Uses for Lemon, Lavender & Peppermint
For
anyone wondering, ‘What else can I do with these oils?’ Here’s a list of 101 things you can do with
just 3 of them: Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint.
So – Take
the Thyme - to
be *amazed*
LEMON
Home Use
1. A Cure for Laundry Neglect. Lemon
essential oil takes out ALL odor when you forget and leave your load of laundry
in the washer way too long! I mix vinegar and Lemon oil
in a glass jar and use it as fabric softener every load.
2. Tame Oozy, Sappy Trees. Whether
the sap is on your carpet, clothes or seeped into your skin, lemon oil is
excellent for removing pine gum and tree sap.
3. Stop Grease in its Tracks. You
just fixed your bike. Your hands are black and greasy. Soap alone won’t remove
the grease, but lemon oil mixed with your soap will. Lemon oil is a great
de-greaser!
4. Disinfect the Disgusting. You
can add lemon oil to a spray bottle of water and attack what may be living in
your range hood, on your tables, countertops and other surfaces. For some extra
chemical-free firepower, a little vinegar is a traditional favorite.
5. Lose the Gas Mask. When
you clean the gunky build up in your shower, do you practically have to wear a
gas mask to survive the fumes? Go gas mask free and clean with lemon oil. Just
a small amount of lemon oil will go a long way in removing hard water build up.
6. Nourish Your Leathers. Whether
you ride a Harley in style or cherish the patina of your leather sofa at home,
your leathers are not maintenance free. Use a lemon oil soaked cloth to
preserve them, and prevent leather from splitting.
7. High Ho Silver. A lemon
oil treated cloth is a great remedy for the early stages of tarnish on silver
or other metals. You may not eat on silver every day, but bracelets, earrings,
necklaces often need some love.
8. Deactivate the Sticky. Lemon
oil can help you avert a hair cutting crisis the next time you deal with gum in
hair. Got kids with obsessive addictions to stickers or temporary tattoos?
Works for those too.
9. Love Your Luster. Bring
your furniture back to life with lemon oil! Just add a few drops of lemon oil
to olive oil for a non-toxic furniture polish. Lemon oil leaves a beautiful
shine, prevents fine wood finishes from drying out, and replaces lost moisture
in antique woods as it penetrates worn finishes.
10. De-Smudge Your Stainless. You
don’t need to hunt down that “single use” stainless steel cleaner anymore.
Multi-use lemon oil is great for cleaning stainless steel appliances. You’ll
love the way stainless looks and smells!
11. Clean Granite or Porous Stone. What
is living in the pores of your natural stone counters or floors? Lemon oil
cleans deeply, seeps into stone and leaves you with a “real fresh lemons”
aroma, rather than that fake lemon chemical smell.
12. Energize your Brush. If
your toothbrush seems a bit tired, add a drop of lemon and peppermint oils to
chase away that run-down feeling.
13. Quarantine Pungencies. Moldy
kid’s sneakers, a baby’s blowout, potty training … it all adds up to an less
than desirable aroma. Diffuse or spray lemon oil and neutralize odors at their
source! Also works for those times you’re cooking fish.
14. Take the Spine Out of Scuffs. Got
a scuff mark that just won’t go away? Lemon oil lifts scuff marks in remarkable ways!
15. Curtail the Dank, Musty or Mildewed. Things
get stored away. Things get old. Things don’t see the light of day. Chase away
that “old smell” and inject new energy with a good lemon oil wipe down.
16. Stop Cutting Board Bacteria. Cutting
boards can harbor bacteria in your kitchen. Nobody wants to taste the chemicals
you have in your cleaning closet, yet most people love the taste of lemon!
17. Control an Aphid Invasion, Naturally.
Aphids — those pesky little bugs that dine on your roses and other plants.
Lemon oil (or peppermint) with water in a garden spray bottle are a natural
pesticide that kills aphids and their larvae on contact, but leave your plants
looking lovely.
18. Spot-Free Dishes. Add a
few drops of lemon oil to your dishwasher soap container with each load. Your
dishes will come out looking like new… spot-free!
19. Refresh Bad Smelling Washcloths. When
your kitchen washcloths smell foul and could use a boost, add lemon oil to your
detergent, soak overnight, wash, dry and your kitchen will smell so much
better!
