Essential Oils for Common Summer Ailments

Essential oils can be used to ease the effects of many common summer ailments.  Nearly every essential oil, with the exceptions of lavender oil and tea tree oil, should never be ingested nor applied directly to the skin due to their strength in their concentrated forms.  Always mix them with a carrier base, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or a herbal soap.  Before using an essential oil to treat one of your summer ailments, be sure to consult your physician first.

The recommended essential oils for your summer ailments are listed below:

• Athletes Foot - This ailment can be treated with Tea Tree oil, which is antifungal, antiviral, antibiotic and antiseptic in nature. Add 10-20 drops of this oil to a footbath and then soak your feet in it for about fifteen minutes, three times every day. Make sure you dry your feet thoroughly, especially in between the toes. In addition, you an also apply 2-3 drops of the oil to a cotton ball and then dab the area.
• Bruises - Bruises are especially common during the summers. So, to reduce bruising and swelling, you must soak a piece of cloth in cold water and wring out the excess water. Then add about 2-5 drops of Lavender oil. Hold the cloth on the affected area for about fifteen minutes.
• Burns - Burns are also treated with Lavender oil using the same technique as you would for bruises. Lavender oil is one of the only few aromatherapy oilsthat can be added directly to the skin. Add about 3 drops to a cotton swab and dab the area.
• Dry Skin - Relief from dry skin can be obtained by using Rose, Sandalwood or Lavender oil. Rose is floral, Sandalwood is earthy and Lavender is herbal. Combine these oils with carrier oils or a skin lotion or cream and apply to your skin.
• Fatigue and Exhaustion - Geranium is a good essential oil to use for comforting and healing purposes. It helps bring back balance to the body. Add about 10 drops to your bath water and let it soak for fifteen minutes. Or, combine and gently massage it onto your skin.
• Insect Bites - Insect bites cause swelling, itching and redness and relief can be found by using Tea Tree oil or Lavender oil. Since both these oils can be applied directly to the skin, the best way to apply them is to add 2 drops to a cotton ball and then dab on the affected area. If there are many insect bites, then add 10 drops to your bath water and let it stand for fifteen minutes.
• Insect Repellant - Make an insect repellent concoction by combining Witch Hazel or Olive oil with Citronella or Clove oil. Use 10 drops of any carrier oil to 1 drop of the essential oil. Clove can cause irritation so use carefully. Place is a spray bottle and shake before you use each time.