dōTERRA Arborvitae oil: price, uses and what to know

Arborvitae means “tree of life”, and its scent is that of a warm cedar chest or a wooden sauna: deep, dry and a little earthy. It is a small bottle with a big presence, and one or two drops go a long way.

In short: arborvitae oil (Thuja plicata) is steam-distilled from the heartwood of the Western red cedar. A 5 ml bottle costs $24 wholesale in the US and £24.50 in the UK. People use it in woody diffuser blends, to scent and care for wood, and in outdoor sprays; the key safety point is that it is never used in food or taken internally.

What it is and where it comes from

Western red cedar is a large evergreen of the Pacific Northwest of North America, and its Latin name Thuja plicata gives the oil its botanical identity. The oil is steam-distilled from the wood, specifically the heartwood. A notable component is methyl thujate, which contributes to the oil’s characteristic scent. The trees are long-lived, and the wood has been used for centuries for building and carving.

dōTERRA tests every batch, and the results for your lot number are published at sourcetoyou.com.

Aroma

Warm, woody and slightly earthy, with a dry, cedar-chest quality and a hint of sweetness. It is deeper and more grounded than the fir oils and works as a base note in blends. If you like the smell of freshly sanded wood or a mountain cabin, this is the oil.

How people use it

In the diffuser. One or two drops are enough; the scent is strong and long-lasting:

Blend	Drops	When
Arborvitae + Lemon	1 + 3	Fresh, woody scent for the day
Arborvitae + Cedarwood	1 + 2	Grounding blend for the evening
Arborvitae + Frankincense	1 + 2	Quiet time, resinous and warm
Arborvitae + Wild Orange	1 + 3	Autumn living room

Wood care. Mix a few drops of Arborvitae into a carrier oil and rub it into wooden chopping boards, furniture or ornaments with a soft cloth. It adds a lovely woody scent; test on a hidden spot first.

Outdoors. People add a few drops with citrus and cedarwood to a spray bottle with water for use on a camping trip, a terrace or a garden bench.

In the wardrobe. A drop on a cotton pad or wooden block in a wardrobe or drawer gives a fresh cedar scent.

Safety

Arborvitae is a woody oil with specific rules:

• It is NOT for internal use and not for food, ever.
• Dilute for skin: use one drop per 10 ml of carrier oil, and patch-test on the inner arm first.
• Keep it off the skin of children, and keep the bottle out of their reach.
• Keep it away from eyes and mucous membranes.
• In pregnancy, while breastfeeding or with medical conditions, ask a doctor first.
• Pets, especially cats and birds, are sensitive to essential oils; diffuse briefly, ventilate and never apply it to animals.

Is it worth the price?

A 5 ml bottle holds about 85 drops, so at $24 a drop costs roughly 28 cents (about 29 pence at £24.50). Since one or two drops are enough in the diffuser, a session costs between 28 and 56 cents. That makes Arborvitae one of the pricier woody oils compared with Siberian Fir or Cedarwood.

Whether it is worth it depends on how much you like the scent. For general woody blends, Cedarwood is cheaper; Arborvitae is a choice for people who want its deeper, warmer note and use it for wood care as well. dōTERRA tests every batch, and lot number results are at sourcetoyou.com.

What to pair it with

Arborvitae is not in a starter kit and mixes well with oils you may already own. Cedarwood and Frankincense make a deeply grounded woody blend, and Lemon adds a clean, bright top note so the wood does not feel heavy.

If you are just starting out, the first five oils for your home is a good base before adding woody specials.

Where to buy it

Buy directly from dōTERRA under your market’s terms: you pay the price in the table above, the parcel ships from the regional warehouse under your country’s rules, and the label tells you what is allowed where you live. If your country is not an official dōTERRA market, you order through Global Access: the parcel ships from the US via a forwarding intermediary, with extra shipping and customs costs. Marketplace bottles at half price are a gamble; here is how to spot a fake. Pick your country on the home page to open the official form with the wholesale price, or ask us if anything is unclear.

Questions and answers

How much does dōTERRA Arborvitae cost?

In the US a 5 ml bottle is $24.00 wholesale and $32.00 retail; in the UK it is £24.50 wholesale and £32.68 retail. The table above lists nine countries from the official October 2026 price lists.

How many drops are in a 5 ml bottle of Arborvitae?

About 85 drops. In a diffuser blend one or two drops are enough, so the bottle lasts a good while.

Can I use Arborvitae in food or take it by mouth?

No. Arborvitae is never used in food or taken internally. It is for aromatic use and diluted topical or household use only.

How do I use Arborvitae on wood?

Add a few drops to a carrier oil and rub it into wooden boards, furniture or ornaments with a soft cloth. Test on a hidden spot first, since finishes and woods differ.

What does Arborvitae blend with?

Cedarwood and Frankincense for a woody, grounding scent, and Lemon or other citrus oils to brighten it up.

This information is for general aromatic and household use. dōTERRA products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Follow the label of the product sold in your country; ask a doctor before use during pregnancy, with children or with medical conditions.