If you’re no stranger to natural living, you’ve probably already read a recommendation or two about using essential oil diffusers to improve your health, increase your energy, or to help you sleep better.

The fact is, these handy little devices are great for all of those things and more.

While the list of possible uses for a diffuser is quite extensive, we’ve narrowed it down to (what we consider to be) the top 10 reasons to own an essential oil diffuser and use it every day.

Want to try an essential oil diffuser but not sure which one to try? Read our review of five of the most popular diffusers available here: What Is The Best Essential Oil Diffuser? 5 Of The Best Reviewed

Spoiler Alert: This AromaFuse Diffuser from Plant Therapy was our top pick after thorough testing.

1. Relaxation and Sleep

One of the best and most well-known uses for essential oils is their ability to help you unwind at the end of a hard day.

While there are several other methods for getting your soothing oils from the bottle into your blood stream where they start to work their magic, the diffuser is by far the easiest and longest-lasting of them all. Keep one at the office to help you relax on your lunch break.

Have a diffuser ready to go with the push of a button when you get home from work in the evening. Set one on the bedside table to help your mind and body relax so you can sleep better at night.

Recommended oils: chamomile, lavender, clary sage

Related Reading: How To Use Essential Oils For Improving Your Sleep

2. Mood Elevating

Just as a diffuser can help you to de-stress, they can also be used to create an energizing mood.

This is not only great for when you’re feeling sad or depressed. You can use your diffuser to inspire high spirits during the holidays, to set a positive atmosphere for business meetings and social gatherings, to help you get moving on a slow morning, or even to create a romantic atmosphere for that special someone in your life.

Recommended oils: sweet orange, jasmine, rose, scotch pine, sandalwood, vanilla

3. Ward Off Illness

Using a diffuser in your home or office is a great way to keep cold, flu, and other nasty illnesses at bay that works on three levels.

First, many essential oils are powerfully anti-microbial and when introduced into the air in vapor form, the organic compounds within the oils come into direct contact with airborne pathogens before they can invade your body.

Second, essential oils can also be used to boost the immune system. Last but not least, some diffusers also double as humidifiers which will help to keep your airways moist and healthy so you are less susceptible to any microbes that do make it into your body.

Recommended oils: tea tree, sage, rosemary, grapefruit, lemon, thyme

4. Helps You Breathe Easier

Essential oils are great for reducing inflammation and congestion in clogged airways to help you breathe more easily.

If you are prone to allergies or other breathing disorders, try diffusing essential oils in the room (or rooms) of your home where you spend the most time.

Just remember to keep a box of tissues handy as your nose and sinuses begin to open so you can also avoid that mad dash to the bathroom!

Recommended oils: peppermint, rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus

Want more tips on how to naturally improve air quality so you can breathe better and be healthier?  Our wildly popular 10 Reasons To Have A Himalayan Salt Lamp In Every Room Of Your Home is an absolute must-read!

5. Pain Relief

While most people will tell you to apply essential oils directly to the body for pain relief (diluted in a carrier oil, of course!), you can also use a diffuser to extend their effects.

This method is an excellent way to combat persistent pain such as that caused by headaches, sore joints, and overworked muscles.

Recommended oils: ginger, chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, clary sage, rosemary, bergamot

Also, be sure to check out these 14 Effective Natural Remedies To Relieve Joint Pain to learn more about using natural home-remedies in lieu of chemical-laden pain meds!

6. Improve Cognitive Function

Using essential oils in a diffuser is a highly-effective way to super-charge your brain cells.

Again, this effect works on multiple levels. First, many essential oils have adaptogenic qualities – meaning that they are soothing when you’re stressed, but they can also give you a pick-me-up when you’re feeling down or sluggish.

By leveling out your mood, the oils in the air will help you to focus. Also, there are several essential oils which are known for their powerful ability to balance the body’s hormones.

With regular use, these oils can actually help to heal the underlying causes responsible for hampering cognitive function.

Recommended oils: peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon, pine

7. Safer Alternative to Candles & Incense

If you have pets or small children, burning candles or incense can be a potentially hazardous practice.

With an essential oil diffuser, you can reap the benefits of aromatherapy – and to much greater effect – without the risk of burns, wax spills, or other accidents.

Recommended oils: any

8. Repel Insects

Whether your problem is mosquitoes, house flies, fruit flies or moths, you can use essential oils in your diffuser to deter these critters from entering your home.

Recommended oils: clove, lemongrass, rosemary, cedarwood

9. Keeps You Cool

(While it might make you appear more eco-savvy to your friends and family, that’s not the kind of ‘cool’ we’re referring to.)

In the heat of the summer months, running the air conditioner all day and all night is a surefire way to send your electric bill through the roof.

Instead, try diffusing your favorite crisp, cooling minty essential oils in the rooms where you spend the most time to help you beat the heat.

Recommended oils: peppermint, eucalyptus, spearmint, wintergreen

10. Saves Money

So far we’ve covered the top nine reasons that owning a diffuser is an investment in your health and well-being, but it’s more than just that.

With all of the versatile uses for essential oil diffusers around the home which ultimately lead to less doctor visits, lower electric bills, fewer cups of coffee and better productivity; you will soon discover that this handy little device is a money-saver as well!

Recommended oils: all

Where Do I Buy An Essential Oil Diffuser?

If you don’t already own an essential oil diffuser, then buying one can be a minefield.

In recent years, hundreds of new designs and styles with lots of different functions have been brought to the market from dozens of brands. Picking the best can be tricky.

Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you when we tested five of the most popular essential oil diffusers on the market.

In the above post, Natural Living Ideas writer, Susan, gets to grips with five of the most popular diffusers on the market, reveals the pros and cons of each and picks her top choice.

See if you agree with her here.

And if you’d rather just skip to our top pick – this AromaFuse diffuser from Plant Therapy was our favorite.

Need To Stock Up On Essential Oils?

When purchasing essential oils, it is imperative to choose 100% pure oils free of additives and adulterants.

Our favorite supplier is Plant Therapy Essential Oils who offer a huge range of high quality, 100% pure oils at affordable prices.

You can shop Plant Therapy Essential Oils at their Amazon store here.

Can’t get enough of that essential oil goodness? 

While you’re waiting for the postman to deliver your new diffuser, brush up on your EO know-how with these 50 Aromatic Essential Oil Recipes You’ve Got To Try In Your Diffuser!

Read Next: The Total Guide To Diffusing Essential Oils & 5 Recipes To Try

The post 10 Reasons Every Home Should Have An Essential Oil Diffuser appeared first on Natural Living Ideas.

We’d probably all like to have a nicely scented home, but is it really worth sacrificing our good health, and the health of our planet?

Most people probably don’t think twice about using air fresheners, plugging them in and enjoying a “Summer Breeze”, without the understanding that it could be damaging their health, not to mention the health of one’s family, including unborn children and pets.

While there’s no doubt that the plug-in type is a big improvement over sprays, which lead to a direct breakdown of ozone in the stratosphere, that doesn’t mean they deserve a clean bill of environmental health either.

Air fresheners can contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, a class of chemicals that are well known to be hazardous to the environment as well as human health. In just one example, the University of Washington’s Anne Steinemann demonstrated that several of the leading air-freshener brands contained both a probable human carcinogen and a federally-designated hazardous air pollutant known as acetaldehyde.

The residual chemicals in air freshening products are known to accumulate in continually increasing amounts in the body over time, which means when health consequences eventually occur, they’re almost never attributed to them.

While many people were excited about the new plug-in types of air fresheners, it turns out, what we believed was the latest and greatest technology for filling our homes with a scented aroma, was not. In fact, scientists have uncovered numerous toxic substance in what seems like a fairly innocuous device.

Those toxic compounds include:

Phthalates. Phthalates come with many risks. Most have been linked to reproductive abnormalities, interfering with the production of testosterone, the male hormone.

The Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) found that when testing over a dozen different air fresheners, the majority contained these chemicals that are also listed on the State of California’s list of toxic substances “known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm.” The NRDC has also stated that phthalates in the air we breathe can lead to asthma and allergy symptoms even in only trace amounts.

Naphthalene. The majority of plug-in air fresheners brands contain a chemical known as naphthalene which has been found to cause tissue damage and even lung cancer in laboratory rats and is suspected to have a similar effect in humans.

Formaldehyde. A well-known human carcinogen, formaldehyde is commonly used in air fresheners and other household products and has been definitively associated with nose and throat cancer. It can also lead to the chronic irritation of airways and the throat, potentially causing serious infection, asthma, and other respiratory issues, as the U.S. government National Toxicology Program reports.

