You’ve got your beach bag, cooler, and bathing suit ready, but what about essential oils? Believe it or not, the beach isn’t the only thing that can offer an uplifting and refreshing experience during the summer. Summery essential oils offer cooling properties that make them ideal during warmer months. Some of the essential oils in this article even offer protection against insects, sun exposure, and overheating, in addition to supporting your skin, energy, and mood. 

Most of the summer essential oils offer anti-inflammatory, soothing, and antimicrobial properties. They assist in helping you stay balanced during hot and humid weather. They tend to have floral, citrusy, and herbaceous aromas, making them perfect for diffusing in the home. You can also use them in DIY body sprays, apply them in diluted form to the skin, or add them to your summer skin or hair care routines. 

Spearmint Essential Oil

Different to peppermint essential oil but still similar, spearmint essential oil offers a cooling sensation that may help relieve tension, improve focus, and freshen the home. It has a milder aroma than peppermint essential oil, but still gives off an uplifting, minty scent. Spearmint essential oil is great for those who are sensitive to strong oils. Some studies found that it may soothe headaches, freshen breath, and support digestion.

Cedarwood Essential Oil

Cedarwood essential oil has a woody aroma that helps to calm the nervous system. Many people value it during the summer because it exhibits potent insect-repelling abilities. It may also help with oily or acne-prone skin, and even lends itself to nighttime diffusions to promote better sleep. 

Citronella Essential Oil

Citronella is a well-known plant that helps repel bugs, especially mosquitos. The essential oil is very energizing and deodorizing, making it a great oil for outdoor gatherings. Citronella is a must-have during summer, particularly if you want to spend your evenings outdoors in the summer. You can use it in a diffuser to help repel mosquitos, or even add it to homemade body sprays. 

Citrus Essential Oils

Known for their uplifting and invigorating properties, citrus essential oils can help boost energy, promote positivity, and provide a zesty scent. Citrus oils, including lemon, orange, and grapefruit, exhibit antimicrobial and detoxifying properties, helping support digestion and immunity, two things that are challenged by extreme heat. Lemon essential oil may offer relief from nausea and assist with skin care management. Grapefruit essential oil, similar to lemon, offers antibacterial properties and may help reduce stress and sugar cravings. Finally, orange essential oil is a great one to use during summer, due to its immune-boosting effects. You can also add it to DIY non-toxic cleaning products. 

Tea Tree Oil

Offering antibacterial and antiseptic properties, tea tree oil is highly useful for minor cuts, scrapes or bug bites that occur during summer. It also exhibits anti-fungal activity, making it excellent for managing skin irritation, athlete’s foot, and acne. You can add tea tree oil to natural insect repellent recipes, foot sprays, scalp treatments, or DIY deodorant. 

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is commonly used to promote sleep, as its aroma helps to calm the mind and body. It can also help soothe sunburns, insect bites, and minor cuts. Lavender is a highly useful and versatile essential oil that shines during summer. The anti-inflammatory properties make it helpful for calming sensitive or irritated skin. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

Got a little annoying cricket chirping away outside your window at night? Time to bust out the peppermint essential oil! Crickets despise peppermint’s aroma, so you can place a few drops in your windowsills to deter them. Peppermint essential oil offers cooling effects, making it great for hot summer days. It may help lower body temperature when applied (diluted of course) to the skin and may soothe sunburns and heat rashes. From an aromatic standpoint, peppermint essential oil boosts alertness and may help relieve headaches. 

Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot essential oil exhibits a bright, citrusy aroma that may uplift your mood and reduce stress. It also supports emotional balance, making it great for summer anxiety or emotional burnout. Additionally, bergamot essential oil may help reduce the appearance of blemishes and balance oily skin. Avoid sun exposure after application due to bergamot’s photosensitivity, just like citrus essential oils.

