4 Easy Essential Oil Sprays

Below are 4 of my favorite Essential Oils Spray Mixes. You can mix these essential oils with 2 oz. distilled water or a combination of 1 oz. distilled water and 1 oz. unscented witch hazel to make them into sprays. 

I prefer just water for my Allergy Trio and the Sleepytime Spray.  I always add witch hazel to the Tea Tree Oil Spray.

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Allergy Trio Mix

Provides relief from seasonal allergies or stuffiness due to colds. (Avoid eye area)

Safe to use up to 3 times daily.  Rather than a spray, you can also place 1 drop each in the palm of your hand, mix together, then rub down bridge of nose and along base of the back of your neck and lymph nodes. When I really need a boost, I do this method.

• 10 drops Lemon
• 10 drops Peppermint
• 10 drops Lavender

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Sleepytime Spray

Use before nighttime. Can be sprayed on pillow cases (spot test first) or in room 5 minutes prior to bedtime. Open up a good book, inhale, relax, and get sleepy!

Or meditate on the here and now: Lay down, feel each breathe you take, tense each major muscle group in your body for 5 seconds each, release, repeat a few times. Then, while breathing deeply say a thank you for today. (Click this link to learn about diaphragmatic or ‘belly’ breathing) Appreciate the day. Appreciate your body. Appreciate yourself.

• 5 drops Lavender
• 8 drops Cedarwood
• 8 drops Stress Away blend

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Room Refresher Spray

Banish unwanted odors (post-cooking) or for a pick me up midday. I love the light fresh scent of lemon in the afternoon!

• 15 drops Purification Blend,  Lemon, or Sweet Orange
• 10 drops Lavender

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Tea Tree Oil Spray

Banish germies on shopping carts, highchairs, refrigerator door handles, room door handles, toilet seats. I use 2 oz witch hazel only in this spray. If not using on a delicate or stainable surfaces (ie shopping cart spray) you can add a tsp. of rubbing alcohol.

 

• 15 drops Tea Tree Oil
• 10 drops Lemon
• 10 drops Clove (optional- but really boosts power)

These are just a few of my favorite combinations for sprays.

I often have these combinations with me  in an 8 ml rollerball mixed with a carrier oil, such as sweet almond or coconut oil to apply topically up to 3 times per day. When used topically reduce amounts to 2 drops each. Keep in mind clove is a “hot” oil and many may not prefer the tingling sensation.

These combinations can also be diffused. When diffused, reduce drops to only 2-3 drops per essential oil.

Of course, always spot test if you are spraying surfaces or fabrics. I’ve never had any problems personally!

To learn more about choosing high quality therapeutic grade essential oils, click here.

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To order supplies click on the Amazon links below:

All 4 You Cobalt Blue Boston Round Glass Bottle 2 oz with Black Atomizer – Perfect for Essential Oil Formulas (4 Pieces)

Aromatherapy Glass Roll On Bottles, 10ml (1/3oz) Cobalt Blue Glass – Set of 6

Thayer Unscented Witch Hazel, 12 Fluid Ounce(Pack of 2)

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These statements are not approved by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. Consult with your doctor before use, if on any medications, and if pregnant or nursing. Discontinue use if irritation develops.

Always refer to dilution guides for proper dilution ratios, especially when using on pets or children.

 

 

Hemp seed oil clarifying face serum

Years ago if anyone would have asked me to put oil on my face, I would have declined the offer politely.  Why would someone with combination skin put oil on their face?

I started out trying coconut oil and experienced a few minor breakouts. I dabbed some Frankincense essential oil on one area and the throbbing feeling ceased. The next day I was relieved to see it reduced in size.  Frankincense is soothing to the skin and has wonderful skin healing and balancing properties.  Lavender helps to even out skin tone and can reduce blemishes (and smells wonderful).

I recommend reviewing this article from Body Unburdened.com – it is informative without being overwhelming about appropriate carrier oils for facial use. It helped me make the decision to use Hemp Seed Oil as my base (It has a non-comedogenic 0 factor).

