Aromatherapy For Summer Sun and Fun
Herbs, trees and flowers are at their peak during the warm summer months, filling the air with their light, fresh aromas. However, warm weather also presents hazards caused by the sun, insects, heat and humidity.
Essential oils and their aromatherapy benefits can help provide relief and enhance our environment, making it easier to survive those hazards.
Essential oils that can invigorate and inspire after a long hot summer day are basil, cypress, eucalyptus, fir needle, ginger, grapefruit, juniper berry, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, lime, orange, peppermint, petitgrain, rosemary and thyme. Odor-fighting oils that can wash away sweat as well as refresh the spirit include all the citrus oils plus coriander, fir needle, juniper berry and lavender. Soothing and relaxing oils that will help combat fatigue from the heat include cedarwood, chamomile, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, neroli, patchouli, rose, rosewood, sandalwood and ylang ylang.
A natural bug repellent is the lemony-fresh, woody-herbaceous aroma of citronella essential oil. Added to the warm glow of flickering candles, it can create a perfect summertime ambiance. In addition to staving off nasty mosquitoes, the lemony fragrance is refreshing and uplifting. It mixes well with other uplifting oils such as most citrus oils, rose and lavender.
Regardless of which essential oils you use to enhance your summer fun, remember to dilute essential oils in distilled water or a carrier oil.
Mix them so the essential oil makes up two to three percent of the blend. Remember, oil and water separate, so before applying a blend that includes distilled water, shake the mixture thoroughly.
To help avoid sunburn, remember that citrus oils can make skin sensitive to ultraviolet light. As a precaution, avoid the use of citrus oils when exposed to direct sunlight.
Try some of the following summertime remedies to make those lazy days of summer more pleasant and carefree.
Outdoor Spray
Try this evocative blend of sweet flowers, fresh herbs and lemon to set a fresh and cheery mood for a barbecue on the back patio. Add the following blend of oils to two fluid ounces of distilled water and liberally mist the air surrounding your outdoor activity.
3 drops citronella
2 drops lemon
2 drops rose otto
2 drops lavender
2 drops basil
Bug Repellent
For those who don't care for the smell of citronella, add the following blend of oils to two ounces of carrier oil and apply liberally to the skin. However, avoid contact with eyes.
8 drops cedar
5 drops eucalyptus
4 drops lavender
2 drops orange
2 drops lemon
1 drop peppermint
1 drop cinnamon
1 drop clove
Poison Ivy/Bug Bite Remedy
Some of you may be more annoyed with poison ivy and insect bites.
Try this blend to relieve skin irritation and itching:
5 drops lavender
3 drops Roman chamomile
1 drop geranium
3 drops rose
Combine three drops of this blend with one teaspoon of a carrier oil and apply externally as needed.
http://www.madison-avenue.com/aroma/Oils/aromanotes06.htm
Herbs, trees and flowers are at their peak during the warm summer months, filling the air with their light, fresh aromas. However, warm weather also presents hazards caused by the sun, insects, heat and humidity.
Essential oils and their aromatherapy benefits can help provide relief and enhance our environment, making it easier to survive those hazards.
Essential oils that can invigorate and inspire after a long hot summer day are basil, cypress, eucalyptus, fir needle, ginger, grapefruit, juniper berry, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, lime, orange, peppermint, petitgrain, rosemary and thyme. Odor-fighting oils that can wash away sweat as well as refresh the spirit include all the citrus oils plus coriander, fir needle, juniper berry and lavender. Soothing and relaxing oils that will help combat fatigue from the heat include cedarwood, chamomile, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, neroli, patchouli, rose, rosewood, sandalwood and ylang ylang.
A natural bug repellent is the lemony-fresh, woody-herbaceous aroma of citronella essential oil. Added to the warm glow of flickering candles, it can create a perfect summertime ambiance. In addition to staving off nasty mosquitoes, the lemony fragrance is refreshing and uplifting. It mixes well with other uplifting oils such as most citrus oils, rose and lavender.
Regardless of which essential oils you use to enhance your summer fun, remember to dilute essential oils in distilled water or a carrier oil.
Mix them so the essential oil makes up two to three percent of the blend. Remember, oil and water separate, so before applying a blend that includes distilled water, shake the mixture thoroughly.
To help avoid sunburn, remember that citrus oils can make skin sensitive to ultraviolet light. As a precaution, avoid the use of citrus oils when exposed to direct sunlight.
Try some of the following summertime remedies to make those lazy days of summer more pleasant and carefree.
Outdoor Spray
Try this evocative blend of sweet flowers, fresh herbs and lemon to set a fresh and cheery mood for a barbecue on the back patio. Add the following blend of oils to two fluid ounces of distilled water and liberally mist the air surrounding your outdoor activity.
3 drops citronella
2 drops lemon
2 drops rose otto
2 drops lavender
2 drops basil
Bug Repellent
For those who don't care for the smell of citronella, add the following blend of oils to two ounces of carrier oil and apply liberally to the skin. However, avoid contact with eyes.
8 drops cedar
5 drops eucalyptus
4 drops lavender
2 drops orange
2 drops lemon
1 drop peppermint
1 drop cinnamon
1 drop clove
Poison Ivy/Bug Bite Remedy
Some of you may be more annoyed with poison ivy and insect bites.
Try this blend to relieve skin irritation and itching:
5 drops lavender
3 drops Roman chamomile
1 drop geranium
3 drops rose
Combine three drops of this blend with one teaspoon of a carrier oil and apply externally as needed.
http://www.madison-avenue.com/aroma/Oils/aromanotes06.htm
