Good Oils for Inhalation
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!