Volatile Organic Compounds. As we mentioned VOCs are compounds that are used to help disperse scents in air fresheners, but these are harmful chemicals too.

Just one of the VOCs in air fresheners, 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, has been found in the bloodstreams of 96% of U.S. adults, an EPA registered pesticide and a known carcinogen that’s been linked to lung damage.

Another VOC, dichlorobenzene, was found to be the cause of death in many pet birds. In fact, the birds passed away not long after air fresheners had been used close to them. It also happens to be the primary ingredient used in the frightening pesticide DDT.

Even if you only use these air fresheners occasionally, studies have found that being exposed even just once a week raises the risk of household members developing asthma, and by as much as 71%, which is why it’s far better to make your own, than to subject yourself, your family and our environment to such a long list of potential hazards.

Make Your Own Gel Fresheners

Freshen up your home naturally with these simple gel fresheners.

They’re easy to make with a few simple ingredients. You can customize them with any scent and color you prefer. Plus, they’re fun to look at!

The process is so simple, you can easily make a bunch of air fresheners in just a few minutes. Make one for every room in your home.

The Video Tutorial

Watch our 90 second video tutorial showing the whole process first and then continue reading below for the full ingredients and supplies list and step-by-step photos of the gel fresheners being made.

Step-By-Step Photo Tutorial

Supplies

• 1 packet unflavored gelatin
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup vodka or 1 tablespoon of salt
• 15 drops essential oil (we used Plant Therapy Lemon and Spring Blossom)
• 1-2 drops food coloring
• small glass jars (we used half-pint mason jars)
• lids with some sort of vent or holes (we used mason jar lids with a straw hole and a frog lid insert)
• small saucepan
• whisk

Bring 3/4 of water to boil in a small saucepan.

Add gelatin packet and stir until dissolved. When you add the gelatin, the water will start to boil more aggressively. Turn off the heat at this point. Let mixture sit until cooled to room temperature, then add the 1/4 cup of vodka.

The alcohol in the vodka will keep mold from forming on the surface of the gel freshener. You can substitute with one tablespoon of salt.

Pour into the small jar.

Add the food coloring. You only need one or two drops. Stir.

Add in 10-15 drops of essential oils and stir. Refrigerate the gels until set.

Place a frog grid, a lid with a straw hole, or even a small piece of cheesecloth over the jars. This will help keep debris out while still allowing the scent to flow.  You don’t have to use a lid, but gel fresheners will evaporate in about a month without one.

The recipe can be doubled or tripled to make more gel freshers.

Try different scents throughout the seasons. They are also perfect for hostess gifts.

Fun Scent Combinations

One of the things that I like best about making homemade gel fresheners, is I get to play with the scents!

I’ve come up with some fabulous aromas that you might want to try too, though you may also want to get creative and have a little fun coming up with your own as well.

The Flower Garden:

• 7 drops lavender essential oil
• 4 drops geranium essential oil
• 4 drops grapefruit essential oil

Pure Joy:

• 8 drops tangerine essential oil
• 6 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops lime essential oil
• 3 drops spearmint essential oil

A Walk in the Woods:

• 7 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 6 drops white fir essential oil
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil

Citrus Refresher:

• 5 drops mandarin orange essential oil
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops lime essential oil
• 5 drops grapefruit essential oil

Bugs Be Gone:

• 5 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 4 drops basil essential oil
• 4 drops thyme essential oil

Fall Cider:

• 7 drops ginger
• 5 drops orange
• 5 drops cinnamon

Pumpkin Pie:

• 6 drops cardamom
• 4 drops cinnamon
• 3 drops clove bud
• 2 drops nutmeg

Candy Cane:

• 9 drops wintergreen
• 6 drops sweet orange

Christmas In the Air:

• 6 drops fir needle or spruce
• 6 drops orange
• 3 drops wintergreen

Where To Buy Essential Oils

Our favorite supplier of essential oils is Plant Therapy. They provide all of the essential oils mentioned above. The oils are 100% pure and unadulterated. You can browse their selection of oils on their Amazon store here.

6 More Homemade Air Freshening Alternatives

While homemade gel fresheners are my favorite way to scent my home, there are other good options too.

1. Scented Wood Blocks

It’s really easy to make scented wood blocks. All you need is some wood blocks such as these wooden cubes and essential oil.

Simply coat the wood blocks with the oil, perhaps using one of the suggested recipes above, though you may need to double or triple the amounts listed to cover them all. Pour some essential oil into a container, dip in a clean paintbrush and rub the oil so it fully coats the wood blocks. 

2. Baking Soda/Essential Oils

Baking soda is famous as an odor absorber, and by blending it with some of your favorite essential oils it makes a great alternative to a chemical air freshener.

Simply add baking soda to a small glass jar. Now add your desired essential oils, using 6 drops of oil per each tablespoon of baking soda in the jar.

That’s all there is to it. Replace the contents when the baking soda starts to harden, as it won’t be as effective in neutralizing the odors.

3. A Relaxing and Uplifting Room Spray

After a long day, you probably need a little time to chill out, and your mood may need some uplifting too.

A room spray can make a great alternative to a gel freshener, provided you make your own. You can change the oils up as you’d like for different purposes as well, such as purification with tea tree oil, or lavender to encourage a more peaceful night’s rest.

To make the room spray, you’ll need:

• An 8-ounce spray bottle filled about three-quarters full with distilled water
• Fill the remainder of the bottle with witch hazel
• 14 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 14 drops tangerine essential oil
• 6 drops lemon essential oil
• 6 drops bergamot essential oil

After placing the lid back on, shake thoroughly and it’ll be ready for use.

4. Simmer Pot

Simmer pots are an old-fashioned way to scent your home, something you might recall seeing your grandmother or great-grandmother do. It’s one of the cheapest and easiest DIY air fresheners there is and you can easily change the scent just by switching up the ingredients.

You can use anything you like – my favorite is a perennial fall favorite, a scent I actually use quite often, not just in autumn, using sliced apples, cloves, and cinnamon sticks.

All you have to do is fill a small pot with water, about three-fourths of the way, and bring it to a boil. Add your ingredients and continue to boil for several minutes. Afterward, simply turn the heat down to a simmer, allowing the scent to fill the air. As the water evaporates, add more to keep it going.

5. Potpourri

It’s easy to create a pleasant scent using potpourri. Just blend some fragrant herbs and essential oils with dried flowers.

6. Coffee

When you have a powerful odor permeating your home, like fish, garlic or onions, use ground coffee to dispel it. All you have to do is place a few bowls of fresh ground coffee in the room and its much more pleasant scent will take over.

The post How To Make Your Own Gel Air Fresheners With Essential Oils appeared first on Natural Living Ideas.

An aromatherapy diffuser is a popular way of using aromatherapy. However, there are several different types of diffusers on the market, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. And there are also some safety considerations for diffusing essential oils, depending upon where you are diffusing essential oils and who is present.

This article is a quick introduction to the most popular types of diffusers, some of the issues associated with them, and you’ll find a few easy recipes to try at the end, formulated by a certified aromatherapist.

Basic Aromatherapy Diffusers

Not so long ago, the most basic type of aromatherapy diffuser was a candle diffuser.

These types of diffusers consisted of ceramic type trays/holders, with a space underneath to place a small tealight candle. You filled the top tray up with water and added a few drops of your favorite essential oil. The heat from the candle warmed up the water and diffused the aroma of the essential oils into the room.

There were a few problems with this type of diffuser.

The tray often ran dry of water and burned up the essential oils. Oils and water don’t naturally mix so the essential oils tended to sit on top of the water. And there was also the safety aspect of an open flame, especially if you had pets or little ones in your home.

You can still find these types of aromatherapy diffusers – like this one available on Amazon.

I recommend purchasing one of the more common electric aromatherapy diffusers if you want to use it for more therapeutic purposes vs. aesthetic purposes.

Ultrasonic Electric Aromatherapy Diffusers

An ultrasonic electric aromatherapy diffuser is probably the safest type of diffuser available. You add the essential oils (or the essential oil blend) to a glass container.

Each type differs, so refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific details on how to do this. Once you switch it on, the diffuser pushes out all of the different-sized essential oil molecules into the air.

Some electric diffusers have lights as well to add to the ambience. You can also set a time for the diffuser to run, so that you don’t forget about it, or set it for a certain time to fall asleep to.

Try this highly reviewed InnoGear diffuser available on Amazon here.