Cooking & Food
20. Energy Boost. Tor a
quick, refreshing energy boost, combine a couple drops each of lemon essential
oil and peppermint essential oil in a glass of water and drink up. Add a lemony
taste to your bottled water.
21. Zest Up Your Sugary Indulgences.
There are an infinite number of ways lemon oil can add a bit of freshness to
your sugary savors: Lemon frosting • Lemon merengue • Sour cream lemon pie •
Lemon cakes • Lemon tart glaze • Lemon squares • Lemon cookies • Breathtaking,
awe-inspiring lemonade
23. Pep Up Your Entrees. With
lemon oil, there are countless ways to make the bland zippy, or the blah peppy:
Roasted salmon & asparagus with lemon oil, Linguine & shrimp with lemon
oil, Lemon oil drizzled over vegetables (especially broccoli), Lemon garlic
shrimp … or to add a fresh kick to an already great salad.
24. Preserve What You’ve Got.
Use lemon oil in a spray to keep your cut fruit fresh until serving.
Body & Mind
25. Ease Respiratory Gunkity Goop. When
used with a
humidifier, it’s a great way to slow wheezing, colds, cough, and other upper
respiratory problems.
26. De-scratch Your Scratchy Throat. Adding
a couple drops of lemon essential oil to warm water & Honey can change that
yucky sore throat feeling, slow a nasty cough, and douse a fever. Lemon oil
fights bacteria, as well as viruses.
27. Honeylicious Hair Highlights …Chemical
Free. Skip the expensive salon highlight treatment, and use
lemon oil to create your own hair highlights. Just go in the sun after using
with your hair product, and it will lighten your hair. Be careful, it works
well!
28. Fight the Fungus Among Us. Tired
of seeing that unsightly nail fungus? Lemon oil is great for nails, and can
help fight against nail fungus.
29. Halt the Nervous Nellie, In You. When
combined with lavender oil and diffused into a room, you’ll find you feel less
anxious, a better mood, more even keel, and well … linear.
30. Clear Thinking & Clear Focus, Made
Visible. A clear mind, a clean slate, a fresh outlook. It’s all
good. Real good. Diffuse lemon oil and you got it.
31. Take the Heat Out of Cold Sores. When
you have a gnarly cold sore that’s just begging for attention, douse it with a
few drops of lemon oil and you’ll have a new best friend.
32. Nice Mood … No Really. Chase
away the moody blues (not the band), with a bit of blah-reducing lemon oil.
Whether you choose to diffuse it or apply topically, it’s hard to not improve
your outlook with lemon oil around!
33. Was That a Crusty? Next
time you notice hard, crusty skin on your feet, (e.g. corns, calluses or
bunions) regularly add a few drops of lemon oil and you’ll soon have softened
skin!
34. A Brighter Complexion.
Lemon oil can help remove dead skin cells and exfoliate. For a homemade
exfoliant, add 4-5 drops to a small amount of oatmeal and water for a homemade
scrub. Feels great!
Home Use
35. Calm a Tempest. Just one
drop of peppermint oil rubbed on the stomach or taken internally can calm
indigestion, an upset stomach or other internal digestive commotion. A
must-have when traveling!
36. Restore Vitality in the Mouth.
When your breath is sharp and your mouth feels furry, peppermint oil with water
(and lemon oil) creates a healthy, refreshing mouth rinse that leaves a lasting
crisp, clean feeling.
37. It’s About Air Flow. When
sinuses seem to be clogged, and throats swollen and scratchy, diffuse
peppermint oil (or apply topically on the chest) for almost immediate relief
and revitalizing air flow. Peppermint acts as an expectorant and may provide
relief for colds, cough, sinusitis, asthma, and bronchitis.
38. Cool the Joints. When
the ravages of time wreak havoc on your joints, leaving that hot and achy
feeling, peppermint oil mixed with lavender oil cools like an ice bath, but you
to stay warm and dry.
39. Feel Full, Faster.
Satiety. It’s about feeling full, and not overeating. The aroma of peppermint
oil has the ability to make you feel full, faster…especially if you breathe it
in during a meal!
40. Cool Your Tootsies. If
you’ve been on your feel all day or religiously wear hard soled shoes, just add
peppermint oil to a cold water compress to cool your overworked, over heated
tootsies.
