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Aromatherapy recipes

Organic aromatherapy blends have been used and refined for centuries. Each recipe below gives the oils, the number of drops, and the carrier to dilute them in. As a rule, use about ten drops of essential oil per mixture — five is often enough.

Flat lay of an amber dropper bottle with lavender, eucalyptus, orange peel and a bowl of oil on linen

Before you start

Essential oils are potent. Never apply undiluted oil to the skin — always blend into a carrier such as sweet almond, hazelnut, sunflower or grapeseed oil. Patch-test first, and see the safe-use notes at the foot of this page.

Skin & face

All-Purpose Face & Neck Massage

  • Violet oil3 drops
  • Rose oil2 drops
in 20 ml carrier oil

Add vitamin E for extra richness.

Pain & tension

Anti-Tension Massage

  • Petitgrain oil2 drops
  • Lavender oil2 drops
  • Sandalwood oil2 drops
in 20 ml carrier oil

Apply to the neck, shoulders and temples.

Pain & tension

Backache Massage

  • Eucalyptus oil2 drops
  • Lavender oil2 drops
  • Lemon oil1 drop
in 20 ml carrier oil

Focus on areas of tension with the fingertips.

Sleep

Bedtime Massage

  • Sandalwood oil3 drops
  • Chamomile oil2 drops
in 20 ml carrier oil
Relaxation

Calming Back Massage

  • Ylang ylang oil4 drops
  • Jasmine oil3 drops
  • Geranium oil2 drops
in 20 ml carrier oil
Circulation

Circulation Improvement Massage

  • Lavender oil6 drops
  • Rosemary oil4 drops
  • Vetiver oil2 drops
in 4 oz sesame oil
Skin & face

Face & Neck Massage

  • Galbanum oil2 drops
  • Neroli oil3 drops
in 20 ml carrier oil
Skin & face

Hand Massage

  • Lime oil5 drops
  • Thyme oil5 drops
  • Eucalyptus oil5 drops
  • Cajuput oil5 drops
in 4 tbsp carrier oil
Circulation

Leg Massage

  • Cypress oil2 drops
  • Lime oil2 drops
  • Lemon oil1 drop
in 20 ml carrier oil

Massage the calves; use only gentle pressure over varicose veins.

Skin & face

Mature Skin Massage

  • Myrrh oil2 drops
  • Lavender oil2 drops
  • Neroli oil2 drops
in 20 ml wheat germ oil
Pain & tension

Pain-Relieving Massage

  • Pine oil3 drops
  • Eucalyptus oil3 drops
  • Frankincense oil3 drops
in 20 ml carrier oil

Apply to sore joints.

Relaxation

Relaxing Full-Body Massage

  • Neroli oil3 drops
  • Jasmine oil2 drops
in 20 ml carrier oil
Relaxation

Relaxing Massage

  • Geranium oil2 drops
  • Rose oil2 drops
  • Lavender oil2 drops
in 20 ml carrier oil

A gentle face and scalp massage.

Relaxation

Sensual Body Massage

  • Patchouli oil2 drops
  • Geranium oil3 drops
  • Rose oil3 drops
in 20 ml carrier oil
Energy & uplift

Stimulating Body Rub

  • Peppermint oil1 drop
  • Myrrh oil1 drop
  • Lavender oil2 drops
in 20 ml carrier oil

An excellent winter rub.

Energy & uplift

Summer Stimulating Massage

  • Lemongrass oil2 drops
  • Orange oil3 drops
  • Rosemary oil1 drop
in 20 ml carrier oil

Good for back and shoulder massage.

Energy & uplift

Uplifting Massage

  • Bergamot oil2 drops
  • Orange oil2 drops
  • Petitgrain oil2 drops
in 20 ml carrier oil

Good for early-morning body rubs.

Circulation

Varicose Vein Massage

  • Lime oil2 drops
  • Cedarwood oil2 drops
in 20 ml carrier oil

Rub lightly, using only the fingertips.

Skin & face

Wrinkled or Puffy Face Massage

  • Rose oil2 drops
  • Violet oil1 drop
  • Geranium oil1 drop
in 20 ml carrier oil

Rub lightly on the face with the fingertips.

Diffuser & quick blends

Everyday blends

  • Lift a low mood3 drops orange · 2 drops ginger
  • Ease into sleepRoman chamomile · clary sage · bergamot
  • Soothe crampspeppermint · cypress · lavender
  • Calm stressRoman chamomile · lavender · vetiver
  • Sharpen focuspeppermint · lemon
  • Support immunityeucalyptus · pine · peppermint
  • Clear skinlavender · tea tree
  • Comfort griefrose · sandalwood
  • Freshen the kitchenlemon · lime · grapefruit

How to use them

Add the drops to a diffuser or to a tablespoon of carrier oil for the skin. Combine no more than three or four oils at once, and start with the smaller number of drops — you can always add more.

Safe use

Good to know

Not for home use

Cinnamon, clove, hyssop and sage are best left to trained practitioners.

Avoid during pregnancy

Basil, clove, cinnamon, fennel, hyssop, juniper, marjoram, myrrh, peppermint, rosemary, sage and white thyme.

Not for steam facials

Bay, clary sage, ginger, juniper, pine and tea tree can be too strong for the face over steam.

Photosensitizing

Lemon, bergamot, lime and orange. Avoid sun for at least two hours after applying these to the skin.