Am I Smelling SOUR MILK?? Not anymore :)

15 smelly hockey jerseys…..ridiculously smelly.  Seemed like a combination of good old hockey sweat and sour milk.  Like, sippy cup accidentally left in a hot car for a week sour milk.

 

So….on a whim, I decided to use my fabric softener dispenser (which never gets used) for a new purpose.  I filled the little dispenser with apple cider vinegar and 8 drops of tea tree oil.

The combination of my homemade laundry soap and the apple cider/tea tree rinse was pretty impressive!

The jerseys came out smelling a lot like tea tree.  Uh oh, some of these hockey players are going to hate me!! 

I hung them to dry overnight.  The next morning, I couldn’t smell overpowering tea tree anymore.  And guess what else?  Not an ounce of “hockey” smell left either!  Now THAT is a “sniff, sniff hooray” moment.  I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t given them a few more sniffs before putting them away!

 

Terrific Table Cleaner!

I wanted to try something different to clean the kitchen table this weekend.  I have changed most of the products I use for cleaning, but store bought spray cleaner for the kitchen table is one that is still kicking around.  

The kids do spill (just occasionally of course - haha) and will then pick the food up off of the table and eat it.  So....does it make sense to be spraying the table with a chemical cleaner when there are other options available?  Probably not!  

Here's what I tried....
-6 cups warm water
-almost a full squirt of Mrs Dunphy's Wash Day Simple Soap (a castille soap product I recently purchased from Rae Dunphy Aromatics in Calgary, AB, and love BTW)
-5 drops lemon essential oil
-4 drops eucalyptus essential oil

**You don't need to use this many drops of EO's if you don't want to, I just prefer a little extra!

**Together, these EO's add antibacterial and antimicrobial properties to your solution!

The result was a clean table with lots of shine!

I then used the same products on my kitchen floor (porcelain tile), which worked nicely as well!

**Be sure to do a test patch when trying new solutions to be sure it is a good match for your finishes!

Happy Cleaning!

Apple Cider Kitchen Sink Scrub

Inspired by a recipe in this awesome book I purchased recently....

I made a little adjustment and created a sweet sink cleaning paste!

1 cup baking soda
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
4 drops lemon or orange essential oil (I used lemon but would have used orange if I had some)
1 drop clove essential oil 

Place ingredients in an air-tight container and shake until blended.  

Shake into sink and scrub with damp sponge.  

While it was still damp:

The end result:

It worked SO well and the house smells AMAZING!!  Just like I have a pot of apple cider on the stove.  

**You may choose to wear gloves while using this blend, as clove is known as a potential skin irritant**

**The discolouration above the plug area is the result of the finish of my sink being accidentally removed by a product my husband was using a year or so ago.  GRRRRR......**

“Cocoa Vanilla with a Hint of Mint” Lotion Bars and Lip Balm

Hi there!  Long time no blog!  Winter has been busy, but it is time to get back at it!  

I went to start this project today and went, “Wait a minute!!  I need to document this and post it!”  

I have been terrible lately for testing and trying new things…and neglecting to share.  So…here’s what I did today!

I call this “Cocoa Vanilla with a Hint of Mint” Lotion Bars and Lip Balm

Step 1:

Measure out ½ cup beeswax pellets

Step 2:

Add ½ cup cocoa butter

Step 3:

Add ½ cup grapeseed oil

Step 4:

Mix together gently

Step 5:

Melt on low heat, ideally using a double boiler

Step 6:

Remove from heat and add ½ tsp natural vanilla

Step 7:

Add 10 drops spearmint essential oil and 5 drops peppermint essential oil and blend

Step 8:

Pour into deodorant/lotion bar tubes and let cool

This recipe made enough product for 3 lotion bars and 3 lip balms as well.  If you don’t want the lip balms, use one more deodorant tube, knowing that it won’t be quite full.

Ta da!  The finished product!  It smells SO YUMMY!!

Tips:

This product cools and hardens quickly once removed from the heat.  Not to worry though!  If you need to re-liquefy it, simply reheat it!

I topped up all of my filled tubes at the end to use up the last of the liquid.  This resulted in a less than smooth finish on top.  This is no big deal for home use, but if you want to make these for a gift, I would suggest one pour, and no top up to ensure a smooth, even finished product. 

You don’t need a double boiler.  I don’t have one.  I just boiled one larger pot of water and held my small pot over top of the heat. 

Wash your pot, spoons etc. quickly after use.  I find wiping the bulk of the product off with a piece of paper towel before washing works well. 

