How to Use Essential Oils in Ayurvedic Rituals for Mind-Body Healing

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of holistic healing, teaches that true wellness arises from harmony within our bodies, our minds, and the natural world. One of its most beautifully subtle tools for healing is scent.

Through essential oils, Ayurveda offers a pathway to restore balance, invite calm, and awaken vitality.

How to Use Essential Oils in Ayurvedic Rituals for Mind-Body Healing

At Simmer & Stir, we celebrate slow living through the use of seasonal botanicals and mindful rituals. In this guide, you’ll discover how to use Ayurvedic essential oils to elevate your daily rituals, nurture emotional wellbeing, and restore balance between your body, mind, and environment.

The Ayurvedic View of Scent and Energy

In Ayurveda, our sense of smell is deeply connected to "prana"—the vital life force that flows through all living beings. Scent is not merely sensory; it’s a tool for shifting energy, calming the mind, and supporting digestion, sleep, and emotional clarity.

Practices like Nasya (nasal oil application) and aromatic therapies have been used for centuries to open energetic pathways and balance the subtle body. These ancient principles now form the foundation of Ayurvedic aromatherapy.

Understanding the Doshas and Scent Preferences

Ayurveda classifies individuals into three primary doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

These are mind-body energy types that govern physical and mental characteristics.

• Vata (Air + Ether): creative, light, quick, often cold and dry

• Pitta (Fire + Water): focused, intense, warm, sometimes irritable

• Kapha (Earth + Water): grounded, calm, heavy, but prone to stagnation

Each dosha responds differently to specific scents:

• Vata benefits from warm, grounding aromas like lavender, frankincense, and patchouli.

• Pitta thrives on cooling, calming oils like rose, sandalwood, and vetiver.

• Kapha responds best to stimulating oils such as eucalyptus, clove, and ginger.

Understanding the Doshas and Scent Preferences: Vata, Pitta and Kapha

Choosing the Right Essential Oils for Balance

Your chosen essential oils should complement your current dosha state.

• Vata-balancing oils: lavender, frankincense, myrrh, patchouli

• Pitta-balancing oils: rose, sandalwood, vetiver, mint

• Kapha-balancing oils: eucalyptus, clove, ginger, camphor

You don’t need to know your exact dosha to begin. Tune in to how you feel, and match oils to your emotional and energetic needs.

How to Incorporate Oils into Ayurvedic Rituals

Here are four easy ways to use essential oils in your daily routines:

1. Abhyanga (Self-Massage): Warm your dosha-specific oil and massage it into the body for grounding and nourishment.

2. Diffusion: Add a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser to scent your space with intention.

3. Nasya: Apply a drop of warm oil to the base of the nostrils to awaken prana and calm the mind.

4. Temple Anointing: Rub a diluted oil blend onto pulse points or temples for emotional balance throughout the day.

Morning Rituals with Essential Oils

Start your day with scents that invigorate and focus your mind.

• Lemon, tulsi (also known as holy basil), and rosemary awaken the senses and promote mental clarity.

• Use essential oils during pranayama (breathwork) or light movement for amplified energy.

• Begin your journaling or meditation with a deep inhale of your chosen oil to set intention.

Evening Rituals with Essential Oils

Wind down with rituals that soothe and relax.

• Chamomile, sandalwood, and myrrh are ideal for calming the nervous system.

• Add essential oils to warm baths with Epsom salts to deepen relaxation.

• Use scents during evening meditation, yin yoga, or tea rituals to transition into rest.

Scenting Simmer Pots the Ayurvedic Way

Simmer pots are a beautiful way to align your home atmosphere with Ayurvedic principles.

• Add herbs and oils based on your dosha or the current season.

• Examples: ginger and orange peel for Kapha, rose petals for Pitta, lavender and fennel for Vata.

• Simmer gently on the stove and let your space be filled with a therapeutic, intentional aroma.

Emotional Healing and Scent

Scent directly affects the limbic system, the part of the brain that handles emotion.

Ayurveda teaches that emotions can be released and rebalanced through olfactory healing.

• For grief and anxiety: use neroli, frankincense, and lavender.

• For anger or frustration: try rose, ylang-ylang, or sandalwood.

• For sadness or fatigue: orange, basil, and eucalyptus are uplifting choices.

Creating Your Dosha-Based Oil Blends: 

Personalised blends can make your rituals even more powerful.

• Vata blend: sesame oil + lavender + patchouli + fennel

• Pitta blend: coconut oil + rose + vetiver + sandalwood

• Kapha blend: almond oil + eucalyptus + clove + lemon

Use 12 drops of essential oil per 30ml carrier oil (approx. 2% dilution). Adjust based on usage and sensitivity.

Safety and Sustainability Tips

• Always dilute essential oils before applying to skin.

• Perform a patch test when trying new oils.

• Choose oils that are organic, ethically sourced, and sustainable, in alignment with Ayurvedic and Simmer & Stir values.

Ayurveda & Simmer and Stir Synergy

At Simmer & Stir, we believe in seasonal, mindful rituals that connect us with nature and self. This beautifully mirrors Ayurvedic philosophy. Whether it’s a simmer pot, herbal tea, or scent ritual, each act becomes a portal to deeper balance and calm.

Watch for upcoming seasonal guides and simmer pot kits infused with Ayurvedic herbs and essential oils.

Final Thoughts

Ayurvedic essential oils invite us into a deeper, more intentional relationship with ourselves. Whether you're diffusing rose oil during meditation or massaging ginger oil on a cold winter morning, each ritual becomes a form of healing.

Let scent guide you toward presence, peace, and vibrant health.

How to Use Essential Oils in Ayurvedic Rituals FAQs

1. Can I use multiple oils for different doshas? Yes. Many people are a combination of doshas. You can blend oils or rotate them based on how you feel or the demands of the season.

2. Are Ayurvedic essential oils safe during pregnancy? Some are, but always consult a qualified practitioner. Avoid clary sage, rosemary, and high-intensity oils during pregnancy.

3. What’s the difference between essential oils and carrier oils? Essential oils are potent plant extracts. Carrier oils, such as sesame or almond, dilute them safely for skin use.

4. How often should I do an Ayurvedic scent ritual? Daily is ideal—even a few minutes of oil application or inhalation can have grounding effects.

5. Can I use Ayurvedic oils for children? Yes, but use gentler oils (like lavender or chamomile) in much lower doses. Always patch test and research age-specific guidelines to ensure safety.