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Best Essential Oils for Summer Wellness
July 20, 2024
During the summer season, essential oils can offer a refreshing and uplifting experience, and there are several essential oils for summer wellness.
Here are some of the best essential oils for summer and their potential benefits:
1. Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil provides a cooling sensation and can help alleviate feelings of heat and fatigue. It may also help with digestion and relieve headaches.
2. Citrus Oils (Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit)
Citrus essential oils are known for their uplifting and invigorating properties. They can promote a positive mood, boost energy, and provide a fresh and zesty scent.
Lemon oil, for instance, has been shown to help with nausea, digestion, skin health, weight management, purification and oral health, among other benefits.
Orange oil, meanwhile, is among the best essential oils for summer due to its potent antibacterial and immune-boosting effects. It’s also a great addition to cleaning products and so much more.
Grapefruit essential oil, much like lemon and orange oil, holds antibacterial properties and can help with weight loss, immunity, stress, sugar cravings, circulation, digestion, energy levels, mood, skin, hair and more.
3. Lavender
Lavender essential oil is versatile and can be used year-round. In the summer, it can help soothe sunburns and insect bites.
It also promotes relaxation and can aid in getting a good night’s sleep.
4. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oil has a cooling effect and can help clear the airways, making it beneficial during hot and humid summer days. It may also repel insects.
5. Spearmint
Similar to peppermint, spearmint essential oil provides a cooling sensation. It can help relieve tension, improve focus and offer a refreshing aroma.
6. Geranium
Geranium essential oil has a lovely floral scent and can help balance emotions. It may also act as a natural insect repellent.
7. Tea Tree
Tea tree essential oil has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, making it useful for minor cuts, scrapes or bug bites that are more common during the summer.
Remember to dilute essential oils properly before using them on the skin and follow safety guidelines.
If you have any underlying health conditions or concerns, it’s advisable to consult with a health care professional before using these essential oils for summer.
How to Use Essential Oils for Summer
- Diffusion: Use an essential oil diffuser to disperse the aroma of your chosen essential oils throughout your living space. This can create a refreshing and uplifting atmosphere. Citrus oils like lemon, orange or grapefruit are particularly invigorating when diffused.
- Topical Application: Dilute essential oils with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or almond oil, before applying them to your skin. You can create a cooling body oil by combining a few drops of peppermint or spearmint oil with a carrier oil and massaging it onto your skin. Remember to perform a patch test first, and avoid direct sunlight after applying photosensitive oils like citrus oils.
- Cooling Mist: Create a cooling mist by combining distilled water, aloe vera gel, and a few drops of peppermint, spearmint or lavender essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well before use, and spritz it on your face or body to cool down on hot days.
- Refreshing Bath: Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to a warm bath for a refreshing and relaxing experience. Eucalyptus, peppermint or lavender oils work well for this purpose. You can also mix them with Epsom salts for added relaxation. You can try the following DIY bath recipes: Relaxing Bath Recipe with Lavender Oil & Epsom Salt or Homemade Bubble Bath with Lavender & Chamomile.
- Homemade Bug Repellent: Create a natural bug repellent by combining essential oils, like citronella, lemongrass or lavender, with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or witch hazel. Apply the mixture to exposed areas of skin before going outdoors to help keep bugs away. You can try this All-Natural Homemade Bug Spray as well, which combines witch hazel with apple cider vinegar and essential oils for summer like eucalyptus, lemongrass, citronella, tea tree and rosemary.
- Aromatherapy Inhalation: If you’re out and about, carry a small inhaler or use a tissue to inhale the aroma of your chosen essential oils for summer wellness. This can provide a quick mood boost and refreshing sensation.
Remember to always follow proper dilution ratios, adhere to safety guidelines, and consult a health care professional or aromatherapist if you have any concerns or specific health conditions.
Risks and Side Effects
While essential oils can provide many benefits, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and side effects, especially during the summer season.
Here are a few considerations:
- Photosensitivity: Some essential oils, particularly citrus oils like lemon, orange and grapefruit, can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. This may result in an increased risk of sunburn or skin irritation when applied topically. To avoid this, it’s recommended to avoid direct sunlight for at least 12 to 24 hours after applying these oils topically, or use them in a diffuser instead.
- Skin Irritation: Essential oils are highly concentrated, and applying them directly to the skin without proper dilution can cause irritation, redness or allergic reactions in some individuals. It’s important to dilute essential oils with a suitable carrier oil before applying them topically, and perform a patch test on a small area of skin before widespread use.
- Respiratory Sensitivity: Some people may be sensitive or have respiratory allergies to certain essential oils. Strong, stimulating oils like peppermint or eucalyptus, when inhaled directly or in high concentrations, can trigger coughing, sneezing or breathing difficulties in susceptible individuals. Use essential oils in well-ventilated areas, and discontinue use if any respiratory discomfort occurs.
- Allergic Reactions: Essential oils are derived from plants and may contain compounds that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. It’s essential to be aware of any known allergies or sensitivities you may have to specific plants or fragrances. Conduct a patch test, and discontinue use if any signs of an allergic reaction, such as itching, swelling or rash, occur.
- Interactions with Medications: Certain essential oils can interact with medications or affect their efficacy. If you’re taking any medications, have a pre-existing medical condition, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s advisable to consult with a health care professional before using essential oils to ensure they are safe for you.
Always use essential oils responsibly, follow proper dilution guidelines, and seek professional advice if you have any concerns or specific health conditions.