SHARE:

The post The Best Essential Oils For Summer Wellness appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Entering the summer months is a wonderful time of year. You get to take vacations, enjoy fun in the sun, and explore in nature. Even if you don’t do all of those things and decide to enjoy grilling in the backyard, you run the risk of getting attacked by various bugs. Warmer weather means that pests become more active, especially as grass grows. Summer pests are drawn to grass and flowers, and the increased moisture means that they have more access to water. 

Common Summer Bugs

Mosquitoes are the problem children of summer, especially if you live in a humid climate. They hide in tall grass, so experts recommend keeping grass short (no more than three inches high) to help keep them at bay. Additionally, trim bushes, hedges, and plants to reduce the likelihood of mosquitoes ruining your summer. Plus, mosquitoes can expose you to a variety of viruses and fever, so do your best to fend them off. 

Besides mosquitoes, ants, wasps, hornets, ticks, and flies thrive during the summer months. Many of these bugs hatch or breed during the summer because of the heat and humidity. The last thing you want is for these pests to ruin your summer plans, so keep an eye out for them and act appropriately. 

Why Use Essential Oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated with powerful scents, and bugs tend to not like them. When they get a good whiff of certain essential oils, they tend to steer clear of the area. For example, crickets and ants do not like the smell of peppermint essential oil. Gnats despise lemongrass essential oil, peppermint essential oil, and vanilla extract. You can use one essential oil or a combination to help keep those creepy, crawly, biting pests away. 

Peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils act as natural bug repellents for squash bugs, beetles, ants, fleas, spiders, aphids, and whiteflies. Some people even use these two essential oils to help repel mice. Lemongrass essential oil can help repel both flying and crawling pests without harming your plants, animals, or skin. It is especially great at repelling gnats. Rosemary essential oil can help repel flies, fleas, and mosquitoes. It is also a great garden plant to have because it can deter insect larvae, which can easily destroy cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, and even some root vegetables. 

Tea tree oil is another great one for keeping mosquitoes at bay, and even killing mosquitoes. If you already have some mosquito bites, tea tree oil may be great to apply to the area, as long as you dilute it with a carrier oil. Cedarwood essential oil is a powerful tick deterrent, and it’s safe to use for dogs, so long as you dilute it. You can soak dog collars in a cedarwood and water mixture to help keep ticks off them on summer hikes. 

DIY Bug Repellent Lotion Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup cocoa butter
• 1/2 cup shea butter
• 1 cup beeswax
• 30 drops essential oils of choice (pick one or two from the ones we mentioned)

Instructions:

• Add the coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, and beeswax to the top of a double boiler over medium-low heat. Make sure that there is about an inch or two of water in the bottom of the boiler. 
• Stir the ingredients every so often until fully melted. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes before adding the essential oils. Mix well to combine.
• Pour the mixture into silicone molds or metal tins and allow the mixture to solidify, either at room temperature or in the fridge to accelerate the process. 
• Once completely solidified, remove the bars from the molds and store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to one year.

SHARE:

The post DIY Bug Repellent Lotion Bars appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Besides being tiny little nuisances, ticks pose a serious health risk, as they can spread diseases. They have been known to spread Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. According to a 2018 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tick-borne diseases more than doubled over the previous 13 years. Although a tick bite may not necessarily infect you with one of those diseases, it can cause irritation and discomfort.

If you enjoy going hiking or hanging at the beach during summer, it is possible that you will encounter some ticks. The best thing that you can do is to over-prepare by using an effective tick repellent. The problem with manufactured tick repellents is that they contain a lot of chemicals, many of which can harm the environment. If you want to take a more natural approach, there are various essential oils that may help repel ticks. Continue reading to learn which essential oils are the most effective. 

Essential Oils And Ticks

It is important to understand that most of the evidence on this topic is anecdotal, but there are studies that indicate that essential oils may effectively ward off ticks. To provide you with the best possible evidence, we looked at various studies that determined the efficacy of several essential oils for repelling ticks. As far as which oil is most effective? Well, that remains to be unknown at the moment, but we hope the following information helps you naturally repel ticks this summer. 

