Essential oils have always been an essential part of my home (pun intended). Even when growing up, my mother kept a small “apothecary” of homeopathic remedies and essential oils. I remember the scents of lavender, rosemary and eucalyptus in the medicine chest. I would occasionally hide out in the bathroom in order to sneak a whiff – intrigued by the concentrated aromas captured in the little brown glass bottles. 

As an adult (I can’t help but snicker a bit when I say that) I’ve always had a few bottles of essential oils on hand. But as I’ve aged into my mid 30’s I’ve found myself increasingly focused on health and natural wellness. As a result I’ve experienced renewed interest in the benefits and applications of essential oils. 

This diffuser ‘recipe’ is one of my favorites. I use it whenever I feel “off”. The foundation of this blend is rose absolute. Many folks, I’ve discovered, aren’t a fan of rose. However, I believe that is because the word “rose” evokes wafts of chemical-laced artificial rose; cloyingly sweet with a scent that reminds you of grandma’s overpowering perfume rather than the actual flower. True rose is a complex floral, with an embracing warmth and slight spiciness. Melded with sandalwood, frankincense and ylang ylang, this blends emphasizes these qualities and evokes a sense of calm and grounded feelings. Enjoy!

Sourcing notes

Rose absolute is one of my favorite essential oils. But it’s also extremely expensive ($200 a half once give or take today). Sandalwood isn’t much cheaper. Because of this, this recipe calls for rose absolute and sandalwood blends. These blends use concentrated oils with a base of carrier oil – often jojoba and coconut – to produce a less concentrated, but still effective product. If you happen to be using the unblended (pure) oil, be sure to adjust accordingly. Most of my oil stock comes from Rocky Mountain Oils or Aura Cacia. Because I’m not a fan of MLM, I avoid other well known brands. 

Ingredients:

• 5 drops rose absolute blend
• 2 drops sandalwood blend
• 1 drop ylang ylang
• 1 drop frankincense serata