Essential Oils Uses For The Natural Homemaker: A Basic Guide For Starters

I highly recommend adding essential oils to our homemaking.  They are so helpful in many different ways from calming down super active children in the evening to healing scrapes and adding a pleasing aroma to our homes.  The disappointment I have had is that essential oils are quite pricey if I truly get what I want.  Therefore, for now as my budget allows, I have narrow it down to the 5 most basic oils I use more often and then add more from there as I am able to.  Having a collection of essential oils is a treasure for me like a medicine cabinet.  The last time you saw pharmaceuticals in my homes is never.  That's right.  No drugs for us.  But I have always had herbs and the essential oils for our illnesses.  Nonetheless, my greater faith always goes to prayer.   When all my homemade remedies seem to not work, prayer always do.

The basic essential oils I recommend because I use them, almost everyday are:

Eucalyptus

Lavender

Tea Tree

Lemon

Peppermint

(Others I would add: Rosemary and Oil of Oregano)

Caution with using essential oils:

It is recommended to use them with a carrier oil like almond, vitamin E oil, olive oil or coconut oil, are some that I use.  Check which you can't use during pregnancy like castor oil, or sage.  Also peppermint supposed not be good for children under 30 months.  This link will give you a good understanding of precautions to take: http://www.natural-aromatherapy-benefits.com/EssentialOilSafety.html

Storage:

A small bottle will last you a long time because you only need a few drops for whatever you use it.  Keep them in dark bottles, tightly closed in dark cool place and they will keep for years.

Practical Uses In the Home:

Body Care Uses

Sugar Scrub

Mix 1 cup sugar with 1/4-1/2 cup carrier oil (Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Olive Oil, etc.) and add 8-10 drops of the essential oil of your choice. I like lemon.

Salt Scrub

Mix 1 cup  salt with 1/4 - 1/2 cup of carrier oil (sweet almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil, etc) and add 8-10 drops of eucalyptus and peppermint.

Body Oils

Mix 1 cup carrier oil with 30-60 drops essential oil. Use as a moisturizer after a shower or add to a bath.

Other recipes to try: Body Butter, Lavender salve, lip balms, deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash,

blemish remover:  Just add a drop or two to the blemish and rub gently

Oil pulling: you can add a few drops of oregano, or peppermint

 

Essential Oils for the Home

Spray

Fill a small glass spray bottle with distilled water and add essential oil until the mixture reaches the potency desired. I find that 25-30 drops in a 4 oz. bottle is a good amount.  Lavender linen spray is my favorite because everyone is spreading a calming aroma around the house and it pleasantly penetrates in the home.

Air Freshener

Fill a jar about 1/2 full of baking soda along with 10-15 drops of Lemon or lavender essential oil. Using a hammer and nail, poke holes in the lid and place somewhere your air needs freshening.

Cleaning/Disinfecting

Add several drops of lemon essential oil to 1 part water and 1 part white vinegar for an all purpose cleaner. 

Floor Cleaner

Water, castile soap, and lemon essential oil

Laundry

I also like to add 3-5 drops of lavender to my homemade detergent before doing each load

Removing Goo

Several drops of Lemon will remove goo from stickers.

Clean your mattress

Add several drops of lavender essential oil to a cup of baking soda and sprinkle over mattress. Leave for an hour and then vacuum up.

Home Remedies

Chest Decongestant:

To make your own Vapo-Rub, just add Eucalyptus essential oil such as eucalyptus to a carrier oil and rub on chest, back and the bottoms of feet to relieve congestion and coughing.

First Aid for Cuts and Scrapes

Combine Lavender or tea tree oil with a carrier oil and apply to cuts and scrapes.

Insect/Bug Bites (Itching)

Add 2-3 drops lavender essential oil to 1 TBSP carrier oil and apply to location.
Cold Sores and Canker Sores

Dilute tea tree essential oil and apply 1-2 drops directly to cold sore.

Sunburn

Aloe Vera and Lavender offer immediate relief, shorten healing times, and are soothing while Peppermint is cooling and refreshing.

- 4 oz organic Aloe Vera Gel
- 15 drops organic Lavender essential oil
- 10 drops Vitamin E Oil
- 2-5 drops organic Peppermint essential oil

Mix all ingredients, pour into a 4 ounce bottle, and apply to the skin as often as desired. Store in refrigerator to increase its cooling effect upon the skin. Another simpler recipe would be:

Fill a 4 oz. glass spray bottle with distilled water and add 10 drops lavender essential oil. Spray on burnt area to relieve pain and promote healing.

Headaches

Apply 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil to temples, forehead, and back of neck. Dilute with carrier oil for sensitive skin.

For Children and Babies

Aromatherapy Playdough

If you make your own playdough, add just a few drops of essential oil at the end of the process and mix well. {Lemon, Lavender, Lime, Grapefruit}

Massage Oil

Giving baby a diluted lavender massage before bedtime can be a great way to ensure a good night’s rest for everyone.

Where to Buy High quality oils

It is very important to buy high quality oils for good results.  Mountain Rose Herbs has high quality organic oils.  And I heard  Young Living oils are excellent as well.

 

Learn more:

http://mountainroseblog.com/

http://pinterest.com/erazojandf/homemade-remedies/

http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/wellness/aromatherapy.html