I wish you all a very happy new year and hope that you had an enjoyable Christmas and Thanksgiving. For many people, the New Year is the chance for a new start. A time to realign and focus on what is most important to our true selves. 

New goals are set and these often centre around improving our mental and physical health and wellbeing (especially after the indulgent festive season just passed).

After all the festivities and delicious food and drink, perhaps you are feeling a little off-kilter. If you are feeling in need of revitalization, then look no further. I have some fantastic aromatherapy based ideas that I would love to share with you in my latest blog post 'called Cleanse, Reset' to help support you as you journey into the New Year. You will discover essential oils and recipes that can help gently encourage mind, body, and spirit to cleanse and reset after the festive period. 

 

Beneficial Essential Oil Properties To Cleanse & Reset Your Environment, Body, Mind & Spirit

 

 

 

 

 

Essential oils are made up of various natural chemical components. these various types of constituents create different properties in each essential oil. This is what the particular oil is known to be useful for. 

Adaptogenic
Helping homeostasis and the system into balance

Antibacterial
Combating or inhibiting bacteria

Antifungal
Combating or inhibiting fungi and yeasts

Antimicrobial
Destroying or preventing the development of micro-organisms

Antiviral
Opposing the actions of viruses

Calmative
Having a calming or sedating action

Cephalic
Stimulating and clearing the mind-Pertains to the head

Deodorant
Eliminating unwanted odour

Nervine
Tonic to the nervous system

Restorative
Tonifying, Strengthening, aiding proper functioning. 

Tonic
Assisting proper functioning. Tonifying. 

 

Essential Oils To Cleanse & Reset Your Environment, Body, Mind & Spirit

 

 

Frankincense

Boswellia serrata

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dutch Lavender

Lavandula intermedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Orange

Citrus sinensis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon flexuosus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grapefruit

Citrus paradisi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Citronella

Cymbopogon winterianus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Tea Tree

Melaleuca alternifolia

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Recipes To Help Cleanse & Reset Your Environment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our environment indeed has a very real impact on our wellbeing, both mentally and physically. When our surroundings are clean and tidy, so are our minds. More guests than usual could also mean that there is perhaps increased bacteria and viruses lurking around our homes. 

Our homes may also be looking a little worse for wear after all the guests have left and after all the wonderful meals prepared and cooked, maybe smelling a little foodie. So why not start the new year fresh and clean with some great aromatherapy recipes to help you cleanse and reset your environment in no time.  

 

Multi-Purpose House 'Cleanse, Reset' Spray 

 

This multipurpose DIY essential oil cleaner is full to the brim with virus and bacteria busting properties and the aroma will leave your home smelling so fresh and clean. 

 

Ingredients and Packaging;

• A 16 fl.oz./ 450ml glass, or PET plastic spray bottle. Easily found online
• 14 fl.oz. Water
• 1 fl.oz. White Vinegar
• Optional addition Bicarbonate Of Soda
• 40 drops of any combination of the essential oils listed above.

  

Method;

Add the water, white vinegar and your chosen essential oil blend to your 16 fl. oz. spray bottle. Shake well.

 

Directions For Use;

Shake well before each use. Apply with a cloth or non-scratch scourer to clean the kitchen & bathroom.

 

Heidi's Tip;

Another great addition for cleaning the home is the addition of some bicarbonate of soda which is such a low cost, yet effective multi-purpose household cleaner. I use it all the time, often with white vinegar. The two natural ingredients when used together have a useful chemical reaction, causing the mixture to fix up and expand. Perfect for pouring down the plughole or onto stubborn areas on grime or limescale. 

I recommend sprinkling some bicarb onto any areas that need a bit of mild abrasive cleaning action. Then spray the above mixture with the essential oils onto the bicarb and watch the fizzing happen as it cleans. Leave for a short while and then rinse and wipe with a cloth. 

 

Safety;

Store in a safe place away from children. Before trying on a new surface, please spot check on an inconspicuous area first to check for any discolouration mark. Keep out of the reach of children and animals. Keep spray off the skin and the face, do not breathe in. Wear Gloves.

