20 Essential Oil Inhaler Blend Recipes For Aromatherapy

To make an essential oil inhaler, add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil to the cotton wick, slide the wick into the inhaler tube and snap on the cap. Then just breathe in slowly whenever you need a lift. Below is my step-by-step guide, the 10 best oils for inhalers, 20 inhaler blend recipes and a free printable with 60 recipes and labels. Jump to the 20 recipes.

Our sense of smell is closely linked to the parts of the brain that handle memories and emotions, which is why a familiar scent can change how you feel so quickly. Aromatherapy inhalers are small, mess-free and easy to tuck into a purse, desk drawer, travel bag or nightstand.

Aromatherapy Inhaler Benefits

Inhalers give you all the aroma of essential oils with no spills and no oily hands. They are also a considerate way to use oils around others, since only you breathe in the scent. People love them for:

• Easier breathing when your nose feels stuffy
• A cooling, soothing scent when your head feels tense
• Lifting your mood and balancing emotions
• A quick energy boost
• Better concentration and focus
• Calming stress and anxious feelings
• Using oils on the go

Types of Essential Oil Inhalers

Personal inhalers are small tubes with a cotton wick inside and a cap to lock in the scent. You can find disposable plastic inhalers, which are inexpensive and great for gifting, or reusable glass and metal inhalers that you can clean and refill.

How To Make An Essential Oil Inhaler

What You Need

• A blank aromatherapy inhaler (tube, cotton wick, bottom plug and cap)
• 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (or a blend)
• Tweezers
• A small glass bowl (optional)
• Labels

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Label your inhaler before you add any oils so the label sticks well. I use this sticker paper (affiliate link), and my free printable below includes labels. You can also print on regular paper and attach it with packing tape.

Step 2: Add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil to the cotton wick in a small glass bowl. Use one of the recipes below. For children, see the safety notes below.

Step 3: Roll the wick around in the bowl to soak up any leftover oil, then use tweezers (affiliate link) to slide it into the inhaler tube. You can also skip the bowl: place the wick in the tube first, then drop the oils directly onto it.

Step 4: Press the plug into the bottom of the tube until it clicks, then put the cap on to lock in the scent until you are ready to use it.

How To Use An Aromatherapy Inhaler

Hold the inhaler just under your nose, without touching it, and breathe in slowly. You can gently wave it back and forth under your nostrils. I like to think 5-5-5:

• Count to 5 as you breathe in
• Count to 5 as you hold your breath
• Count to 5 as you breathe out
• Repeat 2 to 3 times as needed

Tips for Nasal Inhaler Recipes

• An inhaler usually stays fresh for 1 to 2 months, depending on how often you use it.
• Keep the cap on when you aren't using it. The more it's opened, the faster the scent fades.
• When the aroma fades, add a few more drops of the same blend to the wick.
• Old scents can linger, so use a new wick or inhaler when you switch to a different blend.
• Have a favorite diffuser blend? Try it as an inhaler. Just scale the drops to 10 to 15 total.
• Store inhalers away from direct sunlight and heat.

10 Best Essential Oils For Inhalers

These 10 oils are wonderful in an inhaler on their own or blended together.

1. Lavender Essential Oil - Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender is the most popular oil for calming stress, easing tension and winding down before bed. Its soft floral scent is gentle enough for kids ages 2 and up. Learn about the different types of lavender.

2. Peppermint Essential Oil - Mentha piperita

Peppermint has a cool, refreshing scent that is a favorite for stuffy noses, sinus pressure, a tense head and an afternoon energy dip. It is strong, so it is best for adults and kids 10 and up.

3. Eucalyptus Essential Oil - Eucalyptus radiata

Eucalyptus oil has a fresh, camphor-like scent and is traditionally used to support easy breathing during cold season. Eucalyptus radiata is softer than globulus. Don't use eucalyptus around children under 10, and check with your doctor if you are pregnant. See my eucalyptus diffuser blends for more.

4. Sweet Orange Essential Oil - Citrus sinensis

Sweet orange smells just like fresh orange peel. Its happy, uplifting scent helps ease stress and brighten your mood, and it's gentle enough for kids.

5. Rosemary Essential Oil - Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosemary has a strong, herbal scent that is a favorite for focus, memory and energy. It can also feel clearing on stuffy days. Best for adults and kids 10 and up, and skip it during pregnancy.

6. Frankincense Essential Oil - Boswellia carterii

Frankincense is distilled from tree resin and has a fresh, warm, slightly citrusy aroma. It is known for promoting feelings of calm and well-being, and it is lovely for meditation. Learn more in my full frankincense essential oil guide.

7. Lemon Essential Oil - Citrus limon

Lemon's clean, bright scent helps lift your mood and energy. It's a great addition to energizing, focus and seasonal blends.

8. Bergamot Essential Oil - Citrus bergamia

Bergamot has a rich, floral citrus scent that helps relieve stress and tension while gently lifting your mood. It works well in both relaxing and uplifting blends.

9. Tea Tree Oil - Melaleuca alternifolia

Tea tree has a fresh, medicinal scent that can feel clearing when your nose is stuffy. It's also a favorite for skin care when diluted. Read about tea tree oil for skin.

10. White Fir Essential Oil - Abies alba

White fir has a fresh, woodsy, forest scent that feels energizing and renewing. It's traditionally used to support easy breathing and pairs well with citrus and mint.

20 DIY Essential Oil Inhaler Blend Recipes

Each recipe makes one personal inhaler (10 to 15 drops). Add the drops to the cotton wick as described in the tutorial above.

1. Morning Sunshine Inhaler

An eye-opening blend of bright citrus and cool mint to help you wake up and get going. For adults and kids 10+.

