Soothe pain

Soothe pain
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Have a headache? Sure, you can pop an over-the-counter pain medication like aspirin or ibuprofen, but another option, and an all-natural one at that, is to treat pain with essential oils. “Combine almond oil with four drops peppermint essential oil, two drops rosemary essential oil, one drop lavender essential oil, one drop chamomile essential oil, and one drop frankincense essential oil,” suggests Peggy O’Kelly, essential oil expert. “Shake up and apply to temples, pulse points, and back of neck.”

Learn about the effective pressure points for headaches.

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Relieve allergies

Relieve allergies
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Seasonal allergies can be downright debilitating. And, while there are countless store-bought medications and products that promise to provide relief, there are plenty of all-natural solutions for stopping seasonal allergies in their tracks. One is through the use of an aromatherapy inhaler (they look like a lip balm tube with a cotton ‘wick’ inside). “On the cotton wick, add four drops of cedarwood, four drops of sweet orange and seven drops of eucalyptus,” suggests Butje. “Close the inhaler up and use it as needed to calm sniffling and sneezing. It will last two months.”

Zap spring allergies with these natural remedies.

Clean carpets

Clean carpets
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Having a clean and fresh-smelling carpet can be a lot more affordable when you DIY your own cleanser. In fact, as long as you have baking soda and some divine essential oils, you’re good to go. “Baking soda is great for removing pet and food odors, and essential oils will leave your carpet and entire room smelling brand new,” says Kravich. She recommends vacuuming first to pick up any surface dirt or hair and then combining two cups of baking soda with one of the following combinations: 10 drops orange or lemon, five drops lemongrass and five drops tea tree, or 10 drops lavender essential oil, five drops clove and five drops cinnamon. “Sprinkle the mixture over the entire area of your carpet and use a sponge or dry brush to make sure it penetrates to the carpet bottom,” she adds. “Let stand for at least two hours or more and then vacuum thoroughly.”

These are the things professional housecleaners do in their homes every day.

Get grime off floors

Get grime off floors
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People have been cleaning their homes with water and vinegar for decades (check out these 95 household uses for vinegar), and the all-natural solution still stands the test of time. But, let’s be honest, no one really enjoys the lingering smell of vinegar. And if you use it on your floors, the scent is sure to make its way into the entire room. Instead, Priti Robyn Ross E-RYT, advanced yoga instructor and wellness advocate for dōTERRA essential oils, recommends adding five drops each of orange and lemon essential oils into a mixture of one bucket of warm water and one cup white vinegar. It kills the smell of the vinegar, and citrus essential oils add antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Learn which cleaning myths don’t actually work (and what to do instead)

Ease aching muscles

Ease aching muscles
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There’s a good reason just about every massage therapist incorporates essential oils into his or her practice: They have incredibly powerful soothing effects when applied topically to the skin. One study found essential oils to be beneficial not only for relaxation, sleep, and pain relief, but also for a reduction of depressive symptoms in dementia patients. Foy recommends trying this soothing recipe on aching muscles: In a small bottle, combine a ½ ounce grapeseed oil and 8 to 10 drops each of lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus oil. Shake together and rub on areas for added comfort and relaxation.

Soften and grow your hair

Soften and grow your hair
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Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, has been used for centuries to promote and maintain healthy, natural looking hair, according to Foy. “The strong antifungal and antiseptic properties of this oil make it extremely effective at combating common ailments such as dandruff, itchy scalp and head lice,” he says. One study published in the Archives of Dermatology even linked essential oil use to hair growth in patients with alopecia. Foy recommends adding several drops of your favourite essential oil to your regular hair conditioner and use as normal, or massage it directly into the scalp after a bath or shower.

Follow these 13 stylist-approved tricks for having the shiniest hair ever.

Customise the scent of your lotion

Customise the scent of your lotion
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Unscented lotion and essential oils are a match made in heaven. “There are endless options available for mixing your favourite scents with any unscented lotions,” says Foy. “Most lotions have already been formulated to restore moisture to your skin, but adding in your own essential oils will only bring additional benefits.” Lavender, lemongrass and tea tree are some of the more popular oils that have been dermatologically tested and proven to help restore and maintain the natural properties of your skin.

Give yourself a facial

Give yourself a facial
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One of the easiest ways to incorporate essential oils into your skin care routine is to treat yourself to a weekly facial steam – they’re surprisingly easy to do! Stewart recommends boiling a cup or two of water and pouring it into a heat safe bowl. “Place the bowl on the table where you’re going to sit for your facial steam, and add the hot water.” Next, add one drop of a skin-nourishing essential oil like lavender or rose to the water of the bowl. Close your eyes and hold your clean, makeup-free face 30cm above the bowl for 1 to 3 minutes. “Keep your eyes closed throughout the whole steam, and if it feels too hot or uncomfortable, give yourself a little more space between you and the bowl.”

10 natural face cleansers you can make yourself

Clean makeup brushes

Clean makeup brushes
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Believe it or not, beauty experts recommend washing your makeup brushes once a week But store-bought cleaners can be pricey, and if you break out easily you might be concerned about the ingredient list on manufactured varieties. Instead, make your own brush cleanser using essential oils. O’Kelly recommends combining two tablespoons witch hazel, ½ teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, two teaspoons of castile soap, and 20 drops of tea tree essential oil, which has antifungal properties. Shake it well and then pour it into a bowl. Gently swirl your brushes around in the mixture until clean. Rinse with water, squeeze out excess liquid, and set out to try.

Discover 23 secrets the beauty industry doesn’t want you to know

Deodorise sports gear

Deodorise sports gear
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If you have smelly athletes running around your home, essential oils can help get rid of that icky, sweaty smell. Ross recommends adding two drops each of tea tree and lemon essential oils in one quart of warm water along with four tablespoons of baking soda. Mix it together and use to clean everything from jerseys to cleats, sports accessories and running shoes.

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