Have you ever found yourself in a funk, only to feel better after listening to a favorite song? Essential oils can bring on feelings of happiness, just like feel-good music. These Diffuser Recipes for Happiness are sure to bring a smile to your face and put you in a great mood! 

Sometimes all you need to turn a bad day around is good music and essential oils!

Happiness is easy to come by when you are a kid. As an adult, not so much. Give a kid an ice cream cone, a new toy, a day at the park… pure joy. Adults have to work a whole lot harder to find happiness and work their way out of a funk. 

For me, it’s pretty simple. A clean house, a new pair of shoes, fresh sheets. These simple things (and my kids) make me happy without fail. Diffusing essential oils always makes me happy. 

Certain essential oils can have a positive effect on mood and can increase feelings of happiness. When you inhale the tiny molecules in essential oils you are communicating directly with the feelings area of the brain. This sends a signal that it’s time to cheer up! 

Best Essential Oils for Happiness

• Lemon
• Orange
• Joy
• Bergamot
• Grapefruit
• Ylang Ylang
• Clary Sage
• Lemon Verbena
• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Vanilla
• Stress Away
• Tangerine
• Helichrysum
• Spearmint
• Jade Lemon

Learn more about all these happy essential oils here.  

Citrus oils are often referred to as “happy oils” by aromatherapists. They contain high levels of d-Limonene. This natural monoterpene has been shown to inhibit stress hormones, and reduce anxiety. Smelling a citrus essential oil can help lift your mood, increase happiness, and balance emotions. 

These 6 Diffuser Recipes for Happiness contain hints of citrus, blended with uplifting essential oils to brighten your mood and bring on feelings of joy: 

6 Diffuser Blend Recipes for Happiness

Oh, Happy Day

• 4 drops Joy
• 4 drops Orange

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

• 3 drops Lavender
• 3 drops Lemon
• 2 drops Clary Sage

Shake it Off

• 3 drops Grapefruit
• 3 drops Bergamot
• 3 drops Frankincense

On Top of the World

• 2 drops Orange
• 2 drops Lemon
• 2 drops Lime
• 2 drops Tangerine

Can’t Stop the Feeling

• 3 drops Ylang Ylang
• 3 drops Orange
• 2 drops Spearmint

Come On, Get Happy!

• 3 drops Lavender
• 2 drops Vanilla
• 3 drops Stress Away

Love these diffuser recipes? Pin for later!

More diffuser blend recipes you might enjoy: 

• 8 Diffuser Recipes with Lavender
• Diffuser Recipe for Relaxing
• Get up and Go Diffuser Recipes
• 7 Purifying Diffuser Blends 

Be sure you are effectively using your essential oil diffusers by checking out our free Comprehensive Diffuser Guide here!

The post Diffuser Blend Recipes for Happiness appeared first on Recipes with Essential Oils.

I’m always looking for ways to save money. Sometimes that means cutting things out of my budget. Sometimes that means buying cheaper items and sacrificing quality. Since I’m not willing to compromise when it comes to essential oils, here are my top 5 Smart Ways to Save Money on Essential Oils. 

When it comes to essential oils, I have champagne tastes, and I’m willing to spend champagne dollars. 

As a loyal and unwavering essential oil user for over 8 years, I often wonder why more people don’t have oils in their homes. A frequent reason I hear is the cost. With prices on the rise, some view essential oils as a luxury item and not a necessity. 

Families have to budget how they spend their money, and some things just don’t fit. Let me show you ways to save money, while still enjoying all the oils and oil-infused products you’ve come to love.

Here are 5 Smart Ways to Save Money on Essential Oils:

1. Buy Only Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oils 

Nowadays you can buy essential oils almost anywhere. I’ve even seen them at the dollar store. Yikes. But don’t be fooled by these dupes. These oils are not the same as pure therapeutic-grade essential oils. Here’s why: 

• Low-cost oils will almost always have additives and synthetic fillers in them
• These oils often contain less than 5% pure essential oil, and 95% fillers
• The company does not have to disclose on the label what is actually in the product  
• These oils have not undergone a rigorous inspection to test for impurities

You are taking a chance when you purchase oils from the grocery stores. You don’t know how your body will react to the product or the ingredients. In other words, you are taking a risk just to save money. 

