• The inner wrists
• The bottom of the feet in the center just below the toes’ foot pad
• The ears

• X Plague
  
• Clove
• Cinnamon
• Tea tree
  
• Healthy Spice
  

Jellyfish Stings

If you’ve been stung by a jellyfish, you may have been advised to pour urine on the sting to counteract the toxin. This is an old wive’s tale and not advised by the Red Cross. In fact, without knowing the type of jellyfish, water and vinegar could be a bad idea as well. The best advice is to rinse the sting with ocean water and treat for swelling and pain. The best essential oils to use topically for swelling and pain relief from jellyfish stings include:

• Lavender
• Tea tree
• Rosemary

Depending on how painful the sting is, use a cool essential oil compress. If pressure can’t be tolerated, spray a diluted essential oil mist on the sting.

Sunburn

Essential oils are instrumental in treating sunburn — not only for pain relief, but to reduce swelling and prevent scarring. To cool and soothe the affected area, mix a few drops of essential oil in cool, refrigerated aloe vera gel. Apply the gel to the sunburned area several times per day. Top essential oils for sunburn relief are:

• Lavender
• Calendula
• Roman chamomile
• Helichrysum

There is probably no other oil in current circulation which so predictably and reliably heals and rejuvenates the skin like Helichrysum.

Poison Ivy

Poison ivy, sumac and oak all release an oil that creates rashes and blisters if you come in contact with the leaves. Because the oil can spread and create more rashes, it’s important to wash not only your hands and body, but all clothing as well.

Identifying which plants are culprits is not as easy as the traditional wisdom of avoiding red leaves, since these poison plants only display red leaves seasonally.

To soothe the hot, itchy rash that comes from contact with poison ivy, oak or sumac, try a cool compress of:

• Lavender
• Tea tree
• Roman chamomile

To create a cool compress, add a few drops of one or a combination of the essential oils above in fresh water. Soak a washcloth in the mixture, wring and place in the refrigerator to cool. Apply the cool, damp towel to the affected area for healing relief.

Bugs and Their Bites

Bug bites and summer are a preventable combination. While most bites are an itchy nuisance, some, like bee or wasp stings are painful. And if you add rare but potential issues like West Nile Virus from mosquito bites or Lyme Disease from ticks, your first line of action against bug bites is to avoid them altogether by using a good bug repellent.The natural one I use is 10ml Bug Stick

Commercial bug sprays often contain the controversial chemical DEET. It does a great job at repelling bugs, but has a storied past of dangerous side effects in some users. Skin reactions are common and prolonged exposure can affect cognitive functions of the brain. Why risk dangerous side effects when there are essential oils that work as well, if not better than DEET? Here are some bug-repelling essential oils:

• Eucalyptus

This essential oil is so effective against bugs that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered lemon eucalyptus oil as a natural “biopesticide repellent”. It’s not only an excellent mosquito repellent, but studies show that the oil reduced the number of Lyme Disease carrying castor bean ticks that attached to human participants by half.

• Thyme and Clove

Thyme and clove oils were the most effective natural mosquito repellents from a selection of essential oils tested. A study by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) found they provided one and a half to three and a half hours of protection against mosquitoes.

• Catnip essential Oil

This essential oil smells similar to citronella. Researchers report that nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic scent, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.

• Juniper Oil

Juniper essential oil is found to be effective at repelling larval ticks, which are difficult to find before they bite.

Pest Away - This product is so effective.

The best way to use these essential oils is to add a few drops to a carrier oil and apply to exposed skin. Reapply every 1-2 hours. For faster application, try putting the oil blend in a spray bottle. Glass bottles are best, citrus essential oils will eat plastic.

