Happy Birthday America!  Once again we can celebrate our freedom with our friends and family.  We are so blessed to live in America! There will be many picnics and parties as we mark this mid-summer holiday.  The downside is that work will return next week and so will the stress that accompanies it.  These stressors can weaken the immune system response and may trigger a summertime cold which can be hard to get rid of sometimes.  My last column introduced using aromatherapy as a natural bug repellent.  This week I want to take aromatherapy into your workplace and your home as a de-stressor and antiseptic.

Aromatherapy is not new and many of you have tried it without even realizing it by using Vicks VapoRub ™ as a decongestant, a liniment for muscle aches/pains or even Noxema as a skin cleanser.  Therapeutic values have been known and used, but now you can learn how to use the pure oils without the preservatives and other ingredients you don’t want.

The recipes I’m highlighting for you today have the following oils, many of which were also used in the bug sprays last column showing the versatility of these oils.

·         Eucalyptus Oil:  An antibiotic, antiseptic, analgesic and anti- inflammatory while helping to cool the body in summer and warm it in the winter.  This sounds pretty versatile!

·         Lavender Oil:  The most widely used of all oils.  It’s a natural antibiotic & antiseptic while helping to detoxify, heal and calm.  This is the foundational oil for many recipes.

·         Lemon Oil:  Uplifts, energizing and cleansing while also being antiseptic and antibacterial.  (Used in cleaning products a lot) It also helps boost the immune system and can even help relieve a fever.  Warning:  It does increase photosensitivity, so don’t use it before going out for prolonged periods in the sun.

·          Rosemary Oil:  Another antiseptic, disinfectant and detoxifier while stimulating the immune system.  Rosemary also helps mental clarity.

Clarifying Energy Spray: Lemon (4 drop), Lavender (1 drop), & Rosemary (2 drops) mixed into 3. Cups water. Spray your room and work area to help you think more clearly and be more productive.

Antiseptic Air Spray (for the office or home when coughs starts happening): Lavender  & Tea Tree (2 drops each), Eucalyptus (1 drop) & Lemon (3 drops).  Spray the air and work surfaces including the telephone and door knobs!  This will help keep germs at bay so you won’t lose precious time and energy being sick.

Respiratory Remedy

            Eucalyptus, Lavender, Rosemary and Tea Tree (1 drop each). 

• Apply these on a cotton ball and tuck into your child’s pillow at night so they breathe it all night long.  (like an instant in haler)
• Do another cotton ball or tissue and place in your pocket retrieving it for deep breaths of the aroma throughout the day.
• Put into a nice warm bath, relax and soak while deep breathing

Fresh Start to the day…or the perfect end to a hectic day:

Apply a few drops of Rosemary to your bath or shower.  It helps increase circulation and stimulate your brain!  (Great for test taking days too!)

As you can see, these few essential oils are so versatile.  Once you try them and see they work, you will find many ways to use them in different situations.  Remember, God so lovingly supplies our needs in many natural ways…even using the oils from the beautiful plants. I hope you have safe travels and celebrations this holiday and now you can have an easier way to get into your routine afterwards and still have the energy for more time with your family.  After all, they are the most important thing in our lives.