Essential Oils
Ancient Indian Ayurveda medicine helped us discover marma points, which are used in many eastern sciences including accupuncture. Essential oil massage can also be invaluable to remove blockages.
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As always, only use this material as a guide for your discussions with your doctor.
Essential Oils
For thousands of years, humans have turned to aromatic plant oils to calm the body and soothe the soul. [1] Across cultures, essential oils have been used not only for healing, but for focus, ritual, and presence. In the yogic tradition, some practitioners find that scent can serve as a bridge—helping them yoke the mind, anchor breath, and deepen concentration.
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There are many ways to work with essential oils. Some yogis place a few diluted drops on the wrist or temples, using a carrier oil such as almond, jojoba, or coconut as the base. Others prefer diffusers, which release scent gradually into a room. In Ayurveda, oils are also commonly added to baths or applied during massage, allowing both the skin and nervous system to absorb their benefits (96). A small amount goes a long way—high-quality oils are potent, and often just a few drops are needed.
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​Ashtanga yoga teacher David Swenson, who teaches in both Austin and Maui, sometimes sprays essential oils lightly into the air before practice. As someone who sweats heavily, I find the aroma refreshing—almost like a reset button for the senses. Of course, teachers should be mindful of students with sensitivities or allergies, but when used with care, scent can be a quiet but powerful companion in practice.
​When choosing oils, quality matters. Cold-pressed oils retain more of the plant’s original chemical properties than hot-pressed oils, which are exposed to high heat and oxidation during processing. [1] Cold-pressed options are typically more expensive—sometimes several times the cost—but the difference in potency and purity is often noticeable. You might want to try both types and see how your body responds.
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That said, the essential oil market is riddled with hype and misinformation. Some brands are sold through multilevel marketing schemes, and not all oils labeled “pure” or “therapeutic grade” are held to consistent standards. Personally, I’ve had good luck with 365-brand oils from Whole Foods and some highly rated options on Amazon, though I’ve also found the online reviews to be inconsistent. Trust your body more than the star count.
[1] For over 5,000 years, oils have been used in aromatherapy to heal and provide comfort. The Egyptians used essential oils to help minimize the effects of the Black Plague (95). Different types of wood, such as olive branches, have been burned for their scent since the ancient the Greeks.
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[1] Oxidation occurs when a molecule, atom, or ion loses electrons, leading to a chemical reaction.
Essential oils do more than smell nice—they can help unlock buried tension.
I once experienced this firsthand during a massage, when a therapist applied lavender oil before working deeply into my right shoulder. Midway through the session, something deep inside me cracked open. My upper shoulder convulsed briefly. I began to cry. In that moment, a long-forgotten memory resurfaced: being thrown down by an older neighborhood kid when I was seven. I had carried that tension beneath my scapula for over three decades—and just like that, it began to release.
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Was it the lavender oil that helped soften my grip? I’m not sure. But science offers some support: one study showed that lavender oil can be as effective as 0.5 mg of Ativan for easing anxiety (76, 146). [1] Maybe you’ll have your own breakthrough moment—or maybe you’ll just sleep a little more deeply. Either way, it’s worth exploring.
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In the next section, I’ll offer a brief guide to popular essential oils and how they can support balance in each dosha.
[1] Ativan is an extremely strong prescription medicine that is a controlled substance used to treat panic attacks and extreme stress.
Essential oils must be used with caution. Unless clearly labeled as safe for undiluted use, essential oils should be blended with a carrier oil such as almond, jojoba, or coconut oil before being applied to the skin. Failure to dilute essential oils properly can result in irritation, chemical burns, or more serious reactions.
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Only use essential oils that genuinely support your well-being—and only with your doctor’s approval. As with any substance, there is the possibility of an allergic response. Start slowly, listen to your body, and proceed with care.
Carrier Oils
Each dosha should use the right carrier oils to help balance its natural tendencies (77, 128). Here are some recommended carrier oils:
Vata
Sesame and hazelnut oils are best, but any oil can work.
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Pitta
Olive, sunflower, sesame, hazelnut, and coconut oils are best suited for Pitta. Avoid warming oils.
Kapha
Alma, mustard, and other heating oils work best (63, 75).
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Essential Oils
Essential oils are powerful. Often, only a single drop of essential oil is required. Different essential oils are used to balance each dosha:
Vata
Neem, orange, myrrh, clove, lavender, cypress, pine, musk, hina, camphor, and other sweet and warming oils help ground Vata.
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Pitta
Sandalwood, lavender, peppermint, khus, angelica, jasmine, geranium, rose, fennel, gardenia, and other cooling and calming oils work best to remove Pitta’s excess fire.
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Kapha
Sage, fennel, henna, camphor, eucalyptus, cinnamon, bergamot, myrrh, thyme, basil, musk, and other warming, stimulating oils help to inspire Kapha. Kapha types often heat their oils before they apply them (63, 75, 77).
General-purpose Oils
A few general-purpose oils are appropriate for all doshas:
Lavender Oil
helps with anxiety, anger, and depression
Peppermint Oil
can be used to help promote peace and a creative mind
Orange Oil
can help to release stress
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Eccalyptus Oil
may help to increase blood flow to the brain (76, 146)
Rosemary Oil
may improve memory and mental fatigue
To resolve common conditions for each dosha, Drs. Light and Bryan Miller recommend the following oils. This list is only a small bit of the authors’ wisdom. If you are interested in using essential oils, their book Ayurveda & Aromatherapy: The Earth Essential Guide to Ancient Wisdom and Modern Healing is worth the investment.
Common Oil Uses (77, 95):
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Antifungal: mix thyme, yarrow, and/or chamomile oil
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Antiseptic: mix pine, lavender, eucalyptus, oregano, and/or rosemary oil
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Athlete’s foot: oregano oil
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Burns: mix lavender, chamomile, gold chamomile, and/or yarrow oil
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Cough: hyssop, sage, anise, and/or sandalwood oil
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Cold: eucalyptus, rosemary, oregano, and/or camphor oil
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Dental care:
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Vatas use neem oil, myrrh, and/or cypress oil
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Pittas use peppermint, angelica, geranium, and/or lavender oil
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Kaphas use fennel, sage, rosemary, and/or bergamot oil
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Depression: bergamot, geranium, and/or lemongrass oil
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Fever: chamomile oil
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Flu: thyme and/or cajeput oil
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Liver problems: turmeric, and/or milk thistle
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Mental clarity: mix rosemary, basil, chamomile, and/or mint oil
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Moisturize the face and inflamed skin: Aloe vera, coconut oil, brushing with a gharshana glove, and raw milk
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To promote cell turnover: Rub raw sugar as an exfoliant
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Sinus problems: Angelica, eucalyptus, neroli, cypress, yarrow oil, peppermint, and basil oil
Consider choosing one essential oil that’s recommended for your dosha and that you genuinely enjoy smelling. You might find a good option at Whole Foods or through a trusted seller on Amazon. Once you have your oil, try placing a single drop on your wrist (be sure to dilute with a carrier oil) or adding it to a diffuser.
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Then pause. Breathe. Notice.
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Try using it at different times of day—perhaps during your morning routine, before meditation, or as part of your evening wind-down ritual. See if it shifts your energy, your focus, or your mood. Let your body be the guide.