41. Perk Up. The
invigorating aroma of peppermint is a wonderful, non-stimulating way to perk up
on long drives, in school, during late night homework or any other time you
need to “burn the midnight oil.”
42. Energize Your Lather.
Some shampoo and conditioner combos can make you want to go back to sleep. No
energy. No pep. No fun. Not good. Add peppermint to your potions to stimulate
the scalp, energize and wake up! The oil is an antiseptic in nature, and can
also help remove dandruff and lice.
43. Allergies Beware.
Peppermint oil has the ability to relax smooth muscles in the body — the same
muscles that line our airways and become affected in allergy season. Peppermint
oil (with lemon) should certainly be another arrow in your allergy treatment
quiver!
44. Chase Away Tension Headaches.
Got a mind numbing headache? A few drops of peppermint dabbed on your temples,
neck and sinuses can quickly spring into action and chase that headache away!
45. Help Kids Get on the Ball.
The next time Junior is a little unresponsive to all that is going on with
school and homework, try spritzing a little peppermint on his shirt before
study time, placing drop on the tongue or under the nose for improved
concentration and alertness.
46. Seep, Soak & Revitalize. After
a long day, apply peppermint, let it seep in and then soak in a warm bath or
shower. The refreshing peppermint vapor will make you feel cool, relaxed and
energized again.
47. Add a Refreshing Kick to Your Tea. Just
one drop of peppermint oil can add life to any herbal tea (without having to
add lots of sugar) while also aiding in normal digestion or to relieve
heartburn.
48. A “Should I Work Out Today?” Antidote. You
ask yourself this question. It’s OK. Using peppermint oil prior to exercise
immediately awakens your senses and gets you in your right mind so you can
crank.
49. A Snack Vendor’s Nightmare. When
you get that mid-morning craving, diffuse peppermint oil to reign in the urge
to snack on junk food, or anything else that might appear before you.
Cooking & Food
50. Add Zip to All Things Chocolate. Enhance
your chocolate in a gazillion ways: gourmet hot chocolate, mint brownie
frosting, peppermint bark, peppermint patties, peppermint brownies, peppermint
chocolate Bundt cake, red velvet cupcakes with white chocolate peppermint cream
cheese, yum!
51. Brisk, Delightful Confections. Peppermint
chiffon cake, homemade candy canes, butter mints, peppermint ice cream,
peppermint glaze over pastries and cookies, homemade peppermint patties.
52. Unforgettable Beverages. Peppermint
water on ice, peppermint mocha, peppermint tea, peppermint hot chocolate,
that’s right … it’s all delish.
Body & Mind
53. Wake Up Your Mind.
Peppermint oil activates the limbic function in your brain. The limbic function
helps control things like emotions and long-term memory and is related to
olfactory structures in your nose.
54. An Itch Fix. If you have
the after effects of a sunburn where skin is a little warm and itchy, apply a
drop of peppermint oil (mixed with lavender) to cool, soothe and stop itching.
55. Theme Park Relief. If
you’ve got that “I my gosh, I can’t believe I just went on a spinning ride”
feeling, four or five drops of peppermint rubbed on the stomach can calm smooth
stomach muscles and help dispel discomfort.
56. Travel to the Arctic, Without Traveling.
When you add a few drops of peppermint to your ice water, it
not only improves the taste, but also leaves you with a feeling of cool,
refreshing arctic wind in your airways!
57. Burrow No More. If you
find a tick has decided to make your skin its home, just give that tick a nice
bath of peppermint oil with a cotton swab. The tick will stop burrowing, remove
its head and then he’s yours.
58. Don’t Make It Easy on the Critters. Many
household bugs do not like peppermint oil — ants, aphids, beetles, plant lice,
mice and cockroaches try to steer clear of peppermint. Just add to water in a
spray bottle and spray where you think pests grace you with their presence!
59. Clean Naturally.
Peppermint oil is a wonderful natural cleaning agent because it has antifungal
and antibacterial properties. Spray on countertops and bathroom surfaces,
scrub, and enjoy cleaner clean.
60. Sleep Like a Baby. If
you find you are having a hard time sleeping, peppermint oil helps activate
cold-sensitive receptors in the skin and mucosal tissues. When used this way,
it may help with insomnia.
