Ready to spring into spring? We don’t blame you! During this season of renewal, the days get longer, the weather grows warmer and the flowers begin to bloom once again. Everything is fresh and vibrant, and it’s the perfect time to embrace Mother Nature’s lavish bounty. And what better way to do so than by turning to natural ingredients, such as essential oils, for many of your home and health-related needs?
Essential oils are highly concentrated naturals oils that have the signature scent of the plants from which they are extracted. Packed with a bevy of beneficial phytochemicals (a.k.a. helpful plant compounds), these fragrant oils have a variety of year-round uses, but there’s just something about spring that makes them seem more magical.
Following are nine wonderful ways to embrace essential oils this season:
1. Cleaning
Spring cleaning is a must for most, and essential oils can be used to tackle a variety of household chores. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to unscented laundry detergent and use lemon essential oil—heralded for its antibacterial and antiviral properties—to freshen air, deodorize your refrigerator and degrease difficult stains. You can even combine 10 drops of the citrusy stuff with half a cup of olive oil to make your own natural leather or wood polish!
2. Hydration
Popular spring activities, like gardening, biking and hiking, may deplete your body of essential fluids, which means you’ll need to increase your water intake. Add a drop or two of orange, lemon or grapefruit essential oil to drinking water for enhanced flavor that will have you readily reaching for your glass or thermos.
3. Diet
Unlike winter, which is characterized by heavy comfort foods, spring is the perfect time to prepare light, refreshing salads and vegetable-forward dishes. And you can use lemon essential oil to extend the shelf life of your favorite fruit and veggies. Prior to refrigerating, simply fill a small bowl with cold water, add two or three drops of oil and soak your produce for a few minutes to prolong its freshness.
4. Immunity
The change of season (and temperature) can trigger cold symptoms, but not to worry! Essential oils may provide an immunity boost. Grapefruit and orange oils both contain vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that can strengthen the body’s defenses. So be sure to add a few drops of these (food grade!) essential oils to your drinking water every day.
5. Skin care
Warmer weather means more time outdoors, which can result in sunburn. Chamomile and lavender essential oils can help soothe skin that has been overexposed to the sun. Both oils can also be used to relieve minor burns and help prevent blistering. If you develop calluses from those spring hikes, treat the affected are with several drops of orange essential oil. Tea tree oil, when combined with a bit of coconut oil, can be used to prevent or relieve razor burn.
6. Insect repellent/treatment
Spring means the insects are out in full force. Fortunately, eucalyptus oil can help repel fleas, ticks, flies, mosquitoes and other bugs. And both eucalyptus oil and lavender oil can be used to relieve the itch and sting of bee, mosquito and other insect bites.
7. Hair care
Did you know that seasonal dandruff can occur in winter and spring? Rosemary essential oil not only stimulates hair follicles, making your mane grow stronger and longer, it also helps treat scalp problems, such as dandruff. Lemon essential oil, on the other hand, balances the scalp’s oil glands so hair won’t appear greasy. Just massage a few drops into your scalp every night before bedtime and rinse it out in the morning. An added bonus—your pillow will smell fresh, too!
8. Relaxation
If your spring schedule has you feeling stressed, you can unwind in a warm bath infused with lavender essential oil. Essential oils also make a great meditation aid. Frankincense oil, in particular, has been associated with a sense of calm and balance. To promote peace of mind, inhale this fragrant oil directly from the bottle or add a few drops to your aromatherapy diffuser.
9. Sleep
Spring means later sunsets, which may make it harder to fall asleep at your usual bedtime. Lavender essential oil can help! Simply massage this sleep aid into your muscles, diffuse it throughout your bedroom or sprinkle a few drops on your pillow to not only fall asleep faster, but enjoy better quality sleep as well.