Some basic information about carrier oils:  They all have a comedogenic factor or  ‘number.’ Non-comedogenic 0 means it will not clog pores. For some skin types a 1 or 2 rating won’t affect your skin negatively and it may actually help dry skin; for others it will  clog pores and you need to seek out an oil with a rating of 0. Which is another reason why I chose Hemp Seed Oil. Coconut oil and Jojoba oil did not work for me personally as a facial oil. I tried both but it resulted in breakouts. I still recommend Jojoba (a 2) for hair and coconut (4) for a body moisturizer.

What else rates a 0? Safflower Oil (Carthamus Tinctorius),Sunflower oil, and Argan oil.

Why Hemp Seed Oil though?

• It has a greenish tint, which can reduce ruddiness.
• It is high in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids.
• ”Hemp seed oil is also rich in gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA. This is another type of omega-6 fatty acid and, according to Ratical.com, it has a number of skin health benefits and anti-inflammatory properties.”Source: Livestrong.com 
• It may help reduce scarring.

So, below is my current serum. I use this morning and night after cleansing my skin. I adore the way it minimizes my pores, gives my skin a healthy glow, and my makeup disperses very well with this as a base.

Skin Clarifying Hemp Oil Serum:

• 2 oz. cold pressed Organic Hemp Seed Oil
• 5 drops Frankincense essential oil
• 5 drops Lavender essential oil
• 5 drops Tea Tree essential oil (acne prone skin)

Note: Hemp oil does need to be refrigerated. I enjoy the cooling effect when I put this on my face straight from the fridge.  It’s also a good excuse to scope out a snack.  A little goes a long way (for the serum and for a snack).

Oily or acne prone skin responds best when not overwhelmed or over stripped. Don’t fear moisture. If you can mimic natural sebum production you can override its overproduction.

You can add  Tea Tree oil to this serum to further combat oil over-production and it would aid in healing blemishes. Tea Tree oil can be just as effective as the chemical salicylic acid.  I had a little dryness and peeling by my chin for just a few days when I first started adding Tea Tree oil but no further peeling since.

When using 3 essential oils in a 2 oz. solution, I would drop your ratios to 3:3:3 per 2 oz of Hemp seed oil.  10 drops essential oil total per 2 oz of carrier oil works best for me but that is slightly conservative.

I made this serum with 5 drops Frankincense, 5 drops Lavender and 5 drops Carrot seed oil for my mother and she said it has helped with her rosacea and some bumps on her facial skin.  I think my mother’s skin is amazingly soft and beautiful anyway (she eats clean and exercises daily) but to hear her amazed at the results is just another reason why I love mixing up oils for people!

Always check dilution charts prior to mixing your own products.  You can always increase ratios later.

As always, spot test your essential oils first. If irritation develops, discontinue use.

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What I discuss on this site has not been evaluated by the FDA, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any particular disease. I am not a registered physician and I encourage you to discuss your health concerns with your own doctor.

The great chemical purge of 2015: part I

A small drama occurred in our home today. I threw money in the trash can. Figuratively speaking, a bottle and tube at a time. One bottle down equals one procedural document I labored meticulously over drafting. Another bottle down- equals one spreadsheet that was from the dark side of Microsoft Excel-hell. You get the picture, I had spent hard-earned money on these products.  I could not keep them in my home any longer, it was time for a purge.

In a bit of irony, I was wearing my new favorite tee featuring Alice and the Queen of Hearts. Want a picture, here you go… I like the angelic aura surrounding the shirt.

‘Off with their heads!’

I would like to estimate the value below at about $150 to upwards of $200 and I do not mind. I dislike that I do not feel it’s safe to reuse the bottles. I am unsure what chemicals have done to the plastics, so I had a concern about cross contamination reusing them for new homemade products. I threw out: sunscreens, leave in hair conditioner, shampoo, conditioners, multiple hair serums, face wash, wrinkle cream,  bar soap, hair gel, deodorant, tub and tile cleaner, dry cleaning bag, carpet cleaner, a hand soap refill full of triclosan, and the list continues. Please do not fret as I have replacements.

Toxic bath and beauty products

Toxic cleaners

The good news is there are many safe and affordable options at hand.

