My Snuggle Up blend is 3 drops of frankincense, 3 drops of sweet orange and 2 drops of cardamom in the diffuser. It smells like warm resin, orange peel and soft spice, and it's the blend I reach for on cool evenings when I want the house to feel cozy. Below you'll find what each oil brings, four ways to use the blend, and how to use it safely.
What's in the Snuggle Up Blend
Frankincense
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) is the warm, resinous base note that holds this blend together and helps the scent linger. It's traditionally used for calm, slow breathing and quiet evenings. See my full frankincense essential oil guide for types, safety and more recipes.
Sweet Orange
Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) is cold-pressed from the peel. It adds a bright, cheerful top note, and it's traditionally used to lift the mood. Unlike bergamot or lime, it isn't considered phototoxic. It does oxidize faster than most oils, so keep the bottle tightly capped. More in my sweet orange essential oil spotlight.
Cardamom
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is steam distilled from the seeds of the same pod you bake with. It's sweet, spicy and slightly eucalyptus-like, because it contains 1,8-cineole. It's traditionally used for comfort, warmth and easy breathing. Because of that cineole content, I keep cardamom away from little ones' faces and use it with kids 6 and up. Learn more in my cardamom essential oil spotlight.
Safe Drop Counts
| Use | Dilution | Per 1 Tbsp (15 ml) | Per 10 ml Roller |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face, kids 6+, sensitive skin | 1% | 3 drops | 2 drops |
| Body oils and massage | 2% | 6 drops | 4 drops |
| Everyday adult rollers | 2 to 3% | 6 to 9 drops | 4 to 6 drops |
Keep frankincense at 2% or less in any blend. More in my dilution guide with chart.
4 Snuggle Up Recipes
1. Snuggle Up Diffuser Blend
Adults and kids 6+
- 3 drops Frankincense
- 3 drops Sweet Orange
- 2 drops Cardamom
Add to your diffuser with the water it calls for and diffuse for 30 to 60 minutes. Here's how long to diffuse essential oils.
2. Snuggle Up Roller
Adults, 3%
- 2 drops Frankincense
- 3 drops Sweet Orange
- 1 drop Cardamom
- Jojoba or fractionated coconut oil to fill a 10 ml roller
Roll onto your wrists and the back of your neck, then curl up with a blanket and a book. For kids 6+: use 1 drop Frankincense and 1 drop Sweet Orange (1%).
3. Cozy Body Oil
Adults, 2%
- 2 tablespoons sweet almond or jojoba oil
- 4 drops Frankincense
- 6 drops Sweet Orange
- 2 drops Cardamom
Mix in a small bottle and massage into arms, legs and shoulders after a warm shower, while your skin is still slightly damp.
4. Warm Foot Soak
Adults
- 1 tablespoon jojoba or sweet almond oil
- 2 drops Frankincense
- 1 drop Sweet Orange
- 1 drop Cardamom
- 1/4 cup Epsom salt
Stir the essential oils into the carrier oil first, then mix that into the Epsom salt. Salt alone won't disperse essential oils in water. Add it to a basin of warm water and soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes. The oil can make the basin slippery, so take care when you step out.
Make It Your Own
- Swap sweet orange for mandarin or tangerine for a softer citrus note.
- Add a drop of cinnamon leaf or clove to the diffuser for a more spiced, holiday feel (skip both in rollers and body oils).
- Add a drop of cedarwood or vetiver for a deeper, woodsy bedtime blend.
- For a creamier version, try my frankincense, orange and sandalwood blend.
Safety Tips
- Patch test a new blend on your inner arm and wait 24 hours.
- Keep cardamom away from the faces of young children, and use topical recipes with kids 6 and up only.
- Keep diffusers away from cats, and make sure dogs can leave the room.
- Pregnant or nursing? Check with your doctor or midwife before using essential oils.
- Never swallow essential oils, even though cardamom and orange are familiar kitchen flavors.
- Store oils cool and dark. Oxidized orange and frankincense are more likely to irritate skin.
More Cozy Blends
- Frankincense Essential Oil: Uses, Types and Safety
- Frankincense Diffuser Blends
- Fall Diffuser Blends
- 20 Best Fall Essential Oil Blends
- Orange Diffuser Blends
Try my rollerball remedy kits, or grab a free essential oil guide.
31 PC Deluxe Essential Oils Kit: Aromatherapy Supplies
$ 39.99
NEWLY UPDATED 31 PC Deluxe Essential Oils Kit! Jars added and a BONUS accessories pack. Aromatherapy supplies include a variety of tools needed for making DIY products with your essential oils. Use this kit to make roll on blends, inhaler… Read More