Clove Bud Essential Oil

One study analyzed 11 essential oils and found that clove bud essential oil was effective at repelling ticks. This finding has been substantiated by other studies from 2006 and 2018. Clove oil is actually an ingredient in a spider and tick repellent spray. You can make your own tick repellent using clove bud oil by adding 10 to 15 drops to one ounce of water. You can add solubol (used as a dispersant to help emulsify essential oils into water blends) if you so choose. Make sure to use a 4:1 ratio of solubol to water. 

Neem Seed Essential Oil

According to an animal study, neem seed oil was effective at killing tick larvae in cattle. There is strong anecdotal evidence, however, that suggests neem seed oil is great for repelling ticks. In fact, when applied to ticks, neem seed oil may help dislodge them from the skin. To use neem seed oil as a tick repellent, add equal parts neem seed oil to a carrier oil, mix well, and apply to the skin. Just make sure to do a patch test on your arm so you do not have an adverse reaction to the oil. 

Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil

This combination essential oil is like a one-two punch for insects. It is a classic oil in many insecticides, but you can make your own by adding 15 to 20 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil into four ounces of water. You can also add solubol to help distribute the oil in the water. As mentioned earlier, make sure to use a 4:1 ratio of solubol to water. Because lemon eucalyptus essential oil can be irritating to some skin types, dilute it in a carrier oil before topical application. And finally, make sure to do a patch test on a small area before applying more widely. 

Oregano Essential Oil

When it comes to repelling ticks and other insects, researchers note that oregano essential oil tops the list of many studies. Oregano oil contains cedrol, which was found to kill 100% of the ticks it came in contact with when used in high dosage during one study. Cedarwood essential oil also contains cedrol, which also makes it beneficial for repelling ticks. A separate study found that carvacrol, an antioxidant compound in oregano oil, was effective at killing the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. That makes oregano oil beneficial for warding off ticks or if a tick bite occurs. Mix five to six drops of oregano oil in one ounce of carrier oil and apply it to exposed skin using a cotton ball. Do not applyfFull strength oregano oil to the skin, as it is too strong. 

Thyme And Citronella Essential oil Combination

Citronella essential oil is commonly used as a biopesticide that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered as an insect repellent in 1997. One study found that both thyme and citronella essential oil were able to ward off ticks. To make your own tick repellent with these essential oils, add 10 to 15 drops of citronella essential oil and five drops of thyme essential oil to one ounce of water. You can also add solubol to help distribute the oil in the water. As mentioned earlier, make sure to use a 4:1 ratio of solubol to water. Spray on the skin or clothing to repel ticks.

SHARE:

The post Which Essential Oils Are The Best For Repelling Ticks? appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Are you a perfume junkie? Do you enjoy spritzing body sprays and walking through them to bask in their scent? There is nothing wrong with wanting to smell pleasant or amazing. After all, it is better to smell good than to smell like dirty socks. The problem is that all of these perfumes and body sprays contain synthetic fragrances. 

Synthetic fragrances are very common in perfumes or body sprays. Because of the U.S. Fair Packaging and Label Act, manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients in those fragrances. Most of these fragrances do not contain natural products. Pyridine, methyl eugenol, benzophenone, and styrene are a few of the toxic chemicals in perfumes and synthetic fragrances. According to research, these toxins have been known to disrupt endocrine function, cause fertility and reproductive issues, and increase neurological degeneration. 

Those are just some of the chemicals. There is no way of knowing the exact ingredients in store bought perfumes and body sprays. That is why homemade body sprays are much safer and better for your health and the environment. The spray in this article, for example, is toxin-free and filled with beneficial essential oils. Do you want to know the best part? DIY body sprays are very easy to make!

