What are root essential oils? Root essential oils have a wide variety of uses and benefits. They are often used with the root chakra, to promote relaxation, and to ease feelings of stress. Root essential oils are also loved for helping you feel grounded and protected from negative energy.
Many believe that root-based essential oils are fantastic for feeling balanced and invoking a good work ethic. Some of the most popular root essential oils include vetiver, spikenard, and ginger. Each essential oil has its own unique aroma and benefits.
For example, vetiver is known for its earthy, woodsy scent and its ability to promote feelings of peace and calm. Spikenard has a sweet, earthy aroma and is often used in meditation and prayer for its ability to quiet the mind. Ginger has a spicy smell and is a favorite for digestive comfort.
Root essential oils are highly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to support your wellbeing. Continue reading to learn the best ways to use your root essential oils, including diffuser blends to try.
What are Root Essential Oils?
When you first hear the term "root essential oils", it can be confusing because every plant has roots, and you may immediately think of plants like grass or ferns. However, root essential oils are only made from a handful of aromatic roots that are valued in aromatherapy.
The most common roots used in essential oils are ginger and vetiver. Root essential oils are extracted from the roots (or rhizomes) of plants, and they have a long history of traditional use.
Root Essential Oils List
Root essential oils are especially loved for easing feelings of stress, as they help to ground and calm the mind. Several are also traditionally used in massage blends for tired muscles. Here are the most popular root oils used in aromatherapy:
- Ginger
- Vetiver
- Spikenard
- Turmeric
- Plai
- Angelica Root
- Galangal Root
Common Root Essential Oil Benefits
Root essential oils are extracted from roots and therefore they are associated with strength and balance. Here are some of the common benefits that come from using root essential oils:
- Earthy
- Centering
- Self-Confidence
- Grounding
- Balancing
- Stabilizing
- Gives courage and strength
Ginger Root Essential Oil
Ginger is famous worldwide as a kitchen spice, and people have long enjoyed ginger tea and ginger in food to settle the stomach.
However, ginger essential oil is used differently. It is never ingested; instead it is inhaled or applied well diluted. The following are ways people typically use ginger root essential oil:
- Use ginger root essential oil in a diffuser or personal inhaler when your tummy feels unsettled. Its aroma has been traditionally used to ease feelings of nausea.
- Diffusing ginger essential oil can invoke feelings of courage and help refresh your mind.
- Enjoy ginger in a warm bath when you need comfort. First stir 3-5 drops into a tablespoon of carrier oil or castile soap, then add it to the bath water. Find out more about using essential oils in the bath.
- Combine ginger root oil with a carrier oil and massage into sore muscles. This is especially nice for muscles that become sore from exercise or a demanding workday.
Ginger is one of the most famous root essential oils, and it is a lovely, warming oil to have on hand.
Vetiver Essential Oil
Vetiver essential oil has a deep, earthy scent. It is extracted from the vetiver plant, also known as khus grass, which is native to India. Vetiver oil is used in perfumes, soaps, and cosmetics, and has a long history in Ayurvedic tradition.
Vetiver essential oil is loved for:
- Easing feelings of stress and tension
- Creating a calm, sleepy atmosphere at bedtime
- Grounding and centering during meditation
- Warming massage blends for tired muscles
Add a few drops to your diffuser, or make a vetiver room spray by stirring it into a little vodka or witch hazel first, then adding water in a spray bottle. You can also add vetiver oil to unscented lotions and creams, or dilute it with your favorite carrier oil and apply it to your skin. You can also use it in homemade bug spray blends.
Spikenard Essential Oil
Spikenard, also known as Nard, is a root that has been treasured for centuries. It is distilled from the roots and has a deep, earthy aroma. Spikenard essential oil is traditionally used for:
- Calming feelings of stress and anxiousness
- Meditation and prayer
- Natural bug-repelling blends
- Nourishing skin care blends for dry or mature skin
Turmeric Root Essential Oil
Turmeric is a sacred root in many cultures and is a favorite in the kitchen. The essential oil has a warm, spicy, earthy aroma and is traditionally used in skin care and massage blends.
People make use of turmeric essential oil in several different ways. The following are some of the ways people use it in their routine.
- Add 1-2 drops of turmeric essential oil to a tablespoon of shampoo to help a dry, flaky scalp feel more comfortable.
- Turmeric is a popular oil in skincare. However, always do a skin test when incorporating essential oil into your skincare routine.
- Add a drop of turmeric essential oil to your daily body moisturizer to help calm the look of redness.
