Do you find yourself breathing out of one open nostril when you lay your head to rest at night? If you could only get that one nostril clear, right? You wouldn’t hear that nostril whistle when you inhale or exhale! Although seasonal allergies affect a lot of people, there are many natural ways to assist with better, easier breathing. One of the easiest ways to do that is by inhaling the essential oil aromas from this DIY sinus relief candle. 

Candles make great holiday gifts, just in case anyone is trying to keep their budget down for holiday gift giving. Not everyone enjoys an aromatherapy diffuser, but they may enjoy candles year round. It comes down to personal preference, of course. What doesn’t come down to personal preference are the essential oils in this DIY candle. They work to relieve congestion and help promote easier breathing. Read on to learn more about the three powerful essential oils in this sinus relief candle. 

Tea Tree Oil

The smell of tea tree oil is intoxicating and it exhibits powerful antibacterial properties. According to experts, tea tree oil fights two potential causes of sinus congestion: bacteria and viruses. A 2015 review found that tea tree oil contains alpha-sabine, a compound that provides antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Tea tree oil may also work to reduce sinus swelling by lowering inflammation. Relieving sinus swelling often helps to get rid of stuffy or runny nose. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

A lot of people find that inhaling peppermint essential oil’s aroma feels great when they have clogged sinuses. Peppermint essential oil contains menthol, which is a compound that affects mucus receptors in the nostrils. Menthol offers a cooling effect, which may potentially open the airways and relieve congestion. Animal studies found that peppermint oil may reduce inflammation and lab studies indicated that peppermint oil may fight bacteria. It’s important to note that these results were not confirmed in human studies, as human studies are still necessary. 

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Many over-the-counter decongestant products, including chest rubs, contain eucalyptus essential oil. A lot of people believe that this essential oil can relieve cold and cough symptoms, including sinus congestion or general stuffiness. Eucalyptus essential oil contains cineole, a compound that may be effective in treatment for sinus issues, but more studies are necessary. Cineole may relieve headaches, runny nose, and nasal obstruction, all of which are symptoms of sinusitis. 

DIY Sinus Relief Candle

Ingredients:

• Candle wick
• Candle wick glue dots
• 1.5 cups natural soy wax flakes
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 20 drops peppermint essential oil
• 15 drops tea tree oil

Instructions:

• Apply a glue dot to the metal tab on the end of the candle wick. Place that tab at the bottom center of a glass jar (an eight-ounce jar is great for candle making). Set this jar aside.
• Place the wax flakes and coconut oil in a glass, microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup and microwave in 30-second increments until the wax and oil are fully melted. Add the essential oils to the melted wax and coconut oil and stir to combine. 
• Before you pour the melted mixture into the jar, consider tying the whisk to a stick and laying the stick across the lid. Center the wick to make it nice and beautiful.
• Carefully pour the mixture into the jar and allow it to harden at room temperature. Once the wax is set, trim the wick so that at least a half-inch sticks out above the top of the candle. All you have to do next is light the wick and enjoy decongestion.

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Feeling stressed lately? This is completely natural, especially since the holidays are right around the corner. End of the year projects, holiday travel plans, and New Year’s commitments can cause you to burn out. That’s why self-care is extra important during this time of year. In fact, influencers and wellness brands push self-care products and tips on you, which can induce stress. 

You may not have the funds for all of these products or services, but we have a little secret: you don’t need to spend a lot (or any) money to help relieve stress. Take a bubble bath, go for a walk, drink a cup of calming tea, journal, or dance it out at home. All of these things, in addition to the following affordable tips can help you unwind. 

Meditation

Meditation is a free stress-relieving activity, but it can be difficult to get into. All you need is a quiet, comfortable place and five to 10 minutes of your day to start. There are plenty of free resources to help start you on the right path. If you don’t like quiet meditation, there are many free guided meditation videos to help lead you through the practice. 

Set Phone Limits

If you want to promote mindfulness and be more present in the moment, set phone limits for yourself. Spending less time looking at your screen, especially if you scroll endlessly and mindlessly, is highly beneficial for your mental health. Taking meaningful breaks from your phone is an excellent way to practice mindfulness. You can easily set screen time limits on your smartphone, or set reminders to put down your phone. 

