and can be massaged over the whole body. Here are a couple of options for each:

Body oils

• 10ml cold pressed sunflower oil + 2 drops benzoin, 1 drop ylang ylang and 1 drop lavender
• 10ml cold pressed sunflower oil + 2 drops Geranium, 1 drop bergamot and 1 drop lavender

Perfume oils

• 10ml cold pressed sunflower oil + 4 drops benzoin, 3 drops lavender, 2 drops grapefruit, 1 drop ylang ylang
• 10ml cold pressed sunflower oil + 4 drops geranium, 3 drops bergamot, 3 drops lavender

 INHALATION OILS

Give your mind a rest and come back to the here and now.

Smell a number of essential oils and choose your favourite. For the morning or lunch time you might like strong smelling oils that are stimulants such as lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, or eucalyptus. For the evening you might like to choose some strong smelling oils that are more relaxing such as lavender, chamomile, marjoram or frankincense.

Place a drop of your chosen essential oil on a tissue or cotton pad.

Find a nice quiet place to sit for 5-10 minutes and take a two to three deep breaths. Close your eyes, hold your tissue or cotton pad to your nose and inhale deeply then exhale slowly. Repeat this for a few minutes just focusing on the smell of the oil without judging or thinking about or analysing it too much.

After a while, you’ll notice that your inhale will become deeper and your exhale longer and you could try to add a two-second/count hold after each inhale and each exhale. This will just allow to sit for a moment with nothing happening and just the smell of the oil in your mind.

IMPORTANT HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION

If you have a medical condition we advise you to seek advice from a professional aromatherapist and/or your doctor before using essential oils. Please remember to always check the health, safety and storage information as well as the contraindications of any essential oil before you use them to make sure they are safe for you to use. You can do this by checking the information on Aromatic Therapeutics’ website by clicking the links below:

Health, safety and storage – click here

Essential oil contraindications – click here

This post is by Gareth Despres

Gareth Despres is an Aromatic Specialist, IEB certified Aromatherapist and a member of both the Aromatherapy & Allied Practitioners’ Association (AAPA) and International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA).

Gareth is co-Director of School of Natural Skincare and passionate about the healing power of essential oils.

We all use perfumes, deodorants, aftershaves, body sprays and fragrances of all kinds to ensure we smell nice, feel good and are refreshed. Have you thought about making your own perfume? How about making a perfume that is uniquely yours with no artificial ingredients, just beautiful natural materials? This is really easy to do, good fun and it doesn’t take long to learn or do. Here’s our guide to getting started…

Why make your own natural perfumes?

• Perfumes available in shops and markets are made with synthetic ingredients that many people are allergic to.
• Using natural essential oils means you will also get the therapeutic benefits for body, mind and emotions, which you don’t get with synthetic perfumes that use synthetic oils.
• Perfumes cost a lot of money and making them yourself significantly reduces that price.
• You can make a fragrance that is uniquely yours, that no-one else has or will ever have: your own signature scent!
• If you make it, you know what ingredients have been used. A product you can trust.
•  It’s great fun, easy to do and it doesn’t take very long.

What kind of natural perfumes can you make?

• Solid oil-based perfumes applied to the pulse points (wrists, solar plexus, neck and temples).
• Roll-on oil-based perfumes.
• Alcohol-based perfumes that are used in spray form.

There are different types of perfumes that you can make all varying in strength from parfum and eau de parfum to the most popular eau de toilette, and finally, eau fraiche which is used as a body spray.

Parfums are very strong smelling and highly concentrated essential oil formulas. You only need apply a few drops once a day and the smell will last for a very long time.

How do you make natural perfumes?

To make 25ml you will need the following:

• A 30ml perfume bottle or bottle with a spray top.
• An apron and rubber gloves to ensure you don’t get any of the ingredients on your skin and clothes.
• A glass measuring beaker that measures from 0-30ml.
• Kitchen roll/tissues, table cloth and table mat – to ensure you don’t damage work surfaces.
• 23.5ml of perfumers’ alcohol (or you could use vodka).
• 1.5ml of essential oil (about 35 drops).

You will also need to blend essential oils together to create your scent and to help you to do this you can either use my suggestions below and/or refer to my earlier blog post Beginners Guide to Essential Oils – Part II – Blending Made Easy.

Instructions

1. Measure out 23.5ml of perfumers’ alcohol into your measuring beaker.
2. Select which essential oils you would like to use.
3. Decide the number of drops of each essential oil (35 in total).
4. Place the drops of essential oil into your beaker.
5. Stir the solution and pour into your perfume bottle.
6. Seal the top on tightly and then shake gently (you will not need to shake before each use because the essential oils are soluble in the alcohol solution).
7. Label your perfume and make a note of what and how much you have used – you may want to make it again!
8. It’s best to leave the blend for three hours before using and even better would be for one day.

Blending suggestions (the number indicates the number of drops)

Summer Loving: bergamot x 14, grapefruit x 7, geranium x 9, cedarwood x 5

Indian Spring: lemongrass x 15, lavender x 8, sandalwood x 12

Asian Bloom: orange x 10, lavender x 10, geranium x 10, ylang ylang x 5

If you’d like to learn about creating oil-based perfumes, you can find out all about those here.

Happy blending!