This recipe does not have to be made with the above oil and butter.  It could be shea butter and olive oil for example, whatever you prefer.  Just equal parts of beeswax, “butter” and oil.

You can use whatever EO you want as well, it doesn't have to be mints!  And the vanilla was just for scent, so can easily be omitted.  

Squeaky Clean Teeth

So....I've been reading lots about brushing teeth with essential oils and decided to give it a go yesterday!  

Some people make their own paste (I may try that some day) but for now, I am just adding EO's to my store-bought toothpaste.
Yesterday morning I tried 2 drops of spearmint.  

Yes....it is now as clear to me as it is to you that I need a new toothbrush!!  

I couldn't believe how insanely clean my entire mouth felt afterward!  Cheeks, tongue, squeaky clean teeth!  In love with this!!

So later in the day I decided that rather than 2 drops of spearmint, I'd try one drop spearmint and one drop cloves.

I have read many good things lately about clove oil and oral health.  It's antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, the list goes on and on!  It is also said to soothe a toothache.  

Well....let me tell you, cloves in most certainly as potent as it smells!  Although it was not painful, it did have some bite, made my eyes water a little, and tingled the gums, cheeks and tongue!!

So.....last attempt of the day, and tied for first place with my love of spearmint.  A simple blend of cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon and rosemary.  I blended this in a 2ml amber vial, and only used 2 drops of the blend in my toothpaste.  The strong clove is blended nicely with the other 4 oils and was quite refreshing.  

Give it a try!  Don't use too much.  

**I don't recommend this be used in toothpaste for children, due to the fact that they have a tendency to swallow at least some, and the EO's would then be ingested.  

Happy Brushing!!

Natural Head Lice Prevention

Well….we are into our fifth year of elementary school, had preschool before that (and still do), and daycare before that (and still do), and never have we been unfortunate enough to have to treat head lice (knock, knock)

Why?  Maybe we’re lucky, or maybe because when that unnerving letter comes home that says, “we have confirmed cases of head lice at your elementary school...or preschool...or daycare” I have always begun applying an essential oil lice deterrent to my kids’ hair, sometimes as simple as just tea tree oil.  Just a couple drops is all it takes. 

If a louse has to choose between a kid with essential oils or not, it’ll choose the kid without.  Insects don’t tend to like the smell, or other properties of essential oils.  Perfect!!

The next time you are faced with that dreaded letter, try this!

In a 2ml amber vial combine:

25 drops tea tree

10 drops eucalyptus

10 drops lemon

10 drops lavender

5 drops rosemary

**to make this in a larger size, simply multiply to increase- 10ml vial = drops above X5 

Shake/roll the vial lightly to blend the synergy.

Shake 2-3 drops of the blend into the palm of your hand, rub hands together, and then run hands through hair.  That’s it!  Easy!!  Remember to wash your hands afterward!!

If you want, you can add to shampoo or conditioner too. 

This can be used once or twice per day while the “threat” is present. 

This is a preventative measure only.  If you already have lice, please contact me and I will be happy to provide you with suggestions to kill off the little buggers naturally with some home treatments.

Photo discovered at: herewegrowagain.blogspot.com   

Essential Oil Notes- Top, Middle, Base

After making the comment that lemon was a “top note”, I thought perhaps I should share a little more on what these “notes” mean!!

Top notes are the most volatile.  Their scent lasts the least amount of time.  They are uplifting and stimulating.  Some examples are: bergamot, eucalyptus, lemon, mandarin.

Middle notes help bring the body into balance.  The scent of these oils tend to be a bit more powerful than top notes, and their scent lasts longer.  Some examples are: geranium, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, ylang ylang.

Base notes are very grounding.  Their scents are more dominant, and will be present the longest in a blend.  I find it is better to use only a few drops of base notes in a blend, or the entire mixture will be overpowered by this oil.  Examples are: benzoin, cinnamon, frankincense, patchouli, pine, sandalwood.

Photo discovered at: safealternativemedicine.co.uk

The smell of fresh squeezed lemons - MMMMM

I am diffusing Lemon oil in the kitchen today.  It is so fresh and uplifting!  Close to the diffuser, it is quite powerful, but being a top note, the scent is evaporated and lost quicker than most oils I am used to diffusing.  It is one to enjoy quickly and closely!!    

Phototoxicity and Essential Oils

Did you know that some essential oils can cause phototoxicity?  Sun sensitivity, which can lead to burns and damaged skin more easily.  

