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Eight essential rituals Dr Bo actually recommends
Purification can happen on three levels: in your space, mind, and body. Pure, certified organic essential oils offer a smoke-free, clinically valuable way to clear the air, calm your nervous system, and support circulation, without synthetic fragrance or smoky incense.
Dr Bo Hendgen, founder of Absolute Essential and expert behind Good magazine’s popular ‘Ask Dr Bo’ column, shares her expert guidance for gentle, natural purification.
1. Smoke-free space cleansing
"I'm sensitive to energy in spaces. How can I cleanse without smoke?"
Try a smoke-free sage ritual with pure, certified organic essential oils:
Diffuser blend (can be adjusted to room size):
Sage 1 drop, Clary Sage 1 drop, Eucalyptus Australiana 2 drops, Lemon 2 drops
How to use:
Add oils to your diffuser and run for 10-20 minutes. Air room for 5 minutes before re-entry (or for an hour if there are babies around). Keep a door open for pets; they will remove themselves if irritated.
If you don’t have a diffuser, try a doorway swipe:
Dab 3-5 drops of Sage on a damp cloth and wipe thresholds and handles.
2. Mould support cleanse"What about mould while I sort moisture issues?"
Ventilate, dehumidify, and fix leaks first. Then support air quality with purifying essential oils. Here are a few options:
Diffuser blends: (diffuse 30-60 minutes in an empty room):
- Purify: Air Cleanser - a ready-to-use blend of pure, certified organic essential oils
- Clear air blend: Tea Tree 4 drops, Lemongrass 3 drops, and Lemon 3 drops
- Deep clean blend: Eucalyptus Australiana 5 drops, Clove Bud 2 drops, and Lemon 3 drops
If you don’t have a diffuser, try this surface wipe:
Add the following oils onto a damp cloth: Clove Bud 10 drops and Thyme (ct. thymol) 5 drops.
Be sure to ventilate the room well after each treatment.
3. Mental clarity reset
"My mind feels cluttered. What's a quick reset?"
Reach for oils that both uplift and centre: Frankincense, Myrrh, Bergamot, Neroli, and Sandalwood.
Palm inhalation blend:
Add one drop each of Frankincense, Neroli, and Sandalwood to clean and dry palm. Rub hands together, cup them over nose and breathe deeply for 60 seconds.
Diffuser blend - evening/after-work reset (20-30 minutes):
Frankincense 2 drops, Myrrh 1 drop, and Bergamot 2 drops
4. Gentle body lightening
"How do I 'lighten' the body gently?"
Support natural flow: circulation, fluid balance, and gentle elimination.
Shower blend:
Add 1 drop each of Lemongrass and Grapefruit to a little castile soap. Apply all over the body with a luffa and rinse off well.
Daily body oil:
Mix the following essential oils into 10 ml Jojoba carrier oil, Grapefruit 2 drops, Cypress 1 drop, and Lemongrass 1 drop
Foot bath:
Add the following oils to a foot bath with 1 cup of Epsom salts and warm water: Grapefruit 2 drops, Cypress 1 drop, and Lemongrass 1 drop. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes.
5. Gut health support
"Parasites and gut health: can oils help?"
Essential oils can support hygiene, calm the gut, and promote rest.
Hygiene:
Use Purify: Hand Sanitiser regularly. It's gentle on your hands and smells delicious.
Evening soak:
Add 1 cup of Epsom salts and the following essential oils to a warm bath: Tea Tree 3 drops, Manuka 2 drops, and Lavender Spike 5 drops. Soak for up to 15 minutes.
Stomach massage:
Blend the following oils into 5 ml of Jojoba carrier oil: Ginger 3 drops, Peppermint 3 drops, and Oregano 2 drops. Rub onto the stomach in a clockwise direction.
Note: If you have sensitive skin try Baby Tummy. This blend is ready to use on the skin. Never ingest essential oils without professional guidance.
6. Choose the right diffuser
"Are some diffusers cleaner than others?"
Yes. Essential oils (especially lower-quality ones) can degrade the plastics in diffusers. This may result in microplastics being released during diffusion, which is less than ideal.
Dr Bo recommends: Choose ceramic or metal diffusers designed specifically for essential oils. If you do use a plastic diffuser make sure it’s made from a DG (dangerous goods) plastic. This is a specialised plastic designed for resistance to corrosion and leakage.
Click here to shop our diffusers.
7. Ditch synthetic fragrances
"Why avoid synthetic 'fragrance' or 'parfum'?"
These can contain hidden irritants which may cause headaches, wheeze, skin flare-ups, or act as hormone disruptors.
Pure essential oils go straight to the brain's mood and memory centres: fast, natural, and effective.
Home:
Try Purify: Air Cleanser, Air Fresh, or Tranquillity
Bedroom:
Deep Sleep (adults), Sleep Easy (children)
Body (pre-bed):
Untouched Body Lotion/Oil, Lavender True 2 drops, and Frankincense 1 drop
On-the-go scent:
Sweet Rose 5-10 drops in 2 ml Jojoba carrier oil, dab on pulse points
8. Daily diffuser routine
"What's a good daily diffuser routine?"
For sleep:
To ease respiratory conditions:
To lift moods:
How to use:
Add 10 drops to your diffuser and run it for 20-30 minutes. Take a break, then repeat if needed.
Remember, always use oils with care.
Pregnancy: Avoid Sage and Clary Sage unless guided by a healthcare professional.
Citrus oils: Avoid direct sun/UV on skin after use.
Pets and children: Ventilate rooms. Leave doors open for animals. Use our Mother & Child range of products.
General: Patch test first. Use low dilutions. Never ingest essential oils unless supervised by your professional healthcare adviser.
Ready to start your purification journey?
Click here to discover our full range of certified organic essential oils, diffusers, and ready-made blends.
Have a question for Dr Bo? Submit your essential oil questions and get free professional advice from our founder, who has over 35 years of clinical natural health experience.