Treating Bug Bites

For bug bites including bee and wasp stings, apply your choice of these oils to soothe itching, reduce pain and swelling and speed up the healing process:

• Lavender
• Frankincense
• Tea tree
• Calendula
• Roman chamomile

Your Summer Essential Oil Survival Kit Checklist

Put a summer survival kit together including a selection of your favorite oils. Some items worth including in the kit are:

• 10 ml Stomach Ache Stick
• Quality aloe vera gel
• A small spray bottle (glass if using citrus oils, since they can eat plastic)
• Gauze or a small washcloth (helpful for compresses)
• A handkerchief or cotton balls (for inhaling essential oils on the go)
• A small bottle of carrier oil (such as almond oil) or unscented lotion to mix with essential oils
• Instant ice packs (no refrigeration necessary)
• 10ml Bug Stick
• 10ml Owie Stick
• Sore Muscle & Headache Stick
  

1. Lavender

   Helpful for all skin conditions including itching as well as relaxation, stress and anxiety relief

2. Rosemary

   Mentally stimulating, uplifting and antiseptic to kill germs and clean wounds

3. Tea Tree

   Helpful for rashes, skin conditions, killing germs and repelling bugs

4. Roman chamomile

   Gentle, calms nerves and soothes skin and bug bites

5. Eucalyptus

   Excellent as a full-spectrum bug repellent, invigorating, increases mental clarity

• 1 cup organic aloe vera juice – we recommend natural aloe juice, which requires refrigeration once opened 
• 20 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 oz Olive Oil - you can also substitute sweet almond, or jojoba oil

Why these ingredients:
Witch Hazel–an astringent made from the witch hazel shrub, it is used topically for pain, itching, inflammation and minor burns. Helps reduce peeling.
Aloe Vera Gel–also known as the “burn plant”, it is used topically to reduce the pain, itching and inflammation caused by sunburns. Also helps reduce peeling.
Water–use distilled if possible.
Lavender essential oil–nature’s burn remedy, it is analgesic, anti-inflammatory anti-itch and a great pain reliever for any type of burn including sunburn.
Peppermint essential oil–provides an immediate cooling sensation to the body as well as being anti-itch, anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
Sunburn Relief Spray with Essential Oils
1/4 cup distilled water
1/4 cup witch hazel
2 tbsp. 100% pure aloe vera gel
20 drops Lavender essential oil
10 drops Peppermint essential oil
4 oz spray bottle

Shake well before each use.
Spritz on sunburn liberally and often until completely healed.

Homemade Sunburn Spray

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup Aloe Vera Gel
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops frankincense essential oil
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• Glass spray bottle

1. Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together
2. Transfer to a spray bottle. Shake well before each use

Heal the Burn Recipe

Ingredients:

• 16 oz glass spray bottle
• 1 cup + 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel
• 1/4 cup Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 1 teaspoon Vitamin E or wheat germ oil
• 8 drops Lavender essential oil
• 8 drops Tea Tree essential oil
• 8 drops Roman Chamomile essential oil

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients into the glass spray bottle using a funnel and you’re done!

Rosemary essential oil is a potent repellent for many types of pesky insects including flies, fleas and mosquitoes.  Rosemary is also great for deterring insect larvae like the cabbage looper caterpillar whose voracious appetite for juicy vegetable foliage can easily destroy entire crops of  tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, and even some root veggies if left undisturbed.  Peppermint essential oil is an excellent natural insecticide which works on aphids, squash bugs, white flies, ants, beetles, and fleas, just to name a few.  Peppermint is also the best essential oil for repelling spiders.  Thyme essential oil works against biting insects like chiggers, ticks, and roaches.  Clove essential oil is another great deterrent for many flying insects.

To create a broad-spectrum all-natural insect repellent, mix equal parts of rosemary, peppermint, thyme, and clove essential oils (about 10 drops of each) in a spray bottle filled with water.  Remember to shake well before each use.  Apply anywhere you want to get rid of skittering, creeping, crawling, or flying pests.

For particularly bad infestations, try using Neem oil.  This natural insecticide dissolves the waxy coating of many hard-to-kill garden parasites, dehydrating, and eventually killing them.  Neem oil not only works on adult insects.  It also kills larvae and eggs, making Neem oil a super-effective all-natural method for reducing populations of insect pests.

If you’re seeing signs of disease in your garden, chances are pretty good that there is a fungus to blame.  Try some of these essential oils to stop fungal pests from spreading
Tea Tree oil is one of the few natural remedies with the power to not just prevent fungal growth, but also to kill many species of fungus.  To treat existing fungal growth or as a preventative, mix about one tablespoon of tea tree oil per cup of water in a spray bottle.  Apply directly to infected plants once or twice per week.  Remember to avoid spraying leaves when the weather is very hot and dry as sun-heated tea tree oil can easily burn leaves.