 

House 'Cleanse, Reset' Diffuser blend

This essential oil diffuser blend is really helpful to cleanse your home from any bacteria or viruses that could be in the air, It also smells so fresh and clean. 

 

Suggested Blend;

2 drops of Dutch Lavender

1 drop of Lemongrass

3 drops of Grapefruit

2 drops of Frankincense

 

Directions For Use

Ideal for use in UpNatures NEW essential oil diffuser. Simply add between 3-8 drops of the essential oils listed above, depending on room size to the water in your diffuser and enjoy the incredible aroma as it cleanses your environment. 

 

Safety;

Keep the diffuser away from children and animals.

 

 

Recipes To Support Your Body To Cleanse & Reset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following recipes are to guide you on how to use essential oils to help support the natural cleansing of the body. Encouraging the bodily systems to function as they should.

 

 

'Cleanse, Reset' Body Scrub 

 

Our skin is the largest organ in our bodies. It does so much work to keep us safe from environmental aggressors and protects our internal organs. So here you can give your skin a fresh start with this DIY aromatherapy body scrub. Revealing the fresh skin underneath and gently buffing away dead and dry skin cells, so that it can function as it should do and reset.

 

Ingredients and Packaging;

• A glass, or PET plastic jar.
• 1 cup of Sea Salt, or Himalayan salts. For sensitive skin use demerara sugar instead of salt.
• 1/2 Cup Carrier oil such as jojoba, argan
• 10 drops of the suggested essential oil blend listed below

Suggested Blend;

4 drop of Sweet Orange

2 drops of Grapefruit

4 drops of Frankincense

  

Method;

• Mix all ingredients together in a clean glass bowl. Add in your essential oil and stir.
• Spoon the mixture into a glass or PET plastic jar. 

 

Directions For Use;

Dampen the skin and then apply in gentle circular strokes all over the body, except the face and sensitive areas. May also apply with a massage mitt if desired. Rinse. Repeat once a week or as often as desired.

 

Safety;

Keep out of the reach of children and animals. Use a clean scoop each time you take some scrub out. Store in a cool dry place and lookout for any signs of deterioration. It is better to make small batches and use quickly as this is a natural product without preservatives.

 

 

'Cleanse, Reset' Body Oil 

 

After using your new DIY body scrub, your skin will love this nourishing body oil, full of hydrating carrier and essential oils. This will really give your skin a fresh new start for the New Year. This blend with the Sweet Orange is also a great digestive support oil when massaged into the abdomen area. Perfect after the festivities.  

 

Ingredients and Packaging;

• A 150ml glass, or PET plastic bottle.
• 100ml your choice of UpNature carrier oils. I recommend Argan, Jojoba, Rosehip.
• 20 drops of the suggested essential oil blend listed below

 

Suggested Blend;

12 drops of Sweet Orange

8 drops of Frankincense

  

Method;

• Mix all ingredients together in the bottle and shake well.

 

Directions For Use;

Apply as required except the face and sensitive areas.

 

Safety;

Keep out of the reach of children and animals. Store in a cool dry place and lookout for any signs of deterioration. It is better to make small batches and use quickly as this is a natural product without preservatives.

  

Recipes To Support Your Mind & Spirit To Cleanse & Reset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reset your mind with an aromatherapy bath

 

What better way is there to relax than a soothing aromatherapy bath. Unwind after the hectic festive period and time some time out to reflect on the year past and the year ahead. Breathe in the aromas of the essential oils and drift away into relaxation.

 

Ingredients and Packaging;

• A 150ml glass, or PET plastic bottle.
• 100ml your choice of UpNature carrier oils. I recommend Argan, Jojoba, Rosehip.
• 20 drops of the suggested essential oil blend listed below

 

Suggested Blend;

8 drops of Sweet Orange

8 drops of Frankincense

4 drops of Copaiba

  

Method;

• Mix all ingredients together in the bottle and shake well.

 

Directions For Use;

• Pour into the running bath and swirl around in the water.

