When it comes to creating a cosy and relaxing home, Eleanor Ozich loves to use essential oils. She shares how to easily make your own unique blends at home
When it comes to creating a cosy and relaxing home, I love to use essential oils as a way to enhance our environment and, by extension, our emotional health and wellbeing.
The aromatic scent of essential oils can support feelings of clarity, invigoration and peacefulness, plus studies show they can also help to cleanse the air in your home.
One of the easiest and most popular ways to enjoy essential oils is by using an ultrasonic diffuser (which mixes the oil with water and disperses it as a fine mist); it is also a very safe method as no heat is required. Most of these diffusers come with an intermittent timer (eg 5 minutes on, 5 minutes off) which helps the oils to be more effective in the home.
I also love to make up little glass spray bottles to mist around the home as needed. To make:
- Simply mix 1 part witch hazel to 5 parts water.
- Then add 10-20 drops of your chosen blend of essential oils (the number of drops depends on the size of your bottle).
Creating your own blend
When it comes to deciding on my own unique blend, I like to uncap each essential oil, hold the bottles together in my hands and waft them under my nose to get a sense of how they blend together. You might like to do this a few times with different variations until you feel happy with your combination.
Try this selection of blends to enhance certain moods or create ambience:
- Cleansing Grapefruit, lime and bergamot
- Uplifting Lemon, peppermint and wild orange
- For focus Rosemary, frankincense, lime and ylang-ylang
- Energising Grapefruit, peppermint and lemon
- Earthy Grapefruit, ginger, vetiver and patchouli
- Calm Chamomile, lavender and wild orange
- Pure luxury Bergamot, frankincense, jasmine and sandalwood
- Floral Geranium, lime, lavender and cedarwood
- Romantic Lavender, frankincense and ylang-ylang
- Winter spice Wild orange, cinnamon and frankincense
Important note
Diffusing oils can be a simple and effective way to integrate essential oils into your daily rhythms, but keep in mind that you should always diffuse in a well-ventilated area, particularly with children around.
When it comes to pets, ensure you have a door open so that they can leave the room if they choose to. Lastly, please know that essential oils are highly concentrated and a little goes a long way – 4-6 drops in a diffuser is plenty.
Disclaimer: Some oils should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or if you have any health conditions. Please seek medical advice before using.
Words and photography by: Eleanor Ozich.
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