As humans, we can feel like creatures of sight more than anything.  However, for all our other senses; although our sense of smell is probably the most “unimpressive” (especially compared to a plethora of other creatures), it can be surprising how important it becomes to us.  Recently, studies into the human brain and memory have shown that smell is correlated to a lot of what we remember.

To help with studying, work, or just make your place feel a little more fresh and homier, here are a few ideas to consider:

1. Add 10-20 drops of Lavender or your favorite essential oil to 16 oz of water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener.
2. To remove cigarette smoke aromas, put 4 drops of Rosemary, Tea Tree, and Eucalyptus in a spray bottle with water.  Shake well before use!
3. Paint smell – mix a 10 ml bottle of Peppermint into a gallon can of paint to help dispel the fumes.
4. One way of using essential oils is by burning them in an oil burner.  Mix 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil and water in a burner bowl.  Then place the tea light candle in the specified area and light.  For creating a calm and peaceful environment, try using Grapefruit or Lavender.
5. Adding aroma to a candle is a nice touch.  Place a few drops of your favorite oil into the hot wax of a candle burning.  For insect repellant, try Citronella or Lemon Eucalyptus.
6. Smelly shoes? Place a few drops of Geranium directly into shoes or place a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of Lemon or Eden’s Garden Four Thieves into shoes to freshen them up.
7. Send your holiday letter scented with Cassia, Cinnamon Leaf, or Fir Needle.  Place a couple drops of oil on paper and put letters in a plastic bag.  Seal and leave overnight to infuse the aroma.  Try on bookmarks and other stationary, too. (Caution: can leave residue on paper, sample first!)
8. Pine, Frankincense, Sage, and Myrrh all make wonderful firewood oils.  Put 8-10 drops of essential oil on a dried log and allow time for the oil to soak in before putting the log on the fire.
9. For wonderful smelling towels, sheets, and clothes, place 10-15 drops of essential oil onto a small piece of terry cloth and toss into the dryer while drying.   (For mites on laundry, Eucalyptus combats them excellently).

 

Essential oils promote alertness and stimulate memory, so adding certain aromas to your home, office, or car can help with remembering things and concentration.  Who know, you may find they leave a wafting impact on your life!

For more on oils mentioned, visit Eupterra Foundation’s page.

For buy good quality oils, visit Eupterra’s Store!

There are many ways you can use essential oils in your home to eliminate odors and illuminate your personal abode.

Here are some ideas that can add a natural element to your freshening and cleaning:

1. Put 5 drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton ball and place in your vacuum cleaner bag.  Try Peppermint, Spearmint, Cassia, or Pine.  Geranium can help with doggy odors.
2. To dispel of household cooking odors, add a few drops of Clove, Cinnamon, or any citrus essential oil to a simmering pot of water.
3. Kitchen sink scrub – mix 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/8 cup vinegar, and 5 drops of Bergamot and Lime.  Put the mixture in the sink and scrub.  Wash down with warm water.
4. Place 1-3 drops of Edens Garden Four Thieves, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, or Lime essential oil on a cotton ball at the bottom of a trash can or diaper pail to eliminate odors and kill germs.
5. To clean and increase shelf life of fresh fruit, fill a bowl with cool water and 2-6 drops of Lemon.  Drop washed fruit into the water and stir.
6. Use 1-2 drops of Lemon to remove gum, oil, glue, adhesive or crayon from most surfaces.
7. For carpet deodorizer – add 5-10 drops of Lemon, Lavender, Geranium, Peppermint, or Ylang Ylang to a box of baking soda.  Mix well and sprinkle over carpets.  Let sit for a day and then vacuum it up.
8. Soak dishcloth overnight in a bowl of water with a few drops of Lemon to disinfect and kill germs.
9. Bathroom refresher – place a few drops of Key Lime, Lemon, or citrus essential oil on a cotton ball and place behind toilet.
10. When washing out the fridge, freezer, or oven; add Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot, or Lemongrass to the final rinse water.
11. For general purpose cleaning – mix 1 cup vinegar, 2 cups water, and 10 drops of a blend of Lavender, Lemongrass, Rosemary, and Tea Tree in a spray bottle.  Great for mirrors, granite, and general surfaces, but shake well before using.
12. To help keep squirrels, spiders, or mice away; place 3-6 drops of Peppermint on a cotton ball at the place they enter.
13. To help keep flies away; mix 25 drops of Peppermint with 16 oz water in a large spray bottle.  Use on counter tops, windows, and doors.  Shake well before use.

Hope this helps!  Let me know what you think or if you have more ideas.

To see recommended oils, check out the main article here.

You can also visit Eupterra’s Store to browse for more essential oils to use!

Many people may umbrella many aromatic things under the “essential oil” category.

Essential oils, however, are highly concentrated aromatic essences of plants from around the world.  These oils are extracted directly from roots, wood, flowers, fruit, and/or leaves.  For therapeutic purposes, it is always recommended that you use 100% Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils.

There are many creative and wonderful ways to use essential oils.  In one’s life, here are some areas I can think that they can come greatly useful:

Home

Health

Beauty

Kids

Emotions

Spiritual

Travel

Or just as an aroma or gift!

In this series, I will go into each one of these areas and point out specific natural oils that could be used to add or improve that area of life.  Consider these to be pointers, as each person needs/feels their own way about different oils.