How to Beat the Summer Heat with Essential Oils
We are experiencing record heat in many areas this summer here in the United States. Heat waves are coming in more often and stay longer.
As bad as the heat is outside, it's even hotter in your car if it's been sitting out in the heat for any length of time. Did you know that if it is 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the temperature in your car can get up to 140 degrees! Whew, that's hot!
What can you do to cool off naturally?
Try cooling essential oils like Peppermint and Lavender.
Peppermint is best known for it's wonderfully cooling properties. Anyone who has applied peppermint to just about any part of the body has felt it's cooling action. Peppermint is also a natural tension reliever. So combining its tension relaxing and cooling properties is a fantastic combination for summer heat!
Diffusing peppermint in the house or office (using the home ultrasonic diffuser or the TheraPro diffuser) is another great way to stay cool.
Putting a drop of peppermint on the back of your neck, your temples, forehead and the bottoms of your feet can really help cool you down. Don't be afraid to dilute the peppermint oil in a small amount of carrier oil, such as almond oil, johoba oil or olive oil, before you apply it, especially if you have sensitive skin. You can also place a drop of peppermint on a cool, moist cloth and hold on the back of your neck.
I also like putting a few drops of peppermint in a spritzer bottle with a few ounces of water. Just shake it and spritz all over you any time you feel the temperature rising. Ahh, so refreshing!
Making a cooling peppermint julep or peppermint flavored mineral water is such a nice way to cool your body temperature and enjoy a nice treat. For a refreshing peppermint drink, just add one to two drops of peppermint to a teaspoon of honey or agave, then add the mixture to water. Stir well and enjoy. Be sure to always use a glass or ceramic container, since essential oils are very potent and will literally eat away any plastic containers you put them in.
Adding a couple of drops of peppermint to lemonade also creates a sublimely refreshing beverage. Pop in a mint sprig on the side, relax and sip.
If your car is really hot, you can "cool" it down by putting a few drops of peppermint on a cotton ball or tissue and placing it in the air vent of your dashboard. This is also a great thing to do if you're feeling drowsy driving, since peppermint tends to "wake" people up and enliven the system, helping you feel more alert.
As an adaptogen, Lavender is a wonderfully supporting oil and can help your body adapt to stress. Combined with peppermint, it's a perfect combination for beating high temperatures!
Diffuse a little in the house, perhaps alternating with peppermint, or spritz on the body.
Lavender oil can help calm you down from the stress of traffic, and both oils may help you concentrate better on driving.
A note of caution: If you're ingesting essential oils, make absolutely sure they are therapeutic-grade. The quality and purity of essential oils purchased in a health food store or gift shop can't be compared to real therapeutic-grade. These oils should not be ingested. Not only is there a huge difference in their effectiveness, but also their safety. Oils that are less than therapeutic-grade can contain solvents, artificial fragrances, thinners and other toxins.
The best oils for using in beverages and diffusing are 100% Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ essential oils, as sold on this website.
And if you should be bitten by a pesky mosquito this summer, try applying peppermint and lavender directly to the bite, to reduce minor itching.
Ants marching into your home? A few drops of peppermint blocking their path can be all you need to send them back outside, without a drop of toxic pesticides!
So no matter how hot it gets this summer, Peppermint and Lavender can help you keep your cool and keep enjoying the season!
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