DIY Ideas for Educators Using Essential Oils

By Marisa Lampert

Many educators using essential oils are looking for easy DIY ideas that they can use in the classroom. Even though we’re focusing on educators, many of our other customers will appreciate the practical DIY recipes we’re sharing this month to promote health and wellness.

Throughout the month, we’ve really appreciated the feedback we’ve received from teachers who use essential oils. One teacher shared how he likes to use essential oils to help students stay calm, focused and productive. Diffusion is one of the easiest and safest ways to introduce essential oils into the classroom, so we provided you with Calm & Focus Diffuser Blend recipes below that you can try.

Teachers are exposed to a lot of cold and flu viruses throughout the school year so many educators are using essential oils as natural disinfectants. Take a look at Clean Classroom Spray below for ideas on how to keep the classroom clean.

Educators can also personally benefit from essential oils during the day. Aromatherapy inhalers are ideal for a personal aromatherapy break to de-stress, energize, calm, or enhance mood. Take a look at Unwind and Destress Inhaler Blend for ways to use your inhaler when you need to recharge.

Calm & Focus Diffuser Blend
1 drop Fennel
3 drops Mandarin
2 drops Frankincense
=OR 5 drops Be Calm or Concentrate Blends

Add essential oils to your diffuser according to the directions, and diffuse for 20-30 minutes before students enter the classroom. Turn off during class. You can also run for 5-10 minutes during breaks. If you don’t have a diffuser, add essential oil drops to a tissue or cotton ball and place around the room or in the grill of a fan, up to an hour before students enter the room. Collect tissues or cotton balls before class starts, and keep in a sandwich bag or lidded jar between use.

Clean Classroom Spray
5 drops Thyme
2 drops Lavender
3 drops Lemon
OR 10 drops either Antiseptic or Protection blends

Add essential oils to 4 ounces of water, shake well, and use to spray surfaces that need disinfecting at the end of the day. Shake and spritz a diluted solution of essential oil blend and water directly onto surfaces that are touched often, like door knobs, lockers, or desk tops, then wipe clean with a paper towel.

Unwind and Destress Inhaler Blend
2 parts Bergamot
1 part Lemongrass
1 part Petitgrain
OR Mood Rescue, Nerve Calm, or Stress Relief

Add essential oils to your inhaler, or add a few drops of each to a tissue to keep in your pocket. Whenever you need a pick-me-up, hold the inhaler or tissue under your nose, and take a deep breath, pause, then exhale slowly.

Educators using essential oils need to carefully consider the age group of students, as well as checking for allergies or other medical conditions that may make students more susceptible to contraindications. Many essential oils are not safe to use with children 5 and under. If you have specific questions or want case-by-case recommendations, be sure to contact us for more detail.

If you’re new to aromatherapy, or if you’re looking for more DIY recipes, be sure to download a free copy of Listen to Your Nose: An Introduction to Aromatherapy. Knowing these basics will give you the confidence to get started. And visit us on Facebook to let us know which DIY recipes are your favorites, we love hearing from you!