Nebulizing Aromatherapy Diffusers

A nebulizing aromatherapy diffuser is probably the “premium” of aromatherapy diffusers and is most favored by clinical aromatherapists for therapeutic use.

This type of diffuser turns the essential oil molecules into micro-sized units, unlike the standard electric diffuser.

It forces air into the essential oils, through an air pump. The result is a fine vapor mist of micro-sized molecules. The essential oil blend is dispersed more readily into the air and it is advantageous for conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, coughs and colds.  

This premium diffuser is really sylish and would look great when diffusing or not.

Aromatherapy Diffusers On-the-go

Some aromatherapy diffusers are portable and small enough to take with you on-the-go. Their effectiveness might be limited (when compared to a nebulizing diffuser, for example) but it is worth giving them a try, especially if you are always moving around.

Cars:

A traditional plug-in car diffuser works from the cigarette lighter outlet. Add a couple of drops of your chosen essential oil to one of the pads (supplied with the diffuser) and plug it into the outlet to diffuse the essential oils.

Available on Amazon here.

Another type of car diffuser is the “cupholder” diffuser. Essentially, this is a portable size diffuser that fits into the cupholder of your car and acts much like a mini version of a regular diffuser. It is powered by the socket in your car.

Available on Amazon here.

Caution: Do not diffuse relaxing essential oil blends while driving which may cause sleepiness or impair judgment.

In addition, take into consideration your passengers – especially babies, children, pets, pregnant women, and/or seniors – and do not diffuse contra-indicated essential oils around them.

Jewelry:

There are many different types of jewelry pendants, necklaces, and bracelets which incorporate some type of aromatherapy “diffusion.” Many include a small disc or bead that is used to “disperse” the essential oils.

Jewelry designers are getting more creative in how to add an aromatherapy element to their pieces, so check each one out, ask questions, and make sure you know how it works before purchasing it.

There’s a wide selection available on Amazon.

Computer:

Diffusing aromatherapy via your computer uses the same type of technology that is used through USB ports in cars.

Simply plug in the USB to disperse the essential oil aroma. The design of the diffuser to disperse the essential oils varies.

We like the look of this one here.

Where To Use Aromatherapy Diffusers

Aromatherapy diffusers can be used in many places. These are some of the most popular places in which aromatherapy diffusers are used. Make sure to check the cautions section which follows as well:

• In the home
• In the office
• In the car
• In hospital waiting rooms, doctor waiting rooms, therapist waiting rooms (and practice)
• At weddings
• At social events and parties
• In schools (see caution note below)
• In yoga studios
• In restaurants
• In public areas.

Cautions For Diffusing Essential Oils

There are always ethical and health reasons when diffusing in a public place. You don’t know the individual health issues of a particular person.

You don’t know about any allergies. And some people may have other reasons for not being around essential oils.

Always ask before diffusing and obtain permission from a responsible adult (where children and the incapacitated are concerned). Little ones can’t tolerate essential oils for long periods of time, or in the same way as adults. This makes it especially difficult to diffuse essential oils in schools, without the advice of a certified aromatherapist on how to do so.

Follow the general guidelines for diffusing essential blends, in addition to specific contra-indications for use of a particular essential oil.

Vulnerable groups to consider include:

Babies and children:

This age group cannot tolerate certain essential oils and those which they can tolerate are at a much lower dilution rate than a normal adult. Essential oils such as peppermint (Mentha × piperita), cornmint (Mentha arvensis), and sage (Salvia officinalis) are a few examples of essential oils never to use with and around babies and children, without causing serious harm.

In Pregnancy:

Moms-to-be cannot tolerate essential oils at the same dilution rate as a normal adult. In addition, just like with babies and children, you should never use some essential oils around pregnant women, due to possible harm, or in extreme cases emmenagogue effects, to both mother and child.

Pets:

Any type of pet in the home needs to be considered before diffusing essential oils. Cats in particular can have extreme adverse reactions to essential oil use. Keep all pets away from essential oils and don’t diffuse in a space that a pet is confined to.

Seniors:

Diffusing essential oils around seniors requires special attention, much like with other vulnerable groups. Seniors cannot tolerate the same level of essential oil diffusion as a regular adult.

Serious Medical Conditions & Allergies:

Anyone who has had recent surgery, has a serious medical condition or suffers from allergies may not tolerate essential oil diffusion at the same level as a normal adult – or even at all.

General Guidelines For Diffusing Essential Oils

These are a few general guidelines for diffusing essential oils, but other factors (such as those above) should also be considered:

• Diffuse in a well-ventilated space.
• The size of your diffuser will dictate how much square footage the diffusion will cover.
• Use relaxing essential oils only when your judgement of other tasks won’t be impaired e.g. Driving, operating machinery, cooking etc.
• Use stimulating essential oils for situations such as study and work, not at bed time.
• Diffuse for short periods of time. Diffusers should not be run for hours on end.
• Stop using immediately if health issues arise.

Essential Oil Diffusion Blend Recipes

Each of the following recipes makes up approximately 2 – 3 mL of essential oil blend. You will need a glass bottle with an orifice reducer to mix the blend in – you can purchase these on Amazon here.

Add the amount of each essential oil to the glass bottle as directed below. Cap and shake well. Use the orifice reducer to add about five drops of the essential oil blend (normal adult use) to the diffuser.

However, always refer to individual manufacturer’s guidelines for specific amounts as the size of diffusers vary widely, and this will dictate to amount to use.

Pay attention to cautions for use, and differing uses for vulnerable groups.

1. Relaxing Essential Oil Diffusion Blend For Bedtime

• 40 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 25 drops Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
• 35 drops Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)

2. Stimulating Essential Oil Diffusion Blend For Study

• 20 drops Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. linalool)
• 25 drops Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
• 20 drops Clary sage (Salvia sclarea)
• 35 drops Lemon (Citrus × limon)

Cautions: Avoid use in pregnancy, with and around babies and young children, with high blood pressure, and with epilepsy.

3. Calming Essential Oil Diffusion Blend For Shock and Grief

• 30 drops Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata)
• 25 drops Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
• 45 drops Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var. amara (fol))

Cautions: Overexposure may cause headaches and mild nausea.

4. Essential Oil Diffusion Blend For Allergies

• 30 drops Blue gum eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
• 25 drops Lemon (Citrus × limon)
• 20 drops Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris)
• 25 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Cautions: Avoid use with babies and children. For a more child-friendly blend, remove blue gum eucalyptus essential oil and replace with Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). However, still check usual cautions for use with children.

5. Luxury Essential Oil Diffusion Blend For Romance

• 20 drops Rose (Rosa × centifolia)
• 30 drops Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
• 35 drops Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)

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Read Next: 50 Aromatic Essential Oil Recipes You’ve Got To Try In Your Diffuser

The post The Total Guide To Diffusing Essential Oils & 5 Recipes To Try appeared first on Natural Living Ideas.

Today’s store-bought beauty products often contain a myriad of ingredients, many of which might be synthetic in nature. Although these types of products often have a need of preservatives, in addition to other ingredients, due to their anticipated store shelf life, it is just as easy (and more natural) to make your own beauty products with essential oils at home.

The aromatherapy product recipes in this article don’t contain preservatives but they should last the recommended time if you use quality ingredients, practice good hygiene (in both making and using the products) and follow the guidelines of a certified aromatherapist for making such products.

Here are eight brilliant beauty products you can make with essential oils at home! All of these recipes are for adult use only.

1. Aromatherapy Facial Toner for Daily Use

Facial toners are predominately made up of water. I recommend making a simple aromatherapy toner with hydrosols vs. essential oils but I have listed the recipe both ways, in case you want to experiment. Oil and water do not naturally bond together, so make sure to include a solubol or polysorbate when combining essential oils with water.

You will need a glass 4-oz. spray bottle to get started.

Hydrosol Option:

• 2-oz. rose (Rosa × damascena) hydrosol
• 1-oz. geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) hydrosol
• 1-oz. frankincense (Boswellia carteri) hydrosol

Essential Oil Option:

This is a 1% dilution rate as it is used for the face.

• 4-oz. distilled water
• 1 tsp. solubol or polysorbate
• 5 drops rose (Rosa × damascena) essential oil*
• 9 drops geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil
• 10 drops frankincense (Boswellia carteri) essential oil

*if you don’t have rose essential oil, or it is too expensive, you can increase the amount of geranium essential oil to compensate.

Instructions for Use:

Add all of the ingredients to the spray bottle. Cap and shake well. Shake before each use. Wash face before each use. Spray a small amount of the toner onto a cotton pad. Wipe lightly over the face and neck area. Avoid getting into eyes. Wait for the toner to dry before applying any other products. Use twice a day, morning and evening, as part of your skincare routine.

