Essential oils in the sauna
What happens when sauna heat meets a pure essential oil is something you only understand by experiencing it. The air transforms, the aromas wrap around every breath, the mind empties. A few drops are enough to turn a simple steam infusion into a ritual that touches body, mind, and spirit. It's no coincidence that Nordic and Alpine cultures have made aromatic aufguss a centuries-old tradition.
Why essential oils in the sauna
The combination of heat and aroma isn't just pleasant – it's a deep experience. Heat opens the pores, steam carries aromatic molecules straight where they're best perceived: through every breath. Scandinavians, Romans with their thermae, Alpine communities with their wood stoves – they all independently discovered the same thing: heat + aromatic plants = wellbeing.
In Finnish tradition, "löyly" (the water poured on the stones) is almost a sacred act. In the Alpine region, aufguss with stone pine oil is an integral part of wellness culture. In both cases, natural essential oils are the heart of the experience.
Six aromas, six atmospheres
Each essential oil creates a different world in the sauna cabin. Your choice of aroma completely changes the character of the aufguss. Here are our favorites:
Eucalyptus
Fresh, camphoraceous, penetrating. Eucalyptus turns the sauna into a forest after rain. Every breath becomes deeper, more conscious. No wonder it's the world's most popular sauna oil – especially in cold seasons, when the body craves warmth and clean air.
Swiss stone pine
Balsamic, warm, deeply alpine. Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) is the heart of Alpine wellbeing. In South Tyrol and Tyrol, people say sleeping on cembra pine wood changes the quality of rest. In the sauna, its woody, resinous profile creates a mountain atmosphere that invites you to let go of every tension.
Lavender
Sweet, herbaceous, enveloping. Lavender has always been the aroma that accompanies the transition from wakefulness to rest. In Provence it was placed under pillows; in the sauna, you use it when your mind needs to stop racing. An evening lavender aufguss is like a gentle invitation to close your eyes and let the day go.
Peppermint
Intensely fresh, menthol, electrifying. A peppermint aufguss wakes up the whole body. The skin feels a pleasant coolness even in the sauna's heat, the senses sharpen, fatigue seems to vanish. Ideal for a morning sauna or an afternoon recharge.
Litsea cubeba
Exotic, citrusy, surprising. This oil from Southeast Asia smells of fresh lemon with hints of lemongrass. In Asia it's traditionally associated with good mood and lightness. In the sauna it brings a bright, unexpected note – first-time users are often surprised. A true discovery for anyone looking beyond the classics.
Lemon
Fresh, sunny, Mediterranean. One lemon aufguss is enough to feel on holiday. The air becomes light, the mood lifts, thoughts clear up. The scent of lemon is like a sunny day in a bottle – perfect when it's raining outside and you're looking for a bit of light inside.
How to make a perfect aufguss
Dosage
Pure essential oils are very concentrated – and very potent. 5–10 drops per liter of water is enough. If you're new to scented aufguss, start with 5 drops and then decide whether to add more. A well-dosed aroma wraps you gently; too strong becomes unpleasant.
Step by step
The golden rule: never pour pure oil on hot stones. Here's how to do it:
- Pour 2–3 ladles of plain water on the stones first – this slightly lowers the temperature and creates the first steam
- In a ladle of water, add the drops of essential oil
- Pour the aromatic water on the stones
- With a towel, move the air to distribute the scented steam throughout the cabin
The moment when scented steam rises from the stones and fills the cabin is the heart of the aufguss. Enjoy it.
→ For the complete step-by-step procedure, see our practical aufguss guide.
Combinations that work
Mixing two or three oils creates entirely new experiences:
- Alpine forest: stone pine + silver fir + a touch of lemon – like a walk through a mountain forest
- Nordic freshness: eucalyptus + lemon – clean air and sharp senses
- Winter evening: lavender + sweet orange – the aroma of letting go
- Exotic awakening: litsea cubeba + peppermint – energy and good mood
→ Want the complete recipes with precise dosages? Check our 6 essential oil blends for the sauna.
Safety and practical tips
- Never pour pure oil on the stones: undiluted essential oil can ignite on hot stones. Always dilute in water first.