Make Face Masks At Home

You don’t need to go to a luxury spa to pamper yourself, or give your facial skin a little boost. Hit the grocery store or look in your pantry because you already have the ingredients you need for a DIY face mask. Simple ingredients do wonders for your skin, for example, enhancing moisture, removing bacteria, and reducing excess oil. Click here for an excellent DIY face mask. 

Journal

One of the worst things you can do for your health is hold in your stress. You have to let it out! Journaling can be a great daily exercise to release all of the emotions you’re holding inside. You don’t have to craft an extensive memoir; rather, journaling can help you unleash your thoughts and analyze them. It is a cathartic exercise that will help declutter your mind.

Dance It Out

When in doubt, turn up the music and cut loose. If you are worried about people seeing you, don’t because this is a freeing exercise. That said, you can close all the blinds or curtains if you want total privacy while you dance your heart out. You don’t need dance lessons or rhythms to reap the benefits of this stress-relieving practice. Bust out your best dance moves to help you shake out the stress.

Go For A Walk

Sometimes, a trip around the block or a walk amongst the trees is all you need to clear your mind. Studies say that being outside in nature is a proven way to calm the mind. Unplugging from your distractions and being in the moment on your walk can help you notice little things you may otherwise pass by. Try your best to get to a park or nature trail, or relish in some casual people watching if you live in a dense city. 

Take A Bubble Bath

When all else fails, run that hot water to fill the tub and get ready for a relaxing soak. Light a few candles, add a bath bomb or bubbly soap, drop in some essential oils, or add some Epsom salts. All of these things are readily available to you and relatively affordable, not to mention beneficial for your skin. If you don’t have a bathtub, you can drop some eucalyptus essential oil to your shower flower to create a calming, somewhat steamy, aromatherapy experience.

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If you like cinnamon then you clicked on the right article because these candles are better than any air freshener. Cinnamon candles are very simple to make, but they make up for it in their enchanting, fall-themed scent. They will fill your home with the smell of holiday nostalgia or the changing leaves. 

The recipe requires soy wax that you will infuse with cassia essential oil. You can add additional flavors to make cinnamon vanilla or cinnamon apple candles, but that will be at your discretion. Not only do these candles go great in your house, but they also make perfect gifts. If you are the type of person that likes to get a head start on holiday gifts, you can experiment with these candles and start setting them aside. Make the decorations extra nice so you don’t have to rush at the last minute!

Cinnamon Candle Benefits

In aromatherapy, cinnamon essential oil helps to reduce feelings of faintness, exhaustion, and depression. Some people use it to help strengthen libido and immunity, while others use it to reduce joint and muscle pain. When you diffuse cinnamon essential oil in indoor environments, the scent naturally deodorizes and freshens the space. The uplifting fragrance carries throughout the space and has a soothing, therapeutic effect. Many aromatherapists recommend cinnamon essential oil if you want to benefit cognitive functions. It also acts as a natural mosquito repellent! 

What Is The Best Cinnamon Essential Oil For Candles?

Cinnamon essential oil can come from the leaves or outer bark of the cinnamon tree. There isn’t just one cinnamon essential oil; rather, there are three different cinnamon oils. Here is a quick overview of those oils:

• Cinnamon Leaf: This comes from distilling the leaves of the Cinnamomum zeylanicum plant. Cinnamon leaf essential oil has a lighter, muskier cinnamon aroma that is akin to clove’s scent, and the color is slightly amber. 
• Cinnamon Bark: This essential oil comes from distilling the bark of the Ceylon cinnamon plant (Cinnamomum zelanicum, Cinnamomum verum). The oil is slightly red-brown in color and has a warm and spicy scent with a strong undertone of cinnamon.
• Cassia: Steam-distilled from the bark of the cassia tree (Cinnamomum cassia), cassia essential oil is genetically similar to the Ceylon cinnamon plant species. The oil has a slightly sweet cinnamon smell and is golden brown in color. 