That is why I only use and trust essential oils from Young Living. Young Living will never knowingly compromise a product by adding synthetics, contaminants, or cheap fillers, or by using unethical production practices. 

They embrace rigorous quality control standards known as Seed to Seal to help ensure their products meet strict specifications. They exclusively control every step, from seed in the ground to production. 

When you buy high-quality essential oils, you can use less oil. A diluted bottle of $5 peppermint isn’t going to go very far. Spending a little bit more on Young Living peppermint will help your budget in the long run.  

Always remember, cheap oils aren’t good, and good oils aren’t cheap. 

2. Use More Essential Oils that are Priced Under $20

If you started using essential oils because you loved the smell, this part’s for you. Diffusing essential oils is a wonderful way to enjoy safe and natural fragrance in your home. 

The average diffuser uses between 5-8 drops of essential oils and lasts about 6 hours. If you diffuse around the clock, that can really add up.

The cost of diffusing essential oils is considerably less than buying a scented candle. The average cost of a large pumpkin spice scented candle is about $28 and gives you 70 hours of burn time. 

Compare that to the cost of a similar diffuser blend of Thieves and Orange essential oils, you are looking to spend about $10 for the same amount of time. That is a huge saving, which means more money in your pocket! 

When choosing essential oils for diffusing, save money by stocking up on cost-effective oils that are under $20. 

Best Young Living Essential Oils Under $20

• Lemon – $12.00
• Ginger – $14.00
• Grapefruit – $18.00
• Lime – $13.00
• Lemongrass – $12.00
• Orange – $11.50
• Nutmeg – $13.75
• Rosemary – $16.75
• Tangerine –  $17.25
• Spearmint – $11.50
• Eucalyptus Radiata – $19.75
• Citrus Fresh – $16.50
• Christmas Spirit – $11.00
• Purification – $16.50
• Cedarwood – $12.00

*Note: the prices listed above are the wholesale price, which is unlocked with a 100pv order. 

Get any (or all) of the essential oils listed above here. Stretch your oil supply longer! 

3. Swap and Save: DIY Recipes

Keeping a household clean and organized requires a lot of different products. Just cleaning a bathroom might require as many as 5 different bottles of cleaner. One way to save money on household products is by making your own. 

Ditch the harsh products you typically buy and replace them with oil-infused products and homemade oily recipes!

If you’re the DIY type, then making your own cleaners is right up your alley. Some of my favorite natural products to have on hand are baking soda, white vinegar, and castile soap. You can easily make several different cleaners in a reusable spray bottle to use all over your home. 

Let’s break down the cost of an all-purpose cleaning spray. This recipe calls for equal parts of white vinegar and water. Vinegar runs about $0.02 an ounce. Using a 16-ounce spray bottle, that is about $0.16 when mixed with water. 

Citrus Fresh is a wonderful choice for cleaning. 20 drops is a good ratio for a bottle of this size. This essential oil runs about $0.06 a drop. At 20 drops that is $1.20. 

The total cost of this homemade cleaner is $1.36. I went shopping recently and I could not find a single cleaning spray for less than $3. That’s over a 50% savings! I’ll take it. 

If you aren’t the DIY type, you can purchase this Thieves cleaning concentrate and make your own cleaner in a flash! 

A spray bottle of homemade cleaner made with Thieves Household Cleaner is still less than store-bought. Use it all over your home. You’ll be saving money right and left! 

4. Subscribe to Save: Loyalty Rewards

This next tip is not a secret, but it almost feels like one. The very best way to save money on Young Living essential oils is with Subscribe to Save (formerly Essential Rewards). 

This amazing program rewards you for your order each and every month. To unlock the 24% discount, simply spend 100 PV on products you use and love, and/or subscribe to at least one item to be delivered every 1-3 months. You will pay a wholesale price for every product you buy once you’ve unlocked the discount.

If you spend money on personal care products each month, simply replace those products with Young Living products without breaking the bank. Replace your toothpaste, makeup, soap, deodorant, moisturizer and so much more. The real bonus is the savings on essential oils you use every day. 

Another way to save money is with Loyalty Rewards. Here you will earn points on every order over 50 PV that you can redeem for free products. Yes, please! 