Cautions: Avoid getting into eyes. If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use.

2. Aromatherapy Facial Serum for Daily Use

An aromatherapy facial serum is primarily made up of carrier oils, but you can add essential oils for additional benefits. If you are using a serum for the face, I recommend using a lighter carrier oil vs. a heavier carrier oil.

You will need a 1-oz. spray bottle to get started.

This is a 1% dilution rate as it is used for the face.

Ingredients:

• 0.75-oz. sweet almond (Prunis dulcis) carrier oil
• 0.25-oz. rosehip seed (Rosa canina) carrier oil
• 2 drops neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara (flos)) essential oil
• 3 drops petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var. amara (fol)) essential oil
• 1 drop sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil

Instructions for Use:

Add all of the ingredients to the spray bottle. Cap and shake well. Shake before each use. Wash face before each use. If you are using a toner, apply the toner first. Spray a small amount of the serum onto a cotton pad. Wipe lightly over the face and neck area. Avoid getting into eyes. Use twice a day, morning and evening, as part of your skincare routine.

Cautions: Avoid getting into eyes. If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use. Avoid use if you have a nut allergy.

3. Aromatherapy Facial Cream for Daily Use

An aromatherapy facial cream is made up of carrier oils, water, and a number of other ingredients. I recommend purchasing a basic base cream, from a cosmetic supplier, to start making your own aromatherapy creams.

You will need a 4-oz. jar to get started. This is a 1% dilution rate as it is used for the face.

Ingredients:

• 4-oz. unscented face cream
• 10 drops sandalwood (Santalum album) essential oil
• 10 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
• 4 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil

Instructions for Use:

Add all of the ingredients to the jar. Combine well and cap. Wash face before each use. If you are using a toner and a serum, apply the toner and serum first. Add a small amount to the palm of your hand and massage gently over face. Avoid getting into eyes. Use twice a day, morning and evening, as part of your skincare routine.

Cautions: Avoid getting into eyes. If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use.

4. Aromatherapy Body Spray for Daily Use

Aromatherapy body sprays, just like facial sprays, are made up primarily of water. You can use either hydrosols or essential oils with water for your spray. Again, I am listing both options to try. Oil and water do not naturally bond together, so make sure to include a solubol or polysorbate when combining essential oils with water.

You will need 4-oz. spray bottle to get started.

Hydrosol Option:

• 0.5-oz. lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) hydrosol
• 1-oz. myrtle (Myrtus communis) hydrosol
• 2-oz. cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) hydrosol

Essential Oil Option:

This is a 1% dilution rate as it is used for the face.

• 4-oz. distilled water
• 1 tsp. solubol or polysorbate
• 12 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
• 4 drops myrtle (Myrtus communis) essential oil
• 8 drops cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) essential oil

Instructions for Use:

Add all of the ingredients to the spray bottle. Cap and shake well. Shake before each use. Use daily as required.

Cautions: Avoid getting into eyes. If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use. Avoid use in pregnancy.

5. Aromatherapy Body Oil for Daily Use

Body oils are both luxurious and nourishing to the skin. Like facial serums, they are primarily made up of carrier oils, but you can add essential oils for additional benefits. You also have greater freedom with body oils vs. facial serums, as you can use heavier carrier oils if you prefer.

You will need a 4-oz. jar to get started.

Ingredients:

• 4-oz. jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) oil
• 14 drops geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil
• 10 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil

Instructions for Use:

Add all of the ingredients to the jar. Combine well and cap. Add a small amount to the palm of your hand and massage gently over the body after your shower or bath. Use once a day.

Cautions: If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use.

6. Aromatherapy Salts for Soaking the Feet

Aromatherapy salts are great for soaking tired feet in a bowl of warm water.

You will need an 8-oz. jar to get started.

Ingredients:

• 8-oz. Epsom or Dead Sea salts
• 1 tsp. solubol or polysorbate
• 18 drops petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var. amara (fol)) essential oil
• 20 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
• 10 drops spearmint (Mentha spicata) essential oil

Instructions for Use:

Combine all of the ingredients together in the jar. Add one scoop of salts to a bowl of warm water, large enough to accommodate your feet. Swirl the salts round in the water before putting your feet in. Sit and soak for ten minutes. Remove feet and pat dry.

Cautions: If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use.

7. Aromatherapy Sugar Scrub for Body Exfoliation

I personally love sugar scrubs! Use this sugar scrub once a week to exfoliate dead skin cells from your body. Do not use on the face.

You will need a 4-oz. jar to get started.

Ingredients:

• 3-oz. turbinado sugar (turbinado sugar is naturally coarser, making for a great scrub ingredient.)
• 0.75-oz. apricot kernel (Prunus armeniaca) oil
• 0.25-oz. rosehip (Rosa canina L.) oil
• 9 drops geranium (Pelargonium gravolens) essential oil
• 5 drops neroli (Pelargonium graveolens var. amara (flos)) essential oil
• 10 drops mandarin (Citrus reticulata) essential oil

Instructions for Use:

Combine all the ingredients in the jar. Apply the scrub liberally, using small circular movements, to wet skin. Leave on for ten minutes and then wash off.

Cautions: If skin irritation occurs, wash off immediately.

8. Aromatherapy Perfume Oil

An aromatherapy perfume oil can act as your own custom perfume, in place of a synthetic aroma. Try this aromatherapy blend to start!

Note: Aromatherapy perfumes are made at a higher dilution rate than regular aromatherapy products as you are applying a small amount to a small part of the skin. However, start with a lesser dilution rate if you have skin sensitivities.

You will need a 0.33-oz. roll-on bottle applicator to get started.

Ingredients:

• 0.33-oz. jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) oil
• 5 drops patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) essential oil
• 7 drops vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) essential oil
• 8 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil

Instructions for Use:

Add the jojoba to the roll-on bottle applicator. Add the number of drops for each essential oil. Fix the applicator tightly. Cap. Shake well. Roll a small amount of the blend onto wrists. Apply as necessary.

Cautions: If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use.

General Cautions for Using Essential Oils in Beauty Products

Storage: Store all products in a cool, dry, dark place, away from heat, sunlight, and water.

Shelf Life: Use salts and scrubs as soon as you’ve made them. Use water-based products within one to two weeks and store correctly. Use oil-based products within a few months, if stored correctly.

Take note of any additional cautions as listed for each recipe above. Consult a certified aromatherapist for further advice.

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Read Next: 10 Essential Oil Recipes For Cleaning Your Entire House

The post 8 Brilliant Beauty Products You Can Make with Essential Oils appeared first on Natural Living Ideas.

Using essential oils in the kitchen and bathroom as cleaning agents is a natural and aromatic way to take care of those mundane jobs! Not only will your house be clean, but it will smell naturally aromatic, without the aroma of some of the more toxic cleaning products that you may find in big-box grocery stores.

Here are ten essential oil recipes for cleaning your entire house so you never need to buy a toxic cleaning product again!

1. Essential Oil Kitchen Surface Cleaner

This simple, but effective, kitchen surface cleaner can be used as many times a day as you need it to keep your kitchen smelling fresh and clean!

You will need a 4 oz. glass spray bottle to get started – although you may wish to opt for a larger spray bottle and scale up the quantity you make. For example, if using this 16 oz. spray bottle then multiple all ingredients by four.

Ingredients:

• 4-oz. white vinegar
• 17 drops black pepper (Piper nigrum) essential oil
• 18 drops lemon (Citrus x limon) essential oil
• 13 drops clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oil

Add all the ingredients to the 4-oz spray bottle. Cap and shake well. Shake before each use. Spray liberally onto the kitchen surface. Wipe down with a clean sponge or cloth.

Cautions: Possible skin sensitivity if contact occurs.

2. Daily Essential Oil Bathroom Spray

Use the following aromatherapy bathroom spray daily to keep your bathroom sinks and tubs sparkling clean!

You will need a 4 oz. glass spray bottle to get started.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. white vinegar
• 17 drops lime (Citrus aurantifolia) essential oil
• 16 drops pine (Pinus sylvestris) essential oil
• 15 drops rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil

Add all the ingredients to the 4-oz spray bottle. Cap and shake well. Shake before each use. Spray liberally onto bathroom sinks and tub. Wipe down with a clean sponge or cloth.

Cautions: Possible skin sensitivity if contact occurs. Avoid use in pregnancy, with high blood pressure, and in epilepsy.

