Ahhhhh, Summertime! Are you ready for some essential oil hacks for summer?

With warm weather and long days most of us are eager to spend some time outdoors. Especially if we’ve had a long, dark, cold winter! Heading outdoors doesn’t mean you need to load up on the toxins to ‘protect’ yourself from the sun, the bugs or whatever else might be lurking outside.

Essential oils to the rescue.

With more than 50 essential oil solutions for your summertime needs, we’ve got you covered!

General Traveling Tips

If you’ve never traveled with your essential oils before, here are a few tips to help you along:

• You CAN take essential oils on your carry on, as long as they fit into the standard quart zip bag (you can actually fit a LOT of them in that space).
• It is safe to send them through the X-ray machines. They won’t get hurt.
• Apply essential oils before boarding the plane (because the smell is so strong). Apply to body (neck, temples, bottoms of feet, etc.–I like to give myself an ‘oil mustache’ so I can smell it really well) or use a diffuser necklace or bracelet, or add a few drops to a tissue or hanky.
• If you’re traveling by car, make yourself a small emergency kit to put in the glove box. Just remember to remove it before you leave it in the hot car all day (heat will destroy the health benefits of the oils).

Okay, with that out of the way….let’s get onto some solutions for your summer travel needs

Cool Down

On those hot, hot days, here’s a trick to cool down. Use peppermint oil! Peppermint is naturally cooling. Ahhh. If you want to take it a step further, make your own cooling spray.

Here’s how:

Dump 2 tablespoons each of distilled water and Witch Hazel in a 2 oz spray bottle (preferably a glass one). Add 4 drops each of Lavender essential oil and Peppermint essential oil.

Shake well and spray on back of neck or bottoms of feet (keep away from eyes!)

For an extra shiver, throw it in the fridge or cooler for a while before using. Ahhh. Brrr. The perfect cool-down.

Too Much Sun

For those days when you spend too much time in the sun and get a bit crispy, make your own after sun spray. You can get the simple recipe for that here, along with some natural sun-blocking solutions using essential oils.

And please remember that there are some essential oils that make your skin extra sensitive to the sun. Please use caution (and avoid the sun for 12 hours after putting them on your skin that will be exposed to the sun to stay safe). For more information on which oils to avoid, go here.

Road Tripping

Going on a road trip? Great. Essential oils have you covered. Use:

‘Freshen up’ the hotel room (and also kill bed bugs!) – Cedarwood

Tame the anxiousness and help you get some Zzzzzzz’s – Lavender or Serenity Blend

Help you stay alert on the road, cool you off (temperature wise) – Peppermint

Silence the snorers – Breathe blend

Gas, bloating, upset tummy, the ‘runs’ and also ‘shy bowels’ – Digestzen Blend

Stay focused – Frankincense or InTune blend

Stinky shoes (and/or socks) – Purify blend

Hand sanitizer or immune booster – On Guard blend

The Outdoor Blend to the Rescue

The first weapon of defense this summer is TerraShield, the outdoor blend. It’s specifically formulated to keep bugs at bay. Here are some ways to use TerraShield:

• Diffuse it outdoors when you’re having a BBQ to keep bugs away.
• Apply it to legs and arms before hikes, spray around tent flaps to discourage insects from coming inside.
• Wear it camping, fishing, boating, hiking, or any other time you’re outside when the bugs are trying feast on you.
• Put a drop on the collar or  between shoulder blades of your dog before going on walks and hikes.
• Make an outdoor protective blend (recipe below)

This blend of essential oils contains Ylang Ylang, Nootka Wood, Cedarwood, Catnip, Lemon Eucalyptus, Litsea Fruit, Arborvitae and Vanilla Bean Absolute. It’s mixed with a  base of Fractionated Coconut Oil and Tamanu Seed Oil so it’s ready to use and save for anybody young or old.

Other Outdoor Protectant Oils

Other oils that don’t mix well with insects are: Coriander, Lemongrass and Peppermint. Again, apply to wrists, the back of neck, spray on arms and legs or diffuse in diffuser when you’re outdoors.

Outdoor Annoyances!

There’s been a video going around that went viral about an annoyance pest unsticking himself from a human after getting peppermint oil dumped on him. While it might have had the tick running for the hills, it’s a dangerous thing to do because it often causes the annoyance to vomit inside your body (which is not only gross, it’s a good way for the annoyance to spread disease to you).

Instead, use an annoyance removal tool or tweezers to remove an annoyance that has embedded. Then, AFTER the annoyance is safely removed, use an oil like Melaleuca or Lavender to help calm the site and kill germs.

A better way to keep annoyances from digging into you is to discourage them from getting on you in the first place. Here’s a great recipe to use to discourage them to move on in the first place (PS you can also apply this to your dog’s collar or shoulder blades before heading outside):

And what about a stinky vehicle? If you don’t have a car diffuser, you can make a substitute super easily. Here’s two different ways to have you breathing fine in no time:

1. Drop a few drops of oil(s) of your choice on cotton balls and stick them in the heater/air vents. As the air blows out, it will circulate the smell (and benefits) of the oils throughout the vehicle.
2. If you want to get a bit ‘fancier’ take a clothes pin and some small pompoms. Glue the pompoms along the top of the clothes pin. Drop oils on the pompoms and clip clothes pin onto your heat/air vents.

