Can You Burn Essential Oils - A Detailed Guide

September 29, 2025

Burning essential oils is one of the most traditional ways to harness their benefits. From the inception of aromatherapy, practitioners have been burning essential oils to spread their aroma and therapeutic properties. Not only does this fill any space with a pleasant fragrance but some essential oils also keep germs away. But does this mean you light the next essential oil you get on fire? Absolutely not! There are important practices and safe ways to use essential oils but most importantly can you burn essential oils? Let’s find out!

Can You Burn Essential Oils?

Yes, you can burn essential oils but not directly. The right selection of words would be that you can heat essential oils but not place the oils directly on a fire based surface. Essential oils contain volatile compounds that can burn and cause fire, respiratory concerns, etc. However, when you heat them slowly or burn them in a candle, water based diffusion system or in incense cones, they are good to go.

Wondering what are the best methods to burn essential oils and spread their natural aroma? Let’s dive deep!

5 Proven Methods for Burning Essential Oils

Here are some time-tested methods for burning essential oils and dispersing their aroma.

Oil Burners

Oil burners are some of the oldest tools used to burn essential oils. Contrary to what the name suggest, they don’t actually burn the oils, rather help slowly heat them. Oil burners comprise of two parts: essential oil container and heating area.

The essential oil container is where you fill water and add a few drops of any essential oil of your choice.

The burning component could be manual or electric. This is what starts heating the water and eventually starts dispersing essential oil molecules in the air.

Learn more about how to use oil diffuser and burner in this guide.

Tea Light Burners

Similar to traditional oil burners, tea light burners also use the kinetic energy to spread the essential oils aroma. They are a type of oil burners where you place a tea light candle to heat the oil container. Wondering how many drops of essential oil to add in diffuser or burner? Read this detailed guide.

Electric Diffusers

These are more evolved and safer options to use essential oils. Most electric diffusers mimic the process of heating water without the use of actual heat. They comprise of a water compartment where you fill distilled water and add essential oils. Always ensure to follow the compartment limit for water. Filling it with more water and essential oils than the mentioned limit can damage the diffuser and even spill water and oil out.

Don't have a diffuser? We have also explained how to use essential oils without a diffuser in this guide

Incense Sticks and Cones

Who doesn’t like the calming and spiritual experience of burning incense sticks or cones? Made from natural materials, these incense sticks or cones are perfect to detoxify and fill any space with positivity. But did you know that a lot of them have natural essential oils added to them?

Yes, that’s correct! Incense cones are prepared by adding a few drops of natural essential oils like frankincense, myrrh and many more. The aromatic compounds of these essential oils get absorbed by the incense cone material. This means when you burn the incense cones or sticks, the essential oils also get burnt and dispersed in the air.

Natural Candles With Essential Oils

Essential oil based aromatherapy candles are a perfect way to cozy up any space. Choosing candles made with high quality natural wax like soy wax and essential oils is a great way to burn essential oils. You can either buy such candles or make your own with the right combination of essential oils for candle making. When the wax is in a molten state, essential oil gets easily mixed with its particles.

When the wax cools and solidifies, there’s an even distribution of essential oils in the candle. This means when you light the candles, the wax along with aromatic molecules of essential oils also get dispersed. However, it is important to use natural essential oils for candle making and stay away from synthetic fragrances.

Safety Guidelines For Burning Essential Oil

As exciting as it can be to burn essential oils, it is equally important to understand and follow best practices for a safe experience.

Since the aroma compounds get inhaled by you, ensure you use pure essential oils only. Burning synthetic fragrance oils can cause respiratory ailments. You can buy certified pure oils from leading wholesale essential oils suppliers like Aromachology Oils.
Check if you have any allergies or sensitivities to particular plants or essential oils. Avoid those at all costs.
If you have pets in the house, burn essential oils only after consulting a vet.
Do not leave any candles, incense sticks or diffusers unattended as it can be a serious fire hazard. Place them away from children and pets.
Always ensure proper ventilation in the room where you are planning to burn the essential oils.

Best Essential Oils for Burning

Are wondering if you can burn all essential oils or do some work better when heated? We have compiled a list of essential oils that work based when burnt. This makes these essential oils a great addition to heat based diffusers, candles, incense cones and more.

Lavender Essential Oil

There’s a reason why lavender essential oil is considered to be a classic in the world of aromatherapy. Not only does it have a soft, floral and universally loved aroma, it burns cleaner and is also more stable. While lavender essential oil has many variants like lavender 40/42, lavandin, Bulgarian lavender, the classic lavandula angustifolia remains a crown favorite.

Frankincense Essential Oil

As one of the most used essential oils in incense making, frankincense is again stable in higher temperatures. Its cleansing and purifying scent makes frankincense essential oil a great choice to burn during meditation and spiritual practices.

Rose Oil

We understand the high price of rose oil wouldn’t want to make you burn it. However, if you do feel a little extra luxurious, this excellent floral treasure can leave a great aromatherapy experience. Rose oil doesn’t leave a burnt smell or burning and you can also combine it with other oils for a romantic experience.

Myrrh Essential Oil

Another great example of essential oils for burning is myrrh oil. This historically significant essential oil is literally what relaxation dreams are made of. Myrrh essential oil is resin like, slightly earthy and all this wellness.

Cedarwood Essential Oil

While cedar oil comes in various types, cedarwood essential oil is one of the most commonly used. Its affordable price point and higher heat tolerance makes cedarwood oil a great essential oil for burning. The universally acknowledged grounding aroma of cedarwood make it perfect as an essential oil for candle making or incense making.

Conclusion

The question can you burn essential oils often troubles aromatherapy enthusiasts. The simple answer is yes but in a diffused and controlled environment. Direct burning of essential oil can cause more harm than do any good. Essential oil candles, oil burners, incense sticks and cones are some of the most used ways to burn essential oils. However, it is important to follow safety guidelines while using any of these mediums. You can also make your own candles or incense by sourcing wholesale essential oils instead of small retail bottles. Enjoy the aromatherapy magic of essential oils and elevate wellness!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you burn essential oils in a wax burner?

Yes you can burn essential oils in a wax warmer but make sure to add only 1-2 drops on top of the molten wax. Directly pouring essential oils on wax burner can damage it.