DIY Body Spray Ingredients

Free of synthetic chemicals, the DIY body spray only requires a handful of ingredients. It doesn’t call for a double boiler, long infusion process, or anything of that nature. The only thing we emphasize is that you use amber glass bottles. The reason to use amber glass instead of regular glass is because they prioritize the longevity of essential oils. Amber glass essentially shields the essential oils from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light. Exposure to UV rays can cause essential oils to break down and lose potency over time. 

Distilled Water

Why should you use distilled water in place of tap water for your body spray? The minerals in tap water can clog your spray nozzle and leave residue on the surface. Since water is the base for this body spray, opt for distilled water. 

Essential Oils

These give your homemade body spray its lovely scent. You will need a few different essential oils to get the blend that you want. The recipe calls for 20-30 drops of essential oils. If you want a floral aroma, use 10 drops of bergamot essential oil, 10 drops of geranium essential oil, and five drops of ylang ylang essential oil. Prefer a citrus scent? Use 10 drops each of tangerine, lemon, and grapefruit essential oils. Finally, 10 drops of patchouli essential oil, five drops of frankincense essential oil, and five drops of cedarwood essential oil will give an earthy scent. 

Vegetable Glycerin

Vegetable glycerin aids the combination of essential oils and water. It is an optional ingredient, but it does help the scent last a lot longer. Just keep this in mind when you make the body spray. 

Witch Hazel

Similar to vegetable glycerin, witch hazel helps combine essential oils and water. If you want your scent to linger for a lot longer, this is a necessary ingredient. 

DIY Body Spray

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tablespoon unscented witch hazel
• 1/2 tablespoon vegetable glycerin (optional)
• 10 drops bergamot essential oil
• 10 drops geranium essential oil
• 5 drops ylang ylang essential oil
• Distilled water

Instructions:

• Pour the witch hazel, vegetable glycerin (optional), and the essential oils into the amber glass spray bottle. 
• Fill the rest of the spray bottle with distilled water, attach the nozzle, shake well, and spray when ready.

SHARE:

The post DIY Body Spray With Essential Oils appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Cologne can be hit or miss. It is a very common gift for men, especially fathers who enjoy wearing cologne or aftershave. Due to personal preference and powerful or varying scents, picking the right cologne can be tricky. Not to mention, most commercial colognes contain synthetic fragrances, which can include carcinogens, respiratory irritants, environmental toxins, and more harmful substances. 

Making your own cologne with all-natural essential oils ensures a product that you can use safely and confidently. Don’t worry, because essential oil colognes will not make you smell awful, or like you just stepped out of a wild animal’s cave. In fact, the cologne recipes in this article may help you smell like freedom, the wild, and volcanos. Well, to each their own regarding the scents!

Some Cologne Notes

It is helpful to understand a few notes before you mix up your essential oil blends. You need to understand fragrance notes, which are divided into three classes: top, middle, and base. The top note is the first scent you notice after application, but it is also the quickest to fade. That leaves you with the next lasting scent, the middle class. Finally, the bass class is the scent that lasts the longest. A general formula is 10-15% for the top note, 25-30% for the middle note, and 55-65% for the base note. You can adjust the ratios any way you please, but that is simply a suggested starting place.

Nightlife

Getting ready to have a night on the town? Apply this gentlemanly blend that has notes of citrus with a perfectly earthy smell of vetiver. Researchers state that the essential oils in this blend help to support immune function and promote positive feelings. The recipe is as follows:

• 3 drops of lemon essential oil (top note)
• 4 drops of cardamom essential oil (middle note)
• 4 drops of ylang ylang essential oil (middle note)
• 6 drops of vetiver essential oil (base note)

Earthy 

Crave the smell of the woods? This simple blend is great to apply for any time of day, as it helps you smell like a flannel-wearing, ax-yielding lumberjack. Frankincense and copaiba are great for reducing stress and anxiety, making this a great workday cologne. The recipe is as follows:

• 4 drops of lemongrass essential oil (top note)
• 6 drops of copaiba essential oil (middle note)
• 8 drops of frankincense essential oil (base note)

