Relieve Summer Woes with Aromatherapy

Summer is, without a doubt, my favorite season. You won’t even hear me complaining (at least too much) about the blistering heat wave we’re suffering through on the East coast. Nonetheless, there are a few things I could live without—bugs, sticky sunscreen, sweat, the unpleasant smell of Manhattan in the summer, just to name a few. Thankfully,  Aromandina’s Cristina Proano-Carrion has some sweet-smelling solutions to help tackling a some of these issues. According to her, with the right blend of essential oils, you can feel cool and refreshed, even on the hottest of days. So before you or your clients head out on that next summer trip, be sure to follow these five tips: 

1. Invigorate yourself with mint.
Spearmint and peppermint essential oils both have natural cooling properties, so these essential oils will make you feel fresh and alert. Whether you've just finished a long hike or spent the day in the car, all you have to do is add five drops of oil with a bowl of ice water and use a towel to rub it on your skin. You'll instantly feel cool, calm, and collected. And, if you're planning on being out in the hot sun for a prolonged period, infuse a towel with either of these oils and wrap it around your neck. All you need to do is get a bowl full of ice water, add five drops of oil, and stir. Then, just give your towel a good dunking, wring out the excess water, and you're good to go. Combine that mint-infused towel with plenty of fluids to drink, and you've got an instant prevention tool against things like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

2. Clean off with lavender.
If all of that heat and humidity leaves you feeling sticky and gross, you're not alone. Luckily, lavender essential oil can help. It's got antibacterial properties, so you'll be able to get rid of any germs you've picked up during your summer travels. You can actually make your own antibacterial wipes with some water, some oil, and a towel. Just add five drops of lavender to a bowl of ice water, stick your towel in, wring out the excess water, and you can clean off your hands, face, or neck. Plus, you'll get a nice cool down in the process. To keep clean on the go, infuse some towels ahead of time, and stick them in a plastic bag. That way, you'll have an antibacterial wipe anytime you need it. And unlike those antibacterial gels and wipes you see in the store, lavender actually smells good. It has a clean floral scent, instead of that toxic chemical smell that you get from most other antibacterial products. No matter how sticky or grimy you feel, lavender will make you feel much better.

3. Get some sunburn relief with a moisturizing blend.
A summer sunburn can leave you looking and feeling absolutely awful. Not only is it terrible for the long-term health of your skin, but the pain and discomfort from a sunburn can ruin your entire summer holiday. Luckily, aromatherapy fans can get some relief with the right blend of essential oils. Start with one ounce of jojoba oil. Since it's a great moisturizer, it will keep your skin from drying out—meaning you won't have to deal with as much itching and peeling as you normally would with a sunburn. Then, add five drops of cooling blue chamomile essential oil, so that your sunburn won't burn quite as badly. And, finally, top it all off with 10 drops of lavender. Since they have anti-inflammatory properties, lavender and blue chamomile can prevent the aches and pains that come with sleeping or even sitting with a bad sunburn. This blend won't just make you feel better; it will also make you smell better. Instead of dousing your skin in traditional sunburn remedy creams and sprays—and smelling like a medicine cabinet—this blend can leave you smelling fresh and floral.

4. Use essential oils to tame your tummy.
If you've accidentally downed some foreign water during your summer travels, drank too much of the spiked punch at your friend's barbecue, or eaten too many summertime treats, it can leave your stomach feeling downright awful. Luckily, when you rub essential oils like cardamom, ginger, and fennel essential oils over your stomach, it can help relieve stomach cramps and spasms associated with diarrhea, food poisoning, and other tummy troubles. Combine five drops of each essential oil with 1 ounce carrier oil and massage your abdomen with circular movements. Just remember to drink plenty of fluids to prevent your stomach issues from turning into dehydration. If plain water doesn't sound good to you, check out my recipe for ginger-infused iced tea.

5. Fight off bugs.
Aromandina's BUZZ OFF  natural bugs spray has eucalyptus citriadora. This essential oil is actually approved by the Environmental Protection Agency to keep bugs at bay. Like those traditional bug sprays, BUZZ OFF can keep you from swatting and scratching. But unlike traditional bug sprays, it's gentle enough to use on even the youngest members of your family. Plus, it smells much better than all of those chemical-laden bug sprays.

Visit www.aromandina.com for more information about using aromatherapy to make this summer your best ever.