DIY Essential Oil Diffuser *Recipes* To Try This Winter

When the weather drops, a cozy room is all I want. From tons of pillows, cozy blankets, fluffy sweaters + lots of candles, there are so many ways to add warmth to your space. If you can’t burn candles [hello, dorm life!], or want to add warmth with some extra benefits, an essential oil diffuser can be a great option to cozy up your space.

Below are essential oil basics, as well as some recipes to improve your health + a few recipes just for winter fun. Enjoy!

ESSENTIAL OIL BASICS

Essential oils are oil, but they aren’t the super greasy oil with fatty acids in them like you think of when you think of traditional oil. Instead, they’re usually evaporated oil from plants, flowers, + citrus fruits, making a highly concentrated substance. Typical uses include: aromatherapy, treating skin conditions, + soothing muscle soreness/inflammation.

You can pick up essential oils at most health food stores, such as Whole Foods, or you can order them online! If you don’t have a diffuser yet + want one, most diffusers will come with a starter pack of oils!

Important Notes:

• If you’re applying directly to your skin, essential oils need a carrier oil [such as avocado or coconut oil] as they are very potent + can cause skin irritations or burns. If you’re using the oil in your diffuser, no additional oil is needed!
• Some people who have allergies to some plants [like sesame for example] are also allergic to it in essential oil form. However, some people actually do not show allergic reactions to substances in oil form. As always, be cautious when using a new oil as everyone’s bodies can react differently.
• Not all oils are created equal — varying from how the plants were grown, harvested, or tested. Do your research + choose trusted brands such as Plant Therapy, Edens Garden + Aura Cacia. Here’s a great article to help you research other brands as well.

RECIPES FOR HEALTH

Congestion Buster — 3 drops peppermint, 2 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops tea tree, 1 drop lemon
Achey- Throat — 2 drops rosemary, 2 drops lemon, 2 drops cinnamon, 2 drops eucalyptus
Goodbye Germs — 3 drops lemon, 2 drops ginger, 2 drops frankincense, 2 drops orange
Headache Be Gone —  2 drops peppermint, 2 drops lavender, 1 drop eucalyptus, 1 drop rosemary

RECIPES FOR FUN

Candy Cane — 4 drops peppermint, 1 drop spearmint, 1 drop cinnamon
Spiced Chai — 3 drops cardamom, 1 drop clove, 1 drop orange, 1 drop cinnamon
Into The Woods –– 3 drops frankincense, 3 drops orange, 1 drop peppermint
Gingerbread — 4 drops ginger, 2 drops clove, 1 drop cinnamon

Essential oils are thought by some to be *cure-all* oils, helping with anxiety, sickness, cleansing — you name it! Using essential oils in my diffuser has helped me in a lot of different ways. From alleviating headaches + nausea to helping with skin problems I’ve had, + even just making my home smell better, essential oils have been really helpful. Do you use essential oils? Let us know in the comments below!