Don’t leave home without them!
Essential oils are great for many things. But how do you know which ones you need and when? With a little bit of time left in summer, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for me to share my top three favorite essential oils for the summer. (If you’re someone who likes to travel, check out my Herbal Travel Kit Essentials!)
Lavender Essential Oil
This essential oil is a no brainer for summer. It’s good for so many things! From travel plans, vacations, kids on break from school, increased outdoor activities and new adventures; lavender needs to be your new best friend. Lavender is great for reducing stress and tension. You can diffuse it to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere. If you aren’t lucky enough to have one of these, you can mix a few drops with some with water in a 2 ounce brown glass spray bottle and mist wherever you need it. Pillows, sheets, yourself…the possibilities are endless!
Got a bad bug bite or a small scrape? If you’ve taken a summer hike or gone camping and you’re a little worse for the wear, you can put some lavender essential oil on the affected area. This will help soothe it and keep it clean until you can get home and take care of it properly.
If you’ve had one of those long days in the sun where the sunscreen didn’t work exactly the way you wanted, Lavender Essential Oil can be your new best friend. It’s excellent for helping soothe your hot, itchy and sore skin. (Mix with coconut oil and aloe vera for an extra punch.) You can place several drops in a bath or use with a carrier oil on the burned areas. I highly recommend mixing it with coconut oil and aloe vera if you have some. It gives you an extra soothing sensation of relief, especially if you apply it regularly before bed. I usually do 30 minute intervals if the burn is really bad.
Lemon Essential Oil
Whether you’re just doing some regular cleaning or you’ve got guests coming over for a party, Lemon Essential Oil needs to be your new jam. It’s wonderful at cleaning surface bacteria, which makes it especially helpful in areas like the kitchen and the bathroom. Add several drops to some water and all-purpose vinegar in your spray bottle and you’re all set!
Got any of those pesky kitchen gnats or fruit-flies hanging around? You’ll be happy to know this essential oil is a natural repellent! For outdoor events or guests you can put some Lemon Essential Oil in a jar with liquid coconut oil for a good smelling bug repellent.
Peppermint Essential Oil
This stimulating essential oil is perfect for summer lethargy or the marathon days that never seem to end. If you’re feeling like you need a little extra boost you can put some of this in a diffuser, in a hot bath, or in a spray bottle with some water to mist yourself whenever you feel the slowdown start to hit. (Please remember to keep any and all essential oils away from your eyes!)
If you’re feeling any aches and pains from some summer hiking, surfing, paddle-boarding, running or other adventures, Peppermint Essential Oil will be able to offer you some relief. Mix it with a carrier oil of your choice and rub it gently on the area that is sore. As always, please make sure that you keep these oils away from any more “sensitive areas” of your body, as they can be up to 90x stronger than if you were to use the plant itself.
***Disclaimer: Please exercise caution when utilizing essential oils. Consult with a professional if you have any questions. Always check with your health care provider before starting any new herbal regimens. Avoid if pregnant or attempting to become pregnant. Research any herbal remedies before application or use. The Southwest Witch is not responsible for any misuse of essential oils.