A Fragrant, Calming Aromatherapy Mist for a New Mama

If you’re going to make one gift for that friend who just welcomed her new bundle of joy into the world, make it this one. This aromatherapy spray is incredibly effective, and it is a snap to make — perfect for those who are just beginning their introduction to herbalism, or who have never made a thing! This is a fragrant mist for home spaces and linens, made with traditional scents of peacefulness and calm.

The use of fragrant oils for ceremony and healing can be traced back to ancient cultures, and in fact, the use of fragrance to enhance mood was included in Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides’s De Materia Medica — the five-volume herbalist encyclopedia used for over 1,500 years.

At its core, aromatherapy today is the art of distilling fresh plant matter into essential oils which can be combined to create blends that affect one’s mood. Aromatherapy is even used in some labor and delivery situations to calm and relax, so why not bring it into the home as well?

The essential oils in this aromatherapy spray are blended to create a tranquil environment any time of day or night. Roman chamomile essential oil creates an almost-sweet apple-like scent and is known for its tranquil effect. Clary sage essential oil brings out some of the sweetness of chamomile when paired and contributes its own warming, softly floral scent. Clary sage also, traditionally, helps to relieve tension and bring clarity — hence the name. Lavender is deeply softening and soothing and is known to help with sleep troubles. Cedarwood essential oil centers the mind and reduces anxiety — helpful for both baby and mama.

This blend of deeply soothing herbs can be used before bedtime to create a calming aroma in the bathroom or nursery, or as a gentle spritz when baby is feeling cranky. Simply spray cribs or baby linens, or lightly mist baby’s clothing to infuse the soothing aroma into the baby’s environment.

However, go very easy on this in the beginning; discontinue linen use at the slightest sign of allergic irritation to tender skin and use as a general home spray instead if you want to be on the safe side.

This is also a recipe that is great for pretty packaging. Consider personalizing the container so that your best new mama has something beautiful to cherish. Vintage glass bottles or perfume atomizers work wonders for elevating this simple recipe into a fanciful, elegant gift for the woman who has just become very familiar with all the different kinds of things that can come out of the human body — perhaps not all of them as pleasing of a fragrance.

The cheapest and easiest source for most of these herbal ingredients is often your natural health-food store, where you can usually buy these specialty herbal ingredients in bulk. Buy just what you need (not a whole bag) for less.

If you don’t have a good natural foods store close by, we like to search for dried herbs at Mountain Rose Herbs, Penzey’s, and Amazon.

Makes 8 ounces aromatherapy mist

Ingredients
8 ounces distilled water
10 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
10 drops clary sage essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops cedarwood essential oil

8-ounce spray bottle, mister, or atomizer

1. Fill the mister: Fill your mister with 8 ounces distilled water. This will make sure that your spray is clean and free from any potential microbes.
2. Add the oils: Add the essential oils to the water and shake vigorously.
3. Test the fragrance: Spritz the blend into air to test for the strength of the fragrance. If the blend isn’t strong enough, add more of each essential oil in proportion, or change up the recipe to include a bit more of one fragrance.

• Be careful not to add too much cedar to the mix. At smaller doses, cedar is entirely calming, but in larger proportions, cedar can have a brightening, awakening effect, so use in moderation when changing proportions
• Make sure to avoid close or direct contact with silk and some wool materials, as some essential oils can stain. Otherwise, spritz with abandon!

DIY Mama is a month to celebrate the DIY mamas everywhere, and offer them and their babies small homemade luxuries for bath, body, beauty, and fun mealtimes together. Want a little luxury for yourself (or a new mama you know) in your inbox every day? Sign up below!