Superb wildcrafted and organic essential oils, sourced internationally,
a wealth of information on their safe and effective use,
and a full range of aromatherapy accessories

Repelling Horse Flies

I recently wrote you about our new favorite insect repellent, Lemon Teatree Essential Oil. One of our clients ordered some in hopes that it would solve some problems with her horses. These are the results she reported:

>I used the Lemon Teatree on my "babies" >{horses}and used it in just a base of Jojoba. I used it as a wipe on on >the really bad spots where the pesky insects had bitten them. When we >rode,we applied it on their faces, belly's, or anywhere that disturbs >them, {which is almost everywhere!} It worked really well, even after >our ride {about 1 ½ hr} those pesky's still didnt bother them.

Last I heard she was planning on trying to work out the correct proportions for a spray.

 

"Skeeter Spray"

from a Florida client who found that a carrier oil based insect repellant just sheeted off her in the Florida heat: She adds our Lemon Teatree (about 40 drops) to 2 ounces of witch hazel. (the alcohol in the witch hazel dissolves/disperses the EO quite nicely) and then adds another two to four ounces of distilled water to the blend, pours it into an atomizer bottle and sprays all her exposed skin and, sometimes, her clothing. Says it keeps the Florida 'skeeters' away better than anything.

 

Paint Remover:

Speaking of citrus.... a delightful client just shared this... "I want to share a good use I found for your sweet orange oil. This weekend I painted an old bookcase with black, oil-base paint. Needless to say, I got it all over my hands, and it would not come off. I remembered using Orange oil as a solvent before, so I grabbed my bottle and dropped just one drop on a spot of paint. It literally dissolved instantly! So I sprinkled some Epsom salts in my palm, added a few drops of the Orange oil, and scrubbed all the paint away. So much nicer than paint thinner. I already love that stuff, and now I have another reason." now...the thought of putting neat orange oil on bare skin makes me cringe... but I doubt it would do any more damage than paint thinner...and it DOES smell a lot nicer. (We're going to be painting some furnishings for the store over the next couple of weeks, so this hint was well timed!)

 

BURSITIS

Chigger Bites:

Battling Mold/Mildew

Thank you Marge for your suggestion about using Tea Tree and Lemon Eucalyptus against Molds. I too had a mold problem from a really bad flood last year, it was throughout my basement and was a source of much depression for me. I added the two, with more of the Lemon Eucalyptus than the Tea Tree to the mop water made of Dr Bronner's Sal Suds and its amazing how the vibration of the area's applied just lifted. I put it in a spray bottle and sprayed the walls down. I found the energy to clean-up that area and it looks quite nice now (its been in disuse for a year). I have no need to avoid it any longer. I'm applying it to the whole house even to the carpet with wonderful results.

My comment: Eucalyptus citriodora is a strongly antifungal oil, it's what we use to keep mildew and musty odors away.

Clearing Smoke

My friend Harriet had a party not long ago. The next morning her living room was still blue with smoke. She says a blend of Bergamot and Lemon EO's, in her Amrita diffuser made them disappear almost instantly. Left the room smelling clear and fresh.

If you don't have time to blend your own oils, we offer a blend of Bergamot, Lemon, and Himalayan Lavender. It was a created as a "smoke eater." So many people began using it as a good all around deodorizer and air freshener that we changed the name to Fresh Aire.

Carpet Freshener

And while we are talking about deodorizing, my friend Wendy from Aromaweb recommends the following carpet deodorizer in her recipes section.

Ingredients:

• 35 Drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
• 30 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 25 Drops Rosewood Essential Oil
• 4 Cups Borax (Mule Team Borax can be found in the grocery store in the laundry detergent aisle, usually)

Notes: I was in a cleaning frenzy one day and decided to make my housework more pleasant by incorporating essential oils into it somehow. I found many ways to do so, but this one of my favorite and it scents the house at the same time. I also used the Eucalyptus and Lavender to help keep whatever pests there are at bay that Lizzy, and Cheech & Chong (our cats) bring in with them.

Directions: To make the carpet deodorizer (any essential oils could be used by the way, just make sure no one in the household finds the odor offensive) measure your 4 cups of Borax into a bowl and then drop in the essential oils indicated in ingredients in the amounts listed. If you find the smell too strong, add more Borax. Take a spoon and mash up the little clumps that will form when the oil hits the Borax, stir until well mixed. Before vacuuming, I walk around the house and sprinkle it by hand in the same manner one would sow seeds. Let it sit on the carpet for 10-15 minutes, or longer if you like, and then vacuum. This formula will cover approx. 1000 square feet, give or take a little.

Personal note, I think I'd skip the Rosewood, and use either Black Spruce or Pine in its place. But that's my taste. The eucalyptus and lavender are probably key. Some sunny citrus might be a nice addition, as well!

Recipe-Rose Milk

Stephanie Bowker loves the Rose Milk served at her favorite Indian Restaurant, and came up with this homemade version using, of course, our Bulgarian Rose Hydrosol:

Approximate recipe:
8 oz milk,
1 tsp hydrosol
1 tsp sugar, serve cold.

At the restaurant I think they add a drop of red food color 'cause it comes a lovely pink. I bet it would be good with neroli too - I'll have to try that.

Mosquitoes

We used to share our SkeeterBeater Formula online on this page.

I have seen it copied, once too often with absolutely no credit given.  Since everything on our site is copywrited, I just got tired of our intellectual property being stolen without even a thank you or a by your leave.

You may read about the RESULTS of our SkeeterBeater here.