You will earn more in Loyalty Rewards the longer you have a Subscription. You earn 10% to start, 20% after 4 months, and 25% back after 25+ months. That is on top of the 24% you are already saving off your Subscribe to Save purchase. That is HUGE!

For example, I have been earning Loyalty points for 100+ consecutive months, so for every $100 I spend, I earn $25. I typically save these points until I have enough to buy NingXia Red. Once I have enough points, I get the product for FREE and only pay for shipping. 

This is such a generous program to help people save money on oils!

5. Share Oils with Others

If you love essential oils, why not tell others and make a little extra money while you’re at it. You can earn money with your own small business when you become a Brand Partner with Young Living. Set your own hours and work from anywhere! 

Brand Partners earn generous bonuses and compensation. Once you start enrolling customers and/or new Brand Partners, you will earn money on all their purchases. Use that money to buy products for personal use (like I do), or for anything you need it for. 

I’ve been a Brand Partner for over 8 years. Being part of Young Living means so much more to me than promoting natural products. It’s a lifestyle and a community. 

Click here to become a brand partner (be sure to use my member number 1556384 as both the enroller and sponsor). With me as your enroller/sponsor, you’ll get access to all of our team’s resources, classes, graphics, business building materials, training calls, and so much more! Plus, I’ll send you a welcome gift to get you started. 

Hopefully, these tips on how to save money on essential oils will help stretch your budget, so you can keep using the essential oils you LOVE!  

More essential oil tips you might enjoy: 

• 30 Essential Oil Recipes with Your Starter Kit
• Best Essential Oil Diffusers Under $20
• Why I’ve Chosen to Only Use Young Living
• 5 Ways to Replace Chemicals in Your Home

The post Smart Ways to Save Money on Essential Oils appeared first on Recipes with Essential Oils.

If you could bottle up all the best smells and feels of Christmas time, you would get Christmas Spirit Essential Oil. This blend is a sweet and spicy combination of orange, cinnamon, spruce. Incorporate this oil into your favorite recipes, or enjoy it all on its own in a diffuser. Christmas Spirit has an aroma that is reminiscent of the winter holidays. 

“Maybe, Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” -The Grinch. 

Christmas may not come in a bottle, but the same feelings are evoked when you breathe in Christmas Spirit Essential oil. 

This essential oil will brighten your mood and tap into the happiness, joy, and fond memories associated with the holiday season. It’s always the most wonderful time of the year with Christmas Essential oil!

Christmas Spirit Essential Oil Blend

Blend Composition

• Orange ~ uplifting and inspiring 
• Cinnamon Bark ~ comforting and warm
• Black Spruce ~ calming and relaxing

Aroma and Tips for Blending

• Christmas Spirit has an uplifting spicy aroma that will bring back treasured memories of the holiday season
• It blends well with most single essential oils including mints, citrus, and spicy oils
• Try blending Christmas Spirit with peppermint, vanilla, tangerine, grapefruit, nutmeg, and pine
• You can also mix Christmas Spirit with blends like Stress Away and Northern Lights Black Spruce

How to Use Christmas Spirit Essential Oil

• Christmas Spirit can be used for topical and aromatic applications. It should not be taken internally. It is gentle and safe for most users
• Apply Christmas Spirit with a carrier oil for a more long-lasting effect on the skin
• Diffuse 4-6 drops of Christmas Spirit to elevate the holiday cheer in your home

You can substitute Christmas Spirit into many of your favorite essential oil recipes: 

• Make a DIY foaming hand soap and place a bottle at every sink
• Add Christmas Spirit to a homemade perfume spray for a custom fragrance
• Incorporate Christmas Spirit into a foot scrub for a sweet DIY gift
• Create an uplifting holiday room spray to enjoy in every room in your home
• Add the rich scent of Christmas Spirit to body butter and gift it to someone special 
• Substitute Christmas Spirit in your favorite homemade cleaner to fill the air with a fresh, clean, and festive scent
• Enjoy this oil in the car on a DIY air freshener when you’re out and about 
• Add a few drops to a diffuser bracelet and bring the holidays with you everywhere you go
• Make a keepsake ornament and add a few drops of Christmas Spirit to enjoy on your tree
• Place a reed diffuser in hard to reach spaces and never be far from the scent of Christmas

Recipes Featuring Christmas Spirit

• Make someone you care about a sweet homemade gift! This Christmas Spirit Lip Balm is moisturizing and soothing and will bring its recipient lots of cheer this holiday season
• Christmas Spirit naturally has a place in our favorite Christmas Diffuser Recipes. Blend this oil with tangerine for a hint of citrus for a glorious aroma to enjoy in your home

Ready to get your hands on this amazing oil? Get Christmas Spirit Essential Oil here. 