Previously mentioned Neem oil is as effective against fungal infections on plants as it is for treating insect infestations.

Two organic compounds in Citronella oil – citronellal and linalool – have been proven to inhibit the growth of many species of fungus.  Other essential oils with powerful fungicidal properties include Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Peppermint, Clove, and Cinnamon oils.  Also effective against garden fungus are oils extracted from plants in the Allium family (Onion, Garlic, etc.)

To create an anti-fungal garden spray using any of these ingredients, add 8 – 10 drops of essential oil into a large glass spray bottle filled with water.  Remember to shake before each use.

Stop Slugs and Snails

Cedarwood, Hyssop, and Pine are the best essential oils for keeping gastropods off of your plants.  Mix about a teaspoon of your chosen oil(s) in a spray bottle filled with water.  Apply diluted oil in a ring around plants where slugs and snails like to visit.  Refresh as needed.

Discourage Vermin

Mice and other rodents are repulsed by the clean, fresh scent of peppermint.  Douse cotton balls with 1 – 2 drops of peppermint essential oil a piece, then tuck them into the entrances of mouse holes, squirrel nests, and other rodent burrows to persuade rodent residents to relocate.  Replace as needed.

Dissuade Pets

Did you know that cats hate the smell of Rosemary?  If you can’t seem to keep the neighborhood tomcat from leaving his delightful presents amidst your herbs and veggies, try spraying your mulch with Rosemary essential  oil diluted in water.  Alternately, you can add a few drops of Rosemary oil to a wide, shallow container partially filled with water.  Whisk vigorously to break up oil droplets then drop in strips of cloth or pieces of string.  Allow them to soak long enough to absorb all of the oil.  Tie strings between plants or around the garden perimeter.  Hang cloth strips between garden rows, around plants, or anywhere you know the cat likes to dig.  Refresh as needed.

Black Pepper (or any other pepper, for that matter) essential oil can also be used to deter larger mammals from your garden.  Dogs, in particular, with their sensitive noses will be turned away from the strong odor of Black Pepper oil.  Apply using the same string / cloth method as with Rosemary oil (above).  Just keep in mind that over-use of this essential oil may make your garden less pleasant for humans as well.

Treat Bites & Stings

Bites and stings from bees, wasps, ants, and other insects are always a possibility, even for the most careful gardener.  Mix 2 drops of Lavender essential oil, 2 drops of  Roman Chamomile essential oil, and 1 drop of Basil essential oil with one teaspoon of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.  Apply this remedy to fresh bites and stings with a cotton ball or pad.

Alternately, you can mix the same oils, but substitute Jojoba oil for the ACV.  Cleanse bites and stings with a cotton ball soaked in ACV, dab dry, then applying the soothing oil blend.

Attract Pollinators

Essential oils aren’t just for repelling unwanted creatures from your garden.  You can also use certain fragrant oils to attract natural pollinators to your garden.  The scent of Neroli (orange blossom) is an irresistible attractant for bees, as are the essential oils of many small-blossomed flowers such as Lavender, Hyssop, Marjoram, Helichrysum, Basil, Sage, and Rosemary.  Also, try Lavender, Yarrow, Catnip, Fennel, Helichrysum, and Sage essential oils to attract more butterflies to your garden.

Make Your Own Mosquito Repellent

Probably the most well-known essential oil for repelling mosquitoes and other biting insects is Citronella.  However, if you aren’t a big fan of the scent of this pungent herb, there are plenty of alternatives which can be used to keep these annoying blood-suckers away from your skin.  Either way, just follow these simple instructions to create your own natural mosquito repellent.

Before you begin, you’ll need a small glass spray bottle filled with about 2 ounces of water and 1 ounce of organic witch hazel.  You can also add about 10 drops of jojoba oil which is a natural insect repellent and great skin conditioner.  Once you’ve done this, it’s time to pick out your essential oils.  Lavender Eucalyptus, Catnip, (proven to be more effective than DEET),  Lemongrass, and Rosemary.
Pest Away Blend is an excellent mosquito repellent.