 

Safety;

This product will make the bath slippery so be very careful getting in and out of the bath and be sure to clean any oil residue away afterwards.

Keep out of the reach of children and animals. Store in a cool dry place and lookout for any signs of deterioration. It is better to make small batches and use quickly as this is a natural product without preservatives.

 

 

 

 

 

Remember Your Carrier Oils

Please bear in mind that before using essential oils topically, they must be diluted with a suitable carrier oil.

How To Use Essential Oils Safely (and therefore effectively)

Essential oils are powerful natural substances that can help support us through their various properties and actions. It is also important to realize that just because something comes from nature, it doesn't mean it is automatically safe to use however we please, (Take poison ivy as an example). 

However luckily for us, when used with a little bit of knowledge and within a few simple guidelines, essential oils can be a great tool to help support our health and wellbeing. It's not about being scared to use them. It's about understanding how to get the most from the, safely. Using them correctly will mean they work more effectively. The saying less is more applies in Aromatherapy. 

I'm sure that if you are interested in essential oils and aromatherapy, you will have inevitably come across misinformation with regards to their usage. The problem lies when the source of that information comes from an untrained person. Always consult someone trained in the correct usage of essential oils... an aromatherapist. Which is why I wanted to offer you some helpful guidelines so that you can access the most benefits from your essential oils, without side effects. 

To get the most out of your essential oils 

Consult a trained aromatherapist before using essential oils if you have a medical condition, are taking medications, are pregnant/ breastfeeding, have any allergies, or if you have any other concerns. Essential oils are powerful substances, which make them so helpful. It just means that there can be some contraindications with certain oils if you have any of the above circumstances. So it's important to follow specific advice, which I'm sure is well worth the time and investment.

There may be essential oil specific guidance. Ensure that the essential oil you have chosen is suitable for you. Does it have any safety precautions to consider? Some do, some don't. Your aromatherapist will advise on the above circumstances. For anything else such as sensitive skin, please refer to our 

UpNature ebooks on the particular oil, you have purchased for more in-depth information.

Make sure your essential oils are correctly diluted if applying topically, using the topical use chart above. 

There is no such thing as an official internal use graded essential oil. These are just phrases that have been coined but have no basis. They make things confusing. Whilst it is true that, yes, essential oils are used in the food manufacturing industry, however, this is only in tiny, highly controlled quantities. It doesn't automatically mean they can be ingested in other settings, even if they have been labelled for such use. Be cautious of terms such as internal use, food-grade. Or any advice to drink a drop or two in a glass of water. I would advise you never to do this. Never use essential oils internally. There is no benefit to this practice. Oils are not water-soluble and will not, therefore, dilute when dropped into water. Undiluted essential oils should not be used on the skin, so imaging the effect on your delicate internal organs. If this is something that you still want to pursue and I understand that you might already be convinced due to the current trend of marketing this unsafe practice has received, please, at the very least make an appointment with a highly trained aromatherapist to discuss this further. 

Refrain from using undiluted on the skin. Only in emergencies and with a few limited essential oils. Again refer to an aromatherapist for specific exceptions.

If you are not sure how to use essential oils for cold and flu relief, ask for the advice of your doctor or a licensed natural health practitioner.

Remember that essential oils with a citrus note are sensitizing and phototoxic, so use these oils sparingly, especially if you are going outdoors. 

Although reactions are rare with proper use, always perform a patch test before using a new essential oil to ensure you will not have an allergic response to it.

And, if you found this information useful, please “Like it” and share it with your friends so that they can learn how essential oils for colds and flu relief can help them, as well.

*NOTE THAT THIS ARTICLE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND FOR ANY MEDICAL CONDITION, YOU SHOULD SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR DOCTOR. 
 
Let us know how these beneficial essential oils helped support you this fall in the comments below!
 
*Please note: The suggested applications need to be appropriately diluted. There may also be essential oil specific guidance - please refer to our UpNature eBooks or consult an aromatherapist for more in-depth information.
 
Shop these and all of our essential oils on UpNature!