An Essential Oil That You Can Always Find in My Purse

There are many Essential OIls that I use daily, and a few that I always carry in my purse.  One of these is Peppermint.  It's perky, fresh and bright!  I can often run into a half dozen reasons to use it throughout the day or offer for someone else's use.  Here are a few highlighted uses.

1.  Bad Breath.   This is my most common use of Peppermint.  It beats spending money on gum or mints that have sugar or artificial sweeteners.  

It wakes me up and freshens breath so I don't have to worry if I am possibly offending a friend or co-worker from a garlicy italian lunch.

• Place a drop of Peppermint oil on the tongue to stop bad breath. 

2.  Paint Fumes.  I have never done this but I totally want to the next time I paint.  It reminds me of Willy Wonka and his magic wallpaper that was tastable, remember the fruit on the wall?  I want a wall whose smell's make me feel as if I am laying in a garden or sipping tea.  I'm sure the peppermint smell won't last too long but it will definitely dispel those chemical fumes.  (Warning-I am not saying you should lick the walls after applying the oil ;))

•  Mix a 15 ml. bottle of Peppermint oil into a 5 gallon can of paint to dispel the fumes.

3.  Headache.  Circulation caused by the Peppermint can help ease a headache!

• To relieve a headache, rub a drop of Peppermint oil on the temples, forehead, over the sinuses (stay away from the eyes) and on the back of the neck.  A very effective tip is to put a small amount on the thumb, place thumb on the roof of your mouth and suck on your thumb for several minutes.

4  Nausea. Peppermint is calming when our stomach is not.

• Massage several drops of Peppermint oil on the abdomen to relieve nausea.

There are plenty more uses that I will go into in a future post.  Let me know if you find one or have on that you enjoy and use daily.

Healthy Cleaning

Easy HEALTHY cleaning of Household Germs is possible!

It makes me nervous thinking that the chemicals that the stores sell me to clean my counters with are poisonous and hazardous waste.  I recently read a pamphlet from the garbage company in my friend's town.  She posted part of it on Facebook because it scared her that house hold cleaning products are considered hazardous materials (hazmat). I am wondering what we are doing cleaning out homes with them and then putting our food on the counters, letting little fingers and toes touch their surfaces let alone breath them in.  My new motto is "If the Earth can't receive them then neither should we".  So here is a earth conscious and safe alternative using one of my favorite Essential Oils.  Your home will not only be free from germs and bacteria when you are finished, but your home will also be filled with the fragrance of cinnamon and clove.  Mmmmmmm!  

2-6 drops of Thieves oil in a small spray bottle and fill with water. Spray and clean counter tops, bathtubs, toilets, sinks, and door knobs etc.  Also great when someone is sick and you don’t want to spread germs.

Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon Essential Oil is simple and powerful!  Here are a few tips to add into your daily life:

1.  Air Freshener. Put 6 drops of Lemon oil and 6 drops of Purification oil in a squirt bottle mixed with distilled water to use in bathroom as an air freshener.

2. Gum, Oil, Grease Spots and Crayons. Use 1-2 drops of Lemon oil to remove gum, oil, grease spots or crayon.

3. Varicose Veins. Rub several drops of Lemon oil on varicose veins to improve circulation and relieve pressure on the veins.

4. Lemonade. For homemade lemonade, in a blender mix 2 drops of Lemon oil, 2 Tbls. of honey or Agave and 2 cups of pure water. Adjust to suite your own taste.

5. Callouses / Bunions / Warts. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on a corn, callous, bunion or wart mornings and evenings until it disappears.

6. Prolong Life of Fresh Fruit. To clean and increase shelf life of fresh fruit, fill a bowl with cool water and 2-3 drops of Lemon oil. Drop cleaned fruit into the water and stir. Be sure all surfaces of the fruit contact the lemon.

7. Counter Tops. Add 2-3 drops of Lemon oil to water and spray counter to sterilize.

8. Dishcloths. Soak your dishcloth overnight in a bowl of water and a drop of Lemon oil to disinfect and kill germs.

9. Public Bathrooms. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on your hands after using a public bathroom.

Hope you Enjoy!  Please let me know if you find one or more uses that you can't live without.  I love cleaning with lemon, it leaves the room feeling so fresh!