All of the above oils are perfectly suitable for candle making. We recommend that you choose cassia essential oil because it has a strong aroma with a hint of sweetness that makes it smell like someone baked cinnamon cookies in the house. It is also more affordable than cinnamon bark essential oil. If you already have a cinnamon essential oil that you prefer, please go ahead and use that. 

DIY Cinnamon Soy Candles

Ingredients:

• 4.5 cups soy wax flakes
• 200 drops cassia essential oil
• 4 pre-tapped cotton candle wicks
• 4 (four-ounce) mason jars

Instructions:

• First off, you have to prep your candle containers. Make sure they are clean, dry, and free of dust. You have to attach the wick to the bottom of the candle container prior to pouring the wax in the jar. 
• To do that, apply hot glue to the bottom of the wick tap and then adhere it to the bottom of the containers. Allow the glue to harden before moving on. 
• To secure the wick, thread it through a wick-centering device, which ensures that the wick stays centered and doesn’t sway when you pour the wax in the jar. 
• Melt your wax in a medium-sized saucepan over low flame. Stir occasionally until the wax is fully melted and then remove from the heat. 
• Allow the wax to cool to 185º F and then add the cassia essential oil. Stir about 30-40 times to properly combine the wax and essential oil.
• Pour the wax into the candle jars and allow the wax to set at room temperature overnight. 
• For the best cinnamon candle, seal the container and allow your candles to cure for one or two days. That will allow the wax and essential oil to bind together and build a stronger scent. 
• Trim the wick to a half-inch above the wax before burning for the first time. Light and enjoy the aroma.

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Are you lucky enough to have fruitful rosemary bushes around your home? Do you have so much rosemary that you don’t know what to do with it besides throw trimmings in the green trash bin? If you don’t want to cook with rosemary, you can harvest a bunch and incorporate them into homemade candles. This project uses a mixture of beeswax and soy wax, mason jars, rosemary sprigs, and essential oils. 

Rosemary Candles

Rosemary exhibits a floral aroma that has been used to aid memory and improve focus. When combined with the organic beeswax, rosemary’s scent is a bit more subtle and evergreen-like. The candles are very easy to make, so this is the perfect entry point if you are about to embark on your DIY journey. Plus, it is so much healthier to burn these candles than other scented store bought candles, which contain fragrances that have harmful toxins. 

Benefits Of Rosemary Aroma

Rosemary’s aroma holds core components, or the essence, of the plant’s compounds. The same is true for rosemary essential oil. Throughout history, rosemary has been used in various medicinal practices. The following health benefits have been associated with rosemary essential oil.

Repels Certain Bugs

Rosemary makes for a great addition to your garden because many insects are deterred by the plant’s scent. The same is true for rosemary essential oil, which may help repel spider mites and mosquitoes. When measured against 11 other essential oils, rosemary essential oil provided the longest repellent effect on mosquitoes. 

May Ease Stress

There are many things in this life that can cause stress, and inhaling some rosemary essential oil may help calm your mind. One study monitored nursing students who breathed rosemary oil from an inhaler before and during test time. Their pulse decreased by about nine percent, but no significant change occurred without rosemary oil. Additionally, another study monitored adults who sniffed rosemary oil for five minutes. Their saliva had 23% lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) compared to those who smelled a non-aromatic compound. 

May Improve Brain Function

According to research, inhaling rosemary oil may prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical that you need for concentration and memory. In an observational study, 20 young adults had to answer math questions in a room diffused with rosemary oil. Their speed and accuracy increased in direct proportion to the duration the oil was diffused. Similarly, nursing students inhaled rosemary oil while taking a test. Researchers noted improved concentration and information recall compared to a group that inhaled lavender oil. 

