The new year is the perfect time to expand the use of essential oils in your home. The healing properties derived from the different oils can do everything from cleaning and disinfecting to healing and de-stressing. Since the oils each have their own unique beneficial properties, it’s fun to experiment with different varieties and blends to discover combinations that appeal to you and your family.
In our home, we use essential oils everyday in many different ways. I like to mix citrus-based oils to create natural, all-purpose cleaners for our kitchen and baths, and I love using healing oils such as peppermint and tea tree oils to soothe the minor aches and pains that come from exercise and everyday activities.
To honor this month’s wellness theme, we are creating our own bath and body products that can be customized for each member of our family. I wanted to share some simple DIY recipes from Sunleaf Naturals (our preferred supplier of 100% pure essential oils) to create natural, aromatherapy bath salts, scrubs and oils. Below are the recipes which include regular, household ingredients -- most of which are probably already in your pantry. Just be sure to mix and store the treatments in glass containers – preferably dark glass -- to extend the effectiveness of the oils.
Exfoliating Sugar Scrub with Honey
Relaxing Bath Soak
1 tsp conditioning plant oil†4-6 drops Sunleaf 100% Pure Essential oil blend (ClarySage Lavender or Rosy Geranium)
1/4 cup Epsom salt or coarse sea salt
Mix essential oil with conditioning plant oil of your choice. Pour oils over salt in a glass, resealable container. To use, add 2-4 tbsp to warm bath water, taking care not to introduce water into the container.
Exfoliating Peppermint Foot Scrub
2 tbsp green clay powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp conditioning plant oil†
10 drops Sunleaf 100% Pure Essential oil blend (Peppermint)
Mix ingredients in a glass, sealable container. Once thoroughly combined, apply as a masque to feet. Use caution, as feet will be slippery. Scrub in circular motions with a soft loofah or brush. Rinse well and pat dry.
Aromatic Massage Oil
1/2 cup sweet almond, apricot, or grapeseed oil6-8 drops Sunleaf 100% Pure Essential oil blend
Mix ingredients in a glass sealable container. Massage into skin as desired. No need to rinse.
Effervescent Bath Bombs
1 cup baking soda1/2 cup citric acid
1/2 cup Epsom salt
2 tsp conditioning plant oil†
3 tsp water
15-20 drops (Rosy Geranium; Orange Ginger, ClarySage Lavender)
Dried herbs for decoration (optional)
Muffin tins or other molds, lightly greased using conditioning plant oil of your choice
Combine baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt, and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the conditioning plant oil of your choice, water, and SunLeaf Essential Oil Blend.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and quickly mix well. Mixture should hold together when squeezed without crumbling. If needed, add a bit more water to achieve this texture.
Quickly push mix firmly into oiled molds. Sprinkle dried herbs on top, if you choose. Allow bath bombs to harden for 24-48 hours and store in an airtight container. Use within two weeks for best results. Just drop a bath bomb into a warm bath, let it fizz, and enjoy!
Relax and Enjoy
The best part is ... once you've created your treatments, you get to relax and enjoy them! Cheers to a happy and healthy new year!
†Conditioning Plant Oil options: Sweet almond oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, safflower oil, or another food-grade oil of your choice.
(note: Essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin. Be sure to dilute with a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil, and apply with a rollerball. Be sure to test the oils before you apply. Do not ingest any of the essential oils unless under the direct supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.)
All of Sunleaf’s Essential Oils are extracted using non-toxic steam or cold pressing. Each lot is tested for quality and purity.