Some Essential Oils for Bathing

Top Notes -- These are the highly volatile fragrances that form the first impression of a scent. They give brightness and clarity to a blend.

Middle Notes -- These are the longer lasting fragrances that form the heart of a scent. They give warmth and richness to a blend.

Base Notes -- These are the longest lasting fragrances that form the depth of a scent. They give stability and resonance to a blend.

Basil (Ocymum basilicum) -- Sharp, spicy-herbal aroma

Benzoin (Styrax benzoin) -- Warm floral aroma

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) -- Sharp, dry-woody aroma

Camphor (White) (Cinnamomum camphora) -- Warm medicinal aroma

Cardamon Seed (Elettaria cardamomum) -- Warm spicy-herbal aroma

Cedarwood (Juniperus mexicana) -- Deep cool woody aroma

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) -- Warm sweet floral aroma

Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) -- Solemn, cool woody aroma

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) -- Refreshing medicinal aroma

Fennel (Sweet) (Foeniculum vulgare) -- Strong spicy-herbal aroma

Geranium (Peiargonium odoratissimum) -- Refreshing sweet floral aroma

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) -- Sharp spicy aroma

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) -- Sweet floral citrus aroma

Juniper (Juniperus communis) -- Refreshing woody aroma

Lavender (Lavendula officinalis) -- Refreshing floral aroma

Lemon (Citrus limonum) -- Sharp clear citrus aroma

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) -- Sharp herbal-citrus aroma

Marjoram (Thymus masticina) -- Soothing herbal aroma

Orange (Citrus aurantium) -- Sweet uplifting citrus aroma

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) -- Warm spicy aroma

Patchouli (Pogostemon patchouli) -- Sweet woody aroma

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) -- Sharp grassy-mint aroma

Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium) -- Sweet floral woody aroma

Pine (Pinus sylvestris) -- Cool woody aroma

Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) -- Warm spicy-herbal aroma

Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) -- Smooth floral-woody aroma

Sage (Salvia officinalis) -- Warm sweet-herbal aroma

Sandalwood (Santalum album) -- Deep sweet-woody aroma

Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) -- Sweet uplifting citrus aroma

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) -- Cool medicinal aroma

Thyme (White) (Thymus vulgaris) -- Spicy, warm herbal aroma

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) -- Sweet woody aroma

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) -- Sweet flora aroma

These oils are fairly inexpensive and have strong fragrances suited to bathing. The ones with a sharp aroma (Basil, Black Pepper, Ginger, Lemon, Lemongrass and Peppermint) are best used in small concentrations blended with other notes.

Where are Jasmine, Rose Otto, Bergamot, Neroli and other expensive essential oils? They are not on this list simply because of their cost. Check out the list of substitutions for other essential oils. You can make several of the aromatic blends listed on this site without spending a lot of money. Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint and Lemon make a very good starter set of basic essential oils for bathing.

Before creating your own blends, be sure to checkout the list of essential oils that are unsuitable for bathing. These essential oils are toxic or irritating to the skin.

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