Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, but it’s also a time to be mindful of safety. Essential oils can play an important role in keeping you safe in the summer heat. Aromatherapy is an excellent way to protect yourself and promote health and well-being.
Essential oils are derived from plants, flowers, and fruits and can be used in a variety of ways. They can be used in aromatherapy, where essential oils are inhaled or applied to the skin. Inhaling the scent of essential oils can help reduce stress, improve mood, and promote relaxation.
When using essential oils, safety is essential. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should be used with caution. It’s important to follow safety precautions such as diluting essential oils before applying them to the skin, avoiding contact with your eyes, and keeping them out of reach of children. You can learn more about safe dilution from Essentria’s dilution guides which you can download for free here.
When using essential oils outdoors during the summer, it is important to consider the heat. Some oils are photosensitive, which means that when exposed to direct sun, their properties can change, making them more irritating on the skin. For essential oils that are photosensitive, it is best to avoid UV rays for 12 hours after applying topically. Read Essentria’s blog Sun Safety with Essential Oils to learn more about how to stay safe with photosensitizing oils. Essentria also has Safety Labels which quickly identify safety concerns of over 75 essential oils, including those which are photosensitizing. You can get your own safety labels here.
Hydrolats are another great option to use, and you can create a body spray to cool down on those hot humid days. Mix 30ml of lavender hydrolat and 60ml of peppermint hydrolat in a spray top bottle and spray body to stay cool on those extra hot days.
A few beneficial essential oils include:
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Peppermint oil, which can provide a cooling sensation and help with heat exhaustion
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Lime oil, which can help with mental clarity and concentration
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Eucalyptus oil, which can help with sinus congestion and breathing
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Lavender oil, which can help with relaxation and soothing sunburns
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Frankincense oil, which can help with grounding, soothing aches and pains, and bumps and bruises.
Using essential oils in the summer can be a great way to improve safety and wellbeing. Consider diluting essential oils and keeping them in a cool, dark place to ensure safety. Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways, including aromatherapy, to promote relaxation and reduce stress. With the proper precautions, essential oils can be a great way to stay safe and healthy in the summer heat.