3. Essential Oil Window Cleaning Spray

Clean your windows with this simple aromatherapy window cleaning spray for a natural and aromatic clean! This spray can also be used on mirrors.

You will need a 4 oz. glass spray bottle to get started.

Ingredients:

• 2-oz. white vinegar
• 2-oz. isopropyl or rubbing alcohol
• 13 drops lemon (Citrus x limon) essential oil
• 25 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
• 10 drops pine (Pinus sylvestris) essential oil

Add all the ingredients to the 4-oz spray bottle. Cap and shake well. Shake before each use. Spray liberally onto windows and mirrors. Wipe over with a clean cloth.

Cautions: Possible skin sensitivity if contact occurs.

4. Essential Oil & Baking Soda Floor Cleaner for Carpets

You will need to use a different aromatherapy floor cleaner for carpets compared to other floor surfaces (see below). Follow the instructions for each floor cleaner as recommended.

You will need a container with a shaker lid to get started.

Ingredients:

• 1-oz. baking soda
• 8 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
• 4 drops tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil

Combine the ingredients together in a suitable container. Sprinkle a light dusting of the blend onto the carpet. If possible, leave for a couple of hours before vacuuming.

Cautions: DO NOT use this blend if you have pets or babies and children under 5 years of age in the home. Alternatively, remove tea tree essential oil and use 12 drops of lavender essential oil in the recipe instead. Make sure that the blend is fully vacuumed into the carpet before allowing pets and children back into the area.

5. Essential Oil Floor Cleaner for Linoleum & Tile

This aromatherapy floor cleaner can be used on most floor surfaces, with the exception of carpet and wood.

You will need a 4 oz. glass spray bottle to get started.

Ingredients:

• 4-oz. distilled water
• 1 tsp. isopropyl or rubbing alcohol
• 30 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
• 18 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil

Add all the ingredients to the 4-oz spray bottle. Cap and shake well. Shake before each use. Spray lightly over the floor surface. Rub over with a microfiber dust mop.

Cautions: Possible skin sensitivity if contact occurs.

6. Citrus Aromatherapy Dish Soap

Once you use this citrus aromatherapy dish soap, you will want to wash dishes all of the time due to its uplifting, light aroma!

You will need an 8-oz. PET plastic bottle with a flip-top cap to get started.

Ingredients:

• 8-oz. castile soap
• 1 tsp. polysorbate 20
• 20 drops steam distilled lemon (Citrus x limon) essential oil
• 20 drops lime (Citrus aurantifolia) essential oil
• 55 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil

Combine all the ingredients together in the 8-oz. bottle. Cap and shake well. Shake before each use. Add one squirt (or as much as desired) to running warm water in the kitchen sink. Rinse dishes with cold water after washing them.

Cautions: If you use distilled lemon essential oil, there is little-to-no risk of photosensitivity should any liquid soap remain on your skin when going outside into sunlight after use.

7. Aromatherapy Linen & Laundry Spray

Use this linen and laundry spray after laundry is washed and dried and/or to freshen up laundry between washing.

You will need a 4 oz. glass spray bottle to get started.

Ingredients:

• 4-oz. distilled water
• 1 tsp. isopropyl or rubbing alcohol
• 30 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
• 18 drops Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) essential oil

Combine all the ingredients together in a 4-oz. bottle. Cap and shake well. Shake before each use. Spray a few times onto clothes, sheets, and towels to freshen up.

Cautions: Possible sensitivity in some individuals.

8. Essential Oil Laundry Detergent

This simple laundry detergent uses a natural bulk base, taking the guess-work out of formulating an effective cleansing agent, but to which you can add an essential oil blend of your choice.

This essential oil recipe is formulated at 1% for 1 lb. (16-oz.) of base.

You will need a 16-oz. container to get started. I suggest using an airtight PET plastic box – such as this one – in which you can use a scoop to measure out amounts for each load of laundry.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. unscented powder laundry soap
• 40 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
• 36 drops grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi) essential oil
• 20 drops cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) essential oil

Combine all the ingredients together in a 16-oz. container. Add one scoop of the aromatherapy laundry detergent blend to the washing machine for each load, depending upon the size of your washer. You may need to experiment with the amount at first.

Cautions: Possible sensitivity in some individuals.

9. Aromatherapy Air Freshener Diffuser Blend for the Home

You can use an aromatherapy air freshener diffuser blend for any part of the home. The blend may change depending upon the room; for example, you probably want to use a sleep time blend in the bedroom. The following aromatherapy blend is formulated as a general “cleansing” blend suitable for diffusing in the common living areas of your home, to keep it free of unwanted odors.

You will need a 3 mL glass bottle with an orifice reducer to get started.

Ingredients:

• 40 drops Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) essential oil
• 30 drops cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) essential oil
• 25 drops lemon (Citrus x limon) essential oil

Add the amount of each essential oil to the 3 mL glass bottle. Affix the orifice reducer and cap. Shake well. Add about 5 drops of the blend (or more) to an aromatherapy diffuser. Diffuse for twenty minutes and switch off. Leave for two hours before diffusing again.

Cautions: Make sure the area in which you are diffusing is ventilated well. Avoid diffusing around pets, babies and young children. Use caution with seniors, pregnant women, and those with serious health conditions.

10. Toilet and General-purpose Essential Oil Scrub

When you need to clean a little deeper, or in those areas which require a little bit of extra attention, try this simple scrub for toilets, sinks, showers, and bath tubs.

You will need a 16-oz. jar to get started. This recipe is at a 2% dilution of essential oils. You might want to increase to a 3% dilution rate for stubborn stains.

Ingredients:

• 16-oz. baking soda
• 50 drops thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil
• 70 drops rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil
• 40 drops basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oil
• 30 drops tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil

Combine the essential oils with the baking soda in a 16-oz. jar. Sprinkle one scoop of the blend down the toilet or onto sinks, showers, and bath tubs. Add a small amount of water and scrub with a suitable brush. Alternatively, add white vinegar.

Cautions: This is a potent cleaning blend. Do not use around pets, babies and young children. Avoid use in pregnancy, with high blood pressure, and in epilepsy. If you have pets, babies and young children in your home, you might want to leave out tea tree essential oil and increase the other essential oils proportionally.

General Cautions for Using Essential Oils for Cleaning

If you have pets or young children in your home, make sure that you store your cleaning blends out of reach. Do not leave them where they can get into them. In addition, spray or use cleaning products when pets and children are safely out of the area to avoid any potential accidents. Take note of any additional cautions as listed for each recipe above.

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Read Next: 5 Brilliant Ways To Use Essential Oils In Your Kitchen

The post 10 Essential Oil Recipes for Cleaning Your Entire House appeared first on Natural Living Ideas.

Essential oils are handy to have around when you are working in the kitchen. They can be used from cleaning kitchen worktops, to providing the “right” ambience for your latest social gathering! However, it is essential that you understand how to use essential oils safely in this way to avoid unwanted accidents.

This article is a quick introduction on how to use essential oils in the kitchen. For a comprehensive look at the therapeutic properties of the individual essential oils mentioned, consult the appropriate essential oil profile.

1. Using Essential Oils to Clean in the Kitchen

Kitchens are in a constant flux of cleaning. Worktops are used several times a day to prepare food, so it’s no surprise that they are open to dirt and bacteria. Many essential oils have anti-bacterial properties, including black pepper (Piper nigrum) essential oil.

In a study on the antibacterial activity of black pepper published in the Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, results showed that black pepper essential oil inhibited the growth of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, among others.

Homemade Essential Oil Kitchen Surface Cleaner

Combine black pepper essential oil with lemon (Citrus x limon) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oils in a base of white vinegar for a powerful cleaning blend for kitchen work tops. Use a dilution rate of about 3% when cleaning with essential oils. Add the mixture to an amber glass spray bottle and spritz on kitchen surfaces. Wipe down with a damp cloth.

You’ll find the essential oils required to make this work top cleaning spray from this page on Plant Therapy’s official Amazon store.

Be aware than that both black pepper and clove essential oils can cause skin irritation. Lemon essential oil can also cause possible skin sensitivity.

2. Using Essential Oils to Get Rid of Bad Kitchen Smells

Although the kitchen can be full of tantalizing aromas of food cooking and baking, there are also those bad smells that permeate from the garbage bag or garbage disposal. There may even be lingering smells in the kitchen from yesterday’s cooking that you want to get rid of.