Exposure to sunlight, and any other UV light should be avoided after being exposed to phototoxic oils.  It is suggested that a minimum of 12 hours should pass after a massage with phototoxic oils before UV exposure. 

Some phototoxic oils are: 

Bergamot

Bitter Orange

Grapefruit

Lemon

Lime

Mandarin 

Orange 

Tangerine 

Carrier VS Essential Oil

Did you know that sweet almond oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and macadamia oil, just to name a few are NOT essential oils?  

If your essential oil synergy lists any of these oils, it is not pure, and has been diluted with a carrier.  

This means the shelf life of your product will be reduced significantly, and the strength of your essential oil will be weaker than that of a full strength, pure essential oil synergy.

Stay tuned for a simple test you can do at home to test the purity of your oils!!

Photo discovered at  allthingshealing.com

When Life Gives You Lemons...

I am IN LOVE...with my diffuser

I LOVE my new diffuser!!  It looks cool and it circulates oils like you wouldn't believe!!  It converts oil and water into a lovely, light mist.  Perfection!

"Diffusers are an effective method of dispersing oils throughout your environment" -Rae Dunphy Aromatics

Diffusing pure essential oils purifies and cleanses the air. The oils are also absorbed into your system through the nose and skin.   

This diffuser I just got acts like a nebulizer.  You fill it with water, and add a few drops of essential oils, plug it in, choose your settings and within a few minutes, the room is filled with fresh, clean air, and the benefits of essential oils!!

When I opened it up, I set it up on the bathroom counter to check it out, then took it to the kids' rooms to "clean up" their air.  

I am diffusing pure lavender at nighttime in our bedroom.  No scent is more beautiful to me than that of lavender.

Because we are getting to that cool, fall, "germy" season, I am diffusing eucalyptus and tea tree in the kitchen/livingroom during the day.

If you don't yet own a diffuser, I highly recommend getting one!  Doesn't have to be like this one!  Get yourself a little counter-top one that uses batteries (that's what I have used until now), one that plugs in the wall, or one that plugs in in your car.  Purchase an oil that you like the smell of, that has the therapeutic properties you are looking for.  Make sure it is a pure, undiluted oil and that's it!  You're set!

Pain is Your Body's Way of Asking for Help

Every day, our bodies are exposed to toxins.  Whether it is pollutants in the air or food chemicals or dyes.  Over time, these trace amounts of toxins build up in our bodies. 

It has been said that eventually, the build up can become too much for the body to cleanse itself.  As a result, you may experience a headache, sore muscles or fatigue.  Your immune system will try its very best to rid your body of these toxins.  In the process you may experience inflammation in your joints.  Perhaps in your shoulders, maybe your hips, possibly your knees.

In an effort to combat the pain associated with inflammation, and to help rid your body of toxic build up at the same time, try this blend on inflamed areas to help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and cleanse the body. 

30ml base cream

15 drops camphor

15 drops wintergreen

10 drops eucalyptus

20 drops lavender

This blend is potent, mixed at 10%, and should not be used internally.

This application may tingle a little, but should never sting.  Test in a small area before applying to the entire targeted area. 

Keep this blend away from children and pets.

Photo discovered at: ufitbootcamp.co.uk

Ingesting Essential Oils- Don't Do It

Please keep this in mind when seeking advice from any individual who is recommending essential oils to you.  Although it is becoming a more common recommendation from some distributors, as a general rule, those trained in the modality of aromatherapy will NOT recommend ingesting essential oils. 

Just as essential oils applied “neat” to the skin can cause irritation or burning, oils that are swallowed can have the same effect (or worse) on the tongue, esophagus and stomach. 

Essential oils are very potent in their pure form, a few are even poisonous if ingested.  Please stick with skin applications in a carrier, inhalations, bath blends, diffusers, and other applications which are recommended to you by trained professionals.    

Essential oils are FANTASTIC!!!  But not if they aren't used properly :) 

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is NOT a foot massage!  It should be performed on dry feet, no oil or lotion.  

Reflexologists apply pressure to reflex points in the feet (and sometimes hands or ears) with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques.

Reflexology or Zone Therapy is a natural healing art and science based on the principle that certain reflexes correspond to every muscle, joint, gland, and organ of the body.

Reflexology aims to improve your health by relieving tension, increasing circulation and promoting relaxation and balance to the whole body.

By applying pressure on specific reflex points a reflexologist can stimulate the corresponding organs or glands to promote the natural function of the related areas of the body.

