Summer Essential Oils – Sunburn – Bug Repellent – More

By Caryn Gehlmann

There are so many ways essential oils can enhance your summer experience; from easing bug bites, sunburn, rashes, and sore muscles, to adding a delicious twist to your favorite summer dishes or simply bringing the scents of summer into your home.

Here are a few of our favorite ways to use summer essential oils…

Essential oils to use for sunburn, inflammation, bug bites, or to cool down on a hot day: Lavender and Peppermint

Cooling Spritzer Recipe

Mix 20-30 drops of one essential oil or a blend of the recommended essential oils in 1 ounce of water in a mister bottle. Shake well before each use and avoid getting it into the eyes. Keep your spritzer in the fridge to create a wonderfully soothing & cooling spritzer.

Bug Bites Spot Application

Use a Q-tip to apply 1 drop of essential oil or blend of Lavender and Peppermint directly to the bite. If your skin is sensitive, mix 1-4 drops of essential oil in 1 teaspoon of aloe vera or carrier oil and apply to the area in need.

Insect Repellent Spritzer

General guidelines for dilution ratio for use with healthy adults is about 2 ml essential oil/blend to 1 oz water. Spritz on your clothing.

Use any combination of these essential oils in your insect repellents: Citronella, Eucalyptus Citriodora, Geranium, Peppermint, Spearmint, Lemongrass, Juniper, Marjoram Sweet, Thyme. That’s right! Any of these essential oils will work to repel insects so you can mix and match! Click here if you need a spritzer bottle.

DIY Deodorant Recipe

• 6 tbsp baking soda
• 3 tbsp coconut oil (not fractionated)
• 12 to 15 drops your favorite essential oil combo
• In a glass jar or bowl, mix the above ingredients until uniform. If desired, refrigerate pit paste to solidify. With your fingers, scoop out a dime-sized amount and spread onto your underarms.

Summer essential oils to use in your deodorant: Geranium, Lavender, Tea Tree, Petitgrain, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Lemon, Lime, Clary Sage, Patchouli

Summer Perfumes, Body Oils & Spritzers

Floral: Jasmine, Rose, Lavender, Chamomile, Neroli
Citrus*: Bergamot FCF
Cooling & Refreshing: Peppermint, Spearmint, Clary Sage, Lavender

Spritzers: Mix 20-30 drops of one or a blend of the recommended essential oils in 1 ounces of water in a mister bottle. Shake well before each use and avoid getting it into the eyes.

Perfumes: Mix 10-20 drops of one or a blend of the recommended essential oils in 1 tablespoon of jojoba. Apply to pulse points, such as inner wrists, behind knees, or backs of ankles.

Body Oil: Mix 6-30 drops of one or a blend of the recommended essential oils in 1 ounce of carrier, such as fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil. Apply to your skin, especially after a shower or bath. (Avoid using citrus essential oils 12 hours prior to sun exposure).

Body Lotion: Add 6-30 drops of one or a blend of the recommended essential oils in 1 ounce of fragrance-free, natural moisturizing lotion. Apply to your skin, especially after a shower or bath. (Reminder: do not use a product with mineral oil as an ingredient. The mineral oil molecules are larger than our skin pores so they sit on top of the skin and prevent essential oil absorption.)

DIY Massage Lotion: Mix 6-30 drops of one or a blend of the recommended essential oils in 1 ounce of carrier oil or fragrance-free, natural lotion, then massage sore muscles and joints.

Summer essential oils to use for muscle aches: Peppermint, Muscle Soothe, Joint Relief, Inflammation Blend

SUMMER ESSENTIAL OIL RECIPES

You may be surprised to see recipes that include essential oils since as a general rule, I recommend that you don’t ingest essential oils. This is a serious issue, as many are doing serious damage to their health by ingesting essential oils, even those that come in capsules. (Read more about the dangers here.) However, the recipes you’ll find below are so diluted that there aren’t the same safety concerns. So enjoy the refreshing taste of summer and let me know if you find a new favorite recipe!

Refreshing Smoothies

Add 3-5 drops e3 Orange Sweet, Tangerine, Peppermint, Spearmint to milk or milk alternative (rice, soy, almond) and ice.
Blend and enjoy.

Strawberries with Bergamot

Strawberries – cut in half
Lime juice and exotic honey mixed together
1Tbs. olive oil with 2-6 drops of Bergamot
Ground or chopped cardamom seeds

Ice Cream

For Chocolate Lovers — This recipe is my new favorite!
Chocolate ice cream
Mix 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil with 1-3 drops Bergamot…drizzle over ice cream
Top with REAL WHIP CREAM
Sprinkle lightly sea salt over whipped cream

For Strawberry Fans
1 drop Ginger essential oil OR fresh grated ginger
Mint leaf garnish
Scoop of vanilla ice cream
Fresh strawberries
Arrange strawberries next to scoop of ice cream face down on a plate or to the side of ice cream in a bowl. Place Mint leaf twins between the ice cream and the berries.

Citrus Salad Dressing
3 Tbls Olive Oil
1 Tbls Rice, Balsamic or Apple Cider Vinegar
Salt and Pepper to taste
3-5 drops of e3 Orange Sweet essential oil
1 tsp of honey (optional)

For more information on using essential oils, download our free ebook, “Listen” to Your Nose – An Introduction to Aromatherapy, and get a coupon you can use on your next order. Visit us on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram for more tips on using summer essential oils, recipes, and other ideas.

*Cautions: Avoid using citrus essential oils i.e. Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Lime etc. in any product that remains on skin and is exposed to sunlight or tanning beds. Citrus essential oils can cause photosensitivity.