Autumn Stroll Wax Melt or Candle Recipe

Each year around this time, I create a new wax melt and candle recipe to celebrate the season. I love the smells of fall, but I often yearn for something other than the stereotypical cinnamon or pumpkin spice “flavors” you find most anywhere. Last year, I made an Autumn Breeze Blend, that was meant to bring fresh autumn air into my home. This year, I went all out on a new concept that brought me deeper into the woods to replicate the essence of an autumn hike.

As I started to think about the aspects that create that one-of-a-kind scent, I realized there were many natural things in our environment that are not normally associated with aromatherapy ingredients, but that I felt needed to be included. One of these ingredients was the sweet, earthly, aroma of mushroom. Despite it being an unconventional ingredient, it was just what was needed and since mushroom essential oils are not a thing, I decided to work with dried mushrooms. It still needed a bit more, so I took it another step further and charred the mushroom to bring a layer of smokiness, reminiscent of a fall campfire. The result—pure aromatic bliss!

Once I had the base oil dialed in, I called in some of the woodland-themed essential oils I love most. Oak moss and cedarwood act as base notes in this blend to add depth and help the aroma stick around longer. I added more base note oils than usual in this formulation because it better captures the denser energy of fall.

Next, I worked in the middle notes. The fresh, sweet, green notes of myrtle and the ethereal, sharp notes of armoise (artemisia family) begin to lift the blend further from the soil and account for the sweet and bitter notes of autumn foliage. Lastly, I needed a top note, but citrus didn’t feel right, nor did the bright evergreens. After a bit of experimenting, I landed on pink peppercorn essential oil, and it was the proverbial icing on the cake.

I have made a lot of candles, wax melts, perfumes, and diffuser blends over the years, but I think this recipe is really something special. I hope you enjoy!

Autumn Hike Wax Melt and Candle Recipe

Makes about 15 wax melts. (Will vary based on your mold.)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup organic sesame oil
• 6 organic shiitake mushrooms
• 1 cup beeswax pastilles
• 32 drops oak moss absolute
• 20 drops organic cedarwood essential oil
• 20 drops organic myrtle essential oil
• 12 drops organic armoise essential oil
• 8 drops organic pink peppercorn essential oil

Directions

1. Add oil to double boiler and put on medium-high heat.
2. Break shiitake mushrooms into small pieces and place in glass jar.
3. Char mushrooms with long lighter until all pieces have some char on them.
4. Add mushrooms to warm oil and infuse for at least 15 minutes.
5. Scoop out mushrooms and place in spice grinder.
6. Blend until it forms a mushroom paste/powder consistency and set aside.
7. Add beeswax to oil and leave on heat until fully melted.
8. Remove from heat and add essential oils and 1tsp. of mushroom paste/powder from step 6. 
9. Pour into mold of choice or pour into candle vessel with pre-set wick.

Pro Tips:

• You can learn how to make and pour homemade candles here. 
• After continued use, the aroma of wax melts will begin to dissipate. You can freshen it up with some new essential oils. Simply let the warmer do its magic in melting the solids and then add essential oils as desired.
  
  
  

Looking for More Natural Fall Scents for Your Home?

Check Out This Autumn Breeze Wax Melt Recipe

You may also enjoy:

• Pumpkin Spice Wax Melts
• Sweater Weather Perfume Recipe
• Chai Spice Whipped Body Scrub