Outdoorsy

This is the go-to blend for anyone who loves the outdoors. Because this blend contains cedarwood essential oil, you’ll smell like you lathered yourself in pine trees. Don’t worry, though, because it has a citrusy zest, giving this blend a refreshingly manly scent. This recipe is as follows:

• 3 drops of lemongrass essential oil (top note)
• 3 drops of basil essential oil (middle note)
• 4 drops of cedarwood essential oil (base note)
• 6 drops of Douglas fir essential oil (base note)

Office

Great to wear during the workday, this blend of essential oils has beautiful notes of citrus and the woods. The essential oils help to ground your emotions, balance the mood, stimulate the brain, and promote focus. The recipe is as follows:

• 4 drops of wild orange essential oil (top note)
• 6 drops of sandalwood essential oil (middle note)
• 10 drops of frankincense essential oil (base note)

How To Make DIY Cologne

This is an easy method for a homemade spray cologne using the above essential oil blends. To make the spray cologne, use a glass spray bottle, the essential oils, vegetable glycerin, and witch hazel. 

Instructions:

• In a two-ounce glass spray bottle, combine the essential oils and 1/2 tsp of vegetable glycerin.
• Top off the rest of the bottle with witch hazel, screw on the top, and shake well. 
• Spray on the chest, wrist, or neck when ready to use and make sure to shake before each use.

SHARE:

The post DIY Men’s Cologne Blends Using Essential Oils appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

If your hair is as feisty as your attitude, it may require a detangler so that you can brush it with ease. The last thing you want to do is aggressively rake a brush through your hair, pulling out hairs and hurting your scalp in the process. Brush or comb through your hair with ease when you use an all-natural detangler, like the recipe detailed in this article. 

Why Make Your Own Detangler?

Not only is making your own detangler cost effective over time, but it also allows you to control the ingredients. Controlling the ingredients benefits you in two ways because you get to cater to your hair’s needs and avoid harmful chemicals. The average detangler that you find in the store contains some seriously problematic ingredients. Some of those ingredients are detailed below: 

• Dmdm Hydantoin: As an antibacterial formaldehyde releaser preservative, dmdm hydantoin is a known immune toxicant and allergen. 
• Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate: Strong evidence suggests that this human toxicant or allergen is also an environmental toxin. 
• Fragrance: When you see “fragrance” on a label, it means that the company doesn’t have to divulge what is in that signature blend. Typically, fragrances contain known immune system allergens or toxins. 
• Cetrimonium Chloride: This human skin toxicant or allergen, much like iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, is also a suspected environmental toxin.

After reading about all of those harmful ingredients, it makes sense to use natural ingredients that benefit the hair and skin. We’ll detail why the ingredients in this DIY detangler benefit your hair and skin below. 

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is a common ingredient on the lists of many eco-friendly hair care products. It works to give your strands a restorative boost, repairing breakage, soothing the scalp, and controlling dandruff. Jojoba oil actually moisturizes your hair from the inside out, sitting on the surface of the hair shaft. This seals in moisture, even when your hair and scalp are damp after washing. Jojoba oil also promotes thickness, due to its impressive vitamin and mineral content. Vitamins C & E, B-vitamins, and the copper and zinc in jojoba oil not only strengthen your locks, but they also promote thickness and regrowth. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Why should you use apple cider vinegar in hair care products? Besides the researched health benefits, apple cider vinegar is an acidic substance, containing a good amount of acetic acid. Dull, brittle, or frizzy hair tends to be more alkaline or higher on the pH scale, so bringing an acidic substance into the equation can establish a healthier pH balance on the hair. Apple cider vinegar is also rich in alpha-hydroxy acid, which works to exfoliate the scalp and keep dandruff at bay because of its anti-inflammatory nature. 