Homemade Rosemary Candles

Ingredients:

• Rosemary sprigs
• 1/2 pound organic beeswax
• 1/2 pound soy wax
• HTP62 waxed and tabbed candle wicks 6”
• 6 milliliters fir essential oil
• 4 milliliters bergamot essential oil
• 4 milliliters cedarwood essential oil
• 1 milliliter juniper berry essential oil
• 2 eight-ounce canning jars

Instructions:

• After harvesting your rosemary sprigs, press them flat between two heavy books or pans. Leave them sandwiched between those heavy objects until completely dry. 
• Cut the sprigs so that they will sit one inch below the rims of the jars. 
• Measure out your essential oils in a glass container and swirl gently to combine. Set aside while you prepare the candles. 
• In the top of a double boiler over medium-low heat, melt the beeswax and soy wax. As the wax is melting, grab some rosemary sprigs with tongs and dip the bottoms into the wax. Transfer these sprigs to the canning jars and adhere them to the insides of the bottoms with the waxy ends. You can use a wooden chopstick or paintbrush to help keep them in place as they dry.
• Cut your wicks so that they just go over the top lips of the jars. Use clothespins or a wooden down to keep the wicks centered in the jars. 
• Once the wax is fully melted, remove from heat and stir in the essential oil mixture using a wooden utensil. 
• Pour the wax mixture into each jar and allow the wax to harden fully. It should take about 48 hours or so, and then you can trim the wick, light, and enjoy!

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When warmer weather arrives, so do the bugs. Insects like mosquitoes, flies, ticks, leafhoppers, hornworms, and more flock to your garden to infest your flowers and plants. If you’re sitting around the patio enjoying time with family, you don’t want to worry about bugs biting you every other second. The good news is that you can forget about trying to clap insects to their death mid-flight because there are plants that help repel bugs. 

If you don’t want to inhale the fumes of mosquito candles and torches all summer, you can plant a series of plants around your patio, pool, house, and fence to keep out unwanted pests. In addition to causing itchy bites, mosquitos and other pests can damage your gardens, crops and home. Using plants to repel insects is an eco-friendly solution to your problem. Plus, these plants add both beauty and fragrance to your home and garden. Here is a guide to many common plants that repel insects. 

Geraniums

Geraniums are quite common in patio planters, but you can also pot them or plant them in your garden to naturally repel mosquitos. These flowers not only beautify your garden, but they also release a strong fragrance that mosquitos, flies, and beetles despise. That helps you enjoy your patio or garden without worrying about bites or infestation of the fruits and vegetables in your garden. Plant some geraniums around your garden to keep those pests out. 

Mint

Fresh mint is a great plant to have in your garden because you can harvest some of it to use in culinary applications. It’s very easy to grow and has been proven to repel flies, ants, and mosquitos. It emits a wonderful fragrance and helps deter bugs from infesting other nearby plants. Planting mint near your windows or doorways can help keep irritating insects out of your house. 

Citronella

Don’t want to buy citronella candles or citronella-infused oil for tiki torches? Plant the real citronella plant in your garden or pots near your doors to keep the mosquitos out. The plant itself acts as a natural insecticide, repelling a variety of flying insects, including mosquitos. The plant can grow fairly large, so you may have to keep it under control with your garden scissors from time to time. 

Lemongrass

Similar to citronella, lemongrass gives off a powerful aroma that mosquitoes dislike. Lemongrass is tall, grassy, and ornamental, growing up to four feet tall and three feet wide in one season. Not only does the plant do a great job at repelling mosquitos, but it also adds beautiful greenery to your garden or patio. 

Lavender

Before we get into the insects that lavender repels, it is important to note that lavender blossoms can attract bees. If you are allergic to bees, planting lavender near your patio or doorways may not be the best idea. How does lavender repel bugs? It contains linalool, which is a compound that contributes to the plant’s natural aroma. Other plants also contain linalool, but lavender seems to have the highest content and is the most effective at repelling bugs. You can harvest your lavender and hang some bundles around your patio and indoors.

Marigolds

Marigolds add vibrant colors to your garden or patio planters. Ranging from red and orange to yellow, marigolds make the perfect additions to your vegetable garden bed. They help keep tomato hornworms away, so consider planting them next to your tomato plants. Marigolds are very popular summer plants that also deter plant lice, mosquitos, and even rabbits!

