Which essential oils to choose for a calm evening, a fresh home or a focused workday, how to use them safely, and where to buy them in Nairobi.
A few drops of the right oil can change how a room feels: calmer at night, fresher after a long, dusty day, brighter when you sit down to work. Here's how to choose, how to use them safely, and where to find them in Nairobi.
Choose by the feeling you want
- A calm evening, or a bedroom diffuser: lavender, ylang ylang or vetiver (from KES 700).
- A fresh, clean-smelling home: eucalyptus, lemongrass, sweet orange or pink grapefruit (from KES 600).
- A bright, awake feeling while you work: peppermint, rosemary or bergamot (from KES 700).
- A warm, grounding scent: frankincense, myrrh or geranium (from KES 800).
If you're buying your first oils, start with four: lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass and sweet orange. Together they cost KES 2,700 and cover most of what people use essential oils for at home.
Three easy ways to use them
- In a diffuser. Add 3 to 5 drops to the water. Run it for 30 to 60 minutes at a time rather than all day, with a window open.
- On a cloth or pillow corner. One drop of lavender on the corner of a pillowcase, away from your face.
- In a homemade room spray. A few drops in a spray bottle of water with a splash of vodka or witch hazel to help it mix. Shake before each use.
Using oils on skin: dilute first
Essential oils are highly concentrated, so never put them on skin neat. Mix them into a carrier oil such as coconut or sweet almond oil. About 2 drops per teaspoon (5ml) of carrier is a sensible amount for adults. Then:
- Patch-test on your inner arm and wait a day.
- Keep oils away from eyes, and never swallow them.
- Citrus oils such as bergamot and grapefruit can make skin more sensitive to sun. Don't use them on skin you'll expose to the sun that day.
- Keep bottles out of reach of children. Ask a doctor before using oils if you're pregnant or have a health condition, and check before diffusing around pets, especially cats.
Make them last
Store bottles upright in a cool, dark cupboard with the cap tightly closed. Most oils keep for two to three years. Citrus oils keep for about one to two.
Where to buy essential oils in Nairobi
Ria Naturals has 17 essential oils and CO2 extracts, from KES 600 to KES 1,500, made in Kenya. You can shop them all online, paying by M-Pesa or card. Delivery is often same-day in Nairobi where available, next-day dispatch to the rest of Kenya, and free on orders over KES 5,000.
Or visit our shop: Shop 18, Jeevanjee Shopping Mall, Moktar Daddah Street, Nairobi CBD, open Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, and Saturday and public holidays 10am to 5pm (closed on Sunday). Questions before you buy? WhatsApp us on 0728 517551.
