With all the additional hours that we’re spending indoors, we’re always on the lookout for ways to make our space feel like a calming retreat so we can truly relax. A few things that always work: opening the windows to let sunlight and fresh air stream in, decorating a corner with house plants, turning on some chill music, and filling up the air with a soothing scent. If you haven’t tried it already, aromatherapy can be mood boosting and calming, and the best part is you can DIY it with ingredients you already have in your kitchen and spice drawer.
This DIY aromatherapy ritual is fairly simple: Fill a large pot with water, add in whatever fresh herbs, fruits, and dried spices you want, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and keep it on. You can keep this going for a couple of hours easily, just make sure to replenish with water when the pot runs low to keep the herbs and spices from burning. Whole spices are preferred, but if using ground spices, make a little sachet with some muslin cloth and twine.
Known as a stovetop potpourri, this DIY aromatherapy hack is perfect for those who don’t have tons of essential oils and a diffuser at home, and it’s a completely natural way to make your home smell wonderful without using artificial air fresheners, fragrances or candles. If you are someone who’s sensitive or allergic to strong perfumes, DIY aromatherapy with all natural ingredients is the way to go.
The beauty of this little ritual is that it’s customisable. There’s so many different blends you can make depending on what you have at hand. Tinker with different combos — some help in air purification, some with decongestion and can help anyone feeling under the weather, and some just make your home smell divine and uplift your mood.
A few DIY aromatherapy blends to get you started:
Feels like Fall
A mix of halved apples, orange slices, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise to make your home smell festive and like autumn — nothing could be more cozy!
Immunity Booster
A combination bay leaves, ginger, and lemon slices as these strong fragrances can really give you a boost on days you’re feeling dull.
Air Freshener
When you just need something to uplift your mood and make the house smell divine, you can’t go wrong with an infusion of citrus, mint, and rosemary.
Sleep Aid
Best for before bedtime — a mix of lavender, lemon slices, and peppermint can help you relax and drift off.
Under the Weather
When you need to relieve sinuses or decongest the chest, infuse eucalyptus, mint, and dried chamomile flowers to help you breathe easy (perfect before a hot shower).
Clean & Bright
You know that smell when you step into a shiny hotel lobby? Mimic that feeling at home after a declutter and deep clean session with an infusion of lemongrass, mint, lemon/grapefruit slices.
Or make up your own!
Use a combination of fresh herbs, dried spices and anything citrus based on what you have at home. The zingy fragrance instantly makes everything bright, clean, and super fragrant. Some favourites: anything citrus, sage, rosemary, mint, thyme, bay leaves, cloves, star anise, cinnamon, vanilla, lavender, rose petals, ginger. You can also add a few drops of your favourite essential oils.
Come up with a signature scent that’s unique to your home, and… inhale, exhale.