Tennis Shoe Freshener

Another recipe, from my friend Wendy at Aromaweb: Even though summer is the time for sandals, not sweaty sneakers, a shoe freshener:
 

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons baking soda
20 drops Tea Tree
10 drops Lemon
10 drops Lavender
 

Instructions for Use: Sprinkle the deodorizer lightly into shoes in the evenings or at times when the shoes will not be worn for a few hours. You will not see a "cure" for smelly shoes the first time you use the deodorizer. The magic occurs after regular uses.

(Not that any of us would have sweaty sneakers, mind you!)

POISON IVY

My friend Danielle wrote the following:

I read your article on poison ivy on Agora. Something I tried recently is some essential oil of Citrus aurantium, leaf, Petitgrain. I had poison oak on my hand and it was starting to get to me, seriously. I grabbed the first bottle of essential oil I found, which happened to be Petitgrain. So much for enlightened therapy. Some kind of aromatherapy roulette... I applied it neat. It stopped itching immediately and never itched again. I could not feel it at all. It started oozing right away, and the day after, it was completely dry. A friend of mine tried it, same result. That was impressive. A wider guinea-pig pool would help validate this use for Petitgrain essential oil. If you ever try it, let me know if you have similar results.

Now, I would NOT recommend using Petitgrain neat, especially on broken or disturbed skin. But perhaps a compress of cool water with a few drops of petitgrain floated on top?

If any of you try this one, please let me know so I can give Danielle feedback.

SKEETERBEATER

.... this stuff really works, folks. Was at a campfire meeting Sunday evening from just before sunset until quite late. Everyone around us was slapping at mosquitoes, until I shared our skeeterbeater. Just a few drops of the diluted blend on my wrists and forearms kept me bite free all evening. Hope has been putting a drop of the diluted synergy (15 drops per ounce) on her dogs, just a bit on the back of their necks, once or twice a week. Not only has she not seen any fleas, but they are not bringing ticks into the house either. Now, I don't know if this blend will repel ticks. But neither she nor I have seen any, and they are usually a real problem with our outside dogs. If you plan to spend any time outdoors, you NEED some of this. A lot of you are already using it; if you are finding no ticks when you normally would expect them, please let me know. We love feedback!

Glass and Mirror Cleaner

... Blend one cup Vinegar and 10 drops Orange Essential Oil in a 2 cup spray bottle.
Add one cup distilled water, shake well. Spray, wipe clean. This is a wonderful grease
cutter and leaves your house smelling like sunshine. (And yes, our Organic Orange essential oil
is on special this month, as well. ;)

Furniture polish

: My friend Stacey writes I just made this "furniture polish" to use on an old beat_up dresser: 2 Tablespoons Jojoba 6 Drops Nutmeg EO I picked Jojoba since it's technically a wax and isn't greasy.

Now, I wouldn't have chosen the nutmeg...I'd go with Sandalwood; but then again I think the whole world should smell of Sandalwood. But I have seen other recipes calling for Lavender (nice in a children's room?) I suspect any gentle oil would work. I'd avoid the citrus oils and the strong spices, any oil that is a skin irritant.

(Probably should have saved that one for Autumn, who wants to stay inside and polish furniture at this beautiful time of the year!)

ANT-Chaser

The warm weather has hit middle Tennessee with a vengeance...we went from the forties to the eighties this week. And the ANTS discovered our new kitchen. We came in one morning to find the countertop just black with them.

Debbie G. took a 4 oz spray bottle, filled it with rubbing alcohol (the cheap nasty smelling kind) and added 10 ml of our midwestern peppermint. Stronger than I would have done, but it sure covers the scent of the rubbing alcohol).

We've sprayed the floor, the countertop, all the cracks and openings we could find. We still see an occasional stray wanderer. But the armies have been repulsed and returned from whence they came.

Classroom uses

Claire Curry, of Slidell Louisiana writes: Also, on a much more positive note... wanted to let
you know how the Reunite Blend is working for me. I wear it daily as a special ed teacher. My
classroom population is moderate/autistic. I have found that the student's respond greatly to the
calming influence of the scent... it has been a very good year! I have used the Chamomile hydrosol
as a refreshing "treat" when we come inside from recess also... it has proven to be a very nice
addition to the school day.

Pomander Ball Cleanser

(adapted from a recipe from Barbara Lucks)

Not only does this preparation clean but the essential oils disinfect and provide a natural, festive fragrance.

• 1 teaspoon Sweet Orange or Mandarine essential oil
• a few drops of Clove Oil and Cinnamon Leaf oil
• 1 teaspoon washing soda
• 2 teaspoons borax
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
• 2 cups hot water (to dissolve the soda and borax)

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to dissolve and blend the minerals. You can spray this cleaner onto a surface then leave it for 15 minutes before wiping it off, to give the essential oils antiseptic qualities time to work (makes 2 cups).

It will leave your house smelling like an old fashioned, clove studded pomander ball!

Road Tar Removal

A hint from a client:
PS I HAVE taken off glumps of tar from the soles of my running shoes, using eucalyptus, neat. You should see it dissolve!

Don't know about the rest of you...but when I've gotten road tar on shoes...that was the end of those shoes...this one will be handy.

Antibacterial Wipes

Bev Mahoney writes:

I am really loving a few drops of Lemon Myrtle in a simple cleaning solution of about half and half filtered water and white vinegar.  It's amazing to me what this mix does compared to all the commercial cleaners out there.  It smells wonderful besides!