Finally – it’s warm and sunny in central North Carolina! I thought warm weather would NEVER get here. This summer, use aromatherapy to help you enjoy the outdoors. Here’s some easy summertime essential oils to celebrate the warm weather.
Aromatherapy offers so much in the way of caring for summertime concerns such as:
- bug repellent
- stings and bug bites
- bruises
- minor cuts and scrapes
- after sun care (especially for sunburns)
- allergies
Bug Repellent
Since I use 84 different oils, you might not have all the ones I use in the Skeeter Off Bug Repellent for Adults and Kids. I have both of the repellents readily available on my website and at markets and festivals. If you only have a few oils on hand, here’s a simple blend for adults:
- 4 ounce dark spray bottle
- 4 ounces Witch Hazel (or filtered water if you prefer)
- 20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 20 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- 20 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
Combine in the spray bottle and shake well before each use. If you don’t have Rosemary essential oil on hand, just increase the drops of Lavender and Peppermint. Honestly – I’ve researched and blended oils that bugs don’t like – the Skeeter Off works better, but the above blend will work in many cases as mosquitoes don’t like Lavender and Peppermint.
If you are blending this for a child under 10, just use Lavender. Children under 10 shouldn’t use Peppermint or Rosemary. Both oils have certain chemical components that aren’t good for a child’s developing central nervous system.
Bug Bites and Stings
If you have a lot of carbon dioxide in your breath, love to drink beer and/or have stinky feet, you’re a prime target for mosquitoes. AACK! Lisa Jo Lupo of The Spruce, an online lifestyle blog, wrote an easy-to-read article about this very subject:
There are a number of things that mosquitoes like, and what may be attractive to one species may not be an attractant for others.
Some are attracted to the blood of humans, others to animals. And, because there are more than 170 species in North America and Mexico, and nearly 3,000 species worldwide, it can be tricky to pinpoint an attractant.Additionally, human skin produces more than 350 odorous compounds, and many of these attract mosquitoes as well as other biting insects. But what has been found to be most attractive to mosquitoes are our breath, sweat, blood type … and smelly feet!
So you got bit – now what? Put a few drops of Lavender essential oil and rub it directly on the bite or sting. It will soothe the area and may help keep it from getting infected. If you’re an adult or child over 10, use additional drops of Peppermint with the Lavender to stop the itch. Make sure the Lavender you use on children under 10 has the Latin name Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandula officinalis – they are both safe for use on children.
(Instead of sitting still all summer, just use Skeeter Off! ;>)
Bruises, Minor Scrapes and Burns
For bruising, first things first – apply a cold compress (ice is even better) to help with the inflammation and swelling. Then, apply a few drops of Lavender essential oil directly to the bruise – do both at least 4 times a day. You can also take a teaspoon of Olive Oil and add 3 drops each of Lavender and Tea Tree and gently massage it into the bruise.
When it comes to bruises, minor cuts and scrapes, here’s a wonderful blend to keep on hand for use all year long:
- .33 ounce dark rollerball
- .33 ounce of alcohol-free Witch Hazel
- 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 10 drops Frankincense Essential Oil
- 10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
Shake well before each use and apply directly to the cut or scrape. This helps to prevent infection from setting in as well as nourishing to the affected area.
After Sun Care
Mmhm…you sat out in the sun too long, didn’t you? Skin feeling hot and dry? Aromatherapy to the rescue!! Here’s an awesome blend to spray on your parched skin after a long day in the sun:
- 8 ounce spray bottle
- 4 ounces Lavender Hydrosol
- 4 ounces Aloe Vera juice
- 1/2 ounce Vegetable Glycerin
- 30 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 20 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
Combine and shake well before each use. Liberally spray affected skin as often as needed. Reputable essential oil companies such as Edens Garden and Aromatics International carry the Lavender Hydrosol. This blend is safe for adults and children 2+. If you have a small child with a sunburn, you can safely spray the Lavender Hydrosol on their skin to soothe them.
Sinus and Allergies
It’s been a horrible year so far for sinus and allergies! – yowza! This is another instance where I have a lot more oils to work with than you might have on hand, so here’s a simple way to help with your sinus and allergy issues.
Make a “stock” bottle of the following essential oils – for my personal use, I keep a clean empty essential oil bottle on hand to mix the oils together:
- 20 drops Lavender
- 20 drops Tea Tree
- 20 drops Lemon
- 20 drops Eucalyptus (not for kids under 10)
Combine all the essential oils into the stock bottle and gently shake to blend. Then add 2 drops from the stock bottle to a large pot or bowl of steaming water. Put a towel over your head and breathe in deeply for about 10 minutes. Do this at least three times a day. It helps with any infection and opens your nasal passages. Caution – with Eucalyptus, this blend is for children 10+ and adults – not meant for kids under 10!
If you need something stronger, I have SinusRight Personal Nasal Inhalers with several other oils to help with congestion and infection.
Summertime Fun
Well, there you have it – simple and effective ways to enjoy the outdoors this summer. I’ll be at several different markets, fairs and festivals over the summer and you can find me through my Facebook page.
Be safe and enjoy your summer! As always, I’m very grateful you took the time to stop by!
Blessings,
Melissa
P.S. Please share this with your friends! Thank you!