61. Quell Apathy. When
you’re with someone who feels gloomy or like they “just don’t care”, ask them
to try peppermint oil (aromatically, topically, or internally) to stimulate
their mental sharpness and focus.
62. It’s About a State of Mind.
Someone’s mental outlook can be a game changer. If they are shocked, stressed
out or nervous, peppermint oil may help restore feelings of normalcy and
balance.
63. Tame a Toothache. Peppermint
oil can act as a concentrated natural pain killer and muscle relaxant,
especially with painful gums, teething or recent dental work.
64. Alleviate Internal Strife.
When used topically or internally, peppermint is a favorite for fresh relief
from cramping, indigestion to diarrhea. Skip the antacids and go with
peppermint oil!
65. For That “Marathon in Clogs” Feeling.
When you feel like you’ve just run a marathon in clogs, and your feet are a hot
mess of ouch, massage peppermint oil onto aching feet, joints, and strained
muscles.
66. Leap from Lethargic.
Feeling lethargic or in a brain fog? Peppermint has been known to improve blood
circulation and awareness, leaving you with an energized, awake feeling.
67. Go Eight-Leg Free. When
you diffuse peppermint into the room, you’ll notice fewer spiders. Why? They
don’t like it. It’s safe, contains no harsh chemicals or pesticides. It doesn’t
kill the spiders, but forces them out.
Home Use
68. Chase Away Stagnant Closet Air.
You know that smell. Fabrics of all variety, shoes for every occasion, plus a
dirty clothes bin and no fresh air can only equal one thing…you need lavender
essential oil. Whether diffused, drizzled on earthen ware, or dripped on cotton
balls, chase stagnancy away!
69. Take the Bite Out of It. Insects,
creepies and crawlies are not too fond of the smell of lavender. In fact, they
hate it. If you forget to go the prevention route, lavender soothes bites,
itching and inflammation.
70. A Multi-Purpose Spray.
Next time you sitting in traffic, pull out a spray bottle filled with a
lavender and water mixture and freshen your car. Who wouldn’t prefer a car
smelling like lavender?
71. Kids Won’t Go Down?
Lavender drops on their pillows … it’s like magic. It will help ease their
mind, calm them down, make bedtime a bit more rewarding, and best of all … lull
them into a restful sleep.
72. Skip the Aerosol Chemical Sprays.
Next time you are deodorizing the bathroom, think of lavender and water in a
spray bottle. Lavender’s antibacterial, antibiotic, antiviral, antiseptic
properties can only help.
73. Take the Acrid Out of Vinegar. If
you clean with vinegar, but can barely stay vertical while using it, lavender
is the answer. Just add lavender and vinegar together in the spray bottle and
you’re set!
74. Therapeutic Dish or Laundry Soap.
If your liquid soap smells a bit flat, you can add lavender for additional
aromatherapy benefits and antibacterial properties. It transforms your cleaning
experience!
75. Lovable Linens. What
does your linen closet smell like? Probably cotton. Maybe old cotton. Energize
your linens with lovely smelling lavender. It leaves no oil marks and leaves
things invigoratingly fresh.
76.Lavender candles. Ahhh
the long lost art of candle making. If you’ve ever made candles you know how
fun it can be. When you add lavender, the smell that is released is intensely
therapeutic!
77. Wood Floors, Like New. A
tired wood floor is, well … tired. Commercial floor polishes often contain
harsh chemicals. Woods love oil. Just add lavender to your cleaning system and
your floor can look like new!
78. Help That Trusty Ball Cap.
A well-worn, much loved ball cap can look great, but smell like a wild animal.
Add 4-5 drops of lavender to make it bearable. It will be your favorite hat if
you have a headache too!
79. Change Your Sheets, Refresh Your
Mattress. Unfortunately, your mattress can be neglected, and
have that “wires, foam and fabric” smell. Add lavender when you change your
sheets and neglect no more!
80. Homemade Room Freshener.
Put baking soda and a 5-6 drops of lavender oil in a small Mason jar. Punch
holes in the lid. Place in smelly areas (near garbage can, dirty clothes),
shake jar often. Smile.
81. Pet Smells No More. Add
a skiff or two of your baking soda and lavender mixture to carpets and vacuum
up! If you have pets, (especially the un potty trained variety), fight back
with lavender!
