Have you ever had the blues? (Raising my hand.) Have you ever been revved up and too wound to sleep? (Hand up again.) Have you ever been overwhelmed or stressed with work or life in general and needed help relieving your stress? (Both hands up… trying to raise my leg over my head too.)
Using essential oils can enhance your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. These powerful oils can be diluted in a carrier oil for topical use, dripped into a bath, added to personal care products, or used in a diffuser. Direct inhalation, however, works best for immediate effects.
How It Works
I will attempt to explain how essential oils can improve mood in my very best (but most likely flawed) scientific way. Here it goes… tiny receptors in our nostrils are stimulated by the essential oil molecules. The essence of the aroma is immediately sent to the limbic system–this is the part of the brain that affects emotion. Once the limbic system is stimulated, it releases chemicals like serotonin and endorphins which help us achieve a more relaxed state. (Feel free to correct me if you have a better understanding of this fancy schmancy science stuff!)
Some of my favorite essential oils have very therapeutic properties and can be utilized for aromatherapy in the home. I keep small spray bottles of aromatherapy spray in different rooms of the house… one at the bedside as a linen spray, one on my desk for alertness, and one in the living room as a general air freshener and pick-me-up.
Homemade Aromatherapy Spray
Ingredients:
- small spray bottle with a fine mister (2 oz. bottle like this works well)
- 1 ounce high-proof vodka, distilled water, or a blend (alcohol helps the aroma linger a little longer)
- 20 drops of your favorite essential oil blend depending on the mood you want to achieve (see suggestions below) – find 100% pure essential oils here
Directions:Â
Combine ingredients in spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Spray as needed to achieve desired effect.
Suggested Essential Oil Blends to Use:
For a calming pillow/linen spray:
- 15 drops chamomile and 5 drops lavender OR,
- 10 drops chamomile, 5 drops sage, and 5 drops bergamot OR,
- 10 drops rosemary and 10 drops lavender
For an energizing room spray:
- 12 drops rosemary and 8 drops bergamot OR,
- 10 drops peppermint and 10 drops lemon OR,
- 10 drops bergamot, 5 drops orange, and 5 drops grapefruit
For a spray that beats the blues:
- 12 drops orange and 8 drops grapefruit OR,
- 20 drops grapefruit
Note: Find these pure essential oils and many more online HERE.
Tips and Warnings:
- Always store things made with essential oils in a cool place away from sunlight.
- Use only light colored oils for pillow/linen sprays to avoid staining linens.
- Carefully select essential oils that are right for you, keeping safety precautions in mind. Use this chart to learn more about each oil or to experiment with your own oil blends.
- Always use essential oils with care. They are very volatile, pure plant extracts.
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Shari Olson-Neva says
I am just getting started with some of the essential oils and sprays, lotions and soaps. I have gotten Fragrance oils as I really didn’t know abt. essential oils and from a comment on the website it sounds like not a good idea to use for sprays?? What would happen if I did use them?? Also printed out the chart for essential oils and thanks to whomever made that up. What a help for us beginners! Thanks for any help you can give me. Shari
Betsy Jabs says
Great question Shari! Fragrance oils smell delightful, but they are synthetic fragrances, not natural. Because of this, there is always a chance they can irritate asthma or allergies. They are definitely cheaper than essential oils, and can be formulated to smell like things that can’t be extracted from a plant or flower to make an essential oil (like lilac, lily, etc.). In addition, essential oils can be used in other applications for all their beneficial properties. Fragrance oils are for scent only. Hope this helps!
Linda says
I only use young living essential oils in my products because they can be ingested and are safe and pure, I love your recipes with them. Made everyone xmas gifts using them this year.
Angie Meche says
OK! I just made 2 small batches! One batch of the calming pillow spray with chamomile, clary sage and lavendar. The other batch is the energizing with bergamot, sweet orange and pink grapefruit.
I used Everclear as my carrier, because I had a small bottle at home. (for water in the ears, not drinking!) I made one 2 oz batch of each.
