DIY Amyris Inhaler: Pocket Scent Stick How-To
The part of a homemade inhaler that deserves the most thought is not the blend, it is the tube. The Tisserand Institute recommends discarding plastic inhalers after 2 to 3 weeks of use, because undiluted essential oil may degrade plastic and leach plasticizers that you then breathe in, and suggests glass or aluminum where possible (Tisserand Institute). Build around that and the rest is simple.
Amyris Essential Oil
Our own Amyris Essential Oil, in sizes from 0.5 oz to bulk.
From $23.99
Shop Now →How a pocket inhaler works
An inhaler stick is a tube with an opening at the top, small air holes at the bottom, a cotton wick holding the oil and a cap to protect it. You take the cap off and breathe in from the top, so you decide how much you inhale. There is no water, heat or electricity, and a small bottle goes in any bag.
Two things follow. The oil on the wick is undiluted, so the percentages used for skin products do not apply (see our dilution chart for those). And the scent strength is set by how many drops you put on the wick, so starting small is the sensible move.
How many drops
We did not find a published drop count for inhaler wicks, because capacity depends on the wick you buy. So here is our reasoning: begin with 3 drops in total, sniff from about an arm's length, and add one drop on a later day only if you cannot smell it. If you find yourself heading toward 6, a fresher or better fitting wick is usually the fix, not more oil.
Drops are an imprecise unit, and the Tisserand Institute notes that no two are alike, so ratios by drop are approximate. If you are making several inhalers, mix a small stock in a clean glass vial and dispense from that so every wick matches.
Choosing the wick
A cotton wick is a sponge, and a loose, fluffy one will drink oil quickly and let it go just as fast. A snug wick that fits the tube without being crushed holds the scent in a way that is easier to judge. When you slide it in, check that it sits comfortably below the opening and does not poke out. If you can see oil beading on the wick, you have used too much.
Three starting formulas
Each one totals 3 drops and is built from the arithmetic above. We sell the amyris. The citrus oils and the inhaler blanks come from a supplier of your choice.
| Blend | Amyris | Sweet orange | Lemon | The scent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woody and warm | 2 | 1 | 0 | Creamy, woody, balsamic, lifted by orange |
| Bright desk blend | 1 | 0 | 2 | Mostly lemon, with a woody base so it lingers |
| Travel | 1 | 1 | 1 | An even split that is easy to count in a hurry |
These describe aroma only. Amyris is a base note, and it helps citrus top notes hold, which is why it pairs so neatly with orange and lemon. Our post on blending amyris with citrus, spice and floral oils has more combinations.
Amyris is a quiet oil, and in a tiny inhaler it can seem almost shy at first. You will notice the scent most when the wick is fresh, and then settle into a faint, woody whisper. Resist the urge to compensate with extra drops. Let your nose adjust for a minute or two, and you will find the scent is still there, just softer.
When to make it, and when to stop
An inhaler is a small project, so make one at a time and see how you like it. If the scent turns flat after a few days, that is a cue to start fresh with a new wick, not to keep adding drops. And if you ever feel the scent is too much, put the cap on and set it aside. It is meant to be a pleasant whiff, not a test of endurance.
Putting it together
- Pick a glass or aluminum tube. If you use plastic, date it and replace it within 2 to 3 weeks.
- Open the bottle at arm's length and keep the oil off your skin and eyes.
- Drop the oil onto the wick, not into the tube, counting out loud.
- Cap it and label it with the blend and the date. A loose cap lets the scent escape and leaks into your bag.
- Take a few slow breaths when you fancy a whiff.
Scent leaves a wick over time. Add one drop when you can no longer smell it from a few centimeters away, and replace the wick and the tube together on schedule rather than topping up for weeks.
Keeping it tidy
- Label each tube with the blend and the date, so nothing is a mystery later.
- Carry it in a small pouch, away from keys and loose coins that could knock the cap off.
- Keep it out of direct sun or a hot car, which is hard on both the tube and the oil.
Who should skip it
An inhaler puts oil right under your nose, so we keep it simple. Keep the tube and the oil out of the reach of young children, and do not make one for a child. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have asthma or another breathing condition, ask your physician, midwife or pediatrician first. Check with a veterinarian before using it around animals. We sell an external cosmetic oil, and we make no claim that any inhaler blend does anything for health. Our essential oil safety guide covers the general habits, and never swallow the oil.
Small amount, durable tube, scheduled replacement: that is all a pocket inhaler needs.
Amyris Essential Oil
Amyris Essential Oil from our own shop, in sizes from 0.5 oz to bulk.
From $23.99
Shop Now →Sources & Further Reading
- Tisserand Institute. The ultimate guide to essential oil inhalation. tisserandinstitute.org
- Tisserand Institute. Essential oil dilution (note on approximate drop conversions). tisserandinstitute.org/safety/dilution