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil works to fight against hair loss by increasing circulation to hair follicles. In doing so, lavender essential oil helps contribute to stronger, healthy-looking strands. A lot of people commonly mix lavender essential oil with a carrier oil and massage their hair and scalp to encourage hair growth. Lavender essential oil also works to deep condition your hair, hydrating your strands to help you avoid brittle or frizzy hair. 

Cedarwood Essential Oil

Cedarwood essential oil is a common ingredient in both skin and hair care products. In cosmetics, cedarwood essential oil can help soothe inflammation and irritation on the skin. In hair care, cedarwood essential oil helps to cleanse the scalp, removing excess dirt, oily, and dry skin. It also promotes circulation to the scalp and tightens hair follicles, two actions that help stimulate hair growth. Preliminary studies show that cedarwood essential oil may also reduce thinning hair because it slows hair loss. 

DIY Hair Detangler

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 2-ounce glass spray bottle

Instructions:

• Pour all of the ingredients into the glass spray bottle, screw on the top, and give it a good shake to combine. 
• Make sure that the bottle is glass and not plastic because essential oils can erode plastic. Additionally, an amber glass is truly the way to go when dealing with essential oils. 
• Shake before each use. Enjoy!

SHARE:

The post DIY Hair Detangler With Essential Oils appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

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!

SHARE:

The post Homemade Rosemary Pressed Herb Candles appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Have you stopped purchasing scented plug-ins, candles, and air fresheners yet? If you haven’t done so yet, then it’s time to leave them behind. Almost all of those products contain toxic chemicals, some of which are known endocrine system disruptors. The average person isn’t aware of those chemicals because manufacturers don’t have to disclose the ingredients in signature fragrances. If you see “fragrance” on the ingredient list, please understand that there are many harmful chemicals that go into making those blends. 

In case you didn’t know, some artificial fragrances disperse particles of phthalates and formaldehyde into the air. Phthalates are small particles of plastic that bind fragrance molecules together. You can easily breathe them in, whereby they get into your nose and lungs. In addition to those chemicals, the term “artificial fragrance” accounts for more than 3,000 chemicals. The reason that companies don’t have to disclose them is because they are signature, copyrighted blends. So there is no real way of knowing what is in an air freshener, unless you make your own. 

This article provides you with recipes for 10 holiday-themed air freshener sprays. You will need a good collection of essential oils in order to make them. When you purchase these essential oils, make sure to purchase 100% pure essential oils from reputable companies with good reviews. Many of the essential oils in these air freshener sprays contain properties that may help combat toxins in the air, helping to purify the space. Now, let’s get started on those recipes!

The Supplies

You will need various essential oils, dark glass spray bottles (preferably brown amber glass bottles), water, some sea salt or Epsom salt, and distilled water. In order to use these air fresheners, simply spray them into the air. If your essential oils are clear and not colored, you can spray them on linens or upholstery. 

Crisp Morning Air Spray

Start your day with the scent of a crisp winter morning. Notes of citrus grapefruit and orange evoke feelings of sunshine, while the herbaceous basil reminds you of the outdoor autumn and winter air. 

Ingredients:

• 8-ounce spray bottle
• Pinch of Epsom salt
• 15 drops each: basil, orange, and grapefruit essential oils
• Distilled water

Instructions:

• Add the Epsom salt and essential oils to the spray bottle and fill the rest with distilled water. 
• Screw on the top, shake the bottle to combine, and spray when ready. 

Holiday Wreath Special Spray

A beautiful wreath is not only a lovely holiday decoration, but it also gives off an enchanting, woodsy aroma. The aroma is clean and crisp and it helps to deodorize your space, getting rid of any stinky smells. 

Ingredients:

• 8-ounce spray bottle
• Pinch of Epsom salt
• 18 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 12 drops rosemary essential oil
• 12 drops balsam fir essential oil
• Distilled water

Instructions:

• Add the Epsom salt and essential oils to the spray bottle and fill the rest with distilled water. 
• Screw on the top, shake well to combine the ingredients, and spray when ready. 

