Summer Essential Oils - And How to Use Them
Happy Summer!
School’s out and we’re looking forward to a slow summer (it gets hot where we are and the last few months were busy, so we all look forward to homemade popsicles, watermelon, and lots of water splash time.)
Today, I am sharing three summer essential oils with you that not only smell good, but come in very handy during the warmer season of the year.
Always remember to dilute essential oils; never apply them neat.
Here is how you can make the most out of these summer essential oils
while using them safely.
They are affordable and easy to use.
Read on for benefits and inspiration how to use these three specific essential oils for your family this summer.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender essential oil is a staple all year round, but comes in particularly handy during the summer. With its skin regenerative properties, it supports the healing of minor sunburns.
Additionally, it soothes bug bites and stings, as it is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic (mildly pain relieving). Helping relieve itchiness, lavender is a wonderful essential oil to use to calm irritated, inflamed skin.
It is also a mild bug deterrent and can help keep unwanted insects away.
Inspiration:
Bugs at Bay:
Use 15-20 drops of lavender essential oil in a 2 fl oz mist or spray bottle, mix with water and isopropyl alcohol (polysorbate 20 or polysorbate 80 to disperse the essential oils). Shake gently. Spray around area where you don’t want to be bothered by bugs.
Sun Soothing Gel:
Mix 10 drops lavender with 2 fl oz aloe vera gel to use as a cooling and healing after sun treatment. Keep in fridge for added cooling effect.
After Sun Balm:
Slowly melt 3-4 oz of unrefined shea butter in a double boiler; add a tablespoon of coconut oil. Take off heat. Add about 15 drops of lavender essential oil. Stir well. Add liquid mixture to glass jar and let harden at room temperature or in fridge. Use as an after-sun balm.
Itch Relief:
Add 4-5 drops of lavender essential oil to a 10 ml roller top bottle. Fill up with jojoba, apricot kernel, sweet almond, or fractionated coconut oil. Shake gently. Apply to sting or bite.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
Lemongrass essential oil is known for its purifying benefits and refreshing aroma. It also has gained popularity as a natural bug repellent, specifically for mosquitoes and ticks. Keep those pesky insects at bay when diffusing drops of this essential oil outside, or even make your own lemongrass oil infused beeswax candle.
Lemongrass is a handy summer essential oil creating an uplifting, energizing atmosphere when diffused. Due to its strong antimicrobial, anti-fungal properties, it is also the ideal cleaning companion (think showers, or bathtubs, for instance).
Inspiration:
Mosquitoes Away
Use 15-20 drops of lemongrass essential oil in a 2 fl oz mist or spray bottle, mix with water and isopropyl alcohol (alternatively polysorbate 20 or polysorbate 80 to properly disperse the essential oils). Shake gently. You can also reduce the amount of lemongrass essential oil and add in 8-10 drops of lavender, and 5 drops of peppermint oil for an all purpose bug repellent.
Simple Lemongrass Candle
You need: Cotton wick, pure beeswax, genuine lemongrass essential oil, 4 oz glass jar.
Melt beeswax slowly in double boiler. Take off heat. Add in between 30-60 drops of lemongrass essential oil (depending on how strong of an aroma you prefer). Stir. Add to jar with secured cotton wick. Let cool. Enjoy your evening outside without pesky mosquitoes.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
Peppermint is an essential oil with many benefits. In the summer, its minty, cooling, refreshing aroma helps combat headaches (it’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic), gives energy and clarity, and revitalizes those feet when they feel swollen after a hot day.
Moreover, peppermint essential oil has carminative, antispasmodic properties, meaning it helps ease your digestion and makes that stomach feel “lighter.” Went to heavy on the BBQ? Keep this essential oil handy for some digest-ease. Add a about 5-6 drops into a 10 ml roller top bottle, top off with carrier oil, and roll on stomach.
Inspiration:
Bug Repellant
Add about 15-20 drops of peppermint essential oil to a 2 fl oz mist or spray bottle, along with isopropyl alcohol (or polysorbate 20 or polysorbate 80 to fully disperse essential oils) and water. Shake gently. Spray around entryways or wherever you want to create a barrier for spiders and ants.
Tension Release:
In a 10 ml roller top bottle mix 4 drops of peppermint with 7 drops of lavender essential oil. Top off with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut, sweet almond, apricot kernel, or jojoba oil. Shake gently. Apply to and massage into temples and base of head if a headache strikes. Can also be massaged into shoulders/traps to ease tension.
Bonus: Can support clear sinuses due to seasonal allergies.
Revitalizing Foot Balm:
Melt 3-4 oz of unrefined shea butter (alternatively mango butter) slowly in double boiler. Add a spoonful of coconut oil. Take off heat. Add about 15-20 drops of peppermint essential oil. Stir. Let cool in a glass jar. Keep in fridge for added cooling effect. Massage into heavy feet to restore and revitalize.
Bonus Recipe
Refreshing Hand-Foot-Body Scrub
This also makes for a lovely homemade gift.
You need: 4 oz jar, cane sugar, some sea salt, oatmeal (optional), 1 oz carrier oil such a jojoba or apricot kernel oil, 4 drops of peppermint, 3 drops of lemongrass, and 6 drops of lavender essential oil.
Stir the carrier oil and essential oils together. In separate bowl, add the mixture of sugar and sea salt (and oatmeal). Add in the oil mixture. Mix gently but well. Fill the 4 oz jar.
Read more:
You might like this Blog Post that goes a little deeper into the benefits of body scrubs and how to make your own.
These essential oils are affordable and helpful to keep handy in your own home year round.
Get creative with how you use them.
Need a dilution guide?
Enjoy those summer days — naturally!
Looking for more attainable and sustainable aroma infused living tips, tricks, and recipes to enhance your wellness - simply, naturally?
Disclaimer: The above information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. You are using the information provided on this site or materials and blogs linked from this post at your own risk. The information is never a substitute for professional medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis especially when pregnant, nursing, taking specific medication, having a medical condition, or undergoing medical treatment. If you are looking for guidance from a certified aromatherapy practitioner, you are welcome to reach out to me at any time and I will be in touch.