- Storage: don't leave the bottles in the hot sauna. Heat alters the oil's quality. Keep them outside the cabin, away from light.
- Less is more: you can always add another drop, but you can't remove a scent that's too strong. Start with little.
- Listen to your body: if a scent is too intense, ventilate briefly. The aufguss should be a pleasure, not an imposition.
- Pure oils only: in the sauna, never use synthetic fragrances or perfumed oils. Only 100 % natural essential oils.
Why quality makes all the difference
In the sauna, heat transforms essential oil into steam that you breathe deeply with every inhalation. What you put on the aufguss water literally ends up in your lungs. That's why purity isn't a luxury – it's a necessity.
A certified organic essential oil that's 100 % pure contains exclusively what the plant naturally produces – nothing added, nothing removed. Synthetic oils can mimic the surface scent, but they lack the complexity and depth of the natural product. And in a hot environment like the sauna, every impurity is amplified.
You can feel the difference: pure natural oils smell rounder, deeper, more "real". And you need fewer drops to fill the entire cabin.
Frequently asked questions about essential oils in the sauna
The questions we receive most often from sauna newcomers. If yours isn't listed, write to us – we update this section regularly.
What are the best essential oils for the sauna?
The most loved are eucalyptus (fresh, balsamic), stone pine (warm, alpine), lavender (relaxing), peppermint (refreshing), litsea cubeba (exotic citrus) and lemon (sunny, Mediterranean). See the "Six aromas, six atmospheres" section above.
How many drops of essential oil for the aufguss?
5–10 drops per liter of water. For beginners: start with 5 drops and increase gradually. For large cabins it can be 15–20 drops; for small cabins or private saunas, 3–5 drops are often enough.
How do you make an aufguss with essential oils?
Never pour pure oil on hot stones. The correct procedure: dilute the drops of oil in a ladle of water, first pour 2–3 ladles of plain water on the stones, then pour the aromatic water, finally distribute the steam with the towel. See the complete aufguss guide.
Can you put pure essential oils on the sauna stones?
No, never. Pure essential oils can ignite on contact with hot stones. They must always be diluted in water before the aufguss. This is the golden rule of the aromatic sauna.
What are the contraindications of essential oils in the sauna?
In general: pregnancy and breastfeeding (consult your doctor), children under 6 in a scented sauna, asthma or severe respiratory issues (some oils like eucalyptus can be too intense), uncontrolled hypertension. For specific oils like stone pine, no contraindications are known for aromatic sauna use, but those with conifer allergies should test cautiously.
Can I mix two or more essential oils for the aufguss?
Yes, and you get beautiful sensory experiences. The most successful combinations follow the logic of top notes (citrus), heart notes (lavender, peppermint), base notes (woods, conifers). See our 6 blend recipes for the sauna.
Can I use any essential oil in the sauna?
Only 100 % pure and natural essential oils, preferably organic. Never synthetic fragrances, perfumed oils, or generic "diffuser oils" – in the sauna's heat every impurity is amplified and ends up in your lungs. All Viworo essential oils are organic certified and suitable for aufguss.
How long does a 10 ml bottle last for the aufguss?
10 ml contains about 200 drops. With an average dosage of 8 drops per aufguss, a bottle lasts for about 25 sauna sessions. That's roughly 50 cents per session.
Can I store essential oils inside the sauna?
No. The high heat of the sauna alters the quality of essential oils and accelerates their oxidation. Store the bottles outside the cabin, in a cool place and away from direct light. The dark glass of Viworo bottles protects the contents, but sustained heat remains harmful.
Aromatherapy in the sauna: does it really work?
Aromatherapy in the sauna is an ancient tradition – present in Finnish, Roman, and Alpine cultures. The effect is above all sensory and atmospheric: the scented steam alters perception of the environment, accompanies breathing, strengthens the wellness ritual. It doesn't replace any medical treatment, but it greatly enhances the sauna experience.
Our essential oils for the sauna
All our essential oils are organic certified and 100 % pure and natural. We select them carefully, test them personally, and use them ourselves – including in the sauna. If it's in our shop, it's because we truly believe in it.
Discover the essential oilsSouth Tyrolean family business since 1989. We use them ourselves, every day.