Inhale two drops from a tissue or handkerchief, or a few drops in boiling water for a steam inhalation.

Chamomile - sleeplessness

Eucalyptus - chest/nasal congestoin

Frankincense - depression and anxiety

Good Oils for Room Vaporisers

Use a special essential oil burner (which consists of a small tea light candle placed below a saucer which is filled with water and a few drops of oil), or place a saucer of water with a few drops of oil on a warm radiator,  or you can buy small metal or card rings  on which you drop a few drops of oil -  place on top of a light bulb. 

Bergamot - uplifting, refreshing, deodorising

Eucalyptus - chest/nasal congestion, mental alertness

Geranium - energising, yet relaxing

Lavender - tension, nerves, tiredness

Mandarin - sleeplessness, soothing, calming

Ylang Ylang - hypnotic, sensual, uplifting

Room Sprays

Add 10 drops of essential oil to a pump spray bottle (like the ones you use for spraying plants).  Shake the mixture and spray four or five bursts to freshen, deodorise and scent a room.

Lavender - kills airbourne germs

Lemon - for the bathroom

Rosemary and Lavender - bathrooms, bins, damp or mould

Lemon - deodorising, cooking smells.

Cleaning/Disinfecting

Many oils are more effective than household cleasers at killing germs, and are more environmentally friendly as they have no added chemicals.  Use a few drops on a cloth and clean away!  Best oils - Lavender, Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Geranium, Mandarin.

For wiping kitchen surfaces, chopping boards and floors - 8 drops of oil to a small bucket of warm water (Lemon and Geranium mixed is good)

For basins, toilets, baths and sinks - 3 drops of oil on a cloth (Tea Tree is ideal for toilets, Leomn and Lavender mixed for the rest)

To sterilise dishes and cutlery - 2 drops to washing up water (Geranium and Lavender is a good combination)

To rinse clothes - 3 drops of oil to final rinsing water

Deodorising

Sickroom - Eucalyptus (colds), Tea Tree (viruses), Lavender (antiseptic, calming, relaxing), Bergamot (deodorising, uplifting)

To neutralise odours - Bergamot, Lavender, Thyme

Insect Repellents

Tea Tree, Thyme

Beauty Treatments - and, of course, Massage

Essential Oils can be added to base creams and lotions to create your own personal cleansers and moisturisers.    You can also use them in face packs and steam facials.  Add oils to baths to help achieve the mood or effect you want, ie, if you want to relax, aid sleep, create a sensual atmosphere, invigorate, or relieve stress.  If you use a shower, mix the oils with a carrier and massage on to your skin before climbing into the shower.  Oils can also be used to make excellent footbaths.  Add oils to a carrier base and use in massaging the body for whatever reasons - tiredness, aches and pains etc.

We hope we have whet your appetite for essential oils, so why not add some to your shopping trolley!