Diffuser Recipes with Christmas Spirit

Warm and Cozy Christmas

• 4 drops Christmas Spirit
• 3 drops Vanilla

Christmas Magic

• 3 drops Christmas Spirit
• 3 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce
• 3 drops Orange

All is Calm, All is Bright

• 4 drops Christmas Spirit
• 3 drops Peace & Calming

Silent Night

• 3 drops Christmas Spirit
• 3 drops Bergamot
• 2 drops Copaiba

Oh, Holy Night

• 3 drops Christmas Spirit
• 3 drops Frankincense
• 2 drops Cinnamon Bark 

Candy Cane Lane

• 3 drops Christmas Spirit
• 3 drops Stress Away
• 2 drops Peppermint

Merry and Bright

• 3 drops Christmas Spirit
• 2 drops Lemon
• 2 drops Clove

Oh, Christmas Tree

• 3 drops Christmas Spirit
• 2 drops Cypress
• 3 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce

Find all of our recipes using Christmas Spirit essential oil by clicking here.

Click the banner above to see all of the featured oils in our Getting to Know Essential Oils series!

*Disclaimer: The statements made on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for medical care or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition. 

The post All About Christmas Spirit Essential Oil appeared first on Recipes with Essential Oils.

Minter time is here and so is one of our flavors to celebrate! Who’s ready for some peppermint? Peppermint is easily one of the top 10 most popular essential oils. Use this essential oil in personal care recipes, cooking, and aromatically to increase energy and focus. Here are the 8 Best Peppermint Essential Oil Recipes. 

Peppermint essential oil is a treasured holiday favorite! It adds a burst of minty goodness to brownies, hot cocoa, fudge, candy canes, and more. 

Did you know Peppermint and Peppermint Vitality are the same oil? They have a different label, but that is all that sets them apart. Read all about peppermint here.

Peppermint Vitality essential oil has a minty, freshening flavor and is safe for ingestion. Use it to enhance the flavor of food and beverages.  The flavor is more intense than when using peppermint extract, which is diluted with alcohol. 

This holiday season, try adding Peppermint Vitality to your favorite sweet treats. Here are some delicious peppermint food recipes to try: 

1. Peppermint Bark

This Peppermint Bark is the perfect treat to satisfy a sweet tooth, without overindulging. It’s a holiday tradition in my home to make a festive dessert for us all to enjoy. Bring the rich flavors of chocolate and the minty goodness of peppermint into your home this holiday season with Homemade Chocolate Peppermint Bark!

2. Peppermint Mocha

If you’re a coffee fan, try this delicious coffee hack for a homemade mocha without using sugary syrups and artificial flavors! This is an easy recipe for a Homemade Peppermint Mocha…using essential oils for that minty-blast of flavor!

3. Peppermint Fudge

If you’re looking for an easy, fail-proof recipe to make some Homemade Peppermint Fudge, then this recipe is for you. Add Peppermint Vitality to the mix for a fresh and bright minty zing. It’s a very traditional holiday flavor and easy for your friends to see that they can fall in love with essential oils just like you have.

4. Peppermint Brownie Bites

As if brownies aren’t amazing enough already, Peppermint Vitality takes them to the next level. The peppermint essential oil is herbal and energizing and blends perfectly with chocolate! This simple Peppermint Brownie Recipe is sure to be a new favorite to enjoy all year round!

