Practical uses for oils

[Pompal 09.]

Hello all,

I've been wondering lately how i can get more use out of my oils, beyond the burner, massage, etc and what practical applications oils can have, eg in cleaning, cooking, etc.

Do any of you use your oils for such purposes, which ones and how? Or are there any good books out there?

Thanks,
ShinyCat x

 

[jmetaudhiiniqvegf]

Dear Shinycat,

If you've never experienced the full power of therapeutic Grade-A essential oils before, then you are in for a real treat. Try this... next time you have a headache..... reach for your small bottle of peppermint essential oil and try this: "put a small drop of peppermint on your finger and touch it to your temples." Imagine your surprise when the headache vanishes quickly ...and even more surprising, you experience a small burst of energy and goes back to work feeling more alert and energized.
Well known as effective when used in massage therapy and meditation, essential oils also have a wide range of other powerful applications. Essential Oils can be extremely effective when used in First Aid treatment for burns, insect bites, cuts, bruises, and more.
[ul][*]Anti-bacterial properties make them highly effective for sanitizing, disinfecting, deodorizing and air purification as well.[*]Some essential oils make excellent toxin free cleaning agents for removal of grease, oil, carpet stains, crayon, etc.[*]Powerful anti-oxidant properties in some essential oils make them amazingly effective in anti-aging, energy and health giving applications both alone and when combined with supplements.[*]And of course, nothing beats the power of essential oils in personal care products for skin, hair and personal hygiene. [/ul]
Let's take a look at the many different products in your home that you could replace with just a few small bottles of various essential oils.


[ul][*]Pain Creams (Peppermint)[*]Burn Ointments (Lavender (not Lavendin)[*]Athlete's Foot Creams (Lemon)[*]Wart Removal Products (Lemon)[*]Sinus Tablets (Peppermint, Eucalyptus)[*]Sleep Aids (Lavender)[*]After Shave (Lavender)[*]Deodorant (Lavender, Geranium)[*]Skin Lotions (Lavender)[*]Chapped Lip Sticks (Lavender)[*]Cold Sore Balms (Lavender)[*]Bath Oils (Several Oils)[*]Perfumes (Several Oils i.e.Rose, Geranium)[*]Dandruff Shampoos (Lavender)[*]Moth Balls (Lavender)[*]Anti-Bacterial Cleaners (Lemon, Orange, Lavender)[*]Lemonade (Lemon)[*]Herbal Teas (Several Oils i.e. peppermint)[*]Cooking Spices (Several Oils i.e. oregano, thyme, clove) [/ul]
It is important to ensure the quality of the oils before using for consumption.

 

[Pappa Smurf]

ORIGINAL: shinycat

The Fragrant Pharmacy book has lots of uses for cleaning, cooking ,rooms, perfume, first aidcosmetic etcc

 

[Think Tanker]

Thanks so much for the information, just looking atyourlistmakes me realise that I useloads ofproducts(haircare, lipbalm etc)that contain essential oils, some i've made myselfbut most are natural products I've bought.

So I'm more interested in cleaning, medicinal, etc. Can you tell me how for example, I would use oils as an anti-bacterialcleaner - just add it to water to clean surfaces with? I also heard that you can add oils to your clothes washing, for fragrance but also for cleaning, how would you do this so as not to damage clothes, in the powder dispenser or the conditioning cycle?

And if I wanted to try lemonade or herbal tea? just add to cold/hot water?what amount?how much is too much?

I kind of knew about peppermint as a headache remedy already, I use a product called 4head which is extracted from black peppermint and it works a treat. i didn't realise you could add peppermint directly to skin though, i thought it was an irritant.

Does anyone know which oils I would use for bruises, bites?

I will definitely check out theFragrant Pharmacy book and I'm sure all the info I want and more is in there, but I have to wait until nextpay day and my interest is really sparked at the moment so any tips anyone could give would be very much appreciated.

