13 Cleaning and Body Care Recipes Using Essential Oils

I am crazy crazy crazy about using essential oils for making my own cleaning, beauty and medicinal products. They are powerful little suckers that also smell divine. Here is a roundup of most of my recipes on the blog that use essential oils, but first, we can learn what essential oils actually are and why they're much better than toxic artificial perfumes.

20 Plus Recipes Using Essential Oils

Essential Oils 101

To see my complete class on essential oils, along with a webinar, slides and notes, click here.

So, here's the short version…I'm sure at one time or another you've peeled an orange and noticed the wonderfully fragrant scent left on your fingers. That was an experience with essential oils! Orange peels are full of them. But they are far more than pretty scents, these powerful plant compounds work synergistically with our bodies to strengthen our immune systems and help our bodies heal themselves.

EO's are natural aromatic compounds found in the raw material of plants (leaves, stems, bark, petals, etc). The oils of plants contain the essence (this is where the word “essential” comes from) or scent of that particular plant. They are extracted from the plant using steam distillation and are super concentrated, which makes them dangerous to use on or in the body without a carrier oil (like sweet almond, olive or grapeseed). It takes about 16 pounds of peppermint leaves to make one ounce of oil (source)! I think the coolest fact about EO's is that they actually help protect the plant from bacteria, fungi and critters who want to eat it, which is why they are so effective in helping to protect us as well (source)!

EO's were commonly used long ago for their medicinal and therapeutic properties and have gained popularity today for people like me who like alternative medicine (like homeopathy) and prefer homemade non-toxic products. Many EO's are antiseptic and antibacterial and also are mood enhancers and even aphrodisiacs!

My go-to EO's are:

Most often, I use Lavender, Tea Tree, and Sweet Orange for their powerful antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. My other favorites include oils like Rosemary, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot and Cedarwood due to their woodsy and earthy tones, making them perfect basenotes to a fragrance. Ylang Ylang adds a strong flowery scent, as does lavender, and oils like orange and peppermint brighten and freshen up the fragrance. I also love blended oils from Young Living like Thieves, Stress Away, Purification and Valor, all of which can be purchased in one of their starter kits (read more about where to buy high quality essential oils!).

Here are my best and most popular recipes using essential oils:

For the Body

  1. Homemade Lip Balm Recipe – All-Natural Clove and Orange
  2. All Natural Christmas Gifts – Winter Care Gift Sampler
  3. The Oil Cleansing Method – Natural Non-Toxic Face Cleansing
  4. Homemade Moisturizing Baby Shampoo Recipe {free printable}
  5. Homemade Natural Bug Repellent Recipe
  6. DIY Homemade Green & Easy Deodorant
  7. Homemade All-Natural Peppermint Mouthwash
  8. Homemade Hand Sanitizer
  9. Natural Shampoo – Alternatives to Baking Soda
  10. Natural Conditioners – Alternatives to Apple Cider Vinegar
  11. Homemade Natural Hand Sanitizer
  12. Homemade Teething Oil and Other Natural Remedies for Teething Pain
  13. Oil Pulling with Peppermint
  14. DIY Miracle Oil for Cuts, Scrapes, Eczema, Rashes, Poison Ivy and More!

For the Home

  1. Tips for Green Carpet Cleaning and Maintenance
  2. Homemade Deodorizing Spray – Non-Toxic and Green
  3. Homemade Reusable Disinfecting Wipes – All Natural
  4. My Favorite Homemade Green Household Cleaners with Free Printables
  5. DIY Homemade Laundry Detergent – Cheap and Green {free printable}
  6. Natural Laundry Fragrance and Softener
  7. Homemade Natural Fabric Stain Remover
  8. Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner

How to Purchase High Quality Essential Oils through My Merry Messy Life

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