Essential Oil Recipes - Air Freshener Sprays and Diffuser Formulas
Formulating your own essential oil recipes can be fun and rewarding, especially when you come up with your own unique blends with their own characteristics or aromas. Below are some simple formulas to get started. The best prices for large amounts of high quality essential oils are at Bulk Apothecary. The best prices for small amounts of essential oils are at iHerb (look for Now brand). Starwest Botanicals also sells all the oils in the recipes below. Although there prices are a bit higher, they have the best selection of spray bottles.
Making custom formulas and blends involves knowledge of the ingredients and experimentation. When used for aromatic purposes, it can take some adjustments to a formula so that one ingredient does not overpower another. Keep in mind that blends of essential oils age sitting in the bottle, and usually gracefully. Essential oil blends are often harsh when they are first blended and one can easily distinguish the individual oils used, but once they meld into a formula with age they can take on a completely different and usually more mellow tone. It is recommended to let a blend sit at least a week in a glass bottle to determine its final scent or characteristics. Shaking the bottle daily will speed the melding, as will a drop of lecithin when blending essential oils of different densities.
Many of formulas below were originally sold by Electroherbalism but the market for premium, safe air sprays is not that great given the cost of the essential oils, the base (vodka), and the sprayer itself. Note that spray dispensers for essential oil blend air fresheners made with vodka or other grain alcohols should be made of glass, HDPE (high density polyethylene), or PET (polyethylene terephthalate). These are not quickly degraded by essential oils or alcohol. Pure essential oils and essential oil blends should be stored in glass containers, especially for long term storage. Starwest Botanicals sells glass bottles and glass sprayers that are excellent for this purpose as well as all the essential oils.
Besides suitable bottles for dispensing spray or storing essential oils, another thing that is helpful is lecithin. Lecithin is an emulsifier which means it breaks up fats and oils into smaller globules to better keep them in solution. When essential oils are mixed with grain alcohol and water (vodka for example), the oils quickly pool on the surface. This is okay if you shake the product vigorously before each use. However, if you put a drop of lecithin in a bottle, it will mix much better when shaken and stay in solution much, much longer before separating. Lecithin is very inexpensive. iHerb sells a 16 oz bottle for cheap that is enough for most people for a lifetime using a drop\ per bottle of spray or bottle of mixed essential oils. Lecithin should not be used more than one drop per 4 oz bottle of mixture. It is so powerful that this is all that is needed. Using too much lecithin will make a mixture sticky, which is undesireable.
For essential oil air freshener sprays, vodka is typically specified as the base. Cheap vodka is fine, the kind that runs around $12 per 1.75 liter (handle) size. Plain water can also be used to make sprays instead of vodka but having the alcohol in the mix greatly enhances the effectiveness of air sprays by dispersing and dissolving the essential oils much better plus makes them more antiseptic, killing bacteria and inhibiting viruses and fungi.
A benefit of using only essential oils and vodka with no toxic ingredients or petrochemicals is that some of the formulas below can be used in small amounts internally as flavorings for food and drink or even as a breath spray. Amaze your friends when you spray the air to freshen it, then do a quick spray in your mouth to freshen your breath, too. As with all essential oils, do not let them come in contact with mucous membranes. Some mild essential oil based air sprays can be used as a cologne, perfume, or body spray when diluted further but note than many of them can be irritating to the skin even when used in very dilute forms. A better way to use essential oil sprays for personal scent is to spray very lightly on clothing - only use very dilute forms and in small amounts, though, or damage could occur to clothes and/or irritate skin, or the "walk-through" method of spraying the air in front of one, then closing the eyes and walking through the cloud of aroma.
A note about oregano essential oils. Many different types of herbs are sold as oregano. Oregano vulgare is one "true" type of oregano, as are generally considered oregano onites and oregano dubium. Each has their benefits and strengths. Spanish thyme essential oil is a cheap substitute often sold as oregano essential oil. Hyssop is often sold as "wild" oregano in herb or essential oil form. This is not to say that these herbs are not as effective as oregano for their usual intended purposes - to fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi - but if behooves the herbalist to know the difference between the various types of oregano and other herbs sold as oregano.
A lot of people use oregano oil as a supplement. The most popular brand is North American Herb and Spice Oil of Oregano. It is already diluted with olive oil. If you get some pure oregano essential oil from Bulk Apothecary to use in a formula below, for example, don't go thinking you can put drops of the stuff under the tongue as is recommended for North American's product. It is much stronger and must be diluted with a carrier oil first, like olive or grapeseed oil, to a 4:1 ratio of carrier to essential oil. If it used straight, it will burn the mouth enough that skin falls off!