Chrysanthemums

The primary reason that insects avoid chrysanthemums is because the flower contains pyrethrin, a neurotoxin that kills insects. Don’t worry about your furry friends because it is safe for animals. According to research, the list of insects that these flowers repel is quite extensive, including  ants, roaches, silverfish, lice, fleas, spider mites, ticks, bedbugs, and harlequin bugs. Plus, the flowers are just stunning to look at!

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Sometimes, it seems like you can barely breathe during the winter months. You’re stuffed up and it seems like you only have one functioning nostril. Contrary to popular belief, the cold weather isn’t to blame; rather, the conditions that come with cold weather are. 

When membranes inside the nostril lining swell up, it’s common to experience a stuffy nose. The air has difficulty passing through the nasal passages and mucus drainage is often the next symptom you experience. Inflammation happens when you are exposed to irritants, experience allergies, develop sinus infections, or come in contact with viruses. 

In the case of winter, stuffiness usually stems from the circulation of more colds and flus. Additionally, allergies are more active during wintertime. People also spend more time indoors, which increases the exposure to dust, allergens, and cold germs. Basically, you can’t blame stuffiness on cold weather alone. You can, however, do things that help relieve congestion. Making the DIY candle in this article is one of those things. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

When sinuses are blocked, inhaling peppermint oil helps to promote decongestion. Peppermint oil contains menthol, which affects mucus receptors in the nose and helps open the airways to release mucus. According to several lab studies, peppermint oil may fight bacteria that contribute to sinus congestion. 

Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon essential oil contains powerful extracts of the lemon rind that help combat infection. In the case of sinus congestion, these properties help break down mucus and open the airways. Lemon essential oil may strengthen the immune system and prevent infection from occurring again. It’s best to inhale this oil the moment you notice the subtlest sign of congestion.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Many over-the-counter decongestants include eucalyptus essential oil because of its notorious decongestant properties. Eucalyptus essential oil is commonly added to baths or showers to help reduce stuffiness and congestion in the sinuses. This oil contains cineole, an active compound that may be a safe and effective treatment for sinus issues. Researchers found that cineole improved symptoms of sinusitis, including headaches runny nose, and nasal obstruction. 

Rosemary Essential Oil

Due to the anti-inflammatory properties, rosemary essential oil may help relieve swollen sinuses. According to a 2016 review of studies, rosemary essential oil possesses antioxidant properties that may calm inflammation in the sinuses. The volatile oils in rosemary make it a great addition to warm baths, bringing about easier breathing and more relaxation. In addition to relieving congestion, rosemary essential oil may also enhance memory.

DIY Sinus Relief Candle

Ingredients:

• glass jar (4-8 ounces in size)
• 1 brick paraffin wax (or soy wax)
• 1 candlewick (with a weighted bottom)
• 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 12 drops rosemary essential oil
• 15 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

• Fill the bottom of a double boiler about one-third full with water and set the stove to medium-high heat. 
• Place the wax in the upper portion and allow it to melt. You should only need to stir it once or twice, but this may vary if you use paraffin or soy wax. The choice is yours. 
• Keep an eye on the wax because you don’t want to overheat it. If you see that it begins to boil on the bottom, reduce the flame to a lower heat. It should be completely melted within 10 minutes.
• Place the candlewick in the glass jar and set the weighted bottom in the center. You can tie the wick around a pencil and place it horizontally across the top to hold it in place. 
• Remove the wax from the heat and allow it to cool for a couple minutes before you add the essential oils. Once you add the essential oils, mix well to combine. 
• Pour the wax mixture into the jar and adjust the wick if necessary. 
• Allow the candle to harden for a couple hours. It’s ready when the bottom center of the jar is cool to the touch. 
• Trim the wick, light the candle, and enjoy!

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While every season has unique and specific scents, the enchanting aromas of fall and winter are the best ones. Be it a simmering pot of cider, homemade apple pie, pumpkin spice beverages, or cinnamon-scented candles, it’s safe to say the holidays smell amazing. Did you know that you can invite that signature cinnamon spice into your home without purchasing candles or air fresheners? All you have to do is make the cinnamon spice candles in this article. 