They smell divine! I am so excited right now! Thanks for all your hard work Betsy and Matt, so that I could just take the recipe and run with it!
Betsy Jabs says
I just love your enthusiasm about these sprays! 🙂 Isn’t it fun to do quick projects that are fool-proof??? Enjoy your fragrances!
Angie Meche says
Yes, it was a blast! I used the calming pillow spray last night on my pillow when I went to bed. It was so wonderful, and even better knowing I’d made it myself. Plus the fact of knowing I can make it any time I want at a fraction of the cost of the Scentsy pillow spray I’ve been using. 🙂
Angie Meche says
Betsy, can you please clarify what you mean by high-proof vodka? I found 80 proof and 90 proof at the liquor store, but didn’t know which to get to justify the cost.
Also, what about using Everclear? That’s really high proof. Does it HAVE to be vodka, or would that work?
Thanks! I am ready to run to the store again to get these babies mixed up and sprayed everywhere!
Cindy says
Hi Betsy,
I found an idea for the party favor for little girls on pinterest. They made “Pillow spray for sugarplum dreams” using spearmint and eucalyptus essesntial oils, water and alcohol to prevent the oil and water from separating. I’m not sure if I can make a large batch with ten drops of each oil or each spritzer bottle needs ten drops of each oil. Also, how much water do I use?
Thanks,
Cindy
Betsy Jabs says
What a cute idea! Use a 50/50 water & alcohol mixture. The amount of oil really depends on the size of spritzer bottles you’ll be using. If you’re using 3 or 4 ounce bottles, put 10 drops of each oil into each one. Hope this helps!
Pam says
Just recently found your blog and cannot wait to begin trying some of your homemade items…the linen spray to begin! Thank you for all the helpful suggestions.
Betsy Jabs says
A great place to start…this is such a simple project! Have fun experimenting Pam!
Ruth Scott says
Thank You Very Much for the info on rubbing alcohol. I wanted to make a spray for my kids bedding with lavender to help them sleep but I don’t have any vodka. I was searching for an alternative to vodka and had just gotten my rubbing alcohol out to try it when I decided to read the rest of this page. I’m so glad I finished reading before making my spray. I decided to use just distilled water and essential oil.
Thank You!
Betsy Jabs says
Glad you scrolled down Ruth! 🙂 I hope your kiddos enjoy their new linen spray!
Zeke says
Can rubbing alcohol be used instead of the vodka/distilled water? I’m just trying to work with what I have. : )
Betsy Jabs says
Good question Zeke…we just don’t recommend using rubbing alcohol anymore due to its possible negative effects. You can use it, but it’s not the healthiest option. 🙂 Here’s a short article outlining some of the health risks of rubbing alcohol if you’re interested in learning more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/150516-side-effects-of-inhaling-isopropyl-alcohol/
Avery says
funny moment, after reading your article about homemade bug repellants, i got a little frustrated, and remembering that i have some eucalyptus oil, i went and splashed a wooden wall in the house with A drop of eucalyptus oil, my households pests seem to have vacated that room, and just for giggles I just splashed A drop of peppermint oil on the ceiling of another room…….i know, i know NOT RECOMMENDED USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS, however I then thought to myself….i should check out diynatural, see if they have recipes for air fresheners with essential oils. In the last two months, based on your recipes, I have started making my own laundry soap, my own fabric softener, my own dryer sheets (i just use a sock that is in the load with 3-4 drops….my right foot smells GREAT!), and now…i will be making my own air fresheners, the right way, i promise no more splashing.
the moral, you guys are great, and i am going to buy the book with the money i save from not buying the products that i am now making at home, for a fraction of the cost. THANKS!!
Betsy Jabs says
That’s awesome that you’re switching over to so many homemade products! You had me rolling on the floor when I read about your great-smelling right foot! 😉
mritunjay says
I am all about anything to relax however, I am highly scent sensitive, at times having migraines do to smells
Betsy Jabs says
Just wondering if you’ve ever used pure essential oils to scent things, and if you react to these as well? I’m very sensitive to chemically perfumed items, but essential oils work great for me.
