8 Lavender Diffuser Blends to Relax and De-Stress

Lavender essential oil blends well with almost everything: citrus like bergamot and sweet orange, woods like cedarwood and frankincense, florals like ylang ylang and rose, and fresh herbs like peppermint and eucalyptus. For sleep, the best partners are cedarwood, chamomile and frankincense. Below you will find what goes with lavender, why, and 8 easy lavender diffuser blends with exact drop counts to help you relax and de-stress.

Why diffuse lavender for stress?

Using essential oils for stress relief is more popular every day, and for good reason. Lavender oil is one of the most loved choices for a diffuser. Essential oils are volatile plant extracts that travel through the nose and bloodstream, reaching the brain and the rest of the body to spread their therapeutic benefits.

They can calm the nerves, relieve stress and bring emotional clarity. Lavender is hands down one of the best essential oils for stress relief, and it is the easiest oil to blend. This guide shares which oils go with lavender, plus anxiety-relieving and sleep-inducing diffuser blends.

What is lavender essential oil good for?

Lavender has many uses and benefits. Used orally, on the skin and in the air, it is known as anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, analgesic (the herbalist word for a plant that relieves pain) and a sedative. It may also help with inflammatory conditions, cuts, bites, spasms and parasitic infections.

In clinical trials looking at lavender oil for anxiety, the anti-anxiety effect of lavender was better than placebo in 221 patients with anxiety disorder. Patients also showed less restlessness, better sleep and a better quality of life.

Our organic French lavender oil is the base for every blend in this guide. To learn more about it, read why lavender is so popular in aromatherapy.

What does lavender essential oil blend well with?

Lavender has a soft, floral and slightly herbal scent. It sits in the middle of a blend, so it gets on with almost every oil family. Here are the scents that go well with lavender, and what each one adds.

Oil	What it adds to lavender	Best for
Bergamot	Bright, slightly floral citrus	Stress relief and low mood
Sweet orange	Sweet, juicy, cheerful citrus	Feeling lighter and relaxed
Lemon	Sharp, clean freshness	A fresh, calm home
Cedarwood	Dry, warm wood	Deep sleep and grounding
Frankincense	Warm, soft resin	Meditation and calm
Patchouli	Deep, earthy musk	Cosy evenings
Chamomile	Warm, herbal apple	Bedtime and busy minds
Clary sage	Nutty, herbal sweetness	Anxious thoughts
Ylang ylang	Rich, sweet floral	Soothing overwhelm
Rose	Deep, romantic floral	Comfort and a soft heart
Rose geranium	Green, rosy floral	Emotional balance
Jasmine	Heady, sweet floral	Deep relaxation
Neroli	Delicate orange blossom	Calm and comfort
Peppermint	Cool, minty lift	Clear head and calm mind
Eucalyptus	Fresh, clearing air	Deep, easy breathing
Rosemary	Herbal, camphor-like freshness	Focus without stress
Pine	Crisp forest scent	Fresh air and sleep
Cypress	Green, woody freshness	Grounding an anxious mind
Thyme	Strong, warm herb	Use 1 drop as an accent

In short: citrus brightens lavender, florals soften it, woods and resins deepen it, and herbs freshen it. You can browse every partner oil in our essential oils collection.

8 lavender diffuser blends to relax and de-stress

These lavender blends are made to help when feelings of unease and stress arise, leaving you relaxed and steady. Add the drops to the water in your diffuser and switch it on.

What essential oil mixes well with lavender for sleep?

Cedarwood, chamomile and frankincense are the best partners for a lavender sleep blend. Their warmer, softer notes round off lavender's fresh top note and suit the wind down before bed. Pine and jasmine also work well.

• Fill your diffuser and add your drops about 30 minutes before bed.
• Try blend 8 (cedarwood, chamomile and lavender) for over-active minds.
• Try blend 1 (Lavender Dreams) if stress keeps waking you up.
• Turn the diffuser off once you are asleep, or use its timer if it has one.

For more ideas, see our bedtime routines for better sleep.

How to use lavender oil in a diffuser

Diffusing lavender is simple. Fill your diffuser with water to the line, add your drops and switch it on.

• Use 4 to 6 drops in total for a standard diffuser and an average room.
• Diffuse for 30 to 60 minutes, then give the room a rest.
• Rinse and dry your diffuser every few days so old oils do not build up.
• For skin use, mix lavender with a carrier such as sweet almond oil first.

A simple deep breathing exercise to try while you diffuse

Deep breathing has been shown to help reduce stress and stress-related physical symptoms. Studies have shown its potential for easing anxiety, depression, stress and emotional exhaustion. When the world feels heavy on your shoulders, find a quiet space, close your eyes and breathe deeply.

• Breathe in deeply to the count of 5.
• Hold your breath to the count of 5.
• Breathe out to the count of 5.

Repeat for as long as you need. It is an excellent exercise to calm anxiety and bring a sense of ease, especially with blend 2 in the diffuser.

Is it safe to diffuse lavender oil?

• Keep oils out of reach of children. Avoid diffusing peppermint and eucalyptus near babies and young children.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your GP or midwife first. Clary sage is best avoided in pregnancy.
• Cats and dogs are sensitive to diffused oils. Always leave pets a way out of the room.
• Speak to a doctor first if you have asthma, epilepsy or any medical condition.

FAQs

What goes well with lavender oil in a diffuser?

Bergamot, sweet orange, frankincense, cedarwood, jasmine and ylang ylang are the most popular partners. They boost the calming and uplifting effects of lavender and are excellent for emotional balance and stress relief.

What scents go well with lavender?

Fresh citrus, soft florals, warm woods and clean herbs all go well with lavender. Try sweet orange for a cheerful scent, cedarwood for a cosy one, or peppermint for a fresh lift.

What essential oil mixes well with lavender for sleep?

Cedarwood, chamomile and frankincense are the best choices. Add 2 drops each of lavender, cedarwood and chamomile to your diffuser 30 minutes before bed. This can improve sleep quality and ease overactive thoughts.

What are lavender oil blends good for?

Lavender blends are ideal for relaxation, reducing anxiety, better sleep and relieving headaches. They also support respiratory health and emotional balance. Depending on the partner oil, a lavender blend can feel energising or deeply calming.

How do you make lavender oil blends?

Choose oils based on your mood or need. Diffuse lavender with citrus oils and woody oils like cedarwood, or mix it into a base like sweet almond oil for skin. Always start with small amounts and adjust to taste.

Do lavender and peppermint go well together?

Yes. Peppermint adds a cool, clear lift to lavender's calm. Try Lavender Dreams (2 lavender, 2 pine, 1 peppermint) or the Lavender and Patchouli blend (2 patchouli, 2 lavender, 1 peppermint).

Can you mix lavender and eucalyptus oil?

Yes. Lavender and eucalyptus make a calming, clearing pair for easy breathing. The Relax and Breathe blend uses 2 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops lavender and 1 drop cypress.

What is the best relaxing essential oil blend with lavender?

For pure relaxation, try the Floral Remedies blend: 2 drops each of ylang ylang, rose and lavender. For a lighter feel, try Lighthearted with sweet orange and frankincense.

The bottom line

Lavender blends well with nearly every oil, which makes it the perfect starting point for relaxing diffuser blends. Start with one of the 8 recipes above, then swap in your own favourite partners. Find lavender and all its partner oils in our essential oils collection, and for more ideas see our 9 frankincense diffuser blends and top 7 oils for stress relief.

This information is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition, and it does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare practitioner for treatment. Take care if you are diabetic, epileptic, pregnant, breastfeeding or have a serious health condition.