Candles are great for numerous occasions and make practical home decor items. It’s also useful to have them if you ever experience a blackout. And while it’s easy to purchase candles in store, they can often be quite pricey and filled with chemicals, many of which are harmful to your respiratory system. Candle making is also a great way to save money on gifts if you are trying to have a budget-friendly holiday season. You can decorate the jars/glasses, in which the candle goes, and gift them to friends, family members, and coworkers alike.

Why Are Natural Candles Better?

They Produce Less Soot

If you are a regular candle lighter, you may have noticed that a lot of soot accumulates around the inside of the glass. This is because chemical-rich candles don’t burn as clean as natural candles do. Because of this, you won’t see black soot gather on the candle or surfaces near where you light it.

No Unsavory Chemicals

Paraffin wax is the predominant wax that manufacturers use to make candles. It is derived from petroleum and can contain carcinogens, numerous toxins, and air pollutants. Organic waxes like beeswax or soy wax can help you avoid exposure to harmful chemicals. Additionally, wicks made from cotton, wood, or hemp are better options than metal-cored wicks, which release toxins as they burn.

They Burn Longer

Unlike paraffin wax, natural waxes have a lower melting point, meaning they last longer. This means that your candles will last longer, so you can enjoy them for longer. They are also eco-friendly and have a more pleasant aroma when they burn. So you won’t get tired of the scent due to the longer lifespan. 

DIY Cinnamon Spice Candles

Ingredients:

• Mason jars or container of choice
• Smokeless candle wicks
• Flaked soy wax
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 tablespoon ground clove

Instructions:

• You have to start by melting your wax. If you want to fill a standard pint Mason jar, you’ll need 2 cups of melted wax. 
• Start by adding one cup of soy wax flakes to a heat-safe glass measuring cup and microwave for two minutes. Continue microwaving for one-minute intervals until fully melted. 
• Add another cup of wax and continue to microwave in one-minute intervals until it’s all thoroughly melted. If you prefer to melt the wax in a double boiler, you can do it that way as well.
• While the wax is melting, wrap the end of a candle wick around the middle of a wooden skewer or pencil and balance the skewer on the top of the jar. 
• The bottom of the wick should be resting at the bottom of the jar. 
• When the wax is complete melted, add in the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and clove and mix well. 
• Hold the skewer with the wick and slowly pour the wax into the jar. If you see any air bubbles on the sides of the jar, use a separate wooden skewer to rub the inside of the jar to release them to the top. You can leave them be if you want. It’s simply a matter of aesthetic appeal. 
• Allow four to five hours for the candle to complete set. 
• Light it up and enjoy!

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Summer is a beautiful time of year. The warm weather brings an array of refreshing stone fruits and many opportunities for outdoor activities. While you are enjoying the outdoor warmth, though, you have to worry about pesky bugs like mosquitos. Nothing dampens an outdoor gathering like a bunch of unwelcome mosquitos that bite everyone. The good news is that you don’t need chemical bug sprays to keep them away. 

One of the best ways to keep mosquitos away is by lighting several candles that contain ingredients that repel insects. Not only are these DIY candles a great arts and crafts activity for the entire family, but they come in handy and prove very effective against mosquitos. Many natural ingredients, which you may already have in your home, have bug repelling properties. 

Do Homemade Candles Really Work?

It seems suspicious that homemade candles with herbs and fruit can repel mosquitos, but they do work surprisingly well. Out of the recipes in this article, you’ll notice that basil is a common ingredient. According to several studies, several compounds in basil are highly toxic to various types of mosquito larvae. Additionally, basil alone has about a 79% efficacy rate of repelling mosquitos. It’s a very pungent herb and insects like mosquitos tend to steer clear of potent smells. That’s why some of the recipes also contain citrus fruits and essential oils. 

The following three recipes can help you keep mosquitos away this summer. Let us know if they work for you while you spend time outside. 