How to Mix formulas by Parts - When a formula says to mix 8 parts of A, 8 parts of B, 4 parts of C, and 1 part of D it might be confusing to someone who has never mixed a formula before. The easiest way to compute how much is needed is to start with the lowest concentration component, in this case D. For example, one could use an eighth of a teaspoon of part D to a half teaspoon of part C to a full teaspoon of both parts A and B. Seeing a formula such as this one could be even more confusing: 1 part A to 1 part B to 1/2 part C. This should be a half teaspoon of part C to one teaspoon each of parts A and B. One could confuse this by mixing equal amounts of A and B then adding half of this total of C, making it have 4 times too much of part C. Don't make this mistake, although the below is generally written making the least part 1x to avoid confusion.
Recipes and Formulas
Lemon Breeze Bulk Formula: Mix 3 parts lemon essential oil to 2 parts lime essential oil (e.g., 1.5 tsp lemon to 1 tsp lime) Spray Formula: Mix 2.5 tsp bulk formula in 4 oz vodka with one drop of lecithin into spray bottles. Shake well. Notes: A lot of essential oils are necessary when using citrus oils to make air fresheners since they do not persist as well as many other essential oils. The addition of the lime makes the lemon much more pronounced in Lemon Breeze and greatly increases the strength. Other uses: Can be used as a breath spray in small amounts, but it is quite bitter. Can also be sprayed in small amounts into food or drink as a flavoring. If diluted further, can be used as a mild cologne, perfume, or body spray but note that citrus oils sensitize the skin to the sun and can cause one to sunburn more easily! |
Peppermint Stimulation Bulk Formula: 100% Peppermint essential oil Spray Formula: Mix 1/2 tsp bulk formula in 4 oz vodka with one drop of lecithin into spray bottles. Shake well. Notes: Peppermint is very strong and just a half tsp per 4 oz vodka is very potent. Peppermint oils used in sprays or dispensers can irritate eyes or skin just being in the same room with them when they are used to excess, so use in small amounts. Other uses: Can be used as a breath spray in small amounts, but it is quite strong so use with great caution. Can also be sprayed in small amounts into food or drink as a flavoring. If diluted a lot further, can be used as a cologne, perfume, or body spray but even used in very dilute amounts (1/4 tsp peppermint oil per 64 oz vodka), it can irritate skin. |
Breathe Easy Ice Bulk Formula: 4 parts eucalyptus essential oil, 2 parts peppermint essential oil, 1 part wintergreen oil Spray Formula: Mix 1 tsp bulk formula in 4 oz vodka with one drop of lecithin into spray bottles. Shake well. Notes: Clears sinuses and stuffiness and smells terrific too if one like the aroma of eucalyptus. These oils used in sprays or dispensers can irritate eyes or skin just being in the same room with them when they are used to excess, so use in small amounts. Other uses: If diluted a lot further, can be used as a cologne, perfume, or body spray but even used in very dilute amounts (1/2 tsp base per 64 oz vodka), it can irritate skin. |
Orange-Cinna-Clove Bulk Formula: 4 parts orange essential oil, 1 part clove bud essential oil, 1 part cassia essential oil Spray Formula: Mix 1.5 tsp bulk formula in 4 oz vodka with one drop of lecithin into spray bottles. Shake well. Notes: Has the "Russian tea" scent and is persistent so makes an excellent air spray. Needs to age for at least one week to bring out the more mellow aroma and remove the sharp edges of the clove and cassia. Not as irritating to the eyes as bulk formulas which contain mint when used as an air spray. Cassia is the classic "fireball" aroma and is a cousin of cinnamon and is a very distinctive scent which most people think as cinnamon, but is not as irritating as true cinnamon. If used in amounts greater than specified in the formula, the cassia and clove overpower the orange. Other uses: Can be used as a breath spray in small amounts, but it is quite strong and hot tasting so use with great caution. Can also be sprayed in small amounts into food or drink as a flavoring. If diluted a lot further, can be used as a cologne, perfume, or body spray but even used in very dilute amounts (1/2 tsp base per 64 oz vodka), it can irritate skin. |
Relaxed Clarity Bulk Formula: 16 parts lemon essential oil, 1 part lavendar essential oil, 1 part blue chamomile essential oil (e.g., 2 tsp lemon essential oil to 1/8 tsp lavendar and 1/8 tsp blue chamomile oils.) Spray Formula: Mix 1.5 tsp bulk formula in 4 oz vodka with one drop of lecithin into spray bottles. Shake well. Notes: A mild scent which is not overpowering considering it has essential lavendar oil in it. Needs to age at least a week to remove the strong floral overtones and mellow. A true aromatherapy scent, it helps stimulate concentration while enhancing relaxation. Other uses: If diluted further, can be used as a cologne, perfume, or body spray. Do not spray on skin which is exposed to bright sunlight as essential lemon oil increases photosensitivity. |