Peppermint essential oil is also a favorite in personal care recipes. It’s great for soothing tired, achy muscles, and increasing energy and focus. Here are some easy personal care recipes featuring peppermint:

5. Peppermint Foot Scrub

Give your feet some much-needed TLC with a DIY Peppermint Foot Scrub. Exfoliate and cleanse tired feet with an exhilarating spa experience. It moisturizes, soothes, and refreshes your feet. It’s super easy, fast, and makes a great gift for friends or loved ones! 

6. Muscle Relief Massage Oil 

We put the cooling sensation of Peppermint to work in our Muscle Relief Massage Oil that’s perfect for soothing sore muscles after a workout or sports practice. This blend is packed with essential oils shown to support a healthy, physical fitness routine.

7. Soothing After Sun Spray

Although peppermint has a lively, stimulating scent to it, it can be quite soothing when it’s applied to sunburned skin. Aloe vera and a blend of essential oils are fantastic for calming irritated skin. Use this After Sun Spray on the skin for instant cooling and relief. 

8. Peppermint Mouthwash

Enjoy fresh, kissable breath by making this Homemade Peppermint Mouthwash part of your daily routine. Peppermint has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that may help curb the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

Ready to try Peppermint essential oil and Peppermint Vitality? Get this amazing oil here.

More essential oil recipes with peppermint:

• Invigorating Shower Bomb
• Homemade Bath Bomb
• Peppermint Hot Cocoa
• Energizing Roller Blends

The post Best Peppermint Essential Oil Recipes appeared first on Recipes with Essential Oils.

During the holiday season, sipping on a warm beverage can bring on a sense of nostalgia. Whether it’s Peppermint Hot Cocoa, a Pumpkin Spice Latte, or Spiced Apple Cider, these hot drinks will warm up your body, and fill your heart with fond memories. This festive Wassail Recipe made with essential oils is perfect for holiday entertaining. 

I absolutely love making Spiced Wassail for us to enjoy with our holiday meal. I add fresh cranberries, oranges, and cinnamon sticks to make it a gorgeous centerpiece for the table. This recipe can be enjoyed by all members of the family!

What is Wassail? 

Wassail is a traditional holiday beverage made from juice and spices. A close cousin to apple cider, Wassail is a type of mulled cider made with a variety of juices such as apple, cranberry, orange, or pineapple juice. It can be simmered on the stove or in a crockpot. Either way, your home will smell amazing! 

History of Wassail

The word Wassail comes from the Old English Phrase hal (waes hael) which means “to be in good health.” The term eventually became more of a drinking salute while the act of wassailing turned into a night of drunken Christmas caroling. It took several centuries (and the help of Charles Dickens) for wassailing to become popular again. Wassail is now a treasured Christmas tradition to be enjoyed amongst friends. 

Print

Spiced Holiday Wassail

This festive Wassail Recipe made with essential oils is perfect for holiday entertaining.

Course Drinks

Keyword wassail

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Servings 6

Equipment

• Large saucepan

Ingredients

• 4 cups apple juice or apple cider
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 2 cups pineapple juice
• 5 drops Orange Vitality essential oil or Tangerine
• 5 drops Cinnamon Bark Vitality essential oil
• 3 drops Ginger Vitality essential oil
• 3 drops Clove Vitality essential oil
• 1 orange thinly sliced
• 1 lemon thinly sliced
• 8 cinnamon sticks for garnish optional

Instructions

• Combine fruit juices in a large pot. Let simmer on low heat for 30 minutes to one hour.
• Remove from heat. Add essential oils. Garnish with sliced oranges and lemons. Serve warm in a mug or double-walled cup.

Notes

• The base of this recipe is apple juice, but you can substitute cider or any type of juice. I like adding pure cranberry juice to give it a deep, red color.
• Pineapple juice is optional, but it helps cut the bitterness of the cranberry. You can substitute orange juice if you prefer.
• You can keep a big batch of wassail warm in a slow cooker or an instant pot.
• If you want to make this drink alcoholic, you can add brandy, bourbon, rum, or your favorite alcohol. Add about 1 ½ ounce per drink. I like it best with bourbon.

Benefits of Adding Vitality Essential Oils

After a decadent holiday meal, your digestive system may be crying out for help. Cinnamon Bark Vitality essential oil taken internally can help support digestion and maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Ginger Vitality essential oil can help ease occasional indigestion. Orange Vitality provides digestive and immune support when taken as a dietary supplement. 

