There is no better time, than as we head into the summer season, to get some tips on using essential oils. Sunscreen and chemicals do not have to go together! Learn how to make your own, safe alternative. Guest poster, Bre Taylor of Nourishing the Home, is a wife, mom, blogger and doTerra affiliate. Today, she is sharing the natural ways she handles the bugs, allergies and sun that comes with this time of year.
Guest Post by Bre Taylor:
It’s April already, spring is here and, believe it or not, summer is just around the corner. I love warmer weather. My husband could probably live in the artic happy as a polar bear. Give me blooming flowers and warm sunshine on my shoulders and I am in heaven. There are definitely a few things about this time I dislike – mainly bugs, sunburns and those dreaded allergies! Fortunately, I have some natural solutions to prevent or treat these common rain clouds on our otherwise sunny days.
In my diaper bag arsenal, I have my Lavender essential oil and TerraShield blends. There are SO many great uses with just these 2 bottles. Lavender has anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. doTerra’s Terrashield Repellent Blend is an all-natural blend made up of 15 oils that provide a safe and effective deterrent against bugs plus it’s 10 times as strong as DEET! If I’m fighting any hay fever symptoms, I may grab Lemon and Peppermint as well.
Here are some tips on how to incorporate these great oils
into your spring and summer routine.
Sun Care:
- Avoid all the chemical additives out there and make your own sunblock. Add 1 drop of Lavender to every 1-2 tbsp of coconut oil, rub into the skin and allow it to soak in before going out.
- Too late? Burned already? Put 1-2 drops of Lavender in a spray bottle with water. Spray directly on the skin for relief.
- Feeling overheated? Apply topically to the forehead and bottoms of feet if you are prone to heat exhaustion. You can even add one drop to water and drink for internal use*. doTERRA Lavender oil is one of the few brands of essential oils that can be taken internally due to its classification as a Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade oil.
- NOTE: Lemon oil is photosensitive so do not confuse your oils and apply lemon oil. Wait at least four hours before going out if lemon oil is applied by mistake.
Insect Repellant and Bug Bites:
- Prevent bites from the beginning with TerraShield. Add a few drops to exposed skin and openings in clothing before any outdoor activities. Reapply every 4-6 hours or as needed.
- In case any insects have found you before you use your oils, apply Lavender to help lessen any pain from insect bites or bee stings
- Also, if spiders cause a scare in your house like they do ours, diluting Peppermint oil in water and spraying around window ledges and door openings is a great deterrent.
- Putting TerraShield with water is a great overall bug repellant for the home too. Do you garden? Use the same spray on your plants and flowers to eliminate bugs without adding toxins.
Allergies:
- Use one drop of Lavender on the tongue when you feel symptoms come on.
- Puffy or itchy eyes? Drop some lavender on a cold washcloth and place over the eyes.
- For mild allergies, put 1 drop each of Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint on the palms and cup and inhale deeply. If more moderate, put drops in a gelatin capsule and take internally* or mix the oils in a ¼ cup of juice or water, swish 10-20 seconds in the mouth and swallow*. For children, heavily dilute by adding the oils to a locally made honey which always helps the medicine go down.
- Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint are powerhouse oils. To learn 101 ways to use even just those 3 oils, check out this post.
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I hope these suggestions are helpful and equip you to nourish your home during these warm, but fun, seasons. If you want to learn more about the oils I mentioned, please visit my website. I will be hosting a class on essential oils in Dallas April 23rd, as well as a webinar April 24th. Like me on Facebook for class updates and fun giveaways.
A quick note: Be sure to use only 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential oils and follow all label warnings and instructions. Essential oils should not be used in the eyes, inside the ear canal, or in open wounds. If redness or irritation occurs when using essential oils topically, simply apply any vegetable oils such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil to the affected area. Consult your physician before using essential oils if you are pregnant or under a doctor’s care.