DIY Basil Lemon Candles

Ingredients:

• Candle wax
• Mason jars
• Wick stickers
• Citronella essential oil
• Lemon essential oils
• Basil leaves
• Wooden chopsticks
• Container with spout

Instructions:

• Place the wick stickers in the bottom of the Mason jars and attach the wicks securely. Make sure you center them in the jars. 
• Roughly chop your desired amount of wax (depends on how large the jars are) and melt the wax in the top of a double boiler over medium-low heat. 
• Make sure to stir the wax occasionally to ensure that it melts evenly. When it is almost complete melted, add a few basil leaves to the wax. 
• Use a fork to remove the basil leaves and then remove the wax from the heat. Stir in a few drops of lemon and citronella essential oil (about 3 drops each per one cup of wax).
• Once the wax is slightly cooled and still in liquid form, carefully pour it into the mason jars to fill them about halfway. Add three more drops of both lemon and citronella essential oil in each jar. You can drop some fresh basil leaves into the jars for aesthetic appeal. 
• Make sure to hold the wicks in the center while you fill up the jars. Once the wax hardens, trim the wicks so that they are a half-inch above the wax. Light candles and enjoy no bugs. 

DIY Basil Lemongrass Candles

Ingredients:

• 2 pint-size Mason jars
• 2 floating candles
• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• Basil
• Lemongrass essential oil

Instructions:

• Slice the lemon and lime into thin rounds. Add a few lemon and lime slices to each of the jars. 
• Add a couple sprigs of basil to each jar. 
• Fill a jar with enough water so that there is about one half-inch of room at the top.
• Add 15 drops of lemongrass essential oil to each jar and stir to combine. 
• Top each jar with a floating candle, light, and enjoy a mosquito-free summer.

DIY Rosemary Citrus Candles

Ingredients:

• 2 lemons
• 2 limes
• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• 2 pint-size Mason jars
• 10-20 drops citronella essential oil
• 2 floating candles

Instructions:

• Slice the lemons and limes into wedges. Take your rosemary sprigs and cut them to the size of your jars. 
• Fill each jar 3/4 of the way full with tap water. Add 10 drops of citronella essential oil to each jar and stir. 
• First add the rosemary sprigs and then top off with the lemon and lime wedges. 
• Top each jar with a floating candle, light, and watch the bugs fly away. 

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Contrary to popular belief, the air in your home is not as clean as you think. Given that most people spend almost all of their time at home nowadays, it’s vital to keep indoor air free of harmful toxins. The air you breathe shouldn’t harm your lungs; rather, it should enhance your lungs and respiratory system. It should be a break from the many airborne toxins and pollutants that exist in outside air, but this isn’t always the case.

More often than not, indoor air contains a combination of carbon dioxide, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The air quality will depend on several factors, including the city or area in which you live. Humidity levels, living next to a freeway, or being in farming areas can decrease air quality in your home. Some buildings can even remain damp enough to cause mold and bacterial growth, which negatively affects asthma patients. 

People spend about 93% of their time inside now, so it’s integral to keep indoor air clean and fresh. Dust, mold, and pet dander are common things that exist in the house. So make sure to clean the house regularly to avoid dust mite accumulation or bacterial build-up. If you want to naturally purify the air in your home, use the following tips. 

Beeswax Candles

Do you enjoy dining or relaxing in a bath by candlelight? Start using beeswax candles instead of paraffin candles. Beeswax candles help to purify the air because they are made from natural compounds. Ready for some science? Beeswax burns and creates negative ions that bond to positively charged pollutants in the air. This results in cleaner air that smells delicious!

Himalayan Salt Lamps

Salt lamps have been known to reduce the presence of airborne pathogens, irritants, and allergens by extracting vapor out of the air. Himalayan pink salt can naturally pull toxins from the environment and neutralize them because that type of salt is a natural ionic air purifier. Add a Himalayan salt lamp to a room in your house and you’ll notice the difference. You can also leave it on at night without it disrupting sleep. The orange light it emits doesn’t disrupt sleep hormones. 

Indoor Plants

Invite greenery into your home! Indoor plants beautify the home, but they also help to filter the air. Certain indoor plants work to remove carbon dioxide, toluene, heptane, and other VOCs from the air. Some of the best plants to have in the home include the snake plant, aloe vera, spider plant, and the weeping fig. If you want to learn more about indoor plants improving air quality, click here. 