Here’s where to buy Young Living Vitality Essential Oils to use for cooking. 

How to Serve Wassail

Wassail makes a wonderful addition to your holiday meal. Wassail is traditionally served in a large punch bowl. Serve it as a beverage alongside turkey or ham, or as an alternative to coffee with dessert. 

Wassail can be garnished with whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices for a festive pop of color. Leave it simmering on the stove for a burst of fragrance to welcome your guests. 

More holiday essential oil recipes: 

• Cranberry Orange Muffins
• Pumpkin Bread
• Pear-Apple Pie
• Peppermint Brownies

The post Holiday Wassail Recipe appeared first on Recipes with Essential Oils.

Everyone wants their house to smell amazing. Whether you have company visiting, or you just want to stay home and be cozy, a great smelling home is always comforting. If you want to freshen the air but don’t want to turn to toxic chemicals, incorporate essential oils instead. Here are 8 natural ways to freshen your home and make it smell amazing. 

There are certain non-negotiables in my house. My husband (20 years strong) would never dream of buying me a scented candle, body spray, or even perfume as a gift. He knows better. There is simply no bargaining or debate. 

When it comes to synthetic fragrances and artificial air fresheners, they are off-limits. We opt for homemade cleaners, diffusers, and DIY recipes instead. Essential oils are a wonderful alternative to synthetic scents. 

Best Essential Oils for Natural Fragrance

Not all essential oils smell good. Some oils downright stink. If you are trying to make your house smell amazing, select oils that are aromatically pleasing. These are my favorite essential oils to freshen my home: 

• Lavender
• Citrus Fresh
• Purification
• Peppermint
• Orange
• Lemon
• Joy
• Geranium
• Lemon Myrtle
• Rosemary
• Eucalyptus
• Bergamot
• Grapefruit
• Cinnamon Bark
• Clove
• Lemon Verbena

Ready to try essential oils? Get my favorite therapeutic-grade essential oils and products here. 

8 Natural Ways to Freshen Your Home

Eliminate odors and refresh rooms with all-natural ingredients and essential oils. Your home will smell fresh, clean, and amazing! Find out how to freshen your home naturally.

1. Ultrasonic Diffuser

If you’re an essential oil user, chances are you have an ultrasonic diffuser in your home. Diffusing allows you to enjoy the aromatic benefits of essential oils in a safe and beneficial method for your entire family. 

Ultrasonic diffusers use vibrations to break down essential oils into teeny-tiny particles which are then mixed with water and dispersed into the air as an aromatic mist. Depending on the diffuser, you should be able to fill an entire room with fragrance for several hours at a time. 

The only downside to ultrasonic diffusers would be access to an electric outlet. They are great for bedrooms, living rooms, and offices. Diffusers are also stylish accent pieces that add ambiance to a room. 

Get over 100+ diffuser blend recipes to try here. 

2. DIY Reed Diffuser

Although I prefer ultrasonic diffusers, reed diffusers also have a place in my home. They are great for smaller spaces where you might not have room for an ultrasonic diffuser. Use a reed diffuser in a hallway, on shelves & mantles, or even in a pantry. 

A reed diffuser emits the aroma of essential oils into the air. It does the same job as an ultrasonic diffuser, just on a smaller scale. The carrier oil and essential oils travel up the raw wood stick to give off a scent. 

Find out how to make a DIY reed diffuser for essential oils. 

3. Succulent Diffuser

Like ultrasonic diffusers and reed diffusers, succulent diffusers can add fragrance to the air. Combine your love of plants and essential oils with a decorative, functional diffuser. 

A succulent diffuser is a unique planter filled with a variety of succulent-type plants. It becomes a diffuser when you add lava rocks (or moss) to the soil. Lava rocks are porous stones that will absorb the essential oils and emit the aroma. 

Find out how to make a succulent diffuser here. 

4. Deodorizing Disks

One of the stinkiest areas in a home is the trash cans. This simple recipe for deodorizing disks can be placed in any tight area that stinks. Keep smells at bay and add fragrance to tight spots. 

The baking soda in this recipe acts to naturally neutralize odors. The combination of Lavender and Lemon brings a bright and fresh herbal scent. Plus, there is one secret ingredient. 

