Drink Up: Essential Oils in Your Water

Using essential oils for better health is common these days, but did you know that some people swear by adding essential oils to their water? It’s true…some oils can be added to water (and food, too). Adding a drop or two of an essential oil to your water can enhance the flavor—and make staying hydrated tastier. But which essential oils should you add to water? Is doing so safe?

“According to the Food and Drug Administration of America, there are dozens of essential oils that are Generally Recognized As Safe for Human Consumption,” Lindsey Elmore , PharmD, BCPS, told Greatist . “These essential oils are included in everything from chewing gum to soda, candies, and more."

That said, it’s good to do some research on which oils are safe. Just because they come from plants doesn’t mean they can’t be a hazard.

Adding Essential Oils to Water

Ready to create a water infusion with essential oils? Here are some tips for adding essential oils to water.

Check your oils

First and foremost, not all oils should be ingested. Check with the manufacturer, as ones that make ingestible oils typically note that on the packaging. Also, oils can be added to fruit in water, or can replace the fruit entirely. Talk to your doctor before consuming essential oils to be on the safe side.

Know what works best.

Which oils work best with water? A few popular ones include:

Lemon essential oil is a useful oil for adding to water. It may offer a better-tasting water as well as help the body’s immune system. Lemon is known for digestive benefits, as are citrus oils in general A drop or two is enough to provide some flavor and health benefits.

Peppermint essential oil is another oil commonly added to water, and ideal for a refreshing drink on a hot day. It can be soothing and aid in digestion.

Wild orange essential oil gives water flavor. It’s known to purify and stimulate the senses and can support a healthy immune system. Plus, it has antioxidants.

Grapefruit essential oil can be added to water (again, depending on the brand’s guidelines). The scent and flavor are motivating, and can improve metabolism. Just like people say grapefruit can be useful in weight management, it may be useful for the same when a drop or two of this oil are added to water.

Oils as medicine 

Some people ingest essential oils for medicinal or health purposes, not just to flavor water. For example, doTERRA’s OnGuard (similar concoction to Young Living’s Thieves®) can be added to hot water as a throat gargle, or may be added to water for extra immune support. Other brands make similar blends, which tend to include a combination of lemon, clove, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, and rosemary. Raw honey or stevia are good options to sweeten this concoction. Similarly, rosemary, peppermint, geranium, thyme and other essential oils have been said to help with coughs. Tea tree oil is said to inhibit the growth of bad bacteria that cause sinus infections and respiratory issues.

Citrus Bliss Water Infusion Recipe 

Here’s a water infusion recipe from The Essential Oils Hormone Solution: Reclaim Your Energy and Focus and Lose Weight Naturally by Dr. Marisa Snyder.

1 lemon, sliced into rounds

1 orange, sliced into rounds

1 lime, sliced into rounds

1 medium vanilla bean

2 quarters still water

1 drop doTERRA Grapefruit Essential Oil

Add lemons, orange, limes and vanilla bean to the insert of a 2-quart infusion pitcher. Fill pitcher with water and add essential oil. Allow to steep for at least 30 minutes, but preferably for 2 to 3 hours, before serving. Any of these citruses can be substituted with the corresponding doTERRA essential oil (1 drop is a good replacement for 1 piece of fruit), in case you are out, or they are not in season. Snyder only recommends doTERRA brand essential oils. Other companies, however, make essential oils marketed as digestible, such as the Young Living Vitality line of products and products.

We do not endorse any specific brand of essential oil. This article is not to be used as medical information; check with your doctor before eating or drinking any essential oil.