12 best essential oils guides

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DIY Home

Large stockpot:

Three 1-gallon glass jar with pump dispensers (available on Amazon) (5-gallon heavy duty plastic buckets with a lid for storage work as well).

1. Grate the entire bar of soap into the stockpot over low heat.

2. Add 5 cups water and raise the heat to medium-high. Stir until the soap is dissolved.

3. Add the OxiClean and washing soda and mix until dissolved.

4. Remove from the heat and let cool for a few minutes.

5. Pour 1 quart hot water into each of the three containers.

6. Add 2 cups of the soap mixture and 30 drops of essential oil into each container. Stir, then add enough cool water to fill each container.

7. Let the mixture thicken overnight. (If using a plastic bucket, use the lid.)

8. Depending on whether you have a high-efficiency washer, use between ¼ and ½ cup per load.

Notes

Stir (if using a plastic bucket for storage) or shake (if storing in a glass bottle) before each use as the detergent may get lumpy or gelatinize.

Also, in case you were wondering, the nonprofit watchdog Environmental Working Group gives both Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda and OxiClean Baby Stain Remover an “A” grade because they have virtually no associated toxic risks. The known ingredients are sodium carbonate peroxide and sodium carbonate, which are both very safe and effective at removing stains.

DIY Indulgence

This homemade chocolate candy is super yummy and will help satisfy that sweet tooth in a healthy way!

Supplies

Small glass bowl for mixing.

Cupcake liner, muffin tin, or silicone candy mold.

1. Mix all the ingredients in a glass bowl until smooth.

2. Pour the mixture into a cupcake liner, muffin tin, or silicone candy mold and refrigerate until hard (about 30 minutes). Enjoy!

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SAMPLE RECIPE: Citrus Fresh Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap

This fresh-smelling foaming soap gently cleans and moisturizes hands. It’s safe for the whole family to use, and making your own hand soap will save you money, too!

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix all ingredients in a foaming pump bottle.

2. Seal the lid, and gently shake to blend.

3. Store on bathroom or kitchen sinks for easy, everyday use.

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The Definitive A to Z Reference Guide to Aromatherapy Oils

This easy-to-use volume lets you access essential information in a variety of ways with a Therapeutic Index, a Botanical Index, and Botanical Classifications, plus safety information.

Part I: An Introduction to Aromatics

Part I is a general introduction to aromatics, showing their changing role throughout history, from the ritual part they played in ancient civilizations, through medieval alchemy, to their modern day applications in aromatherapy, herbalism and perfumery.

Part II The Oils

Part II is a systematic survey of over 160 essential oils shown in alphabetical order according to the common name of the plants from which they are derived. Detailed information on each oil includes its botanical origins, herbal/folk tradition, odor characteristics, principal constituents and safety data, as well as its home and commercial uses.

Botanical Index

Find the name of the plant or oil in the back of the book, where it is listed under:

a) Its common name.

b) Its Latin or botanical term.

c) Its essential oil trade name.

d) Or by its folk names: gum thus.

Botanical Classification

Other varieties of the plant or oil may be found in the Classification section under their common family name, along with their related species.

Lavender, True (Lavandula angustifolia)

Learn all about each species from the general descriptions, to where it is found, to related species, folk traditions, its uses and characteristics and safety. For example did you know A few drops of lavender in a hot foot bath has a marked influence in relieving fatigue.

Use This Book As A Self-Help Manual on Aromatherapy

Essential oils can be used to treat a wide range of common complaints with the most useful or readily available and commonly available oils for a particular condition are shown in italics.

How to Use Essential Oils at Home and Creative Blending

The various methods of application are indicated by the letters M, massage; C, compress; B, bath etc. Turn to How to Use Essential Oils at Home and Creative Blending provides detailed instructions on applications and how to make up a massage oil or compress, and how many drops of oil to use in a bath.

Use This Book As A Comprehensive Text Book

The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils provides a wealth of information about the essential oils themselves in all their various aspects, including their perfumery and flavoring applications. It shows the development of aromatics through history and the relationship between essential oils and other herbal products. It defines different kinds of aromatic materials and their methods of extraction, giving up-to-date areas of production. In addition, it includes information on their chemistry, pharmacology and safety levels. The ‘Actions’ ascribed to each plant refer either to the properties of the whole herb, or to parts of it, or to the essential oil.

Difficult technical terms, mainly of a botanical or medical nature, are explained in the General Glossary at the end of the book.