You can deodorize the kitchen by using essential oils in an aromatherapy diffuser. A study on Antifungal activity of essential oils against fungi isolated from air conducted by Tiffany Schroder, Sharyn Gaskin, Kirstin Ross and Harriet Whiley found that clove essential oil was most effective against fungi (in those tested against) in relation to air quality, although eucalyptus (species not stated) and lavender essential oil showed some potential as well.

Combine clove, lavender and eucalyptus essential oils in a blend and add a few drops to an aromatherapy diffuser. (This diffuser is one of the most popular and best reviewed.) Diffuse for twenty minutes in the kitchen area. Make sure that all pets, babies, children, seniors, and those with serious medical conditions are not in the area. In addition, ventilate the area well.

3. Create Seasonal and Home Ambience in the Kitchen with Essential Oils

Essential oils can be used to invoke a particular mood, memory, or ambience and, even if you aren’t cooking or baking in the kitchen, you might want to simulate some of the aromas associated with a homely kitchen, particularly if you are hosting a seasonal party.

Essential oils which lend themselves to positive “kitchen” aromas include vanilla (Vanilla planifolia), benzoin (Styrax benzoin), and spice essential oils such as cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans). Benzoin and cacao absolute (Theobroma cacao) have a chocolate-like aroma. You may also want to try coffee bean (Coffea arabica) oil.

All of these essential oils can be diffused in an aromatherapy diffuser, although some of the thicker absolutes might be more difficult to add unless you combine them in a blend before adding to the diffuser. In addition, check individual cautions for using specific essential oils and follow the advice for diffusing as in the section above.

If you’d like to evoke an Autumnal vibe then consider these Fall essential oils, while if you are hoping to create a festive vibe these Christmas essential oil blends will do the trick.

4. Essential Oils for Treating Burns in the Kitchen

Burns are a common accident in the kitchen. Minor burns from pans and the stove top can be treated with essential oils. For more serious burns, seek the advice of a medical professional immediately.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil is famed for its use in the treatment of a burn by aromatherapy pioneer Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. It has been studied since then for its success in treating burns in studies such as this one on the Use of Essential Oils Following Traumatic Burn Injury: A Case Study by Jopke K., Sanders H., and White-Traut R. Although it was found that further study was needed, preliminary results showed that use of essential oils in traumatic burn injuries showed potential.

Lavender essential oil is a great essential oil to keep on hand for first-aid care in the kitchen. Combine it with a simple white lotion base for burns to promote a “cooling” effect. Use at a 2% dilution for normal adult use. Half this amount for young children, seniors, and in pregnancy. Use on its own (diluted in the white lotion base) or combine with an essential oil such as tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) or helichrysum (Helichrysum angustifolia). Apply a small amount of the lotion to the burn and wrap. Consult a medical professional as needed.

5. Essential Oils for Cleaning and Deodorizing Kitchen Floors

Kitchen floors get dirty, not just from the usual traffic but from pets being sick, children dropping food, and all manner of untold bacterial potential! Depending on the floor surface of your kitchen, you can use a simple combination of baking soda and a suitable essential oil to freshen up and deodorize your kitchen floor.

Combine baking soda with lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil. Sprinkle a small amount of the blend onto your carpet or carpet tiles and vacuum. If you have a bare floor such as linoleum, combine the blend with water and mop down the floor. Be careful of using essential oils on wood surfaces.

Cautions for Using Essential Oils in the Kitchen

Always check the cautions for using individual essential oils, the safe dilution rate to use them, and how to mix them safely with different bases. It’s also important to remember that babies, children, seniors, pregnant ladies, and those with chronic long-term illnesses and/or recent hospitalizations may need to use a lower dilution rate and/or not use the recommended blend at all.

Used safely and correctly, essential oils can be a great addition to cleaning your kitchen, be on hand for first-aid, or set the mood for your next party.

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Read Next: 5 Brilliant Ways To Use Essential Oils In The Bathroom

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Essential oils can be used in several ways in the bathroom. Some essential oils lend themselves more readily for use in the bathroom, due to their therapeutic properties. It is important to understand how to use essential oils safely and know which ones are appropriate for use in the bathroom.

This article is intended as a quick introduction on how to use essential oils in the bathroom. For a comprehensive look at the therapeutic properties of the individual essential oils mentioned, consult the appropriate essential oil profile.

1. Using Essential Oils in the Bath Tub

Essential oils can be used in the bath tub for a number of problems; these include arthritis, chronic pain, colds, skin inflammation and itching. For conditions such as skin inflammation and itching, you may want to use cooler water than the recommended warm water bath. Use at a low dilution in the bath (start with 1%) until you know how your skin will react.

Add essential oils to sea salts, Epsom salts, and other mineral salts, in addition to combining them in a carrier oil to create a bath oil. In all situations it is advised to add a dispersant (such as bath gel, polysorbate, or a solubol) to the essential oils and salts or carrier oil. Oil and water don’t naturally mix together, so the dispersant helps the oil and water combine for safer use.

Some essential oils which are suitable for using in the bath include:

• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
• Rose (Rosa x damascena)
• Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
• Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
• Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara (flos)).

Avoid more skin-sensitizing essential oils for bath use such as ginger (Zingiber officinale), peppermint (Mentha x piperita), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia).

2. Using Essential Oils in the Shower

You can use essential oils in the shower for respiratory conditions, as the steam from the shower works in conjunction with the essential oils to relieve blocked airways. You can also add them to a shower gel base (see below on how to do this).

If you want to use essential oils for respiratory conditions, make an aromatherapy shower bomb or shower disk. There are various ways to make this type of product, but I prefer the simple method of combining bicarbonate of soda, citric acid, carrier oil of choice, arrowroot powder (or cornstarch), and essential oils.

Here’s our full recipe and step-by-step tutorial for making “Breathe-Easy Shower Disks”.

Place the shower bomb or disk in a small dish on a shelf in the shower where it will get enough water to start the process of “diffusing” the aromatherapy bomb but not so much as it will disappear within seconds. Don’t place it on the shower floor, as it will disperse quickly and leave behind an oily residue that can cause you to slip. You will need to run the shower first at a hot temperature before getting in to build up steam.

Essential oils which can be used this way for respiratory conditions include blue gum eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), peppermint (Mentha x piperita), lemon (Citrus x limon), and myrtle (Myrtus communis). For a morning wake-up and/or to stimulate your memory, use rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) or clary sage (Salvia sclarea) essential oils. Again, start at a 1% dilution rate and build up to 3% for acute conditions on a short-term basis.

Read Next: 3 Brilliant Ways To Use Essential Oils In The Shower

3. Adding Essential Oils to Shower Gel or Soap

If you want to add essential oils to a shower gel or soap base, the easiest way is to purchase an unscented base product from a reputable supplier. It can be as simple as a castile soap base (which is usually made from a base of olive oil and water). This Dr. Bronners Unscented Castile Soap is the perfect choice.

Add essential oils such as lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), and lime (Citrus aurantifolia) for daily washing of hands. Use at a dilution rate of about 2%.

4. Aromatherapy Bathroom Spray

You can make a deodorizing and freshening aromatherapy bathroom spray in two ways: Add essential oils to a distilled water base or simply use a hydrosol.

If you choose the first option, you will need to add in a dispersant (as mentioned above) to make sure that the essential oils mix with the distilled water base. Use between a 3 – 5% dilution rate of essential oils if you don’t spray directly onto the skin, and you don’t have seniors, pregnant ladies, and/or babies and young children in the house.

The alternative option is to use hydrosols. Hydrosols are distilled from plants, just like essential oils, but they are the aqueous product of the distillation vs. the oil product of the distillation (which are the essential oils). Hydrosols can be used directly from the bottle, although you can combine one or more hydrosols to make an aromatic hydrosol blend.

Plant Therapy have a number of hydrosol options available from their Amazon store here.

Use a glass spray bottle to disperse the aromatherapy blend into the air. Spritz lightly once or twice in the air to eradicate unpleasant bathroom smells and/or disinfectant the area.

Recommended essential oils to use in an aromatherapy bathroom spray include rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris), and lime (Citrus aurantifolia). You can also use the hydrosol of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), or thyme (Thymus vulgaris).

5. Using Essential Oils as a Cleaning Product in the Bathroom

Essential oils (and hydrosols) can also be used to clean the bathroom worktops, sink, and bath tub. Use them in a spray bottle as recommended above and add either distilled water or white vinegar as the base. Use a dilution rate of about 3% when cleaning with essential oils. Choose essential oils such as lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), lemon (Citrus x limon) and sage (Salvia officinalis). As always, consult a certified aromatherapist for further advice if you are unsure how to use essential oils safely as a cleaning product.