Cut Down On Cooking Pollution

Believe it or not, cooking can worsen the air quality in your home. Gas ovens emit about 130-546 ppb during the cooking process. This exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommendation for indoor exposure to nitrogen dioxide at 106 ppb. When you cook on a gas range, it emits about 82-300 ppb. Gas stoves also increase the presence of carbon monoxide in the home. The way you can cut this down is by replacing common oils that have a low cooking temperature with oils that have a higher cooking temperature, for example, coconut oil or sunflower oil. 

Use Natural Cleaners

Do you ever notice that it feels difficult to breathe after using chemical cleaning products? Well, the chemicals can linger in the home and worsen the air quality. That sounds counterintuitive, considering people use them to rid surfaces of bacteria and germs. They clean surfaces, not the air; just remember that. Great natural cleaning products that don’t reduce indoor air quality include hydrogen peroxide, distilled white vinegar, essential oils, baking soda, and isopropyl alcohol. 

Clean Your Carpets Regularly

If you want to thoroughly clean your carpet, the first step is to get a great vacuum. Carpet in your home is like a giant toxic sponge that absorbs dust, bacteria, pet dander, and more. It’s wise to not wear shoes in the house for this reason. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if you wipe your shoes at the door and don’t wear shoes in the house, you can reduce common toxins in your home by 60%. 

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The post 6 Natural Ways To Clean The Air In Your Home appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Summer is a beautiful season, but there are a lot of bugs that try to attack you in the hotter, more humid regions. Some bugs and pests definitely have their purpose, but others can be hazardous to our health. Mosquitos can carry harmful diseases and flies can transfer over 100 pathogens, which can cause a person to experience digestive discomfort, fever, or cholera.

As a defense mechanism, a lot of people coat themselves with chemical bug sprays during the summer months. These insect repellents typically have an unpleasant odor, and they can also be the cause of allergic reactions. Bug sprays are also not the most beneficial for the environment. In fact, most insect repellent sprays contain DEET, which was developed by the US Army during WWII to fight off fleas, ticks, chiggers, mosquitos, and some types of deer flies. The use of DEET was deemed harmful to the environment, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actually re-approved its use in the 1990s, even though it can interfere with healthy nervous system function. Additionally, reports have linked DEET to seizures, hypotension, hives, or impaired brain cell function.

No matter how well-sealed, clean, or dry your home is, bugs manage to find their way in the house. Bugs don’t like essential oils, but certain essential oils work better at repelling various insects. Let’s take a look at some essential oils you may want to use:

• Peppermint: Proven to be a natural insecticide, peppermint essential oil is great for repelling mosquitos, ants, fleas, spiders, flies, and beetles.
• Lavender: Lavender essential oil has a calming aroma, but this same aroma can help get rid of fleas, flies, and beetles.
• Lemongrass: Among its many uses, lemongrass essential oil is good for repelling fruit flies, flies, fleas, and mosquitos.
• Eucalyptus: In addition to aiding decongestion, eucalyptus essential oil, can be effective against sand flies, aphids, earwigs, and whiteflies.
• Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is definitely worth keeping on hand because it has multiple uses. It can also repel spiders, mosquitos, ants, and more.

You don’t have to worry about using damaging chemical bug sprays because making “bug away” essential oil candles is incredibly easy. If you feel up to it, you can make a few essential oil blends to add to these candles. Try them out and see if they help. Let us know how you like them in the comments below.

Ingredients:

• Mason jar that holds about 16-20 ounces
• Water
• 1 small lemon
• 1 lime
• 2 sprigs of rosemary
• essential oil of your choice
• floating candles or tea lights (metal casing removed)

Instructions:

• Slice the lemon and lime into thin rounds.
• Fill each mason jar with about 14 ounces of water. You can use less water if you have a smaller mason jar.
• Add the lemon and lime slices and the rosemary to the mason jar. Put about 10-12 drops of your desired essential oil and mix it up.
• Place the floating candle in the jar and light it to help keep the bugs away.

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The post DIY “Bug Away” Essential Oil Candles For Summer appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.