apply a few drops of an expectorant essential oil such as myrtle to the pillow, pajamas, night clothes, or handkerchief. If you wish to keep insects at bay, applying a few drops of an essential oil such as geranium to hanging ribbons or sprinkling the oil onto your clothing can be a very effective way of doing this. Because essential oils are volatile, unlike vegetable oils, they will not leave a stain on linen or clothing.
Oils sprinkled onto a handkerchief can be inhaled throughout the day
Simple medicinal and household uses
THERE ARE MANY other beneficial and pleasurable ways in which to use essential oils in the home, many of them closely allied to uses of herbs in medicine, or linked to well-established, longstanding household traditions of using flowers and herbs. The five quintessential oils for the medicine chest are all good standbys for simple first-aid treatments and straightforward medical care for common complaints, while for perfumery and fragrance the choice is largely a question of personal preference.
Hot and cold compresses
This method is suited to a variety of first-aid cases—use a hot compress for abscesses, muscular aches, pains, and severe tension; a cold compress for bumps and bruises, headaches, migraine, and sprains.
Preparing a compress
Prepare a hot compress by dipping a clean facecloth or piece of absorbent cotton in a small bowl containing about 17fl oz/500ml of steaming water to which has been added 5 or 6 drops of an essential oil such as lavender. Squeeze out any excess water, and then apply to the affected area. Apply a bandage if required and repeat as necessary.
Make a cold compress by dipping a clean facecloth or cotton pad in a bowl of cold water to which has been added 5 or 6 drops of a cooling oil such as peppermint, squeezing out any excess water. Alternatively, wrap the cloth round an ice cube before applying to the affected area. Refresh the compress regularly and apply until the swelling or pain subsides.
Hot and cold compresses can be used with appropriate oils for injuries, aches and pains, headaches, abscesses, and indigestion.
Gargles and mouthwashes
For the treatment of mouth ulcers, sore throat, bad breath, or other mouth or gum infections, simply add 3 to 5 drops of an essential oil such as fennel or thyme to a glass of warm boiled water and mix well. Then swill the mouth out well and/or gargle.
Neat application
In general, essential oils should not be applied neat to the skin as they are highly concentrated. Some oils can cause irritation or a burning or tingling sensation when they are applied in an undiluted form. However, there are exceptions to this rule. (See First aid, Perfumes and household fragrance)
Gargling with water and a few drops of thyme oil soothes a sore throat and is a useful treatment for a range of mouth infections.
WARNING
Essential oils should never be used neat or taken internally except as specified in this book or on the advice of a trained physician. Always follow the instructions carefully.
Bee stings can be soothed with a cold compress.
First aid
Lavender oil is very soothing and rapidly helps the skin to heal, usually without even leaving a scar. It can be applied directly to burns, insect bites, cuts, and spots as first-aid treatment. Tea tree is another oil which can be used neat for first-aid purposes. However, before applying any oil neat to the skin, always do a patch test as described here.
Disinfectants
Such oils as tea tree or lavender can be used for disinfecting clothes and diapers. For washing by hand, add up to 50 drops of essential oil to a bowl of warm water; otherwise add the same quantity to a liquid detergent and use in the washing machine. For washing floors and kitchen and bathroom surfaces, add up to 50 drops of essential oil to a bucket or bowl of water.
Perfumes and household fragrance
Some essential oils can be applied undiluted to the skin in minute amounts as perfume. Several essential oils are ideal natural perfumes—either on their own or combined with others. Ylang ylang is renowned as a well-balanced fragrance in its own right; others, such as rose, jasmine, neroli, and sandalwood, are well-known traditional perfume ingredients. Such oils can be dabbed on the wrists or behind the ears, either neat or diluted to 5 percent in jojoba or a bland base oil. Always carry out a patch test on the skin before using a new oil as a perfume (here).
Aromatic oils can be used to scent the hair, linen or clothes, paper, ink, potpourris or other items, directly from the bottle. Pure essential oils have a totally different quality to synthetic perfumes, since they are derived from natural sources. Artificially made perfumes do not have the subtle balance of constituents and the therapeutic qualities of real essential oils.
Jasmine is used to scent soaps, toiletries, and perfumes.
Oils for furniture and wood
A few drops of an essential oil such as cedarwood or rosemary can be used to perfume wooden items such as beads or boxes, or added to furniture polishes. Freshly scented oils such as these can also be sprinkled on logs before they are burned on an open fire.
Aromatic sachets and pillows
As well as having a pleasing fragrance, lavender oil makes an excellent insect repellent. Lavender has been used for centuries to protect clothes and linen from moths. It imparts a lovely scent when used in aromatic sachets kept in the linen closet or in drawers. Use dried herbs impregnated with a few drops of oil as the stuffing and seal them in small linen or lace sachets, which can be tied at the top with ribbon. Scented pillows can be made for the bedroom in similar fashion.
LAVENDER
Scented paper and ink
An easy way to scent writing paper is to put a few drops of a chosen essential oil onto a ball of absorbent cotton and store this in a sealed box together with the sheets of paper. After about ten days, the paper will have absorbed a good deal of the fragrance. A few drops of aromatic oil can also be dropped into writing ink. Many household items can be scented in a similar manner.
Potpourris
Essential oils can be used in making potpourris or used to revive them. Making dry potpourris is quick and straightforward. The principles and basic method for