Where To Buy Essential Oils

Natural Living Ideas recommended essential oil supplier is Plant Therapy. They stock almost every single oil you can imagine, as well as range of organic oils, hydrosols and an abundance of essential oil accessories.

You can browse their selection at their official Amazon storefront here and below we present a few of the essential oils mentioned in this article.

Cautions for Using Essential Oils in the Bathroom

There are many ways to use essential oils in the bathroom. You just need to check the cautions for using individual essential oils, the safe dilution rate to use them, and how to mix them safely with different bases. It’s also important to remember that babies, children, seniors, pregnant ladies, and those with chronic long-term illnesses and/or recent hospitalizations may need to use a lower dilution rate and/or not use the recommended blend at all. Take a look at our guide for using essential oils safely but remember it is not an exhaustive resource.

Used safely and correctly, essential oils can add a pleasing aroma to your bathroom experiences!

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Read Next: 40 Brilliant Ways To Green Up Your Bathroom Routine

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When it comes to setting the mood for a romantic evening with that special someone in your life, nothing quite compares to the perfect blend of essential oils. 

Pick and choose your favorites from this list of the most romantic essential oils.

How To Use These Essential Oils

These sensual essential oils are best used in a massage oil blend that can be applied to your, or your partner’s skin. Read our guide on blending essential oils here.

Mix the essential oils you’d like to try using the instructions in the article above and dilute in a carrier oil (such as sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil or one of these) at a ratio of no more than 2%.

Read our Essential Oil Safety Guide before using essential oils.

1. Allspice

Allspice oil is distilled from the berries of Pimenta dioica (aka. Pimenta officinalis.) This fresh, warm, spicy, and sweet middle note will lend hints of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg to your oil blend.

Allspice blends well with black pepper, coriander, ginger, neroli, and ylang ylang essential oils.

2. Atlas Cedarwood

Atlas Cedarwood oil is distilled from the wood of the Cedrus atlantica tree.  This base note has a rich woody and balsamic fragrance.

Atlas Cedarwood has been traditionally used for relaxation and as an earthy undertone in perfumes. This relaxing oil is also known for its regenerative and detoxifying properties.

Mix Atlas Cedarwood with clary sage, jasmine, neroli, rosemary, sandalwood, and ylang ylang essential oils.

3. Cinnamon Bark

Cinnamon Bark oil is distilled from the dried inner bark of Cinnamomum verum (aka. Cinnamomum zeylanicum.)  This warm herbal spice may be used as a middle or base note, depending on the properties of the oils with which it is blended.

Cinnamon Bark has been traditionally used for its antiseptic qualities and as a popular culinary seasoning.  The oil is also a powerful stimulant and digestive aid.

Cinnamon Bark oil mixes well with ginger, rose, vanilla, and ylang ylang essential oils.

4. Coriander

Coriander oil is a sweet, spicy, woody, and slightly fruity middle note which is distilled from the seeds of Coriandrum sativum (aka Cilantro.)

Coriander is a popular culinary seasoning that has long been used in the fragrance industry for its stimulating qualities.  The oil also improves digestion and detoxifies the body.

Coriander Seed oil mixes well with black pepper, cinnamon, clary sage, ginger, jasmine, neroli, nutmeg, sandalwood, and ylang ylang essential oils.

5. Davana

Davana oil is distilled from the leaves and flowers of Artemisia pallens and adds a rich, sweet, and fruity base note to oil blends.

Traditionally used for religious offerings, Davana is still recognized as a symbol of spirituality in addition to its delightful aroma which is said to evolve in response to the individual body chemistry of the person wearing or smelling the oil.

Davana blends nicely with black pepper, jasmine, neroli, rose, sandalwood, vanilla, and ylang ylang essential oils.

6. Ginger

Ginger oil offers a warm, fresh, slightly sweet and woody aroma to a blend.  Distilled from the root of Zingiber officinale, this oil may be used as either a middle or top note.

Traditionally known for its power to aid digestion and ease a sick stomach, ginger oil is also very stimulating and is often added to fragrances for its deep earthy undertones.

Ginger oil mixes well with cedarwood, coriander, jasmine, neroli, rose, sandalwood, and ylang ylang essential oils.

7. Jasmine

Rich, floral Jasmine oil is one of the most popular of all sensual floral oils.  This warm middle note is distilled from the flowers of Jasminum grandiflorum.

Jasmine is traditionally used to add its sensual floral fragrance to perfumes.  It may also be used to calm the nerves and relax the body.

Jasmine oil blends well with clary sage, coriander, ginger, neroli, rose, sandalwood, and ylang ylang essential oils.

8. Mace

Mace oil is distilled from the arils of Myristica fragrans (the same plant from which Nutmeg is harvested.)  This middle note adds a bright, warm, and spicy aroma to an oil blend.

Mace has a long history of use as both a culinary seasoning and as a popular ingredient in fragrances.  The oil is also very stimulating to both mind and body.

Mace oil mixes well with clary sage and neroli essential oils.

9. Nutmeg

Nutmeg oil is a warm and spicy middle note, similar to Mace and is distilled from the seeds of Myristica fragrans.

Traditionally, Nutmeg has been used in cooking and to impart a warm, nutty undertone to fragrances.  Nutmeg is stimulating to both mind and body.  The spice and the oil are said to invoke vivid dreams if used shortly before bedtime.

Nutmeg blends well with clary sage, coriander, and rosemary essential oils.

10. Neroli

Neroli oil may be used as either a middle or top note depending on the blend.  This oil possesses the light, sweet fragrance of the Citrus aurantium (aka. Bitter Orange) flowers from which it is distilled.

Neroli is traditionally used to calm the mind and soothe away tension.  It is also known for its ability to heal skin and promote a more youthful appearance.

Neroli oil blends nicely with clary sage, coriander, ginger, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, ylang ylang essential oils.

11. Black Pepper

Black Pepper oil is a strong and sharp middle note which is distilled from the dried fruit of Piper nigrum.  This oil imparts a dry and spicy kick to a blend.

Black Pepper is traditionally known as a culinary seasoning and digestive aid that is very stimulating to both mind and body.

Black Pepper oil blends well with clary sage, nutmeg, rosemary, sandalwood, and ylang ylang essential oils.

12. Pink Pepper

Pink Pepper oil – while in no way related to that of Piper nigrum – has a similar spicy aroma.  Distilled from the seeds of Schinus molle (aka. the Peruvian peppertree), this oil also has sweet and fruity characteristics.

Pink Pepper may be used almost interchangeably with Black Pepper and has many of the same effects, including use as a digestive and stimulant.

Pink Pepper oil blends well with clary sage, nutmeg, rosemary, sandalwood, and ylang ylang essential oils.

13. Bulgarian Rose

Bulgarian Rose oil is distilled from the flower petals of Rosa damascena (aka. the Damask Rose.)  This floral middle note is very rich and sweet with just a hint of spice.

Traditionally, Bulgarian Rose has been used to inspire sensuality and to relax the mind.  The oil is a popular component in perfumery.

Bulgarian Rose oil blends nicely with clary sage, ginger, jasmine, neroli, sandalwood, and ylang ylang essential oils.

14. Chinese Rose

Chinese Rose oil has a soft and sweet floral aroma with hints of spice and honey.  This rich middle note is distilled from the flower petals of Rosa rugosa (aka. Ramanas rose, Japanese rose.)

Rosa rugosa has a hypnotic sweet scent which makes it an excellent addition to sensual blends.  The oil is also a popular component in perfumery.

Chinese Rose oil blend beautifully with coriander, ginger, jasmine, neroli, sandalwood, and ylang ylang essential oils.

15. Rosemary

Rosemary oil is distilled from the flowering tops of Rosmarinus officinalis.  This middle note has a strong and fresh, woody, camphor-like aroma.

Rosemary is a traditional symbol of love and matrimony.  It is also known for its digestive and stimulating qualities.

Rosemary oil mixes well with black pepper, cedarwood, cinnamon, and clary sage essential oils.

16. Clary Sage

Clary Sage oil is distilled from the leaves and flowers of Salvia sclarea.  This middle note add a dry, musky, bittersweet floral aroma to a blend.

Traditionally, Clary Sage is known for its ability to clear blurred vision and revitalize tired, strained eyes.  It is also known for its ability to soothe nerves and create a warm, slightly euphoric environment.

Clary Sage oil blends well with black pepper, cedarwood, coriander, jasmine, rose, and sandalwood.

