Fun with Essential Oils

Summer is just around the corner and I predict it’s gonna be a scorcher.   So why not prepare by arming yourself with some tools to keep you healthy, cool, comfortable and beautiful all summer ?

Germ Prevention:

Add a few drops of grapefruit, lemongrass and marjoram essential oils to a 2 oz. bottled mixture of grain alcohol, vegetable glycerin and distilled water.  Shake it vigorously and use a few drops as a hand sanitizer. This is a much better alternative to the sanitizers found at mass retail because it will not kill the good bacteria your body needs for a strong immune system.

Quick Health Tips:

Did you know that peppermint essential oil (EO) has a variety of therapeutic uses in the home?  If you have a headache, moisten a washcloth with water, add a few drops of peppermint EO and use it as a compress on your forehead – the pain should be eased within a few minutes.  If you’re feeling that dreaded feeling of nausea, place a few drops of peppermint EO on a tissue and hold it near your nose to breath in the vapors – it can bring you some great relief from that icky, awful feeling we all hate.

Summer Health Tips:

Here in Florida, daily summer temperatures exceed 95 degrees with 100% humidity regularly.  So I make sure to always have my favorite “cooler” on hand: a 4 oz. spray bottle with 50% grain alcohol, 50% distilled water and 10-12 drops of peppermint EO.  When I’m stuck outside, I spritz myself all over, close my eyes and breathe in the cool scent – it helps me feel refreshed, even if only for a few minutes!  I’ve also been told this cooler works wonders for “hot flashes”.  So if that’s an issue, then give this a try – you may be pleasantly surprised:-)

White tea antioxidants have been receiving a lot of press lately.  My personal favorite white tea is a loose tea with a mild flavor called Silver Needle.  After brewing a pot, I save half for drinking and reserve the remainder to make some scented body spritzers.  Once the tea has cooled, add some different EO’s to a few ounces of white tea in a spray bottle.  If you like flowers, Turkish rose and Jasmine EO’s are believed to be good for dry and / or aging skin; both also have an intoxicating scent.  If spices are more your thing, how about a little rosemary and lavender to keep you cool, calm and collected all summer long?!  Prefer a more woodsy and / or oriental scent?  Then a blend of patchouli and lemongrass might just be your “cup of tea” (pun intended:-))  There are no rules  – just have fun, be sassy and stay healthy!

Keep a couple “antioxidant spritzers” in the fridge to spritz throughout the day for quick cool downs.  You might also want to keep another one (or two!) in the bathroom to use as an invigorating post-shower treatment.  Either way, you’ll spring into summer with a blissful state of mind and body!