Love & light,
ShinyCatx

 

[thomasphentermine]

I use it in a couple of ways - one to put a few drops of lemon, tea tree and / or eucalyptus in a bucket of hot water for washing the floors
And I have a spray bottle (the sort you buy to mist plants) with 10 drops each of lavender and lemon topped up with water that is used to clean the table, kitchen worksurfaces and even hands!



In the fabric conditioner compartment you can add a few drops of your chosen essential oil with some white vinegar for a cheaper and healthier alternative to shop-bought brands.



we use either lavender or tea tree applied neat for bites.

I'm more into herbs, so a salve made from calendula is great for any skin irritations, cuts, eczema, nappy rash etc And arnica is tops for bruises (as long as the skin is not broken)
And herbs are great for making herbal teas as well:
yarrow will break a fever for example
peppermint to ease digestion
Chamomile to promote restful sleep

I'm looking forward to the culinary answers too on using essential oils; I'm a bit too chicken to ingest them, although I have used gargles from sore throats made from tea tree in the past. Ewwwwww!
Worked though

have fun! I love making toiletries and cleaning products from my essential oils

Amethyst x

 

[Cesar]

[link=http://www.essential-oil-recipes.com/aromatherapy-home-recipes.html]http://www.essential-oil-recipes.com/aromatherapy-home-recipes.html[/link]

[link=http://www.essential-oil-recipes.com/]http://www.essential-oil-recipes.com/[/link]


and from http://www.aromathyme.com/recipes.html


Household Cleaning



Homemade Surface & Glass Cleaner

1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
10 drops lemon eo
10 drops rosemary eo
5 drops peppermint eo
Mx all ingredients together in a spray bottle, shake well, and spritz!
From: April 2006 issue of Alternative Medicine -- The Art & Science of Healthy Living, page 95
Orange Glass Shiner
Use Orange Glass Shiner to polish any glass or mirror to a lovely finish and shine Enjoy the pleasant aroma too -- which makes it seem like you're not cleaning at all. (Well almost!)
Yield: 8 ounces Shelf Life: Indefinite
Ingredients:

4 ounces water
4 ounces apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon borax
1 tablespoon orange essential oil
1 teaspoon lemon essential oil
Blending Procedure:
Combine all ingredients in a heavy duty plastic spray bottle and shake well before each use. Spray on glass or mirror and wipe immediately with a clean cloth. Watch the shiny surface emerge. Note that stubborn stains like old toothpaste glop and chewing gum come off with ease, plus the aroma is pleasant and uplifting. It's best to use gloves with this cleaner and remember to shake before using the evenly incorporate the essential oils. As with all household cleaners, keep this one out of the reach of children.
Enjoy!
From http://www.makeyourcosmetics.com

Dishwashing Liquid

Lift your spirits while washing the dishes. Not suited for automatic dishwashers. [*][*]10 drops Lemon essential oil[*]10 dropsLavender essential oil[*]10 drops Orange essential oil[*]liquid castile soap or other mildly scented dishwashing liquid.
Fill a 32oz. squirt bottle with liquid soap and add the oils. Shake well.



Kitchen Sink Scrub
[*]1/2 Cup Baking Soda[*]1/8 Cup Vinegar[*]5 drops Lemon essential oil[*]5 drops Orange essentail oil[*]Combine all ingredients[*]Try Lime or Bergamot also.





Tub and Shower Scrub
This recipe helps to remove and prevent mold and mildew buildup.
[*]1/2 Cup Baking Soda[*]10 drops Tea Tree essential oil[*]10 drops Lavender essential oil[*]10 drops Geranium essential oil[*]Combine all ingredients and using a damp sponge or cloth, scrub bathtub and/or shower.
For serious mildew buildup areas, combine 20 drops of Tea Tree and water in a spray bottle,
and spray area everyday for 5 days, then 2x a week.

From the book The Naturally Scented Home by Julia Bird

 

[?Ashley?]