17. Australian Sandalwood

Australian Sandalwood oil is distilled from the roots and heartwood of the Santalum spicatum tree.  This base note lends a smooth earthy, woody, and slightly balsamic undertone to oil blends.

Australian Sandalwood is known for its soothing and relaxing qualities.  Due to its subtle, yet lingering earthy aroma, Sandalwood is a favorite among sensual oils for both genders.

Sandalwood oil blends beautifully with vanilla.  It also mixes well with black pepper, clary sage, jasmine, neroli, rose, and ylang ylang essential oils.

18. Winter Savory

Winter Savory oil is distilled from all parts of the Satureja montana herb.  This middle note has a powerfully verdant and somewhat medicinal herbal aroma.

Winter Savory is traditionally known for its digestive properties.  This stimulating oil is also popular in fragrances.

Winter Savory oil mixes well with citrus and with other green herbal essential oils like rosemary.

19. Vanilla

Vanilla oil is distilled from the seed pods of the Vanilla planifolia orchid.  This base note is wonderfully rich, creamy, and sweet with just a hint of floral aroma.

Traditionally, Vanilla is used in fragrances and to invoke a sensual atmosphere.

Vanilla oil blends deliciously with sandalwood.  The oil also mixes well with jasmine, rose, and ylang ylang essential oils.

20. Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang oil is a rich, sweet, floral base note that is distilled from the flowers of the Cananga odorata tree.

Ylang Ylang is traditionally used in fragrances.  The oil is also known for its relaxing and mood-lifting qualities.

Ylang Ylang essential oil mixes well with just about everything.

Where To Buy Essential Oils

Plant Therapy are our #1 recommended supplier of essential oils. You can browse their entire selection at their official website here.

All oils are third party tested for quality and purity, shipping and returns are free and they stock every essential oil you can think of.

Shop Plant Therapy Essential Oils here.

Essential Oil Precautions

For safety and health purposes, remember that some essential oils may be dangerous for people with liver or kidney problems, as well as for those with sensitive skin or plant allergies.

Always perform a skin patch test at a low dilution before using essential oils externally.

Pregnant or nursing women are advised to avoid essential oils as many of them can have a negative impact on developing fetuses and small children.

Please note that the majority of essential oils are for external use only.  Even when specified as food-grade, consumption of essential oils can be very dangerous or even fatal under certain circumstances.  When in doubt, always consult with a medical professional before using any essential oils for any purpose.

The post 20 Romantic Essential Oils To Spice Up Your Love Life appeared first on Natural Living Ideas.

Essential oil safety is vitally important. That’s why we’ve asked certified aromatherapist and author of Authentic Aromatherapy, Sharon Falsetto to reveal how to safely perform an essential oil skin patch test. Over to you, Sharon…

When you read articles about essential oil use, you are often advised to perform an essential oil skin patch test. If you are unfamiliar as to what an essential oil skin patch test is, here are some quick guidelines on how to perform one.

When You Should Carry Out an Essential Oil Skin Patch Test

Some essential oils are more reactive than others, and in these circumstances, it is always best to carry out a skin patch test. More “reactive” essential oils (meaning they contain more potent chemical components and may potentially cause skin sensitivity) include (but are not limited to):

• black pepper (Piper nigrum)
• cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
• clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
• ginger (Zingiber officinalis)
• peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
• sage (Salvia officinalis)
• tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
• yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• many citrus essential oils such as lemon (Citrus x limon) and sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) due to high monoterpenes content.¹

However, if you are prone to skin sensitivity or have allergies, I would advise performing a skin patch test every time that you use an essential oil you are unfamiliar with.

In addition, vulnerable groups such as young children and seniors, should always carry out an essential oil skin care patch. And those with serious health conditions should also carry out a skin patch test and/or consult an aromatherapist before using essential oils.

Diluting Essential Oils for Skin Application

It goes without saying that if you are applying any essential oil to the skin you should usually be diluting it first.² If you want to test an essential oil before applying the blend over a wide area of skin, choose a small application site such as the inside of the forearm, just below the elbow, or the wrist area, and apply it here first.

Add the chosen essential oil to a basic carrier oil such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus) oil or an unscented white lotion base (with minimal ingredients). This makes sure that you are limiting any other potential triggers for sensitivity, outside of the chosen essential oil. For testing purposes, use a 1% dilution rate. You can increase the dilution rate to 2% if there are no adverse reactions.

For example, 1% dilution of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil in a base of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) oil would be:

• 0.25 oz. sunflower (Helianthus annuus) oil
• 1 -2 drops tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil

You can see a comprehensive list of different carrier oils you can use and what they are good for in our article here: 21 Carrier Oils To Mix With Essential Oils

How to Perform A Skin Patch Test:

• Combine the essential oil with the carrier oil in a small bottle.
• Make sure that the application site is clean and free of any other oils or lotions.
• Apply a small amount of the blend to a bandage or other clean wrapping first.
• Then wrap the bandage to the chosen skin patch area. Keep the area clean and dry.
• Leave on for at least 24 hours. If irritation occurs before the end of this time period, remove the bandage immediately. Wash the area with soap and water.
• After the time period expires, check the area for any signs of redness, inflammation, or any other signs of irritation.
• If the area is unaffected, you can try the test again with 2% dilution rate and/or proceed with using the essential oil in your chosen aromatherapy blend.

However, even if you perform a skin patch test for an essential oil before using it in a blend and on a wider area of the body, there is no guarantee that there will be no adverse reaction either in a blend or over time. Performing an essential oil skin patch test may help to determine any potential risk ahead of time for first time usage. But all essential oils have the potential to cause sensitivity either now or with future use.

By Sharon Falsetto, author of Authentic Aromatherapy

Always Use High Quality Essential Oils

It’s important when using essential oils to always ensure you choose high quality, additive and adulterant free oils.

Natural Living Ideas recommended brand of essential oils is Plant Therapy. They stock every oil you could ever need, their oils are all tested for purity and quality by a third party (you can see the results by clicking “Test Reports” on any oil page on their official website) and you can order their oils with free shipping and free returns if you are not happy.

Shop the whole range of essential oils on this page on the official Plant Therapy website.

References

1. Falsetto, Sharon, 2014, Authentic Aromatherapy, US: Skyhorse Publishing
2. National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy website, Safety, accessed from: https://naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety#dermal

The post How to Perform An Essential Oil Skin Patch Test appeared first on Natural Living Ideas.

With the holiday season upon us, it’s time to get in the spirit. Nothing brings a sense of coziness like the smells of Christmas: cinnamon, pine, peppermint, orange, and wintergreen, to name a few. A fun way to bring the smell of the holidays into your home is with these easy DIY room sprays.

Resist the temptation to buy pretty commercial made air fresheners. They often contain phthalates and many other hazardous chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, propellants, and solvents. These chemicals are easily inhaled and absorbed by the skin–yuck!

Studies have shown long-term exposure to these chemicals can cause damage to the lungs, liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.  Although most air fresheners contain small amounts of these chemicals, over time, low-dose exposure causes the same health hazards as a higher dose.  No thank you!

The good news is, with a few essential oils and other easy to find, safe ingredients, you can make your own custom festive room spray in less than five minutes.

1. Candy Cane

16 oz. spray bottle*
8 oz. distilled water
2 oz. vodka or gin
30 drops Plant Therapy Candy Cane Holiday Blend

or for a DIY version:

30 drops peppermint essential oil
15 drops wintergreen essential oil

*I like to use an ultra-fine mist spray bottle for air fresheners, like this one. It evenly distributes its contents without leaving drops of water everywhere.

2. Christmas Tree

16 oz. spray bottle
8 oz. distilled water
2 oz. vodka or gin
14 drops cinnamon essential oil
14 drops orange essential oil
20 drops pine scots essential oil

3. Comfy Sweater

16 oz. spray bottle
8 oz. distilled water
2 oz. vodka or gin
25 drops eucalyptus essential oil
15 drops juniper berry essential oil
10 drops sage essential oil

Directions

For all of the above recipes, simply pour all of the ingredients into your spray bottle and shake vigorously. Shake again each time before use.

In addition to smelling great, essential oil based air fresheners give you the same benefits as diffusing essential oils.

Mix and match your scent combos all season long. These homemade air fresheners make lovely DIY, natural gifts. Design a custom blend for friends and family this Christmas.

Read Next: 10 Christmas Essential Oils Blends To Make Your Home Smell Extra Festive

The post 3 Christmas Scented Room Spray Recipes appeared first on Natural Living Ideas.