This Month's Article

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR A PLEASANT SUMMER
By Kelli McCormack
Summer is synonymous with outdoor fun. But summer can also bring uncomfortable heat, accompanied by fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. What can the practicing aromatherapist do to help alleviate some of the uncomfortable consequences of outdoor fun?
Well, the first order of business is to make sure you’re only dealing with first or second distilled oils that are unadulterated. Next, use only certified organic essential oils.
Here are a few of my personal, time tested recipes for a natural first aid kit to help keep summer fun:
KEEPING COOL
For heat create your own peppermint mist. You’ll need:
Peppermint essential oil
4 oz. spray bottle
Distilled water
Place 2-3 drops of peppermint oil in bottle and fill with distilled water.
Whenever heat is too much, sit back in the shade with a cool bottle of your favorite water or juice and spritz yourself with your mist, being careful to keep out of eyes.
BUGS
When you see a tick on you or your dog, put one drop of rose geranium oil to a teaspoon of your favorite carrier oil on the tip of a cotton swab and place on the penetration point of the skin. Ticks hate rose geranium oil and will release its host immediately!
WARNING: Essential Oils should never be used on cats.
The CDC is now recommending the use of Lemon eucalyptus if you want to replace DEET repellants. Take 4 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil in a 4 oz. bottle and add distilled water. Shake, apply and watch the mosquitoes bounce off of you! Re-apply as needed.
Sometimes those mosquitoes and bugs get us before we can put on our repellants so lavender is a must have for the summer. Apply one drop of lavender essential oil to the afflicted area and voila! No more itching or burning.
ALLERGIES
Summer can bring on allergy attacks that are accompanied by congestion, headaches and tummy ache. Grab your peppermint mist, spray one of your hands then rub both hands together. Cup hands over your nose, being careful not to touch your eyes, inhale a few times. Much better!
Be safe, be happy and enjoy your summer!
Kelli McCormack

Kelli McCormack is an aromatherapist and herbalist in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and the owner of Kachina Herbs, LLC.  She has studied extensively with the Seminole tribe of the area, and has formulated many healing and aromatic oil blends, soaps and salves.  She teaches aromatherapy at several of the local universities and has recently opened her own store in Davie, Fl.  You can reach her at kachinainc@hotmail.com or (954)584-0664.
Myspace page is at www.myspace.com/kachinaherbs