Avery says
i too get migraines from scents but i find that relaxing scents lavender is much better for me than chamomile, not sure why, just thought i would comment
mukesh says
Cheap Essential Oils and Wholesale Essential Oils at Essentialoilske.com offers Extract Essential Oils, Lavender Oil, Aromatherapy Oils, Peppermint Oil, Lemongrass Oils, Clove Oil etc. Where to Buy Essential Oils and Buy Essential Oils at Essential Oils online store.
Heather Wood says
Thank you for educating me. No wonder I couldn’t handle the oils I had bought. They were fragrance oils…..Off to the store I go 🙂
Heather Wood says
I am all about anything to relax however, I am highly scent sensitive, at times having migraines do to smells so I caution anyone who is like myself, to please make sure, before you spend a cent, that you can tolerate any aromas.I can’t unless it’s 100% natural which means that I am quite limited.
Betsy Jabs says
That’s the great thing about this recipe…you can choose whichever essential oils you like, and true essential oils are all 100% natural. 🙂 “Fragrance oils” are not the same, and are NOT all natural. So thank you Heather for bringing this up!
Billie says
Betsy,
Finally read your chart for Essential Oils… Thank you for attaching that, it’s most thorough and helpful!
Betsy Jabs says
Great! I can’t take credit for that awesome chart, but I’m so glad you found it to be helpful!
CJ says
Vodka, who knew! This is so cool, I want to try it. Can’t wait for your next post. 🙂
Ellie says
Thank you for another wonderful diy suggestion. This will be fun to explore. Loved your simple explanation, too. Whoever wrote it has a knack for explaining things. All who participate in this have a genuine knack for simplifying life in beneficial ways. Very applicable to current times. I’m glad I came across your wonderful website and diy newsletter. I look forward to reading it each time it shows up.
Betsy Jabs says
Glad you’re enjoying our site so much Ellie! We truly thank you for the feedback… it’s very encouraging to us! 🙂
Carrie says
Thank YOU guys! It’s hard to find a blog with such interactive authors to answer questions. You guys are awesome!
Betsy Jabs says
Awww… you’re so sweet! Our mission is to help others and we see interacting with our readers as a HUGE part of our ministry.
Carrie says
Thanks for answering His call. 🙂
“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” (Frederick Buechner) (stole that from another blog…seems to apply to you)
Billie says
Love this article . Looking for suggestions on where to acquire spray bottles.
Thanks!
Carrie says
We have a store near here called Sally Beauty Supply; I’ve been in there maybe once in my life, but I did see bunches of bottles there (like a hair stylist would use for water bottles). Try your yellow pages (or internet) for “beauty supply”?
Betsy Jabs says
Great suggestion Carrie! Also, most drug stores or grocery stores will have small plastic spray bottles in their “travel size” beauty section. If you’re looking for glass spray bottles you can usually find them at health food stores in the health & beauty aisle, or online at specialtybottle.com.
Angie Meche says
I actually found some at Wal-Mart in the pharmacy section where all the trial size items are. I got some 2 ounce bottles for 97 cents each.
Carrie says
I’ve really been wanting to try essential oils for a while, but since they don’t sell them at Walmart… 🙂 I think I know a store that does sell them, though, so I just have to make the trip there to look. Being a complete newbie to ess. oils (and pretty picky about what I spray in my house, of course), do they usually have testers there for you to know what they really smell like?
Also, I want to try them in the baking soda “shampoo” I use…do you put it right in the baking soda part, or in the ACV rinse? Thanks for the help. 🙂
Betsy Jabs says
Carrie…most health food stores will have testers so you can smell essential oils before purchasing. You are definitely smart to do this before committing since they are not cheap. 🙂
I put essential oils in both my baking soda shampoo AND the ACV rinse. It just makes them smell so yummy and my scalp and hair benefit from them. Have fun experimenting with oils…it’s kind of addictive!
Carrie says
Good to know about putting in both. My hair comes out SO CRAZY soft after washing (nice initially), that having maybe a *wee* bit of oil in it might help give it *some* sort of shape. Thanks so much!