Burning scented candles has long been the way to do aromatherapy on a budget. But with everyone and your mother pushing essential oils on Facebook and rumors that candles may or may not be hazardous to your health, if you’re looking to make the switch, now might be the perfect time.
Whether aromatherapy has medicinal benefits is still up for debate in the scientific community, but there is no question that we are affected by the scents around us. So whether you’re looking for the calming benefits of a house that’s full of good smells or just want to encounter some delicious scents when you walk back in the door after a long day, here are some recipes you may want to play with this fall:
1. Frankincense, Patchouli, Lavender, and Rosemary
The outside air isn’t the only thing that’s crisp in autumn! Rosemary adds freshness to this fall brew for the same sort of pick-me-up you get when you take a walk on a fall afternoon. Patchouli is said to have mood-boosting properties too, making this mix a must when you’re stuck at home and want to feel good about it.
2. Cinnamon, Clove, and Nutmeg
Hello pumpkin pie. No need to turn on the oven with this mix! These oils are all reminiscent of the kitchen, but you don’t have to whip up any baked goods to spread the smell throughout the house. Heck, if you want to put your diffuser in the bathroom to make things smell divine, we won’t judge.
3. Orange, Lime, and Sage
Sage isn’t just a thing you sprinkle in your stuffing. The sage and citrus oil mix is a popular blend in soaps and lotions for good reason. The freshness of the citrus cuts through the strong herbal scent for a smell that’s clean and invigorating.
4. Nutmeg, Orange, Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary
That’s a whole lot of scents, we know. But the orange and lemon bring the citrusy scent that makes a home smell fresh and clean into a mix that’s otherwise earthy and reminiscent of a walk through the local nursery.
5. Orange, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Vanilla, and Nutmeg
Hello holiday cheer! Remember when your mom used to boil the orange peels on the stovetop with a few dashes of this and sprinkles of that? Now you can mix the whole thing up in a diffuser and spread the smell of the holidays throughout your house. No one has to know you didn’t have time to bake this year!
6. Lavender and Cedar Wood
People have been sprinkling lavender on their pillows and packing clothes in cedar chests for decades (if not longer), so these scents tend to bring us back to childhood. Add this mix to your diffuser and set it up in your bedroom for a pleasant trip off to dreamland.