Essential oils

[rgrindle]

Which essential oils do you always keep on hand? Why?

[papschmitty]

I'm fairly new to EOs; just started using them about a year ago. I'm sure there's a ton of mamas with way more knowledge in this are than me!

Tea tree oil - For it's antiseptic properties. It's an essential ingredient in many of my homemade cleaning products. I've also used it mixed with olive oil to treat yeast infections and skin flare ups.

Lemon EO - another key ingredient in many of my cleaning products. I'm not sure if it has any magical properties but I like that it smells clean.

Sweet orange EO - again, makes cleaning products smell nice. I make my own deodorant and it makes for a great fragrance in that!

I think lavender has antiseptic properties as well as helping with relaxation/sleep. The smell give me a headache so I don't use it much.

[amber913]

Peppermint for belly aches--couple drops in water.

Eucalyptus for sore throats and stuffy noses--couple drops on hot, wet wash cloths held over nose and mouth.

Lavender in a carrier for all kinds of stuff. I used it on my perinium (TMI?) before labor. It's good anywhere there's irritation, I've found.

Juniper--used with Peppermint in a hot, hot bath for bladder infections.

Tea Tree, too, of course; I was trying to name some important ones that weren't mentioned.

*I've never used EO's for kids, so I don't recommend the above for them. That's my little disclaimer.

[Hippie Mama in MI]

Bergamot: Diluted in water, used as a spray for genital irritation and/or yeast infections. (TMI, but it works)

Peppermint and eucalyptus: Diluted in hot water; steam is inhaled to soothe nasal and bronchial congestion. I also have a friend who makes fantastic lotion with peppermint & eucalyptus EO's, I am totally addicted. It makes my face glow.

Clove: applied neat (right out of the bottle, undiluted) for toothaches

Orange: My favorite EO scent! Added to baths to energize me.

Ylang Ylang: Diluted in water, as a facial spray. GREAT for oily days.

**Also not recommended for kids. Or dogs and cats.

[Gumby]

TTO for cleaning and laundry (dipes)

Cedar, Sage, Lemongrass, Ylang Ylang for my diffuser (not all at once)

Citrus for cleaning (right now I have Tangerine)

That's all I can think of right now

[Danielle13]

Originally Posted by papschmitty

I'm fairly new to EOs; just started using them about a year ago. I'm sure there's a ton of mamas with way more knowledge in this are than me!

Tea tree oil - For it's antiseptic properties. It's an essential ingredient in many of my homemade cleaning products. I've also used it mixed with olive oil to treat yeast infections and skin flare ups.

Lemon EO - another key ingredient in many of my cleaning products. I'm not sure if it has any magical properties but I like that it smells clean.

Sweet orange EO - again, makes cleaning products smell nice. I make my own deodorant and it makes for a great fragrance in that!

I think lavender has antiseptic properties as well as helping with relaxation/sleep. The smell give me a headache so I don't use it much.

I am just starting to make all my own products, cleaning and hygeine. i would love to hear your "receipes" if you dont mind sharing

[tbone_kneegrabber]

Lavendar: in ds bath water

Eucalyptus: in the humidifier for stuffy noses etc

tea tree: for everything! especially "philly funk" (this werid stuff that "grows" on armpit hair)

[marlyninla]

I use mostly the ones that have been mentioned and largely for the same purposes. I do also use geranium oil as my "perfume" -- it makes me feel calm and grounded, which I need -- LOL. For stuffy noses I put the euc and lemongrass oils on the soles of the feet -- on both toddlers. Works wonders.

[notwonamesalike]

Thanks for this thread. I've been using Tea Tree Oil in my BS wash for my hair - it's been helping with dandruff.


I have Rosemary oil, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with it.

[kathirynne]

I'm adding all the bolded to my "need to buy" essential oils list.

Originally Posted by papschmitty

...Lemon EO - another key ingredient in many of my cleaning products. I'm not sure if it has any magical properties but I like that it smells clean.

Sweet orange EO - again, makes cleaning products smell nice....

I use lime for my cleaning products. I steep the peel from the limes I use in my kitchen (we have water with sliced limes with dinner every night) in vinegar for a window cleaner, and I use lime oil in my other products so that the smells don't compete.

Originally Posted by amber913

Peppermint for belly aches--couple drops in water.

Eucalyptus for sore throats and stuffy noses--couple drops on hot, wet wash cloths held over nose and mouth.

Lavender in a carrier for all kinds of stuff....It's good anywhere there's irritation, I've found....

Originally Posted by Hippie Mama in MI

...Peppermint and eucalyptus: Diluted in hot water; steam is inhaled to soothe nasal and bronchial congestion....

Clove: applied neat (right out of the bottle, undiluted) for toothaches....

Great tips! Thanks

Originally Posted by Gumby

TTO for cleaning and laundry (dipes)

Could you use it on smelly kitchen rags, as well? How much and how do you add it?

Originally Posted by Danielle13

I am just starting to make all my own products, cleaning and hygeine. i would love to hear your "receipes" if you don't mind sharing

Me, as well, please.

Originally Posted by tbone_kneegrabber

Lavendar: in ds bath water...

My daughter loves lavendar and rose in her bath water.

Originally Posted by marlyninla

...I...use geranium oil as my "perfume" -- it makes me feel calm and grounded, which I need -- LOL. For stuffy noses I put the euc and lemongrass oils on the soles of the feet -- on both toddlers. Works wonders.

I use rose oil as perfume. I love not smelling like whatever Estee Lauder thinks smells nice! I have used Badger Balm on the soles of feet for colds (with great success), but I will have to try ecalyptus and lemongrass, instead.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by kathirynne

Could you use it on smelly kitchen rags, as well? How much and how do you add it?

Sometimes I use it on towels too, more for the disinfecting power than smell yummy effect. A few drops is plenty. The TTO scent is there when the wash is done, but pretty much gone after drying.

Sometimes I add a few drops of TTO or a citrus eo to my vinegar/water spray bottle for cleaning.

I have some citronella on order for summertime (we have a deck to enjoy in our new house). Also lavender is a good insect repellent.

Rosemary is good for cleaning as well.