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Years ago, I decided to learn a little about essential oils and it’s become a fun hobby for me. I was trying to make my home “greener” and use fewer chemicals whenever possible. Essential oils are natural and contain beneficial properties for a multitude of uses. Aromatherapy hasn’t been vastly studied scientifically, but there are some promising results and users report benefits such as better sleep, help with common cold symptoms and help with skin conditions to name a few. I’ll share a few of my favorite ways to use essential oils.
A quick note: I highly recommend a company called Edens Garden. I’ve always ordered my essential oils from them. I have NO relationship with them other than being a happy customer. I’ve always been pleased with their quality, their prices are great and shipping is free. Many essential oils are sold in a multi-level marketing style and this is not that. So, just in case you’re looking for somewhere to buy essential oils or supplies and want a recommendation, I’ve had a great experience with this company to date.
Essential oils are so versatile and can be used in so many different applications. but I do have some favorite ways to use essential oils and they are ones I use often.
If I could only have one essential oil in my life, it would have to be lavender. This is one of the few oils (along with tea tree) that can usually be applied undiluted directly to the skin. Every night before I go to bed, I put a dab of (L’Occitane) hand-cream in my hand and a drop or two of lavender oil, rub my hands together and breathe in the aroma deeply (several times). Lavender oil has properties which promote calm and relaxation. It’s a comforting nightly ritual. I have had great results using lavender oil for mild burns. A little dab on an insect bite makes it less itchy. I always carry some when I travel. There are numerous varieties and I love them all but use French Lavender and Spike Lavender the most.
Homemade Room Spray
Often, I use essential oil “recipes”. For an all-purpose room spray I love Purify blend from Edens Garden. But you can use any oil or blend that you prefer. I add about 15 drops of essential oil into a small glass spray bottle (always use darker colored bottles) filled with half water and half witch hazel. I have seen recipes that use vodka or rubbing alcohol in place of the witch hazel but that is what I prefer. Give the bottle a few shakes before you spray, since some separating can occur. Now, you have a natural DIY room spray that not only smells wonderful but actually helps cleanse the air. And it’s good feng shui, too. I spritz it around the house after cleaning for that finishing touch. I spritz above the area on the couch where my little dog always curls up. And when I take out the trash, especially when it’s hot and the bin gets a little stinky, I spray a few times into the empty trash can to keep it smelling fresh. I keep a bottle in my bathroom labelled “Room Spray” but it’s really a homemade Poo-Pourri and it works great.
You can always put a few drops of your favorite oil straight onto a cotton pad and place it under the trash bag to help keep the trash can smelling fresh. Or, put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton pad and put it in the vacuum cleaner bag before you vacuum. It releases a wonderful scent as you go.
Steam…Ahhh
Over the winter, if I get a cold (or someone else in my family does), I love to make a steam treatment. It’s so soothing for a stuffy nose or cough. I heat water and pour it into a medium-sized bowl and add a couple drops each of eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender or maybe frankincense, depending on what I have on hand. I put a towel over my head and just relax for a few minutes and inhale the warm vapors. It can be kind of strong so I always close my eyes at first and just pull back for a few seconds if it’s overpowering.
essential oil Bug Repellent
In the late spring, or when I see the first mosquito, I always make a batch of essential oil insect repellent. I’m still experimenting a bit with this. I am a mosquito magnet. They say DEET is the most effective thing to use but I like to avoid it, if possible. I’ve read that lemon eucalyptus has been shown effective for repelling mosquitos and I’ve tried spray mixes containing that and it works okay but I do find myself reapplying if I spend much time outside. This past year, I read that sprays tend to dissipate very quickly outside and it’s better to dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil, like coconut oil or jojoba oil. So, this summer I tried Repel synergy blend from Edens Garden and mixed it in a roll-on bottle with coconut oil. It worked much better!
So many different applications, but you can’t forget diffusing. There are many different oil diffusers out there. I have and use an electric diffuser. They make personal diffusers you can carry in your purse, diffusers that you plug into your car. There are ceramic diffusers as well, that don’t use electricity. The fun part is that you get to choose what you diffuse, depending on your day. Do you need a boost of energy, have a little headache, or want to boost your immune system? Maybe you just want your home to feel cozy or smell a little like the holidays. There’s an oil for that. However you choose to use essential oils, I hope you enjoy them and have fun with it.
What are your favorite essential oils and how do you like using them? I’d love to know! Feel free to comment below.
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