Spiced Chai Spray

Spiced chai may be popular in your home throughout the year, but it is extra special during the holiday season. The scent is comforting, sweet, and warm, making you want to curl up with a cup of tea on the couch. 

Ingredients:

• 8-ounce spray bottle
• Pinch of Epsom salt
• 25 drops cardamom essential oil
• 8 drops each: clove, cassia, and ginger essential oils

Instructions:

• Add the Epsom salt and essential oils to the spray bottle and fill the rest with distilled water. 
• Screw on the top, shake well to combine the ingredients, and use when ready. 

Sleeping Weather Spray

Cool fall and winter nights are perfect for getting the deepest sleep possible. This air freshener contains essential oils that help calm the mind and promote relaxation and sleep. 

Ingredients:

• 8-ounce spray bottle
• Pinch of Epsom salt
• 6 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 12 drops vetiver essential oil
• 25 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Add the Epsom salt and essential oils to the spray bottle and fill the rest with distilled water.
• Screw on the top, shake well to combine the ingredients, and spray when ready. It helps to spray this under your pillow before you go to bed. 

Crunchy Leaves Spray

When you see a pile of fallen leaves, the child inside you wants to run through it and stop on them. There is something satisfying about hearing the crunch, which then emits a woody, earthy aroma. The essential oils used to achieve that smell may help you relax and unwind for bed. 

Ingredients:

• 8-ounce spray bottle
• Pinch of Epsom salt
• 10 drops frankincense essential oil
• 5 drops myrrh essential oil
• 20 drops orange essential oil
• 15 drops cedarwood essential oil

Instructions:

• Add the Epsom salt and essential oils to the spray bottle and fill the rest with distilled water. 
• Screw on the top, shake well to combine the ingredients, and spray in your room before bed.

SHARE:

The post DIY All-Natural Holiday Air Freshener Sprays appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

If you have a beard, or you know someone who has a beard, then a beard balm is a fantastic product to keep in the restroom. With so many beard balms on the market, though, it can be difficult to decide which one is best. Beard balms range in price and this typically has to do with what the brand is, but also what ingredients are in the balm. 

The number one thing to keep in mind in regards to beard balm ingredients is that they are natural and beneficial for your beard. The recipe in this article not only smells fresh and woodsy, but it has natural oils that help enhance the health of your beard. Some of the ingredients may even promote beard growth!

Ingredients for the DIY homemade beeswax beard balm

1. 1/4 cup olive oil
2. 1/4 cup coconut oil
3. 2 tablespoons beeswax
4. 2 tablespoons shea butter
5. 10 drops vitamin E oil
6. 10 drops cedarwood essential oil

How to make the DIY beeswax beard balm

Step 1

Fill the bottom of a double boiler with about an inch or so of water and place it over medium-high heat. Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat to medium-low.

Step 2

In the top of the double boiler, add all of the ingredients except for the cedarwood essential oil. Stir with a metal or wooden utensil until melted. 

Step 3

Once melted, remove the double boiler from heat and stir in the essential oil. Carefully pour the mixture into balm jars and allow the balm to solidify at room temperature. 

Step 4

Use on your beard when ready.

Additional information about the ingredients

Olive oil

As one of the most versatile oils on the planet, it’s not a coincidence that it ended up in a beard balm recipe. Olive oil contains essential fatty acids that you need for skin and beard health. They work to keep your skin moisturized and may combat irritation, like beard itch. Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins, including vitamin E, which is excellent for moisturizing the skin. Plus, olive oil’s primary ingredients are oleic acid, palmitic acid, and squalene, which are powerful emollients and softeners. This means that olive oil may help moisturize beard hair, hydrate the skin underneath, and make your beard softer. 

