Cooling essential oils
In this summer heat let’s look at our top cooling essential oils and hydrolats. Obviously, you can use cooling essential oils anytime you feel hot and flustered – not just in the heatwave.
Perhaps you want to create a cooling spray for hot flushes. Maybe you have a lot of heat in your body and you want to find cooling essential oils for Pitta Dosha (connected to the fire element in Ayurveda).
Let’s get started…
Which essential oils are cooling?
The main cooling oil is probably peppermint. In fact, most mint oils will create a cooling effect. This includes spearmint which has a slightly sweeter aroma.
The cooling qualities come from the naturally occurring content of menthol in the essential oil. In eucalyptus essential oil the content of eucalpytol acts in the same way: triggering the mind to think that it is cooler than it really is.
The aroma of both peppermint, spearmint and eucalyptus essential oils are all very refreshing, and it makes you feel clear headed. Used topically peppermint essential oil can calm and cool down inflammation, which is heat, by constricting the capillaries.
However, these oils can be skin irritants. Always use in low percentage dilutions (maybe 1%). You can use the essential oils in a diffuser simply inhaling the fresh clean aroma which may make you feel lighter, calmer and cooler. But you can also use them topically in a lotion, massage oil or spray.
How to make a cooling spray?
To be honest, the safest, gentlest yet effective way to create a cooling spray with essential oils it to use a byproduct of making essential oils. We usually steam distil the plants that make our oils and the water from the steam is collected. This is called a hydrolat. Sadly these are not so easy to find. Some sell flower water, aromatic water which isn’t actually the hydrolat so be really aware if you purchase a hydrolat.
Once the water from the steam has penetrated and distilled the plant material it still carries some of the properties of the plant. But in a much much gentler variation. It is also worth noting that the aroma is different. Not always as expected!
I like using peppermint or spearmint hydrolats. Another super soothing and calming hydrolat is rose. You can use them as they are or add a couple of drops of essential oils in (use the recipes below).
Use a soft mist a good distance away from the skin if you use essential oils. This is because the essential oils might not disperse well in the hydrolat. If you are using a hydrolat on its own you can apply it directly on the skin. Either as a spray or compress.
Creating your own cooling essential oil spray
Creating your unique cooling spray is actually quite simple. You might not be able to get hold of a hydrolat but you can use water, or witch hazel.
Although most essential oils have antibacterial and some antimicrobial or antifungal properties it is always best to use some kind of preservative when you use water (or other ingredients) for your products.
Essential oils don’t mix with water so some kind of solubilising agent is also necessary. High strength alcohol can be used as both.
Use 1/4 alcohol and 3/4 of water/hydrolat/witch hazel. And then add the 1-3% essential oils.
Start with less. You can always add more. Go with 1% to start with as you are using this on the skin. The best way to measure is in weight as different essential oils don’t have the same weight. But that can be challenging. So I generally measure with drops.
Essential oil spray recipe
- For a 100ml spray bottle fill it with 25ml alcohol. Then add your essential oils.
- Add 30 drops of essential oils for a 1% dilution or 60 drops for a 2% dilution
- Let the mixture stand one hour so to mix with the alcohol
- Fill the bottle with water, witch hazel or your chosen hydrolat
- Give the bottle a good shake and store it in a cool place.
Creating an essential oil mix
You can simply use your peppermint essential oil (or spearmint or eucalyptus or mix those three together) on its own but the fun part is to be creative. In my Essential Oil Introduction online course, we talk more in detail about the various essential oils and how we can use them. Go here to check it if you are curious to learn more.
These are examples for a 1% dilution but you can double them up if you want a higher proportion.
Refresh
- Peppermint 15
- Lemon 9 (super refreshing, clean and light)
- Lavender 6 (calming for the skin and the mind)
Calm
- Peppermint 17
- Roman Chamomile 5 (anti-inflammatory and calming for the skin)
- Bergamot 8 (light and refreshing for the mind)
Soothe
- Peppermint 14
- Rose 10 (calms and soothes the skin, balancing)
- Lavender 6 (calming for the skin and the mind)
Create a fine mist and spray a distance away from the skin. Or spray and walk into the aromatic mist. You can also use it to cool down specific areas such as the feet.
Enjoy experimenting and the refreshing aromatherapy blends.
Please note citrus oils can be photosensitive but are thought to be safe in small dilutions like these. Always make a patch test as we can all react or even be allergic to any essential oil. Alcohol is used as a preservative and solubilising agent for best results use 75% (150 proof). If you just have some vodka or similar you can use that but note that it won’t mix or preserve as well so remember to shake the bottle before use and store in cool place. The fridge is obviously perfect for a cooling spray.
Learn more about essential oils in the essential oil online introduction course. You will learn:
- a brief introduction to what essential oils actually are
- how to use them safely and understand contraindications
- the art of blending and mixing oils
- explore the most common essential oils and their benefits
- a module on Essential Oils for… different conditions and topics
- how to create with essential oils
- get my recommendations for further reading and other essential resources
Resources:
I get my essential oils from Neal’s Yard Remedies which is a British company selling organic, natural, vegetarian and cruelty-free essential oils and skincare. I am a consultant for NYR and you can have a look at my webshop here. Or if you are curious about the company and perhaps becoming an independent consultant yourself or use the products in your therapies please read more about it here.
Hydrolats and a vast range of essential oils are available from Oshadhi.
References:
Comments