Wiccan oils and essential oils seem like something that must be purchased, and, as anyone who has bought any knows, they tend to be very expensive. I’d guess they are the most expensive part of Wicca.
But fear not. I’m continuing the DIY Wicca series. Oils don’t have to be complicated to be effective. Here are my favorite essential oil recipes.
Introduction
Making your own essential oils is a fun and easy way to get the most out of your Wiccan practice.
There are a variety of essential oils that can be used for various purposes, such as healing, cleansing, and protecting. By making your own essential oils, you can select the ingredients that are most important to you and customize your oil blend accordingly.
Making your own essential oils is also a great way to save money. Most of the ingredients needed to make essential oils are very affordable, and a little goes a long way.
This is another advertisement for the importance of a Wiccan garden. Almost every standard essential oil can be grown at home for at least part of the year (I even have a lime tree that I grow inside in Connecticut!).
What Is a Wiccan Essential Oil?
Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile plant extracts that capture the essence of a plant’s fragrance and beneficial properties.
Despite their name, these substances aren’t oils in the traditional sense, as they don’t contain fatty acids. Instead, they’re complex mixtures of various organic compounds, primarily terpenes and their oxygenated derivatives.
Key characteristics of essential oils include:
- Extraction: True essential oils are typically extracted through steam distillation, cold pressing, or solvent extraction. The method used depends on the plant material and the desired end product.
- Concentration: Essential oils are incredibly potent. A single drop can be equivalent to multiple teaspoons of the dried herb.
- Volatility: These oils evaporate quickly when exposed to air, which is why they’re often used in aromatherapy.
- Chemical Composition: Each essential oil contains hundreds of different chemical compounds, which contribute to its unique scent and properties.
- Purity: High-quality essential oils should be 100% pure, without any additives or synthetic fragrances.
It’s important to note that the method we’re describing in this article for making essential oils at home doesn’t produce true essential oils.
Instead, it creates infused oils, which are carrier oils that have absorbed some of the plant’s properties and scent. While not as concentrated as essential oils, these infused oils still carry many beneficial properties and can be effectively used in magical practices.
Infused oils offer several advantages for Wiccan practitioners:
- They’re easier and safer to make at home
- They’re generally gentler on the skin
- They allow for more creativity in blending scents and energies
- They’re more cost-effective
When using these homemade infused oils in your practice, remember that their scent and magical properties may be subtler than commercial essential oils, but they carry the unique energy of your intention and the connection to the plants you’ve personally worked with.
How to Make Wiccan Essential Oils
Here is a complete breakdown of the basic method I use to make my own essential oils.
- Gather your plant material:
- Choose fresh, clean ingredients free from pesticides or chemicals.
- If using herbs or flowers, harvest them on a sunny day after the morning dew has evaporated.
- For citrus peels, wash the fruit thoroughly and remove any remaining fruit flesh.
- Prepare the plant material:
- Chop herbs, flowers, and peels into small pieces (about 1/4 inch) to increase surface area.
- For leaves and petals, gently bruise them to release their oils.
- Make sure to do this on a surface that collects these liquids to pour into the container (otherwise, do it directly in the container).
- Choose your container:
- Use a clean, dry glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Sterilize the jar by washing it in hot, soapy water and drying thoroughly.
- Fill the jar:
- Place your prepared plant material in the jar.
- Don’t pack it too tightly; allow room for the liquid to circulate.
- Add a neutral base:
- Choose a high-quality, neutral-scented liquid like distilled water.
- Pour it over the plant material, ensuring it’s completely covered.
- This step may be unnecessary if your plant material releases a lot of liquid.
- Seal and label:
- Close the jar tightly and label it with the contents and date.
- Infuse the oil:
- Place the jar in a warm, sunny spot like a windowsill.
- Shake the jar gently once a day to mix the contents.
- Allow the oil to infuse for 2-4 weeks, depending on the strength desired.
- Strain the oil:
- Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and place it over a clean bowl.
- Pour the oil through the strainer, allowing it to drain naturally.
- Gently press the plant material to extract any remaining oil.
- Store the infused oil:
- Transfer the strained oil to a clean, dark glass bottle.
- Label with the contents and date.
- Store in a cool, dark place.
- Magical enhancement:
- During the infusion process, hold the jar daily and focus your intentions into the oil.
- On the full moon, place the jar outside to absorb lunar energy.
- Get creative! The great thing about making your own essential oils is that you can modify this step however you like.
Remember, these homemade infused oils have a shorter shelf life than commercial essential oils. Use within 3-6 months for best results. If you notice any change in color, smell, or consistency, discard the oil.
The strength will depend on how much you dilute and/or let the water evaporate off. You can make anything from very mild to extremely strong scents.
Essential Oil Examples and Their Magickal Properties
Not every plant makes a great essential oil with this method. Here are some of the ones that have worked out particularly well for me and their uses in Wicca.
Citrus Peels
- Orange: joy, creativity, abundance
- Lemon: purification, clarity, focus
- Grapefruit: cleansing, weight loss, positivity
- Lime: healing, protection, love
Herbs
Crushing the stems along with the leaves releases the most potent fragrances.
- Rosemary: protection, memory enhancement, purification
- Thyme: courage, purification, healing
- Mint: prosperity, mental agility, travel protection
- Basil: love, wealth, protection against negativity
- Sage: wisdom, longevity, granting wishes
- Lavender: peace, relaxation, love
- Chamomile: soothing, meditation, prosperity
Flowers
- Rose: love, beauty, psychic powers, healing
- Jasmine: love, money, prophetic dreams
- Calendula: protection, legal matters, psychic powers
- Hibiscus: love, passion, divination
Spices
Dried spices from the store can be used, but they are much weaker end products than using the fresh plant.
