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DIY Homemade Essential Oils: 5 Easy Recipes for Health & Wellness

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How to Make Essential Oils at Home: 5 Easy DIY Recipes Without a Distiller

Are you into natural remedies from herbs and crave a hands-on way to boost your wellness routine? Discover how to make essential oils at home using simple herbal oil infusions—no fancy equipment required. These homemade essential oils are perfect for beginners and make thoughtful gifts or a budget-friendly start to small-batch selling.

Why Make Your Own Essential Oils?

  • 100% natural and chemical-free
  • Saves money and reduces waste
  • Great for gifting or boutique-style DIY sales
  •  Supports your health with personalized, plant-powered remedies

 

A pastel-toned Pinterest graphic with soft, cozy textures and text overlay that reads “Essential Oils You Can Make at Home.” The design evokes a calming, natural vibe perfect for a wellness blog or herbal remedy guide.

1. Rosemary Oil – Your Herbal Remedy for Head & Heart

Craving a soothing scent that does more than smell divine? Rosemary oil has been cherished since ancient times as a multitasker for body and mind. It may help ease colds, sharpen memory, support circulation, and calm everyday stress—making it a must-have in your herbal oil toolkit.

DIY Directions:

  1. Gently wash and thoroughly dry fresh rosemary sprigs (no moisture—this matters for shelf life).
  2. Pack them snugly into a clean glass jar and cover completely with olive oil.
  3. Seal the jar tightly and place it in a sunny windowsill for about 4 weeks, giving it a gentle shake daily.
  4. Once infused, strain out the rosemary and transfer the fragrant oil into a sterilized glass bottle.
Tip: Want a more intense infusion? Warm the oil gently before bottling, or add a few dried rosemary needles for a stronger scent.

 2. Eucalyptus Oil – Breathe Easy with This Refreshing Herbal Infusion

Need a little reset in your routine? Eucalyptus oil is like nature’s breath of fresh air. Known for its crisp scent and potent benefits, this DIY version supports immune function, soothes pain, freshens breath, and turns your space into a spa-like escape with its calming aroma.

DIY Directions:

  1. Place 2 oz of fresh eucalyptus leaves into a small saucepan.
  2. Add 8 cups of olive oil, ensuring the leaves are fully submerged.
  3. Heat on the lowest setting for 6 hours—keeping it just warm, not sizzling.
  4. Strain the mixture using cheesecloth or a fine mesh, then pour the infused oil into a clean, dark glass bottle.
Tip: This oil is excellent as a chest rub, foot soak, or diluted in a diffuser for a refreshing, spa-like aroma at home.

3. Lavender Oil – Sweet Dreams & Soft Skin, Bottled

Need a dose of calm in your day? Lavender oil is like a deep exhale in herbal form—beloved for promoting restful sleep, relieving PMS, soothing skin irritations, and easing motion sickness. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or chasing away bug bites, this floral-infused oil is a gentle yet powerful addition to your DIY apothecary.

DIY Directions:

  1. Air-dry your lavender sprigs completely, then gently crush them to release their natural oils.
  2. Layer them into a clean glass jar and cover with olive oil or almond oil—your choice!
  3. Infuse in full sun for 48 hours (or up to 6 weeks for stronger potency), or use gentle heat for 5 hours if you’re short on time.
  4. Strain through a fine mesh or cheesecloth and pour the finished oil into a sterilized bottle.
Tip: Add a few dried lavender buds to your final bottle for visual appeal—and a subtle boost in scent over time.

4. Lemon Oil – Sunshine in a Bottle for Skin, Hair & Home

Need a bright boost in your day? Lemon oil is your go-to infusion for an instant mood lift and a natural powerhouse for skin care, hair shine, and even DIY cleaning. With its tangy fragrance and detoxifying qualities, this golden oil delivers more than just good vibes—it’s a multitasking marvel for everyday wellness.

DIY Directions:

  1. Peel fresh lemons (organic is best!) and fill a clean glass jar with the peels.
  2. Cover completely with coconut oil, pressing gently to submerge.
  3. Seal the jar and place it in a sunny spot for 2 weeks, giving it a gentle shake each day.
  4. Strain well and pour into a sealed, sterilized bottle for storage.
Tip: Use this oil as a cuticle softener, hair serum, or add to a vinegar-and-baking-soda scrub for a natural citrus surface cleaner.

5. Peppermint Oil – Cool Relief for Body, Belly & Breath

Craving something crisp and cooling? Peppermint oil is the ultimate pick-me-up: it calms nausea, eases sore muscles, aids digestion, and freshens breath—all while delivering that signature tingle your senses will love. This oil is a refresh in every drop, and making it at home is easier than you think.

DIY Directions:

  1. Rinse fresh peppermint leaves and gently crush them to release their oils.
  2. Layer the leaves into a clean glass jar and cover fully with olive oil.
  3. Let it infuse for 24 hours, then strain out the leaves.
  4. Add a fresh batch of crushed leaves to the same oil and repeat this process daily for 5 days total.
  5. On the final day, strain thoroughly and pour the finished oil into a dark glass bottle.
Tip: Store it in the fridge for an extra-refreshing massage oil or add a few drops to a foot soak after a long day.

Conclusion

Creating your own essential oils is fulfilling, affordable, and makes wonderful homemade gifts—or even a small business with proper extraction equipment and airtight glass seals.

Note: Never ingest essential oils casually—they can irritate or harm internal organs. Use only under professional guidance.

Tips & FAQs

  • Tip: Use dark glass and store oils in cool, dark place.
  • FAQ: Can I ingest these? No—topical or aroma use only unless health‑professional approved.
  • FAQ: How long do oils last? Typically 6–12 months in proper storage.

 

About Julee Morrison

Julee Morrison is an author and writer with over 35 years of experience in parenting and family recipes. She’s the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook.Available on Amazon,

Her work has appeared in The LA Times, Disney’s Family Fun Magazine, Bon Appétit, Weight Watchers Magazine, All You, Scholastic Parent & Child, and more.

Her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" appeared on AP News, and her parenting piece “The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit” was featured on PopSugar.

Outside of writing, Julee enjoys baking, reading, collecting crystals, and spending time with her family. You can find more of her work at Mommy’s Memorandum.