Learn how to make deodorizing disks and never miss a stinky spot. 

5. Homemade Candles

Candles aren’t just cozy accent pieces, they can also add a pleasant aroma to an area. A homemade candle can be made with a wax base, a wick, and essential oils for fragrance. The scent possibilities are endless!

Learn how to make a homemade essential oil candle. 

6. Natural Air Freshener Spray

A quick spritz of a room spray can instantly add fragrance to the air. This easy DIY recipe is customizable with your favorite scents. Make a room spray to usher in spring, or to celebrate the holiday season.

Keep a bottle in every room and use it anytime your home needs a burst of freshness

Check out these 20 Holiday Room Sprays & 11 Spring Room Spray Recipes

7. Natural Household Cleaners

Cleaning your house can be a joy with fragrant homemade natural cleaners. Most store-bought cleaners have an off-putting scent that tries to mask stinky smells. 

With natural cleansing properties, essential oils provide a simple yet powerful way to get things clean. Homemade cleaners can be used all over your home to cleanse and degrease even the dirtiest of areas. 

Try a Pumpkin Spice Cleaner For Fall or this Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner 

8. DIY Diffuser Ornaments

You’ll love the portability of these homemade diffuser ornaments. They are most popular at Christmas, but you can make any generic shape to enjoy all year round. Add one to a doorknob, hang from the mantle, or decorate your tree for the holidays. 

You can make a homemade diffuser ornament using a variety of ingredients including clay, baking soda, and cornstarch. Add essential oils to the ornament for a festive burst of fragrance to enjoy anywhere. 

Cinnamon Salt Dough Diffuser Ornament, Christmas Diffuser Ornament, Car Diffuser

More essential oil strategies and tips you might enjoy:

• 21 Essential Oil Hacks
• Essential Oil Diffuser Tips
• 5 Ways to Replace Chemicals
• 10 Must-Have Essential Oils

The post 8 Natural Ways to Freshen Your Home appeared first on Recipes with Essential Oils.

Make a DIY Reed Diffuser for your home and enjoy your favorite fragrances in hard-to-reach places. With just a few ingredients and supplies, you can make a decorative air freshener and the scent possibilities are endless. Here’s how to make a reed diffuser for essential oils. 

If you love having your home smell fresh and clean, try a Homemade Reed Diffuser as an alternative to candles and air fresheners. Put one in every room for a whiff of aromatherapy to enjoy all day long! 

I used to love potpourri as a child. A beautiful bowl filled with various scented objects was a staple in most guest bathrooms. It was not something we ever had in our home, so I considered it to be a fancy, luxury item. 

Once I learned more about artificial fragrances, I realized my mom had made the right choice by skimping on potpourri. Most store-bought potpourri is coated with toxic dyes and a mixture of artificial fragrances. Artificial fragrances can contribute to indoor air pollution and have negative health effects such as asthma and allergies. 

So now I skip potpourri, plug-ins, and candles and opt for more natural options to freshen my home. I love using a reed diffuser in the bathroom as both a decorative item and as a way to add fragrance.

How does a Reed Diffuser Work 

A reed diffuser emits the aroma of essential oils into the air. It does the same job as an ultrasonic diffuser, just on a smaller scale. The carrier oil and essential oils travel up the raw wood stick to give off a fragrance. You can add more essential oils to intensify the aroma. The sticks need to be replaced once they are entirely saturated. Reed diffusers work best in small spaces.

How to Make a DIY Reed Diffuser

First, find a vase for your reed diffuser. You can use any vase but ideally, choose one with a narrow opening at the top. This will slow the evaporation and help the scent last longer. 