• 4 drops Sweet Orange
• 4 drops Peppermint
• 4 drops Lime

2. Clear Mind Inhaler

A crisp, herbal citrus blend to help you feel sharp and clear-headed when you need to think. For adults and kids 10+.

• 6 drops Lemon
• 2 drops Basil
• 2 drops Rosemary
• 2 drops Frankincense

3. Calming Lavender Inhaler

Two gentle favorites, lavender and Roman chamomile, make a soft, calming blend that is just right for bedtime.

• 8 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Roman Chamomile

4. Energy Boost Peppermint Inhaler

Peppermint, rosemary and grapefruit make a zingy pick-me-up for a sluggish afternoon. For more ideas, see my energy inhaler recipes. For adults and kids 10+.

• 5 drops Peppermint
• 4 drops Grapefruit
• 3 drops Rosemary

5. Anxiety Help Inhaler

A sweet, soothing blend for anxious moments. Keep it in your bag for stressful days. Find more calming recipes in my blends for anxiety.

• 6 drops Lavender
• 3 drops Lemon
• 3 drops Ylang Ylang

6. Stress Relief Inhaler Blend

Sunny orange, grounding frankincense and earthy clary sage make a relaxing blend for when stress starts to build. Take a few slow breaths and let your shoulders drop. Skip clary sage if you are pregnant.

• 6 drops Sweet Orange
• 5 drops Frankincense
• 4 drops Clary Sage

7. Focus Inhaler Recipe

A fresh, woodsy citrus blend to help you stay on task at work, school or home. See more focus blends.

• 5 drops Juniper Berry
• 4 drops Bergamot
• 3 drops Frankincense

8. Nausea Inhaler Blend

Ginger and peppermint are classic choices for an unsettled stomach, especially when traveling. You can swap the ginger for cardamom. For adults and kids 10+.

• 6 drops Peppermint
• 6 drops Ginger

9. Sleep Time Inhaler

A cozy bedtime blend with woody cedarwood, soothing lavender and a little sweet orange. Breathe it in as you get into bed. For more, see my cedarwood oil for sleep blends.

• 4 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Sweet Orange
• 4 drops Cedarwood

10. Breathe Eucalyptus Inhaler

A cool, fresh blend for stuffy days that invites deep breaths. For a stronger option at home, try a steam inhalation. Use Eucalyptus radiata for the softest scent. For adults and kids 10+.

• 4 drops Eucalyptus
• 4 drops Siberian Fir
• 4 drops Peppermint

11. Relaxation Inhaler Recipe

Lavender and sweet marjoram are a gentle, warm pairing for unwinding in the evening after a long day.

• 8 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Sweet Marjoram
• 2 drops Sweet Orange

12. Inspire Me Aroma Inhaler

A warm, resinous citrus blend for journaling, crafting or brainstorming, when you want to feel open to new ideas. Skip clary sage if you are pregnant.

• 5 drops Sweet Orange
• 4 drops Frankincense
• 3 drops Clary Sage

13. Headache Helper Inhaler Blend

Lavender, frankincense and peppermint make a soothing, cooling blend for when your head feels tight and tense. Find more ideas in my essential oils for headaches. For adults and kids 10+.

• 4 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Frankincense
• 4 drops Peppermint

14. Mood Boost Inhaler

Floral lavender, cool peppermint and bright bergamot make a happy, refreshing blend to lift your day. Read about lavender and peppermint together. For adults and kids 10+.

• 5 drops Lavender
• 5 drops Peppermint
• 5 drops Bergamot

15. Seasonal Relief Inhaler

This lavender, lemon and peppermint trio is a favorite during allergy season. See my diffuser blends for allergies for more. For adults and kids 10+.

• 5 drops Lavender
• 5 drops Peppermint
• 5 drops Lemon

16. Restful Sleep Inhaler

Smoky vetiver adds deep, grounding notes to lavender and bergamot for a heavier bedtime blend than Sleep Time. Try my sleep diffuser blends too.

• 5 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Bergamot
• 3 drops Vetiver

17. Creativity Inhaler

Sweet tangerine and fresh juniper berry give this blend a lighter, brighter feel than Inspire Me. Reach for it when you feel stuck. Skip clary sage if you are pregnant.

• 6 drops Tangerine
• 4 drops Juniper Berry
• 2 drops Clary Sage

18. Let Love In Blend

A soft floral blend to help you feel open-hearted, loving and kind to yourself.

• 6 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Geranium
• 2 drops Ylang Ylang

19. Motivation Inhaler Recipe

Time to get things done! Zesty lime and orange with grounding frankincense help you feel ready to tackle your list. See more motivating oils.

• 6 drops Lime
• 4 drops Sweet Orange
• 4 drops Frankincense

20. Fatigue Fighter Inhaler

Need a jump start? Bright lemon and grapefruit with fresh white fir make a crisp, wake-up blend.

• 6 drops Lemon
• 4 drops Grapefruit
• 4 drops White Fir

Free Printable: 60 DIY Inhaler Blend Recipes

Like these recipes? Get all 20 inhaler blends from this post plus 40 more recipes and printable labels. The extra recipes use oils like cinnamon, clove, lemongrass, melissa, myrrh, patchouli and sandalwood. No email required!

Get my Essential Oil Inhaler Guide with Recipes!

Video: How to Make an Aromatherapy Inhaler

Prefer to watch? Here is a quick video tutorial from Aromahead Institute (affiliate link) that shows how to put together your own personal inhaler.

More Aromatherapy Blog Posts

• 26 Essential Oil Roller Bottle Recipes
• Orange Essential Oil Inhaler Recipes
• Grapefruit Inhaler and Diffuser Recipes
• 7 Essential Oil Recipes for Energy
• Lavender and Peppermint Blends and Benefits
• Best Essential Oils for Steam Inhalation

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