Making Aromatherapy Shower Tablets with Essential Oils

Shower tablets (aka “discs”) are an easy and economical way to bring aromatherapy to your shower experience. Making your own aromatherapy shower tablets doesn’t have to be expensive, difficult or contain complicated ingredients. After being baffled about the cost and ingredients of “aromatherapy shower tablets” I nosed (pun intended!) and played around with basic recipes. Here’s what I found that is economical, easy and fun…

Supplies for Easy DIY Aromatherapy Shower Tablets

It doesn’t take much to create your own tablets. Following is a list of what you need:

• Non-reactive mixing bowl (e.g., glass or enamelware)
• Spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups
• A mold
  • Tip: I find silicone to be the easiest to work with, such as small ice cube trays or baking cups.
  • Tip: Opt for small molds where each tablet is 1″x1″x1″ or smaller if possible
• Water
• Baking soda
• Essential oils of your choice: For inclusion AFTER creating the tablets.

How to Make Easy Aromatherapy Shower Tablets

Like everything in life, there are several ways to approach the same thing. In the case of Shower Tablets, you may choose the Hot or Cold method. I vote for Cold as there is no need to use an oven and no chance of discoloration from cooking/heat, but that is a preference. Following are the general directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
   • Note: as an alternative to using the oven, place paste mixture into molds and set aside for 12-24 hours until each tablet is completely dry.
2. Measure out your baking soda and water
   • Use a ratio of 1:4 (1 part water to 4 parts baking soda) with an example below:
     • 1/2 cup water
     • 2 cups baking soda
3. Combine baking soda and water in a mixing bowl and stir well to make a paste.
4. Spoon the paste into the molds and smooth the tops.
5. Place molds in oven and bake for 15- 20 minutes.
   • Check on them often to ensure they don’t start turning brown; avoid this overall by allowing to dry overnight at room temperature.
6. Remove the tablets from the oven and allow them to cool and harden completely before removing them from the molds to avoid breakage.
7. The tablets will continue drying as they cool.

What About Adding Essential Oils?

Add your essential oils to a “blank” tablet when you are ready for an aromatherapy experience. Trust me. It is the nature of essential oils to evaporate.

Do NOT add the essential oils to the wet paste and bake or let sit overnight: the volatile oils will evaporate! I highly recommend making a batch of “blanks” and storing them in an air-tight, non-reactive lidded container made of glass or enamel.

Essential Oils For Enhancing a Shower Experience

First, set your intention while remembering the oils are going down the drain ($$) and into the air. Following are essential oil blending ideas for different intentions:

• Awake, Refresh & Breathe Deep: Call upon the classics such as Lemon, Grapefruit, Rosemary, Peppermint, Pines & Spruces (and morefriends!) to enhance breathing and bring clarity to the mind…
  • Blending Idea: 8 drops Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), 1-2 drops Eucalyptus radiata (Eucalyptus radiata) & 1 drop Laurel (Laurus nobilis) OR 1 drops Myrtle (Myrtus communis).
• Floral Bliss Chill: Craving a little sensual uplift? Bring a little sass to your day with this blend!
  • Blending Idea: 2 drops Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), 4 drops Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) & 6 drops Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia)
• Washing Your Cares Away: I recommend these oils for their brightness, clarity and propensity to instantly ignite smiles.
  • Sassy and Bright! 1 drop Peppermint (Mentha x piperita), 4 drops Basil ct linalool (Ocimum basilicum ct linalool) & 7 drops Petitgrain Bigarade (Citrus aurantium var amara)
  • Zesty and Refreshing! 1 drop Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), 5 drops Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) & 6 drops Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi)

Using Your Amazingly Simple Aromatherapy Shower Discs

Storing: Store cooled tablets in an airtight container and add essential oils to each tablet as needed.

Use one tablet per shower. Place the EO infused disk on the shower floor so it gets wet but not in the immediate blast of shower stream as you do not want the disc to immediately wash away! 

Use 8 to 12 drops of your chosen blend per disc. This is a lot of essential oil! For this reason I do not recommend using a tablet for every shower! These are for creating mindful shower rituals and supporting health when we are feeling depleted.

Wishing you mindfully blissful aromatherapy shower experiences!