The name means forest bathing in Japanese — the practice of simply going for a walk among trees. The blend brings that aroma indoors.
This one is also available as a pre-diluted roll-on. For getting started and for carrying in a bag that is the simplest form: there is no carrier oil to mix, and it cannot spill.
What it smells like
Aroma notes: Japanese forest: hinoki, cedarwood, cryptomeria, conifers.
If you are meeting it for the first time, do not sniff straight into the bottle. Hold it a few centimetres from your nose and waft the aroma towards you — that way the stronger oils will not hit you, and you will pick up the finer notes too.
How people use it
- In the diffuser in the living room.
- One drop in the palm, then a deep breath.
- Diluted on the nape of the neck.
- A few drops in the corner of the shower.
Recipes
The ratios are worked out, and one drop is roughly five hundredths of a millilitre. Where a companion oil is listed, feel free to swap it for whatever you have at home — the drop counts stay the same.
Bedtime foot oil
What you get: 10 ml, about two weeks’ worth.
- Fill a 10 ml bottle with fractionated coconut oil, roughly up to the shoulder.
- Add 4 drops of Shinrin-Yoku — that is a two per cent blend.
- Close it and turn it over a few times.
- Before bed, massage some into the soles of your feet and pull on socks.
The skin on the soles is thick, which makes it one of the gentlest places to apply oil. For a child, half the drops is plenty.
Palm blend for a deep breath
What you get: 5 ml, lasts a long time.
- Put fractionated coconut oil into a 5 ml bottle.
- Add 2 drops of Shinrin-Yoku and 1 drop of Black Spruce.
- Put a little in your palm and rub it in.
- Hold it in front of your face and take three slow, deep breaths with your eyes closed.
This is the quickest way for an aroma to actually reach you — diffusing is slow by comparison.
Steam bowl
What you get: one session.
- Pour a litre of hot — not boiling — water into a bowl.
- Add 2 drops of Shinrin-Yoku, and no more than that.
- Lean over the bowl so your face is about thirty centimetres above it.
- Drape a towel over your head and breathe for five minutes with your eyes closed.
Keep your eyes closed throughout. Steam inhalation is not always a good idea for people with asthma — ask your doctor first.
What to pair it with
These suit the same situations, so they sit well together in a blend:
- Black Spruce — shared topic: Inner calm
- Juniper Berry — shared topic: Inner calm
- Cypress — shared topic: Easy breathing
Safety and storage
Always patch test a new oil on a small area of skin, diluted, and wait a day. Keep it away from eyes and mucous membranes. In pregnancy, while breastfeeding, with a chronic condition or while taking regular medication, seek professional advice first.
In dark glass, somewhere cool, tightly closed. Heat, light and air all age it: citrus oils keep for roughly one to two years, woods and resins for years. It does not need to go in the fridge, but the bathroom windowsill is the worst place for it.
Questions
How much should I use?
For adults, daily whole-body use usually works out at around two per cent: that is roughly twelve drops in thirty millilitres of carrier oil. For sensitive skin and for children, considerably less. The dilution helper on the home page works out the number of drops for your bottle.
What should I dilute it with?
Fractionated coconut oil is the easiest, because it stays liquid, has no scent of its own and does not go rancid. Sweet almond, jojoba and grapeseed oil are good choices too. Essential oil does not mix with water, so for a bath always disperse it in something fatty or in salt first.
What should I watch out for?
Always patch test a new oil on a small area of skin, diluted, and wait a day. Keep it away from eyes and mucous membranes. In pregnancy, while breastfeeding, with a chronic condition or while taking regular medication, seek professional advice first.
How long does it keep?
In dark glass, somewhere cool, tightly closed. Heat, light and air all age it: citrus oils keep for roughly one to two years, woods and resins for years. It does not need to go in the fridge, but the bathroom windowsill is the worst place for it.
Official product information
The section below comes from dōTERRA’s own product information page. It is the manufacturer’s wording — the summary above is ours.
Primary benefits
- Formulated with essential oils abundant in terpenes and phytoncides connected to the positive effects of outdoor exploration.
- Promotes a calming, grounding environment with its refreshing, inspiring scent.
- Creates an energising experience inspired by the wellness benefits of forest bathing.
The manufacturer’s description
Slow down, focus, and centre yourself with Shinrin-Yoku. Inspired by the calming energy of the forest, this blend is designed to refresh your senses with nature’s beauty through each uplifting drop. While connecting to nature for relaxation is timeless, the practice of shinrin-yoku originated in Japan in the 1980s as a way to disconnect from technology and unwind in the forest atmosphere. Our blend uses CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade™ essential oils that are rich in revitalising phytoncides and terpenes found in lush woodlands. These compounds protect trees and possess other components such as limonene, α-Pinene, and β-Pinene, known for their calming and grounding properties. Whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day or simply want to experience the essence of natural surroundings, our Shinrin-Yoku Forest Bathing Blend is the perfect addition.
Uses
- Use to help promote clear and fresh surroundings.
- With Shinrin-Yoku, create the perfect environment for meditation, journaling or creative moments.
- Apply topically with a carrier oil for a floral, citrus, or woody personal scent.
Directions for use
For massage, mix 5 drops with 10 ml carrier oil. For bath, mix 5 drops with 5 ml carrier oil. For perfuming, mix 1 drop to 10 drops carrier oil. For topical use only.
Cautions
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If pregnant or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, face, and sensitive areas. Avoid sunlight and UV rays for at least 12 hours after applying product.
Ingredients
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Abies Sibirica Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Branch/Leaf Oil, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Wood Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Cupressus Lusitanica Branch/Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Branch/Leaf Oil, Linalool*, Limonene*, Citral*
