Summer months mean heading outdoors for hiking, walks in nature, hanging out at parks, the beach and swimming. It also means bug and insect bites, sunburn, swimmers ear/ear infections, and heat exhaustion.
Crazy to think that all that fun can lead to various health challenges. However there are natural things you can do to help prevent and ease these ailments.
Benefits Of Going Natural
Going all-natural with your products helps minimize your exposure to harmful chemicals contained in most conventional products on the market today. Naturally I’m going to share about essential oils and how you can easily add them to your daily routine (even when heading outdoors for summer fun).
The Power Of Essential Oils
Many essential oils have powerful antibiotic, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. Let’s dive in and learn what essential oils may help ease minor summer ailments.
1. Use As An Insect Repellent
Essential oils: Arborvitae, Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lavender, Lemongrass, Lime, Patchouli, Rosemary, and the Repellent Blend.
One way to use one or a combination of these essential oils is to make your own bug spray. There are plenty of recipes online for you to choose from.
Personally, I like the Repellent Blend since it’s a mix of essential oils and comes in an easy to use spray bottle (I even use it on my dogs instead of conventional flea medicine).
You can choose to spray your clothing before heading outdoors, or your skin. Whatever you’re more comfortable with. Reapply as necessary.
2. Use For Mosquito Bites
Essential Oils: Arborvitae, Lavender, Melaleuca, Patchouli, Helichrysum
If you’ve already been bitten, then you can pick one or a combination of the essential oils recommended. Combine with a carrier oil and apply to affected area.
3. For Insect Bites
Essential Oils: Arborvitae, Basil, Cinnamon, Coriander, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Melaleuca, Patchouli, Thyme
To ease the side effects of insect bites, pick one or a combination of essential oils, mix well with a carrier oil and apply to affected area.
4. For Tick Bites
Essential Oils: Lavender, Melaleuca
Apply essential oils after removing tick. One drop every 5 minutes for a half hour or as needed.
5. For Stings
Essential Oils: Basil, Cinnamon, Clove, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Melaleuca, Thyme
Combine one or a combination of essential oils with a carrier oil and apply to desired area.
6. Ease Sunburn
Essential Oils: Lavender, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Helichrysum, Peppermint.
Dilute one or a combination of essential oils and apply as needed. You can also add 10 drops essential oil in a 4oz. spray bottle filled with distilled water, shake and spray on affected area.
7. For Heat Exhaustion/ Heat Stroke
Essential Oils: Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Lime, Peppermint, Soothing Blend, Tension Blend
Dilute essential oil and apply to neck and forehead, being careful not to get in eyes. You can also add a couple drops of essential oil to a cool, damp washcloth and place on the back of neck. Try taking a cooling bath with essential oils.
8. Poison Ivy
Essential Oils: Lavender, Lemon, Melaleuca
Dilute essential oil with a carrier oil and apply to affected area. Add essential oils to bathwater and soak. Apply to damp washcloth and place on affected area. Add 5 drops essential oil to 4oz spray bottle filled with distilled water, shake and apply as needed.
9. Poison Oak
Essential Oils: Clove, Lavender, Vetiver
Dilute essential oil with a carrier oil and apply to affected area. Add essential oils to bathwater and soak. Apply to damp washcloth and place on affected area. Add 5 drops essential oil to 4oz spray bottle filled with distilled water, shake and apply as needed.
10. Swimmer’s Ear/Ear Infection
Essential Oils: Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Lavender, Basil, Melaleuca (NEVER put oils directly in ear canal)
Apply 2 drops Eucalyptus behind the ear, down the throat, and onto chest. This helps open the eustachian tube. Then apply 2 drops Rosemary in the same way (behind the ear, down the throat and onto chest).
This helps fight bacterial and viral infection. Apply 2 drops Lavender in the same way as the other two. Be sure to treat both ears to balance the body and prevent the infection from spreading to the other ear.
Dilute one or a combination of essential oils and apply directly in front of ear and behind ear on the mastoid bone.
Use With Caution
Keep in mind that essential oils are very potent, a little goes a long way. One to two drops per use is all you need. When diluting essential oils with a carrier oil, use a 1 to 1 ratio. When using essential oils, always choose high quality oils that are 100% pure.
Handy Tips To Beat The Heat
- Other ways to stay safe during the warm, summer months is to carry water with you to help you stay hydrated.
- Don’t forget to pack your favorite non-toxic sunscreen to help avoid a sunburn and stay out of the sun between 10am and 3pm.
- Apply your DIY Insect Repellent or the Repellent Blend and reapply as needed throughout the day.
- Dry ears completely after swimming to help avoid any ear challenges.
NOTE: These suggestions are not intended to take the place of medical care. Please seek medical attention as needed.
