The market is full of "essential oils" that aren't essential oils

Fragrance blends, dilutions in mineral oil, synthetic copies of natural aromas — sold in small dark bottles that look identical. The difference only shows in use: either you smell nothing, or you smell something far too artificial. A true essential oil is something else — it's the concentrated essence of a plant, extracted with steam alone, with no additives.

Sattva Ayurveda essential oils are made by steam distillation from a single raw material. No dilutions, carriers or synthetic aroma enhancers. What goes into the bottle is only what comes out of the plant.

Ayurvedic aromatherapy — not decoration, but a tool

In Ayurveda, essential oils are gandha dravya — aromatic substances that act on the mind and body at the same time. They were used for inhalation, massage and ritual baths long before aromatherapy became a trend in wellness apps. The mechanism is simple: volatile molecules enter through the respiratory tract and the skin, directly affecting the nervous system.

That's why at Sattva you'll find both classics of Western aromatherapy — lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint — and raw materials from the Ayurvedic canon: vetiver, sandalwood, tulsi, frankincense, ylang-ylang, patchouli. Some of them are hard to find in good quality outside India.

How to use natural essential oils

Essential oils are highly concentrated — never apply them directly to the skin undiluted. A few drops in a diffuser, a few in a carrier oil for massage, a few in the bath mixed with salt or milk — that's enough. There are several methods, and the effects differ.

For a diffuser or aroma burner — 3–5 drops, acting on the nervous system through the sense of smell. A good choice for meditation, work and sleep.

For massage — diluted in a carrier oil (e.g. sesame or almond) at approx. 2–3% — that is, approx. 10–15 drops per 30 ml of carrier oil.

For the bath — first mix a few drops with a spoonful of salt or full-fat milk, then add to the water. Essential oils don't dissolve in water — without an emulsifier, they irritate the skin.

For inhalation — a bowl of hot water, 2–3 drops, a towel over your head. Eucalyptus, peppermint, pine — a classic for a runny nose and congested sinuses.

Essential oils and the doshas — what suits whom

In Ayurveda, choosing an aroma isn't a matter of taste — it's a matter of constitution. Each dosha responds differently to the same scents.

Vata — needs grounding and warmth. Warming, stabilizing oils work well: sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, cardamom, frankincense.

Pitta — needs cooling and calming. Good choices are lavender, geranium, ylang-ylang, clary sage and jasmine.

Kapha — needs stimulation and lightness. Sharper and citrus oils work here: peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, grapefruit, thyme, lemongrass.

Frequently asked questions about essential oils

How is an essential oil different from a fragrance oil or an aromatic blend? An essential oil is purely a natural plant distillate — one raw material, one extraction method, no additives. A fragrance oil or aromatic blend is a mix of synthetic fragrance substances, often diluted in alcohol or mineral oil. They look similar. They work completely differently.

Can essential oils be used on the skin undiluted? No. Even mild oils — such as lavender — can cause irritation or an allergic reaction on direct contact with the skin. Before every application to the skin, dilute the oil in a carrier oil. The only exceptions are inhalation and diffusion.

Which essential oils should I choose for stress and sleep problems? For calming down and falling asleep more easily, lavender, vetiver, sandalwood, clary sage and frankincense work best. For daytime stress — geranium, ylang-ylang, patchouli. Vetiver is especially valued in Ayurveda as a "grounding" oil for people with an overactive mind.

Nature doesn't dilute its essences. Neither do we.

28 steam-distilled essential oils. Classics and Ayurvedic rarities. Each in a single, pure form — no fillers, no compromises.