Healthy Living Archives - Page 5 of 5

2 Simple Ways to Use Eucalyptus for Winter Wellness

It looks as if winter has finally decided to arrive in Indiana. We had one of the warmest Decembers I can remember, and my family was actually outside playing basketball on Christmas Day! That has changed, however, and the cold has arrived whether it was wanted or not, along with about three inches of snow.

It seems that cold weather seasons also bring germs and illnesses that aren’t so widespread throughout the rest of the year. For wellness purposes, I’ve found that essential oils help me throughout the winter. One of my favorite oils to use is *Eucalyptus globulus for its affinity with the respiratory system. [Read more…]

Rosemary-Lemongrass Salt Glow

One of the joys of Christmas is giving gifts that you know people will enjoy. In my view, it’s even better if I’ve made the gift myself. Over the years I’ve sewed, knitted, and even tried my hand at making jewelry (soon discovered jewelry is best left to those with some experience!). Since I’ve become an aromatherapist, many of my gifts now revolve around aromatherapy oils and herbs. Last year I made gift bags for my family that contained lip balm, salve, and lotion bars. [Read more…]

Aromatherapy: Essential Oils Cleaning Spray

Brilliant leaves, crisp apples, and chilly temperatures herald the coming of fall and winter. Unfortunately, along with the changing of the season also comes exposure to colds and flu. Let’s be proactive and explore some ways we can stay as healthy as possible during the next few months. In my next few posts, I’ll explore how aromatherapy and herbs can support us through the fall and winter.

One of the most basic things we can do to fight nasty bugs is to keep our homes clean. I know, it’s a battle, especially with children in and out of the house, but here’s an essential oil cleaning solution that will help you quickly mop up messes and leave a lovely aroma behind. No chemically smell here.

Aromatherapy Spray Cleaning Solution

Keeping your home clean can help prevent the spread of germs that make us sick. Perhaps you love using essential oils in creams and for inhalation, but haven’t considered using them while cleaning. Well, with the antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties of

…essential oils, they pack a powerful punch when cleaning and smell good too!

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Here’s a quick rundown of some of the main therapeutic actions of each oil as it pertains to cleaning (I’m not covering all their properties, e.g. for healing or emotional issues, just cleaning). Historically, these oils have been known for the following properties:

Eucalyptus: antibacterial, antiviral
Lavender: antibiotic, antiseptic
Lemongrass: antibacterial, anti fungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral
Rose geranium: antibacterial, antifungal
Tea tree : antibacterial, anti fungal, antimicrobial, antiviral

By no means does this cover all of the EOs that would be useful in a cleaning solution. This one includes some of my favorites. How about you? Have you concocted a cleaning recipe that works wonders for you? Let us know about it in the comment section.

Here’s to a healthy fall and winter!

Aromatherapy for Cleaning: Spray Solution

Recipe Type: cleaning

Author: Jane VanOsdol

Serves: The synergy yields enough for 4 14-oz spray bottles.

Use this lovely-scented spray for general cleaning in the kitchen and bathroom.

Ingredients

Eucalyptus (radiate or globulus is fine) 5 drops
Geranium 6 drops
Lavender 9 drops
Lemongrass 7 drops
Tea Tree 6 drops
14 oz of filtered water

Instructions

Mix this synergy of essential oils and store in a colored, glass bottle.
Fill a spray bottle with 16 oz of water and add 8 drops of the synergy to the bottle.
Shake well before spraying.
Keep out of reach of children.

5 Ways To Use Essential Oils for Relaxation

If you’re human, you’ve been stressed. Whether it’s an accumulation of little irritants or an unexpected tragedy, stress has reared its ugly head in your life. It’s no respecter of persons. Almost every age group is vulnerable to certain stressors.The question is, How do you handle it? [Read more…]

Tea Tree Essential Oil Foot Bath

Tea Tree and Lemongrass Essential Oil Foot Bath

Recipe Type: Aromatherapy

Author: Jane VanOsdol

A tea tree oil and lemongrass foot bath will refresh and pamper your feet.

Ingredients

1/2 cup of Epsom Salt or Sea Salt
5 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil
2 drops of Lemongrass Essential Oil
Basin or bowl of water large enough for your feet
[b]*Note:[/b] People with diabetes or high blood pressure need to consult with their doctor to see if it is safe for them to do a salt bath.

Instructions

Add the essential oils to the salt and stir until it’s evenly dispersed. Fill basin half way with warm or cool water. Add the salt mixture and stir until dissolved. Soak feet for 15 minutes.

Notes

[b]Tea tree oil[/b] is antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, decongestant, expectorant, immune-stimulant, and neurotonic.[br][br][b]Lemongrass[/b] is analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antiviral.

Quick Essential Oil Body Creams

As an aromatherapist, I love experimenting with making body creams and body lotions from scratch. It’s fun adding herbal oils I have infused myself and experimenting with different butters, herbs, and essential oils to get that perfect blend and product.

Sometimes, however, I don’t have the time to make a luscious body lotion from the beginning to end. I need a quick product that will mix up in minutes but still have the healing properties and lovely scent I want. I’d like to share with you my go-to cream that I use when I don’t have time to make one and then show you how easy it is to customize it to your liking. [Read more…]

Make a Refreshing Herbal Sun Tea

If you like making sun tea, you’ll love making an herbal tisane with herbs from your own garden — or someone else’s! This is a simple recipe, easily adaptable to whatever fresh (or dried) herbs you have on hand. I’ll give you some ideas on herbs that are great to use and share my recipe, but use your imagination and see what tasty combinations you can come up with too — that’s half the fun. [Read more…]

How To Make an Herbal Infused Oil

herbal infused oil

If you’ve always wanted to buy an herbal oil, but didn’t like the prices at the store, why not try infusing your own? It’s a simple process, and you’ll probably save some money too. In this video, I show you how to make a calendula solar infusion of olive oil (or another oil of your choice).

While making a solar infusion is not a fast process, there is something satisfying about creating herbal oils for wellness and culinary usage for family and friends. [Read more…]

Sweet Peace Aromatherapy Room Spray

Sweet Peace

Recipe Type: Aromatherapy Room Spray

Author: Jane VanOsdol

Mix up this lovely room spray for a sweet, light fragrance.

Ingredients

8 drops Lavender
15 drops Vanilla in jojoba oil
1.5 oz. Distilled water
1.5 oz. Vodka 80 proof

Instructions

Fill a 2-4 oz. spray bottle with the water and vodka. Add the lavender and vanilla. Shake well before each spray. Mist the room for a lovely fragrance.

What Is Aromatherapy?

If room sprays, bath salts, and essential oils come to mind when you hear the word aromatherapy, you’re on par with what most people probably think. Aromatherapy, however, is much more than just a pleasing aroma or beauty product. It is a true healing modality whose potential is just being realized in the Western world.

Jade Shutes, founder and director of education of The East-West School for Herbal and Aromatic Studies, defines the term in the following way on the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy’s website:

[Read more…]