How many drops of essential oil to add to your löyly water - conservative doses you can print and pin up by the stove.
⚠️ Not medical advice - and we do not advise. This is a general reference for traditional sauna practice only. Add oil to the water you ladle, never onto the hot stones or heater - undiluted oil can flare and irritate the airways. Keep the room ventilated and stop at once if you feel dizzy, short of breath or unwell. If you are pregnant or nursing, have asthma or a heart condition, or share the sauna with young children or pets, talk to a qualified specialist before using any oil. Never ingest essential oils.
How to use it
- Fill a small bucket with about 500 ml of water.
- Add the drops from the table below and stir well so the oil spreads through the water.
- Throw the scented water onto the hot stones as you normally would.
- Start with the lower number. You can always add a touch more next time - you cannot take it back once it is on the stones.
| Oil | Family | Drops per 500 ml |
|---|---|---|
| Bergamot | Citrus | 3-4 |
| Lemon | Citrus | 3-4 |
| Sweet orange | Citrus | 3-5 |
| Lavender | Floral | 3-5 |
| Jasmine | Floral | 2-3 |
| Rose | Floral | 2-3 |
| Neroli | Floral | 2-3 |
| Clary Sage | Herbal | 2-3 |
| Oregano | Herbal | 1-2 |
| Marjoram | Herbal | 2-3 |
| Eucalyptus | Fresh | 2-3 |
| Peppermint | Fresh | 2-3 |
| Tea Tree | Fresh | 2-3 |
| Camphor | Fresh | 1-2 |
| Spearmint | Fresh | 2-3 |
| Pine | Woody | 3-5 |
| Spruce | Woody | 3-5 |
| Cedarwood | Woody | 3-5 |
| Fir | Woody | 3-5 |
| Juniper | Woody | 3-5 |
| Sandalwood | Woody | 3-5 |
| Patchouli | Earthy | 2-3 |
| Frankincense | Earthy | 3-5 |
| Cinnamon | Earthy | 1-2 |
A few oils need extra care
- Citrus (bergamot, lemon) is gentle in the air but photosensitising on skin - keep it out of the sun for a day if it lands on you.
- Oregano, camphor and cinnamon are strong - stay at the low end and skip them if anyone finds the air too sharp.
- Eucalyptus, peppermint, spearmint and camphor are powerful on the airways - not for a sauna shared with young children, and too much for anyone with breathing trouble.
- Tea tree and eucalyptus are toxic to cats and dogs - do not use them if pets share the space. The VCA Animal Hospitals guide to essential oil poisoning in cats also lists cinnamon, citrus, peppermint and pine oils among those poisonous to cats.
Go further. Not sure which scent suits you? Try our Scent Wheel or the two-minute Scent Finder. For skin blends, the Dilution Calculator keeps the numbers conservative. And if you are curious how löyly differs from a banya or a hammam, see our guide to sauna types.