Materials Needed

• Glass vase with a narrow opening
• ¼ cup of carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, apricot, or safflower oil
• 5-6 reed sticks per vase
• 25-30 drops essential oil of your choice

Directions

• Add carrier oil to the bottom of the vase
• Mix in selected essential oils and swirl to combine
• Add wood sticks and allow them to become fully saturated
• Flip the sticks over in the vase. Replace about once a week or whenever you change the scent

Essential Oils to Add to a Reed Diffuser

You can add any of your favorite diffuser blends to a reed diffuser. These are some of my favorite combinations: 

• 10 drops Vanilla + 10 drops Cedarwood + 10 drops Lavender 
• 15 drops Eucalyptus + 15 drops Lime
• 10 drops Bergamot + 10 drops Lemon + 10 drops Rosemary
• 10 drops Cinnamon Bark + 10 drops Orange + 10 drops Thieves
• 15 drops Joy + 15 drops Orange
• 15 drops Ylang Ylang + 15 drops Grapefruit
• 15 drops Vanilla + 15 drops Christmas Spirit

More essential oil recipes you might enjoy:

• Deodorizing Disks
• Spring Room Sprays
• DIY Car Diffuser
• Homemade Candles

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Resembling the spicy scent of freshly cracked peppercorns, black pepper essential oil will add some heat to your favorite diffuser blends. Add Black Pepper Vitality to cooking recipes for an extra zing of flavor. Black pepper is energizing, encouraging, and motivating when inhaled and applied topically. Read all about Black Pepper below. 

Botanical Name

Piper nigrum

Botanical Family

Piperaceae

Common Names

• Pipor
• Piper
• Pipalli
• Long pepper

Historical Uses

Black pepper has a long history, both as a seasoning and as a medicine. Its earliest uses can be traced back to the Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians as early as the fourth century BC. Black peppercorns were found in the nostrils of mummified remains in Egypt. Pepper was carried by Buddhist monks to be used as a medicine on their travels. 

In ancient times, peppercorns were so valuable they were known as “black gold” and often used as currency. Pepper would dominate the spice trade in Europe and India for centuries. Today, pepper makes up one-fifth of the world’s spice sales. 

Fun Facts

• Black pepper is one of the most commonly used spices in all types of cuisines
• Black peppercorns come from boiling and drying the unripe drupes of the pepper plant. The heat causes the cell wall to rupture and turn brown. The peppercorns are then dried in the sun until the skin around the pepper seed turns black
• There are multiple variants of peppercorns including black, white, green, and pink.  

Aroma and Tips for Blending

Black pepper essential oil is steam distilled from the fruit of the pepper plant. It has a warm, pungent, spicy aroma that resembles freshly cracked pepper. 

Black pepper blends well with most essential oils including lavender, ginger, cardamom, clary sage, and lemon. It is considered a middle note when blending with other oils. Black pepper helps meld together the scents in a blend. 

Black pepper is best diffused with other essential oils rather than solo. It is much more potent than traditional cracked pepper. Start with a toothpick swirl and build on that amount until you reach the desired aroma when diffusing. 

Benefits and Uses for Black Pepper Essential Oil

• When taken internally, black pepper may support a healthy circulatory system and aid in digestion
• Black pepper is a good source of antioxidants 
• Incorporate Black Pepper Vitality into your favorite cooking recipes for a more intense flavor
• Take Black Pepper Vitality daily in a vegetable capsule to support a healthy weight
• Use diluted black pepper to massage and soothe sore muscles
• Apply this essential oil diluted to the bottom of your feet in the morning, or whenever you feel sluggish

Black Pepper Essential Oil Recipes

• NingXia Red is amazing all on its own, but adding a drop of Black Pepper Vitality kicks up the heat. Try black pepper in one of these NingXia Shot Recipes
• If you enjoy grilling, you’ll love the flavor black pepper adds to grilled meat. Use black pepper as part of a Grilling Marinade for steak, chicken, pork, and more 
• Warm soup is so comforting on a cold day. Black Pepper Vitality makes it even better! This Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup incorporates the rich flavors of butter and cream which are enhanced by the black pepper
• Black pepper adds the right amount of flavor to these Homemade Dill Pickles. It blends perfectly with dill vitality and fresh peppercorns. 
• During the spooky month of October enjoy these Halloween Diffuser Blends featuring black pepper 
• Beat the midday slump with an Energizing Roller Blend. Mix black pepper with citrus fresh and spearmint for a lively blend to keep you moving
• Keep your emotions in check with an Emotional Balance Roller Blend. Sacred frankincense and black pepper will help balance your energy

Find all of our recipes using Black Pepper essential oil by clicking here.

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*Disclaimer: The statements made on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for medical care or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition. 

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