Peppermint Oil:

• Head pain (rub on temples and back of neck–be careful t avoid eyes)
• Overheating (apply to bottoms of feet or make your own ‘air conditioner’ spray–recipe below)
• Elevated Temperature (dilute a drop or two in a carrier oil and rub down spine)
• Keep you awake on late night drives/flights (put a drop in your hands, rub them together, cup over mouth and nose and inhale deeply, put in air vents (more on that later), eat Peppermint Beadlets, etc.)
• Focus and attention (same as above)
• Motion sickness (same as above)
• Keep bugs away (add a few drops of oil to a spray bottle filled with water and spray around buggie areas)
• Put a couple drops on a wash cloth and take with you into shower–create peppermint scented steam to help refresh you.
• Use as breath freshener when on long trips in close quarters. Your traveling partners will appreciate it!

***Peppermint Air Conditioning Spray***

2 oz spray bottle
5 drops peppermint oil
water

Add ingredients to spray bottle. Shake before using and spray on neck, chest, back, feet to cool down.

This is just scratching the surface. If there’s an issue, there’s an oil for it.

The Protective Blend

OnGuard is one of my all-season favorites. I NEVER leave home without it. It builds immunity and protects from nasty stuff in the air that we can catch simply by breathing in and out (that means when you hear someone coughing in seat 9A, you don’t have to worry!)

• Carry the On Guard beadlets in your pocket and pop them into your mouth to help build your immunity (and it’s easy when you’re traveling to use the beadlets)
• Make yourself an ‘On Guard’ mustache so that as you breathe in stale airplane air (and other people’s germs) the air is cleaned on its way into your body.
• Make some On Guard hand sanitizer (here’s how) to clean your hands when you are out and about (and without all the bad for you junk that’s in most of the commercially made stuff).
• Rub a drop on the bottoms of your feet nightly while you travel to help boost your immune system.
• Add a few drops of On Guard to a handkerchief before boarding the plan and inhale the scent periodically.

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is considered the ‘SWISS ARMY KNIFE’ of essential oils. It’s good for nearly everything and is super helpful to have on hand.

Here are some tips for using Lavender oil as you travel this summer.

• Make your own after sun spray, or sun protection lotion (get recipes here)
•  Calm down wound up kids (or adults!)
•  Help everyone get a restful night’s sleep (apply a drop to bottoms of feet or to the pillow)
• Apply a drop to bug bites to help heal the area and reduce itchiness
• Apply to bruises, cuts and scrapes to help heal
• Stop the bleeding when you nick yourself with that razor making your legs silky smooth!
• Make some lavender lemonade (recipes in the photos of this post)
• Help kids nod off while riding/flying by putting a drop of it on the special blankie that they snuggle up with/lean on.

Lemon Oil

Lemon oil is a great addition to summer time travel. Here are a few ways to use it

• Freshen hotel room
• Clean up questionable areas (add a few drops of lemon oil to a spray bottle of water and spray on surfaces)
• Use as a fruit and veggie wash when you’re out and about, hungry and don’t have a sink.
•  Gets sticky stuff off everything….gum on bottom of shoe, goop on car seat, label residue off new sunglasses/shoes, etc.
• Inhale for uplifting feelings
• Add to water when restaurant water tastes bad
• Add a couple drops in your water daily to help shrink your fat cells (by ridding those cells of toxins) to get your body ready for the beach.
• Add it to your smoothies, marinades, etc.
• Make your own fruit pops (recipe here:https://creatinghealthfromscratch.com/fresh-fruit-pops-with…/

***ONE IMPORTANT NOTE***
Lemon oil (and all citrus oils) can cause your skin to be photosensitive (making your skin burn easier when exposed to UV rays). If you’re applying this oil to your skin (that will be exposed), avoid UV rays for 24 hours (see here for more information).

Soothing Blend

For anyone with pain, the Soothing Blend, Deep Blue, is a trusty companion. Formulated to take care of those aches and pains, muscle strains and headaches, it helps keep you moving.

• Apply before and after activities that strain your muscles (hikes, volley ball on the beach, family football game, etc.)
• Apply to neck to relieve tension when on long road trips
• Apply to cramps for relief (including cramps from PMS)
• Apply to kids who are experiencing growing pains (recipe below)

Growing Pain Relief
2 drops Deep Blue
1 drop Frankincense
5-6 drops carrier oil

Mix together and lightly rub into area of pain.

Melaleuca Oil

Melaleuca oil is great for its cleansing and purifying effect. Since traveling involves exposure to all sorts of unknowns, it’s a handy oil to have around. Those properties come in handy while traveling….consider these ideas.

• Make a spray with vinegar, water, and Melaleuca oil to use to combat mold in the camper and tent.
• A couple of drops of this oil on a cotton ball, placed gently in the opening of an ear may help sooth sensitive ears and ease irritation. Also, run a drop of oil behind ear and down side of neck.
• A bit of diluted Melaluca oil rubbed below the eye will clear up gooey eyes.
• Apply to bug bites for quick healing and relief
• Apply to zits to zap them in their tracks
• Great to treat skin that’s had too much sun and other skin issues
• Mix with lavender and a carrier oil for homemade wound ointment
• Place a couple drops on cotton balls and stuff in stinky shoes. (This is especially helpful when someone takes them off in the car and GROSS!)

So, with over 50 essential oil hacks for summer under your belt, you’re ready to go!  Stay safe, have fun, and rest in the fact that essential oils offer you solutions to nearly everything and they’re non-toxic plant substances. What’s not to love about that?

Oh, and just in case you’re also gardening this summer…here are some essential oil hacks for your summer garden too:

Did you know you can use essential oils in the garden, too? YES! Here’s some non-toxic essential oil pest solutions for the garden as well as how to use essential oils the same way you’d use companion planting to help your garden flourish.

Happy Summer! Enjoy the great outdoors without fear and without toxins. Essential oil solutions for summer to the rescue!