Sauna time is the ultimate way to relax, detox, and rejuvenate. But did you know that adding essential oils to your sauna routine can elevate the experience? Here are 6 recipes that enhance your sauna aromatherapy!

Why do we recommend using a Sauna?

What started as a step towards building resistance to the winter weather here in Minnesota has now become a part of our family’s weekly routine! We unwind using our NorthUp Sauna and invite our friends over to join us on these “Sauna Sundays.” Paired with contrast therapy in our cold tub, the mental and physical benefits of this intentional time are endless!

Why Add Essential Oils for Sauna Aromatherapy?

Essential oils can enhance the physical and mental benefits of your sauna experience. Whether you’re looking to relax, energize, or detoxify, these blends add a therapeutic touch to your experience, making each session even more rewarding.

Sauna Aromatherapy

Here are the six essential oil recipes we use in our sauna– designed to enhance your sauna sessions and their amazing benefits.

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1. Breathe Easy Blend

• Ingredients:
  • 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
  • 3 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 2 drops tea tree essential oil
• Benefits: This blend clears your airways, reduces congestion, and promotes deep, refreshing breathing. Perfect for cold and flu season or simply to invigorate your respiratory system.
• How We Use It: Add the essential oils to a small bowl of water. Place the bowl near the sauna heater or sprinkle the mixture onto sauna rocks for gentle diffusion.

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2. Relaxation Blend

• Ingredients:
  • 5 drops lavender essential oil
  • 4 drops chamomile essential oil
  • 2 drops sandalwood essential oil
• Benefits: A calming blend to soothe stress, ease tension, and encourage deep relaxation. Ideal for winding down after a long day.
• How We Use It: Mix the oils in a carrier oil like almond or jojoba. Massage a small amount onto your pulse points before entering the sauna, or add the blend to a bowl of water for diffusion.

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3. Detoxifying Blend

• Ingredients:
  • 4 drops lemon essential oil
  • 3 drops grapefruit essential oil
  • 3 drops juniper berry essential oil
• Benefits: This zesty combination aids in detoxification, boosts circulation, and uplifts your mood. Great for jumpstarting your body’s natural cleansing processes.
• How We Use It: I keep a small spray bottle of this diluted blend with water and spray it lightly onto the sauna walls or rocks for a refreshing aroma.

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4. Energizing Blend

• Ingredients:
  • 4 drops rosemary essential oil
  • 4 drops orange essential oil
  • 2 drops peppermint essential oil
• Benefits: An invigorating blend to boost energy, improve focus, and leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized. Perfect for morning sauna sessions.
• How We Use It: Add the oils to a damp cloth and hang it in the sauna, or mix with water and pour over the sauna rocks for a burst of aroma.

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5. Skin Renewal Blend

• Ingredients:
  • 5 drops geranium essential oil
  • 3 drops frankincense essential oil
  • 2 drops ylang-ylang essential oil
• Benefits: This luxurious blend nourishes the skin, promotes a healthy glow, and rejuvenates your complexion. Ideal for those looking to enhance their skin-care routine.
• How We Use It: Mix the oils with a carrier oil and massage onto your skin before entering the sauna. Let the warmth help the oils penetrate deeply into your skin.

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6. Uplifting Lemongrass Blend

• Ingredients:
  • 5 drops lemongrass essential oil
  • 3 drops bergamot essential oil
  • 2 drops lavender essential oil
• Benefits: This vibrant blend energizes the mind, reduces stress, and promotes a sense of clarity. Lemongrass is particularly refreshing and helps eliminate fatigue, making it ideal for a midday sauna session.
• How We Use It: Combine the oils with water in a spray bottle and lightly mist the sauna rocks or walls for an invigorating aroma.

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Tips for Using Essential Oils in the Sauna

1. Dilute First: Essential oils are highly concentrated. Always dilute them in water or a carrier oil before use.
2. Use Moderately: A little goes a long way. Start with a few drops and adjust as needed.
3. Avoid Direct Contact: Never pour undiluted oils directly onto sauna rocks, as they can burn and produce harmful fumes.
4. Stay Hydrated: Essential oils enhance the detox process, so drink plenty of water before and after your sauna session.

What Löyly?

In Finland, sauna is so revered that specific words have developed from the practice. Pouring water over the rocks to create steam has its own. It’s called löyly (LOW-lu), and it connotes soul, spirit, and life. When we throw water on the rocks, we’re adding soul to the room. When we sauna together, we are living well together. 

Sauna Accessories We’ve Been Loving:

To truly make your sauna time an experience, I recommend adding some bells and whistles – here is what we’ve been loving!

• First, our NorthUp Sauna from Urban Wing has been a wonderful addition to our home! Plus, they are made right here in Minnesota! The clear poly and gorgeous wood structure is perfect for watching sunsets, seeing the snow pile up and stargazing!

• Hanging Bowl for Oils – This bowl is made for diffusing essential oils like in our “breath easy” blend. Pour water and your essential oils in the bowl, place above or near your heat source, and voila!

• Luffa Sponges – These are made from luffa gords we grow in our garden. We dry them out at the end of the season and they create wonderful biodegradable sponges.

• Amber Spray Bottles and Rollers for Oil Blends – We use these bottles so often! Especially for our Homemade Hair and Tonic, another essential oil recipe we use often. Plus, they fit our printable labels perfectly!

• Essential Oils – I find doTerra oils to be the highest quality

• Wool Sauna Hats – Wool hats are traditional sauna apparel that protect your scalp and hair. I stitch these up for my family and our sauna guests – click the link to buy from our store!

• Dry Brush – Stimulates blood flow and lymphatic drainage in your body before entering the sauna

• Full Body Acupressure Mat – Pressure Points release tension and improve circulation

• Heat-Resistant Blue Tooth Speaker – This heat-resistant speaker does a great job at filling our sauna and cold plunge area with music

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Which of these blends will you try first? Let us know how you incorporate essential oils into your sauna aromatherapy routine and the benefits you’ve experienced.

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