There are likely thousands of ways to benefit from the natural healing power and delightful scents of pure essential oils, but here are some great ways to get you started:
Cleaning
Add a few drops of antibacterial oils like thyme and cinnamon to your dust cloth before dusting surfaces.
Add a few drops of lemon essential oil to equal parts of white vinegar and water to clean and disinfect windows and mirrors.
Add a drop of grapefruit essential oil to the toilet after flushing to freshen the toilet and bathroom.
Clean hardwood floors with 1 gallon of hot water, ½ cup white vinegar and 3 drops of orange essential oil. This blend also works well with any type of hard flooring.
Create a fruit and vegetable wash with 1 cup of each apple cider vinegar and water, as well as 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Spray on fruits and vegetables and let sit for a minute before rinsing.
In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of water with 30 drops of melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil and 30 drops of thyme essential oil. Spray on mold or mildew and allow to dry. Repeat as necessary.
Add 5 drops of lavender essential oil to a cup of baking soda, sprinkle on carpets, before vacuuming it to deodorize carpets.
Add 5 drops of lavender, wild orange or grapefruit essential oil to a face cloth and throw it in the dryer with your clothes to give them a fresh, natural, clean scent without the toxic fabric softeners. Use an old face cloth since it may be left with oil stains.
Add lemon, tea tree and thyme essential oils (about 5 drops each) to 2 cups of hot water and ½ cup white vinegar to use as a general-purpose cleaner.
Other Household Uses
Put a few drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls around your home to ward off ants, mice and spiders.
Put a few drops of cedarwood essential oil on cotton balls in your closet or drawers to keep moths away from your clothes.
Therapeutic
Put a few drops of lavender essential oil on a cotton ball or cloth near your pillow to help you sleep soundly.
Put a drop of clary sage oil in 5 drops of coconut oil and apply a drop of the blend to your hands or wrist to help balance hormones, alleviate PMS or menopausal symptoms.
Put a drop of lavender oil diluted in 5 drops of coconut oil or other carrier oil on burns to speed healing and ease the pain.
Put a drop of melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil on cuts or wounds as an antiseptic. Dilute a drop in 5 drops of carrier oil if you have sensitive skin.
Put a drop of lavender essential oil on mosquito or other types of bug bites to ease the stinging/itchiness.
Place 10 drops each of lavender, cedarwood and citronella in a bottle with one ounce of carrier oil (like coconut oil). Rub or spray a small amount on your skin before heading outdoors to help keep the bugs at bay.
Diffuse wild orange and grapefruit essential oils to boost the mood in your home.
Diffuse eucalyptus essential oil to reduce coughing, chest or sinus congestion, and improve breathing.
Put a drop of peppermint essential oil on a diffuser bead necklace to energize you throughout the day.
Put a drop of rosemary essential oil on a diffuser bead necklace or cloth to boost your memory. Breathe in the natural scent throughout the day.
Food/Drink/Cooking
Note: Be sure to use only FDA-approved essential oils that are suitable for ingestion (such as lime, lemon, grapefruit, basil, oregano, thyme and cilantro) and only one or two drops at a time.
Add a drop of food grade lime and cilantro essential oils to your favorite guacamole or salsa recipe.
Add a drop of lime essential oil to your favorite juice for a delicious beverage. My favorite is pomegranate juice with lime.
Add a drop of peppermint to hot chocolate for a chocolate mint drink.
Add a drop of lavender to lemonade for a delightful lavender lemonade.
Add a drop of lime essential oil to a cup of frozen berries and a cup of water for a virgin daiquiri.
Add a drop or 2 of peppermint oil to your favorite brownie or chocolate chip cookie recipe for mint chocolate brownies/cookies.
Add a drop or 2 of basil essential oil to coarsely chopped tomatoes and a clove of minced garlic. Sprinkle with a little sea salt and enjoy a delicious tomato basil salad.
Add a drop or two of basil or cilantro oil to your favorite salad dressing or vinaigrette recipe for a delightful flavor addition.
Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils like basil, ginger, lemongrass, lemon, lavender or cilantro to 2 tablespoons of sea salt and mix together. Store in a pinch bowl for a quick flavor addition to your favorite foods.
Add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil to 2 tablespoons of unrefined sugar or honey for a lovely aromatic sweetener for your tea.
This post originally appeared on Care2.com.