Montego Bay Bulk Formula: 16 parts lime essential oil, 8 parts bay rum essential oil, 1 part cinnamon leaf essential oil (e.g., 2 tsp lemon essential oil to 1 tsp bay rum essential oils to 1/8 tsp cinnamon leaf oils.) Spray Formula: Mix 1.5 tsp bulk formula in 4 oz vodka with one drop of lecithin into spray bottles. Shake well. Notes: A rich, nautical scent similar to Old Spice cologne and aftershave. Needs to age at least a week for best results to meld the oils and bring out the bay rum aroma. Other uses: If diluted further, can be used as a cologne, perfume, or body spray. Do not spray on skin which is exposed to bright sunlight as essential lime oil increases photosensitivity. Can leave out cinnamon leaf oil to use as an aftershave - all but the tiniest amounts of cinnamon leaf oil will irritate skin. |
Immunity Bulk Formula: 4 parts thyme essential oil, 1 part oregano essential oil, 1 part sage essential oil Spray Formula: Mix 3/4 tsp bulk formula in 4 oz vodka with one drop of lecithin into spray bottles. Shake well. Notes: A very strong, healing aroma for use to help disinfect the air and fight illness. Use in SMALL amounts even when sprayed in the air since these are very potent oils and potentially very irritating if they land on the skin. Needs to age at least a week for best results to meld and remove the sharpness of the oils. Other uses: Can be used as a "walk-through" body spray. Do not spray on skin even when diluted further since all these oils are very irritating to the skin in all but the tiniest concentrations. A walk-through body spray is one which a couple of sprays are made in the air in front of oneself, the eyes are closed, and one walks through the cloud of scent. At very dilute amounts this might be able to be sprayed on the skin, but it is better to do the cloud method to prevent any droplets on the skin. Like the Thieves 2000 formula below, this can be used to create a barrier against illness when those around one are sick. Note about oregano oil. |
Thieves 2000 Bulk Formula: 8 parts clove bud essential oil, 8 parts camphor essential oil, 2 parts rosemary essential oil, 2 parts oregano essential oil, 1 part sage essential oil, 1 part hyssop essential oil Spray Formula: Mix 3/4 tsp bulk formula in 4 oz vodka with one drop of lecithin into spray bottles. Shake well. Notes: Thieves 2000 is a very strong, healing formula for use to help disinfect the air and fight illness. Use in SMALL amounts even when sprayed in the air since these are very potent oils and potentially very irritating if they land on the skin. Needs to age at least a week for best results to meld and remove the sharpness of the oils. Other uses: Can be used as a "walk-through" body spray. Do not spray on skin even when diluted further since all these oils are very irritating to the skin in all but the tiniest concentrations. A walk-through body spray is one which a couple of sprays are made in the air in front of oneself, the eyes are closed, and one walks through the cloud of scent. At very dilute amounts this might be able to be sprayed on the skin, but it is better to do the cloud method to prevent any droplets on the skin. Like the Immunity formula above, this can be used to create a barrier against illness when those around one are sick. Further notes: This is a modern knock-off of Young Living's Thieves formula (which, in some people's opinion, is quite overpriced) but with a stronger action. Young Living Thieves is primarily clove, an inexpensive essential oil, with lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. A reasonable substitution of Young Living Thieves can be made, based on aroma, by mixing 8 parts clove essential oil, 2 parts lemon essential oil, 1 part eucalyptus radiata essential oil, and 1 part rosemary essential oil. |
Anti-inflammatory Blend Bulk Formula: 1 part boswellia essential oil, 1 part rosemary essential oil Spray Formula: Mix 2 tsp bulk formula in 4 oz vodka with one drop of lecithin into spray bottles. Shake well. Notes: Boswellia is also known as boswellin or frankincense. It is an excellent anti-inflammatory, as is rosemary essential oil, for sore muscles, joints, bruises, and other painful conditions. When properly diluted these can be generally be used directly on the skin although first test on a small area to ensure no adverse reactions or sensitivities and avoid mucous membranes, eyes, and other sensitive areas. It also makes a good air freshener although if used solely for air freshener purposes some people might prefer a 4:1 up to an 8:1 ratio of boswellin to rosemary essential oils since rosemary has a strong piney scent which overpowers the subtle woody aroma of the boswellia. Boswellia and rosemary work well as direct anti-inflammatories on the skin, healing the underlying tissues and removing infection as opposed to other arthritis and joint formulas which often contain capsicum (from cayenne pepper) or other herbs which act as a "counter irritant", stimulating circulation. A small amount of the dilute mixture rubbed on the temples and base of the neck often relieve headaches, too. Further notes: There are a few different types of boswellia but the most widely available are boswellia serrata and boswellia carterii (also known as olibanum or Ethiopian). Boswellin and rosemary herbs are both used as internal supplements in capsule form as anti-oxidants and antiinflammatories although the essential oils are not generally recommended for internal consumption. |