I have been using some of these items below frequently for the past few years (vinegar in the rinse cycle- who knew?) and some for only a few months (Castile Soaps). I can safely say my mind is made up that all of this works and it’s not necessary to spend an exorbitant amount of  money.

My new  cleaning arsenal includes the following items: Castile Soap, Distilled White Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Essential Oils. That’s it! Simple. Reduces waste. Nontoxic. I’d eat off my kitchen floor after mopping with that Castile soap. Seriously. It smells likes roses down there.

Laundry

Young Living Essential Oil Singles and Blends: Amazing quality, in fact, so much I am now an Independent Distributor. I trust their quality and product. There are other high quality products out there, but please do your research on your oils.  They should cost different amounts for different types of oils and not have any added ingredients. Of course, always do a patch test and consult your doctor when using oils! Personally, I have had no issues with any oils.

A few oils that contain beneficial cleaning properties: (Always spot test first) and I learned the hard way (do not put baking soda and vinegar in a bottle and shake).

• Lemon
• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus
• Tea tree
• Orange
• Grapefruit
• Pine
• Lavender

Young Living Oils for cleaning (Please note oils are best stored in dark class containers, especially citrus oils)

Baking Soda: Enough said

Baking soda

Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap: Laundry, Mopping, Carpet cleaner, Hand soaps, Dish soap, Vegetable rinses…Spray in the air and do a fairy-tap dance. Wait, too much.

Castile Soap- They come in multiple essential oil infused scents (Rose, Citrus, Lavender, Peppermint, and unscented)

Feel free to share any cheap and non-toxic cleaning solutions you have found works in your home! I’d love to start swapping stories.

An important message: Toxic chemicals must be disposed of properly.  Most cities or towns will host an annual or semiannual “Tox-Away” day.  Call your local police, fire station, or town hall for a listing of these days.

Lavender and purifying sugar scrub

A Genbumom wants natural solutions to everyday beauty routines. I needed an easy and affordable homemade foot scrub for myself and to give as gifts. I recently gave each daycare professional that cares for our little ones, these foot scrubs a ‘thank you’ gifts. They are, after all, on their feet all day.  I love the Young Living Lavender and Purification oils.  They are staples in many of my homemade products.  The Purification blend is good for moisturizing and providing an uplifting mood.  Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) oil is known for it’s calming and antimicrobial effects.

The added bonus of this DIY is that my son helped me with it. He really enjoyed the quality time and crafting with mommy.  I did use caution when using the essential oils but only because I didn’t want him to get any in his eyes. The Young Living oils I mention in this article are safe to use topically. Of course, always do a patch test first before using any new product or oil! My son measured and mixed up the sugar and coconut oils.  Organic sugar would have been a better substitute, but we don’t generally cook with sugar. The sugar pictured was cheaply purchased at a discount store for these scrubs.

The containers were in the food canning aisle at a local grocery store. *You can also scour flea markets and garage sales for glass containers (the mason jar below was a garage sale find). If they are missing lids, you can find lids in the canning aisle also.

You will need:

• Granulated Sugar
• MCT Coconut Oil
• Vitamin E Oil. You can also use Jojoba or Sweet Almond Oil as a base.
• Essential Oils- Lavender and Purification blends. I prefer Young Living Essential oils due to their quality and purity.  You may enjoy using Peppermint for foot scrubs.

Step 1: Add 1 cup sugar.

Step 2: Add 1/4 cup MCT Coconut oil and 1/4 cup of your favorite ‘bonus’ oil. Vitamin E or Sweet almond oil works well.

Step 3: Mix in approximately 10-15 drops Lavender oil and I prefer about 5-10 drops Purification blend.  Adjust to suite your desired fragrance. Mix and store in glass container. Sugar settling is normal. As I gave these as gifts, I tied a ribbon with a popsicle stick to it for stirring.

You can double the recipe as needed.  I filled 2 small jars with the 1 cup mixture outlined above.

As the french would say:  ‘C’est parfait!’ This is perfect!  Simply a lovely thank you gift.

What I discuss on this site has not been evaluated by the FDA, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any particular disease. I am not a registered physician and I encourage you to discuss your health concerns with your own doctor.