- Add turmeric essential oil to a carrier oil and massage it into sore muscles after exercise or a long day of work.
- Diffusing turmeric root essential oil can help you feel less sluggish and lift your overall mood. Diffusing essential oils is one of the most popular ways to use them.
Turmeric is best used in moderation and in low dilution, and it is best avoided during pregnancy.
Angelica Root Essential Oil
Angelica Root Essential Oil Angelica archangelica has a long history of traditional use, making it a versatile addition to your aromatherapy collection.
- Traditionally used to support digestion and ease stomach upset
- Used in warming massage blends for tired muscles and achy joints
- Its earthy, herbaceous aroma is grounding and comforting
- Safety: Angelica root is phototoxic. Use it in diffuser blends, or keep skin you apply it to out of the sun for 12 hours.
Plai Essential Oil - Zingiber cassumunar
Plai essential oil is a favorite in massage blends for sore muscles and achy joints. Plai essential oil can be applied topically or diffused into the air. It should be diluted with a carrier oil before being applied to the skin.
- Related to both Ginger and Galangal
- It has a spicy, earthy aroma
- Plai is a more pleasant smelling alternative to Tea Tree
- It has an extraordinarily high level of terpinen-4-ol
- Mix Plai with your favorite carrier oil to make your own massage blend
Root Diffuser Blends
Root essential oil diffuser blends can help you to create a sense of grounding and calm in your home. You can also add other oils such as Lavender or Bergamot to create a more complex and well-rounded blend.
When diffused, root oils are also believed to help clear negative energy. If you are new to using essential oils, start with one of the blends below to get a feel for the root oils and how they work together before creating your own custom blend.
Winter Protection Blend |
Winter can be a tough time, with cold, dark days and dry air. Warming root oils are a cozy choice for diffusing during the colder months, and this blend is one of my favorites.
Directions: Add essential oils to a diffuser with the recommended water for your machine. Read more about diffusing essential oils. |
Roots Diffuser Blend |
This oil blend has angelica root and vetiver essential oil.
Directions: Add essential oils to a diffuser with the recommended water for your machine. |
Peace Out Diffuser Recipe |
This oil blend is the perfect way to create a peaceful environment using your diffuser. Simply add the drops to your diffuser and enjoy the calming aroma.
Directions: Add essential oils to a diffuser with the recommended water for your machine. |
Quiet Place Diffuser Blend |
Here is a diffuser blend with lavender and spikenard that is lovely for easing stress, promoting relaxation, and winding down before sleep.
Directions: Add essential oils to a diffuser with the recommended water for your machine. |
Diffusing around pets: Diffuse in a well-ventilated room for short periods, keep a door open so pets can leave, and take extra care with cats.
Root Essential Oil Recipes
Many essential oil users love to make DIY recipes with their oils, and here you will find some root essential oil recipes to try. Use root oils in massage blends for tired muscles, or in bedtime blends to help you unwind.
Always dilute root essential oils with a carrier oil like jojoba or fractionated coconut oil before applying them to your skin. Do a patch test on a small area of skin first to make sure you're not sensitive to the oil, especially if it is a new oil and you will be applying it to a large area.
Roller Blend |
Magnolia is a highly desirable scent for perfume blends, and a drop of patchouli adds a lovely earthy base note.
Directions: Add oils into a 10 ml rollerball bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with jojoba oil (or favorite carrier oil). To use, roll on pulse points (wrists, neck, inner elbow). This is a 3% dilution for everyday adult use. |
Calm Stomach Inhaler Blend |
Here is a personal aromatherapy inhaler I like to keep in my bag for when my tummy feels unsettled. The blend includes ginger, vetiver, lavender and orange essential oils, which have been traditionally used for digestive comfort and calm.
Directions: Add essential oils to the cotton wick and insert into the inhaler. Read more about using aromatherapy inhalers. |
Joint Comfort Massage Blend |
Use this warming blend of essential oils to massage into achy, stiff joints.
Directions: Add all ingredients into the glass bottle and shake to mix the oils together. To use, massage a small amount into achy joints as needed. This is a 2% dilution for adults. Skip this blend if pregnant. |
Final Thoughts on Root Essential Oil Uses and Benefits
Root essential oils are extracted from the roots of plants and can be used in many ways to support your wellbeing. Ginger and vetiver are the most popular roots used for essential oils. Additional root oils include turmeric, spikenard, and angelica root.
People use root essential oils to elevate their mood, to feel grounded, and in massage blends for tired muscles and joints. They are wonderful in diffusers, inhalers and skin care blends when used safely and well diluted.