Have you considered Reflexology as an option to help you with chronic aches & pains?  Want to lower your stress level or reduce fatigue?  Find a registered reflexologist in your area and give it a try!!

Even better, how about "Essential Reflexology"?  Reflexology combined with the benefits of essential oils!  Cleaning the feet with tea tree and lavender, for example, and then ending the treatment with a relaxing foot massage with peppermint and orange or lime essential oils (in a carrier of course), which will leave you with delish citrus-mint smelling feet.   

Photo discovered at: bellebeauty.co.uk

Shower Cleaner!

We are very fortunate to have access to aquifer water.  It’s fantastic!!  But, it is very hard water at our place!!  Luckily for our marriage, my husband and I are both in agreement that we DO NOT like the feeling of soft water on our skin.  Unluckily for our shower, the tiles take a beating without having softened water.  We basically have to stay on top of it daily to keep it from building up, especially with 5/6 people in our house using the shower.  And, well, during the prairie summer, who wants to spend their days scrubbing shower tiles?? 

So…..this is what I was up against over the weekend after a wee bit of shameful neglect.

 

I decided to make cleaning fun and try a little experiment!  Who would be the winner?  Foaming store bought cleaner (left)?  Or a simple mix of 50% warm water, 50% vinegar and a few drops of essential oils (right)?

After leaving the foam to sit for five minutes and then scrubbing the tile and then scrubbing the tile on the right with the vinegar solution, (equal scrubbing time, equal pressure, and all that jazz) THE WINNER IS…..

Huh!  No one?  They both came out pretty much the same!  The grout around the vinegar solution tile did seem a bit cleaner, but the tiles themselves were about the same level of clean!

Now, price wise, vinegar and water is a pretty inexpensive option AND better for the environment AND as the days have gone by this week, the vinegar/water/essential oil tiles seem to be repelling water!  It is beading off the tile! 

Try it out!  Everyone’s water (and scum) is different of course!  But it is worth testing in your shower or tub surround.  I’d love to hear how the experiment goes for you!

Does more expensive always mean better?

NO!!  Not all essential oils are created equally, but more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better.  You do have to pay for quality BUT, purchasing the most expensive oil you can find is not always a necessary choice.  You need to do your research, or seek the advice of a trained professional.  Look for a supplier who offers pure, undiluted, organic essential oils, and make an informed choice from there. 

Don’t overpay unnecessarily!!  Here’s an example of just how overpriced a product can be if customers are willing to pay the price.  A particular blend I found online from a fairly well-known company lists their 15ml blend at $50.99.  Using the brand of oils I know and trust instead, as an aromatherapist, I can blend this synergy myself, and make any adjustments needed to suit a particular client.  I have priced it out.  Even after marking up the cost of the synergy to a retail price to sell to customers, I can sell a 15ml bottle for ….are you ready??  For $20 - $25!!! 

Please also keep in mind that if your intention is simply to use essential oils in cleaning products, there are lower grade oils that can be purchased for these purposes at lower prices.  

 

“No thief, however skillful, can rob one of knowledge, and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire” – L. Frank Baum 

Pure Essential Oils = Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy should not be confused with fragrances or perfume oils.  Fragrances are often made with chemicals, and lack the therapeutic properties of essential oils.  

Just because someone lights a scented candle, doesn't make it aromatherapy!

Photo discovered at blogs.scientificamerican.com/

Is it hot in here?

Did you know that certain essential oils can assist with the unpleasant experience of a hot flash?  

By adding oils (in a carrier) to bath water, or in a cream or massage oil, or by inhalation, relief can be that easy! 

Some women have reported to me keeping a blend beside their bed so that when a hot flash comes on in the night, a cream can be applied to stop it!

A great oil blend for hot flashes includes:

Clary Sage

Geranium

Rosewood

Lavender

Ylang ylang

Note: some oils listed above are contraindicated for pregnant women.  Please always seek advice before using essential oils. 

Photo discovered at: mississaugalife.ca

Suffering from an embarrassing itch you can't scratch?

No...not the one from the tv commercial! I'm talking about poison ivy!!!! 

Try this remedy the next time you have an uncontrollable urge to scratch! 

Apply as needed. 

30 ml base cream or lotion, blended with:
4 drops geranium
4 drops lavender
4 drops marjoram
3 drops peppermint 

Tip- Re-apply before your skin becomes super itchy again. Stay on top of it! 

Remember to consult with an aromatherapist to be sure this blend is right for you. 

Photo discovered at twineagles.org