Essential Oils for Work and School

There are some great scientific studies out there reporting excellent results using essential oils for all kinds of issues. In fact, more and more people are starting to use diffusers and ionizers in their day-to-day routines. This winter, we heard from a lot of people using essential oils to in their 8-5 environments, from teachers diffusing 4 Thieves in their classrooms to diffusing Sunshine Spice in the office.

Useful essential oils for work and school:

1. Cutting down on viruses, mold and mildew, infections, and bacteria:  4 Thieves, Auntie Septic, Tei Fu


2. Calming anxiety and stress: lavender, lemongrass, bergamot, rose, tangerine, frankincense, Abundant Life, Gentler Baby, Harvest, Joyful, True Valour, Sunshine Spice, Calming Peace, Anxiety Buster, Relax


3. Aiding memory, concentration, and alertness: rosemary, peppermint, lavender, cinnamon, a blend of 3 parts rosemary and 5 parts lemon


4. Helping ADHD: cedarwood, lavender, vetiver (the best one to try)


5. Boosting energy: peppermint, eucalyptus, pine, lemon


6. Keeping lice away: tea tree (a few drops in hair conditioner, once a week)

*See each oil's product page for reference to scientific studies.*

While diffusing oils in public spaces may seem like a good idea, it can have unintended consequences. Unless you know everyone’s allergies, or work in a small office closed to the public, you might not realize the unwanted effects. With more and more people with allergies and sensitivities to smells, it may be best to avoid diffusing oils in public spaces.

Suggestions for diffusing scents at work or school:

1. For offices: check with co-workers to see if they have any allergies or sensitivities before spraying or diffusing.


2. For schools: check with parents first and use a consent form.


3. Make sure the public doesn’t frequent your area.


4. Make sure the oils are pure and high quality. Are they MS and GC tested?


5. Store them in a safe place, children are curious creatures.


6. Keep it light. When diffused too strongly, an oil can end up doing the opposite of what you intended.


7. If you want to disinfect, spray desks and work areas after everyone has left. By the time they return the next day, the oils should have done their work and the scent should be gone.

Safer/less obtrusive ways to use essential oils:

• personal inhalers: to breathe in, usually through the nose, most discreet


• personal rollerballs: to roll on temples or other affected areas


• body bars or rubs: to rub on hands, feet, etc.


• mixed in a spray bottle: for your hands and desk (like our 4 thieves spray)

While these methods are much less apparent than diffusing essential oils into the air at your office or school, there is a chance they still might bother people. Please, just remember to be considerate of others in your environment!