Coconut oil

Coconut oil has a known ability to help soften your hair, all the while protecting its outer layers. Anecdotal evidence states that coconut oil may stimulate hair growth, but more studies are necessary to confirm this. The primary reason to incorporate coconut oil into your beard balm is because it helps to soften and condition beard hair, which tends to be scraggly and rough. If the skin under your beard is irritated, coconut oil’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties may help soothe irritation. If you have a coconut allergy, which is very rare, avoid this oil as it may cause irritation. 

Shea butter

Gaining popularity in the beauty world for its healing properties, shea butter is naturally rich in healthy fats, vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a well-known moisturizer, giving the skin proper nourishment when there is a shortage of sebum. Using it on your beard may help prevent beard itch or rashes, two things that are common for men with longer beards. Shea butter also contributes to the growth and shine of your beard, making it glisten in the sun. 

Beeswax

Beeswax may be the perfect ingredient to help ensure long-term beard growth. Not only can it help style your beard and help you tame wild hairs, but it may also reduce itchiness and flakiness. Beeswax helps keep your beard hairs clean and together, repairing them and softening growth in the process. If you regularly experience beardruff, then a beard balm with beeswax is something you need in your life. 

SHARE:

The post DIY Homemade Beeswax Beard Balm appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

People who suffer from dandruff dread the signature dry flakes and itchiness. Caused by an excess of oil on the scalp, the struggle of flakiness is real. Malassezia, a yeast that occurs naturally on the scalp, feeds off the excess oil and creates dry flakes. Some people opt for “magic” elixirs or over-the-counter shampoos to help remedy the issue. Many of these products contain harmful, toxic ingredients that your scalp absorbs.

If plaguing the scalp with harmful chemicals isn’t an attractive plan of attack, there’s no need to go that route. You can choose a more natural option by incorporating essential oils into your scalp care routine. The one thing to keep in mind about essential oils is that you should not apply them directly to the skin, as they can cause severe irritation. Dermatologists recommend that you dilute essential oils in carrier oils like olive oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil. 

There are many essential oils that have been scientifically proven to benefit the scalp. Continue reading to learn more about them. 

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil exhibits powerful anti-fungal properties that work to address the overactive fungal activity on the scalp. This is the origin of dandruff and targeting it can help remedy the situation. Rosemary essential oil also has astringent and decongesting properties that reduce the amount of excess oils, flakes, and build-up on the scalp. Finally, rosemary also promotes hair growth, making it an excellent ingredient to any hair care routine. 

Cedarwood Essential Oil

Just like rosemary essential oil, cedarwood essential oil contains anti-fungal properties and it helps to manage oil production on the scalp. It also exhibits cleansing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent choice for people with dandruff. Cedarwood helps to soothe scalp irritation and may keep infection-causing bacteria or fungi away. This is especially important if you already have an itchy scalp. 

Tea Tree Oil

The great and powerful tea tree oil is revered by many a beauty enthusiast, and for good reason. It offers powerful anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that help ward off bacteria or foreign invaders on the scalp. It helps to address the root cause of dandruff, making it top the list of essential oils that reduce itchy scalp. Tea tree oil also helps to unclog hair follicles that contain excess oil build-up, hair product residue, and dead skin cells. Although hair follicle build-up isn’t the cause of dandruff, it can worsen he problem. 

DIY Dry Scalp Remedy

Ingredients:

• 8 drops tea tree oil
• 8 drops rosemary essential oil
• 6 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• 4 ounces almond oil

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a glass container (like a jar) and mix well to combine. 
• You can mix the concoction with a small whisk or simply screw on the top of the jar and shake vigorously. 
• Before you use it, shake it up and and then massage a small amount into your scalp. Leave it on for 20 minutes before washing out with a natural shampoo. 
• If your scalp is very dry, you can leave the mixture on overnight and wash out in the morning. 
• This batch makes about two to three applications, but you can double the recipe for a larger batch. Keep in mind that it will stay fresh in an airtight glass jar for up to 10 days. 

SHARE:

The post DIY Dry Scalp Remedy With Essential Oils appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.