My introduction to therapeutic grade oils happened at the home of a dear friend.  We met at her house weekly with a group of homeschooled students, and every week I’d ask her what gave her home that incredible aroma. It was warm and welcoming, and smelled clean and fresh no matter how many kids and how many messes we were making in the pursuit of learning.  I wanted that for my own family, and our conversations became the gateway to learning a new style of home management that focused intention on the outcome I wanted to achieve:  a warm and welcoming space to call home that was healthy and free of toxins.

The first thing you’ll need to create an aromatic sanctuary at home is a quality diffuser.  Start with an ultrasonic diffuser that is made of medical-grade plastic.  Ultrasonic diffusers use electricity to vibrate water and distribute essential oils into the air via a fine mist.  Function is more important than form here, but there are plenty of lovely options.  My favorite diffusers are simple to fill, with only one part to remove in order to reach the well, which you will fill with water and your chosen blend of oils.  You may also want to consider the size of the room where the diffuser will be used to make sure it can cover the desired square footage effectively, though there is nothing wrong with starting small.

Next, you’ll need a selection of essential oils.  The best quality will be a therapeutic grade oil, and an introductory kit will give you options to get started.  Given that anything you diffuse in your home will affect the quality of the air that you and your family breathe, the purity of oil is a priority.  Also, the more pure the oil, the more potent it will be, and the less you will need to use to achieve the desired scent and effect.  I use dōTERRA essential oils because I feel confident that the level of testing gives assurance that what is in the bottle is only what I expect.  Investing in a good quality oil will pay off because you will use a small number of drops each time you fill your diffuser, and you’ll be introducing nothing but natural goodness into the air of your home.

Now comes the fun part:  creating your signature blend.  Feel free to experiment to find the scent combination that you like, and consider the purpose for your oils.  The chemistry of the oil will determine the scent and effect it gives, so consider citrus oils for bright, uplifting aromas, tree oils for grounding and balancing aromas.  A spice oil like Cinnamon or Cassia creates a warm and inviting space, and floral oils like Lavender calm and soothe.  I chose to build our house blend around dōTERRA’s On Guard blend because the Clove and Cinnamon aroma was exactly what I was looking for, and the cleansing properties of the combination of oils meant it would protect against environmental threats.  Unlike scented candles and air fresheners, my diffuser actually improves the quality of the air in our home because I’m not adding synthetic fragrances, smoke, and soot to the air.  The Citrus Bliss blend brings uplifting citrus scents that support focus and calm, and that one drop of Frankincense rounds out the aroma like a fine red wine.  Try our house recipe below, and play with your collection until you find the perfect blend for your home.

Bringing beautiful aromas to your home is a great place to start your journey, but there’s more!  Come back soon to learn how your introductory kit can help you to continue to create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere in your home.

Casa Velazquez House Blend

• 6 drops dōTERRA On Guard blend of Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary
• 4 drops dōTERRA Citrus Bliss blend of Wild Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Bergamot, and Tangerine
• 1 drop dōTERRA Frankincense

Add to diffuser and fill with water according to manufacturer’s instructions.  Diffuse in kitchen, living room, or great room.  Adjust for smaller spaces.