- Ginger: love, success, power, money
- Cinnamon: spirituality, success, healing, power
- Clove: protection, banishing negative energy, money
- Nutmeg: luck, money, health, fidelity
Roots and Rhizomes
- Ginger root: power, success, love
- Turmeric: purification, protection, prosperity
- Galangal: protection, psychic powers, lust
Tree Parts
- Pine needles: cleansing, purification, money
- Cedar leaves: healing, purification, money
- Eucalyptus leaves: healing, protection, purification
Kitchen Scraps
- Onion skins: protection, banishing negativity
- Garlic skins: protection, healing, strength
- Apple peels: love, healing, garden magic
Other Plants
- Dandelion: divination, wishes, calling spirits
- Nettle: protection, healing, lust
- Lemongrass: purification, psychic powers, lust
Exotic Additions (if available)
- Vanilla bean: love, lust, mental powers
- Star anise: psychic powers, luck, joy
- Cardamom pods: lust, love, legal matters
When choosing ingredients, consider combining complementary scents and magical properties. For example, a love-drawing oil might combine rose petals, jasmine flowers, and cinnamon bark. A money-attracting blend could include mint leaves, basil, and citrus peels.
Remember to ethically source your ingredients. Whenever possible, grow your own herbs and flowers or forage responsibly. For kitchen scraps, save peels and stems from organic produce to ensure they’re free from harmful chemicals.
As you work with these ingredients, attune yourself to their energies. Hold each one in your hands, feel its texture, inhale its scent, and visualize its magical properties infusing into your oil. This mindful practice will enhance the potency of your homemade magical oils.
How to Use Wiccan Essential Oils
Now that you know how to make your own Wiccan essential oils, let’s talk about how to use them. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Essential oils can be used as aromatherapy. Just add a few drops to a diffuser, and you can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy all day long.
2. Essential oils can also be used in massage therapy. Adding essential oils to your massage oil can help to relax your muscles and improve your overall circulation.
3. You can also add essential oils to your bath water. This is a great way to relax after a long day.
4. Essential oils can also be used in cooking. Add a few drops of oil to your food to enhance the flavor and add some extra nutrients.
Tips for Using Wiccan Essential Oils
Here are a few tips for using your Wiccan essential oils.
Dilution is Key
Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying to skin. This reduces the risk of skin irritation and sensitization.
- Recommended dilution ratios:
1% dilution (6 drops per ounce of carrier oil) for daily use
2-3% dilution (12-18 drops per ounce) for specific therapeutic applications
5% dilution (30 drops per ounce) for short-term use in healthy adults - Common carrier oils: sweet almond, jojoba, coconut, and grapeseed
- Patch test: Apply a small amount of diluted oil to the inner arm and wait 24 hours to check for reactions
Caution with Children and Pets
Essential oils can be potent and potentially harmful to children and animals if misused.
- For children:
Use only gentle oils like lavender or chamomile
Further dilute oils (0.5-1% dilution)
Avoid use on infants under 3 months - For pets:
Many oils are toxic to cats (e.g., tea tree, citrus oils)
Dogs sensitive to certain oils (e.g., cinnamon, peppermint)
Consult a veterinarian before use - Keep oils out of reach of children and pets
- Never leave diffusers unattended around children or pets
Research Safety Precautions
Each essential oil has unique properties and potential risks.
- Learn about:
Phototoxicity (e.g., citrus oils can cause burns when exposed to sunlight)
Potential drug interactions
Contraindications for certain health conditions (e.g., pregnancy, epilepsy) - Use reputable sources for information (aromatherapy books, certified aromatherapists)
- Start with small amounts to test for individual sensitivities
Proper Storage
Correct storage ensures the longevity and efficacy of your oils.
- Store in dark glass bottles (amber or cobalt)
- Keep in a cool place (ideal temperature 35-38°F or 2-3°C)
- Avoid bathroom storage due to temperature fluctuations
- Label bottles with purchase date (most oils last 1-2 years)
- Keep lids tightly closed to prevent oxidation
Ventilation
Proper air circulation is crucial when using essential oils.
- Open windows when diffusing oils
- Limit diffusion time to 30-60 minutes, then take a break
- Be mindful of others’ sensitivities in shared spaces
- Avoid using oils in confined spaces like cars
- If you experience headaches or nausea, stop use and ventilate the area
Additional Tips
- Never ingest essential oils unless under the guidance of a qualified professional
- Avoid using oils near eyes, inside ears, or on sensitive areas
- When blending oils, start with small quantities to perfect your recipe
- Keep a journal to track your experiences with different oils and blends
Remember, while essential oils can be powerful tools in your magical practice, they must be used responsibly. When in doubt, consult with a certified aromatherapist or herbalist for personalized advice.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make your own Wiccan essential oils, you can enjoy all of the magical benefits that come with them! Not only will you get to customize your oils to perfectly suit your needs, but you’ll also get to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what’s in them.
By making your own essential oils, you’re not only saving money and reducing waste, but you’re also deepening your connection to the natural world and infusing your magical practice with personal energy. Blessed be!
You may also like DIY Wicca: Make Incense From Kitchen Scraps.
References
- Cunningham, Scott. “Magical Aromatherapy: The Power of Scent.” Llewellyn Publications, 1989.
- Beyerl, Paul. “The Master Book of Herbalism.” Phoenix Publishing, 1984.
- Tisserand, Robert, and Rodney Young. “Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals.” 2nd ed., Churchill Livingstone, 2013.
- Worwood, Valerie Ann. “The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy.” New World Library, 2016.
- Lawless, Julia. “The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health, and Well Being.” Conari Press, 2013.