Thank you both, that's brilliant,just what I was looking for and the websites look really good- the boss is away on holiday today so I can have a good read! One other question - do you know where in the UK I would buy distilled water?I quite fancied making a perfume mist. I've had a quick look but can't find any sites. x

 

[puppy]

You can order (or buy) distilled water from any chemist.
We get 5 ltr containers for making colloidal silver and it's about £4
I'm sure you can get it in smaller quantities to eperiment with

HTH
Amethyst x

 

[TheDuke14]

I would sincerely not recommend using Peppermint Essential Oil neat. You can apply it neat on your collar or sleeve cuffs for the inhalation effect to help relieve headaches but if you intend to apply Peppermint onto your skin please blend it with a base carrier oil before applying to the skin.
Peppermint EO has a wonderful duo action for stimulating the mind and calming the nerves during emotional times and is refreshing and calming when travelling.

MOISTURISING AFTER-SUN LOTION

1drops of Peppermint EO
4drop of Lavender EO
10ml of Fragrance-Free lotion

This recipe is very cooling and helps to moisturise skin duringthe hot, drysummer season.

[sm=sandrine.gif]Love & Harmony
Pink Water Lily

 

[Agopxs]

Hello Again,

I forgot to mention in my previous post, that the best way to remember what Essential Oils you can use neat on the skin is by following the TLC rule:

T = Tea tree
L = Lavender
C = Chamomile.

These 3 Essential Oils are the recommended oils that may be used neat on the skin.

Hope this info helps everybody.

Love
Pink water Lily xxx

 

[?Earl Hickey?]

Sorry, Pink Water Lily, but I have to disagree with you. I am an aromatherapist and have been using rich's method with peppermint oil for headaches for years. I wouldn't recommend more than one drop, split between two fingers though and keep well away from the eyes.

I can remember many posts on this forum going back probably two or three years, recommending a drop or two of neat peppermint on knotty muscles, when massaging a client. Of course, this would depend on no other contraindications being present.

I also use a drop or two of ravensara in place of tea tree, on verrucas, warts, cold sores, impetigo. Again, as long as there are no other contraindications, I actually find this oil more efficient and less reactive than tea tree.

Lesley

 

[xsjwfuhw]

Firstly - distilled water - you can just use boiled and cooled water from a kettle. Cheaper than buying it!

Secondly - precautions when using oils. It is not generally recommendedto be putting essential oils neat on your skin, I know personally that Peppermint neat does sting my skin, although Rosemary does not.

Sticking to the TLC rules (Tender Loving Care, Tea Tree, Lavender and Chamomile) will keep aromatherapy safe for all.

 

[SINNER SAVED BY GRACE]

i am so glad i found this.....really great ideas for oils - was going to ask about skin irritants...

and if there is something you can use for balding?

thanks

Ada

 

[morgon64]

Dear Aromababe,

Sorry I did not mean to offend, just letting folk know to play it safe with neat aromatherapy oils, as there are alot of sensitive skins out there

[sm=love-smiley-009.gif] Peace & Love
Pink Water Lily xxx

 

[Who Cares?]

As far as using oils on the skin, your best bet is mixing it in with something like jojoba oil (which won't change the smell or properties of the other oil you mix in with it) because most skin types will be far too reactive to just an essential oil alone on the skin. Be really careful with that. Remember that just a little with go a long way! Like aromababe said, just a drop is enough to do the trick... which is why it's safest on skin when mixed with jojoba oil.

 

[Stainey]

Thanks for the info! might try this out!

Ada

 

[erskine]

No, not offended at all. And I agree that in most instances, it is best to blend the eo's with a base oil. However, I just felt that in certain instances, such as the headache remedy, which works so well (and you wouldn't necessarily want an oily substance over your temples if you were out and about) - these remedies shouldn't be dismissed out of hand.

Obviously there are some people who have sensitive skin and caution should always be taken, but that applies with all oils, however they are used.

Lesley