Top 3 Essential Oils for Grounding
The best grounding essential oils, patchouli, vetiver and clary sage, and how to dilute and blend them for a calmer, more grounded day.
In this guide
The best grounding essential oils are patchouli, vetiver and clary sage. Their deep, earthy scents help you slow down, settle your thoughts and feel present in the moment. Below you will find what makes each one grounding, how to use them, and a simple grounding blend to try.
Key takeaways
- Grounding oils have deep, earthy scents from roots, woods, resins and herbs.
- Patchouli brings deep relaxation, vetiver roots you to the earth and clary sage balances the mood.
- Vetiver is very strong, so start with a single drop and build up.
- Use them in a diffuser, a diluted massage oil or an aroma inhaler.
- Cedarwood, sandalwood, frankincense and myrrh are also lovely grounding oils.
What does grounding mean in aromatherapy?
Feeling grounded in your body is closely linked to being present in everyday life. When we feel ungrounded, we tend to live in our heads. We think about the past or the future, and rarely about the here and now.
There are many ways to ground yourself, such as meditation, walking barefoot in nature and practising mindfulness. Another lovely way to come back to the present moment is with grounding essential oils.
In aromatherapy, grounding means deep, earthy scents such as roots, woods and resins. Many people find these scents settling and comforting, and they help create a calm, present mood.
Why essential oils feel grounding
Essential oils are quite literally the essence of plants that grow from the earth. When you use them, you surround yourself with the scent of the plant. This can feel like a gentle link to the natural world.
This is why it matters to choose pure, ethically sourced organic essential oils, so they keep the full, vivid scent of the plant. Just as plants have different characters, oils have different scents. Some have a calm, earthy quality that suits a settled mood. In the Ayurvedic tradition, these oils also help balance Vata energy.
What are the best essential oils for grounding?
These three are our top grounding oils. Each one has its own character, so pick the scent that suits your mood.
| Oil | Scent | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Patchouli | Rich, deep, earthy and woody | Deep relaxation and slowing down |
| Vetiver | Smoky, earthy and very deep | Feeling rooted and steady after a busy day |
| Clary sage | Herbal, soft and slightly sweet | Calm, balance and a settled mood |
1. Patchouli oil for deep relaxation
Patchouli oil is known for its rich, soothing scent, which helps create a relaxed, settled mood. Its deep, earthy aroma has long been linked with calm and quiet. It is a favourite when you want to slow down and feel more present.
The warm, woody character of patchouli deepens over time, which is part of its charm. Use it in a diffuser, a diluted massage oil or a grounding diffuser blend. It pairs beautifully with other earthy and woody oils such as vetiver, sandalwood and cedarwood.
2. Vetiver oil to root you to the earth
Vetiver oil is made from the roots of vetiver grass, so you don't get much more grounding than this. Its deep, smoky, earthy scent has been valued in Ayurveda and other traditions for generations as a comforting, anchoring aroma.
Breathing in vetiver can feel wonderfully steadying at the end of a busy day. It is thick and very strong, so a single drop goes a long way. Add it sparingly to blends and build up as you need.
3. Clary sage to balance the mood
The herbal, slightly sweet scent of clary sage has been compared to Earl Grey tea, and it is just as comforting. Its soft, rounded aroma brings a sense of calm and balance to a room.
Many people enjoy clary sage at times of the month when they want a little extra calm and comfort. Add a few drops to a carrier oil and give yourself a gentle self-massage to feel settled and grounded.
Other grounding essential oils
If you love earthy scents, these oils also have a deep, settling character. They blend well with patchouli, vetiver and clary sage.
- Cedarwood: dry, warm and woody
- Sandalwood: soft, creamy and woody
- Frankincense: warm, resinous and calming
- Myrrh: earthy, smoky and rich
For more frankincense ideas, see our frankincense diffuser blends.
A simple grounding essential oil blend
Patchouli, vetiver and clary sage work beautifully together. Use more patchouli or clary sage, and only a little vetiver.
1. Earth and Roots
Best for: winding down at the end of the day
- 2 drops Patchouli oil
- 2 drops Clary sage oil
- 1 drop Vetiver oil
Add the drops to your diffuser and switch it on. If the scent feels too heavy, leave out the vetiver next time and add 1 drop of cedarwood instead.
How to use grounding oils every day
Enjoy the calming character of these oils by weaving them into small, everyday moments. Aromatherapy has been enjoyed for centuries simply for the mood a beautiful scent can create.
- Diffuser: diffuse a single oil, or the blend above, while you read or rest.
- Massage: add a few drops of a diluted blend to a wind-down massage.
- Aroma inhaler: keep one to hand for a grounding scent on the go.
- Meditation: diffuse before you sit. Our guide to essential oils for yoga and meditation has more ideas.
Pro tip
Pair your oil with a grounding habit. Diffuse vetiver or patchouli, then take ten slow breaths or stand barefoot on the grass for a few minutes. The scent soon becomes a cue to slow down.
How to use grounding oils safely
Safety first
Essential oils are strong and should be diluted in a carrier oil before they touch your skin. For body use, aim for about 2 to 3 percent, which is roughly 12 to 18 drops per 30ml. Use less, around 1 percent, on sensitive skin.
- Patch test any new blend on your inner arm first.
- Keep oils out of reach of children and pets.
- Diffuse in an airy room for short sessions, and leave pets a way out.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a health condition, check with a qualified practitioner first. Clary sage is best avoided in pregnancy.
FAQs
What essential oils are good for grounding?
Patchouli, vetiver and clary sage are the best essential oils for grounding. Cedarwood, sandalwood, frankincense and myrrh are also lovely. They all share a deep, earthy scent that many people find calming and settling.
What does grounding mean in aromatherapy?
It means deep, earthy scents such as roots, woods and resins. Many people find them settling and comforting, and they help create a calm, present mood.
How should I dilute these oils for a massage?
Blend the essential oil into a carrier oil at about 2 to 3 percent for body use. That is roughly 12 to 18 drops per 30ml. Patch test before regular use.
Can I blend patchouli, vetiver and clary sage together?
Yes, they work beautifully together. Start with more patchouli or clary sage, and add vetiver sparingly, as its scent is very strong. Try the Earth and Roots blend above.
Why does vetiver smell so strong?
Vetiver is distilled from grass roots and is thick and deeply aromatic. Even a single drop carries a powerful earthy scent, so a little goes a long way.
Can I diffuse these oils around children or pets?
Diffuse in an airy room for short sessions and keep oils out of reach. Some oils are not suitable around young children or pets, so check the guidance for your home first.
The bottom line
Patchouli, vetiver and clary sage are the easiest way to bring a calm, grounded feeling into your day. Diffuse them, add them to a massage or keep an inhaler close by. Find all three, plus cedarwood and sandalwood, in our essential oils collection. For another calming practice, read about essential oils for the new moon.