82. Extra Potpourri Mileage.
If you have a pot of potpourri, that has seen its day, try refreshing it with a
few drops of lavender essential oil. You’ll love the way lavender can change
the feel of your home!
83. Sweet Smelling Vacuum Bags.
Your vacuum can be your nemesis when it comes to keeping your home smelling
clean. As you well know, it can even blow microfine dirt! Pin some cotton balls
(soaked in lemon and lavender oils) on the inside of the bag and let your
vacuum blow!
Cooking and Food
84. Soften Citrus Flavors.
Use in delicate lemon sauces for chicken or fish or in powerful orange
marmalades, citrus salads, real lemonade and more!
85. Amazing Marinades and BBQ. Baste
chicken or fish on the grill with honey or a garlic and rosemary blend, spread
over roasted vegetables, marinade chicken pieces in honey and lavender, yum!
86. Bake Like the Best.
Lavender is a nice addition to lavender blueberry banana bread, lemon lavender
cookies, baked salmon, lavender sugar cookies, lavender muffins, lavender
cakes, oh yeah!
87. Give Your Sugars a Delightful Twist. Use
as a substitute for vanilla extract (in creams, custards and sugars), use it in
lavender icing, add to honey for extra flavor in tea or toast, and even maple
syrup!
Body and Mind
88. The Oatmeal Secret. Fill
a baby food jar with oatmeal, and add 5-8 drops of lavender oil. When it’s time
to wash your face, add water and it becomes an excellent natural scrub! A
little goes a long way.
89. Minor Burns, Major Relief. When
you’ve slightly overdone it in the sun, a little lavender oil is helpful in
preventing peeling skin. It aids in your skin’s healing without scarring as
well!
90.Boo Boo Relief. Lavender
has disinfecting properties. It’s great for the skin, and wonderful for relief
from cuts and scrapes, especially if the cut or scrape is located wherever it’s
difficult to keep covered.
91. Alleviate Feelings of Earaches. You
can warm lavender (don’t scald it), mix with olive oil and gently massage
around the ears (not in the ears) and near glands in the throat.
92. A Dry Climate Answer. If
you suffer from dry, itchy skin, and don’t want to mess around with chemical
smelling lotions, add lavender to fractionated coconut oil and comfort will be
yours!
93. Horrific Heels & Foot Fatigue. If
you’ve been wearing sandals all summer, and your heels look like the Atacama
Desert, 6 drops of lavender in a hot foot bath is the answer. Your porous feet
will thank you.
94. Neck & Wing Relief.
When you have neck and scapula tension, apply lavender with fractionated
coconut oil, breath it in and massage those knots out!
95. A Hood of Wonder. Next
time you have a cold or the flu, remember the lavender steam hood. Add 4-6
drops to a bowl of hot water. Place a towel over your head, and inhale the
vapor slowly and deeply.
96. A Woodworker’s Friend. Do
you work with wood or handle wood?
Rather than dig a hole in your finger trying to catch that
splinter, add a few drops of lavender, let the splinter swell and slip out.
97. Allergies, Sinuses & Congestion Oh
My! Lavender can calm down unruly sinus issues, defiant
allergies and other respiratory issues. Just apply on the back of your neck,
chest, and between your eyes.
98. Fortify Your First Aid Kit. There
are many dōTERRA
products that would be tres glam additions to your First-Aid kit, but if you
could only pick one, Lavender should be it. Why? Basic First-Aid kits are often
geared toward minor skin irritation, scrapes, rashes, and so forth. Lavender is
great for all those, not to mention its calming properties!
99. Rub a Dub Dub. Rather
than using regular soap and warm water at baby’s bath time, add about five
drops of lavender oil to the warm water. Your tot’s skin will be pampered and
smell great!
100. Soak Away Stress. Your
muscles are tight. Anxiety and deadlines are eating at you. Your heart is
racing. Where’s the pressure release valve? Right here, with lavender. Add to a
warm bath, soak it in, soothe.
101. Let Vapor Talk. Wet your
hair in the shower. Add 4 drops of lavender to a handful of water and work it
into your hands and hair. Tilt
your head down, under the water and capture the aroma instilled vapor as it
melts off your hands and hair. You’ll love how it smells, and how your hair
feels!
Bonus Tip!
Target Acne,
at the Source. Bacteria
thrive in sebaceous glands that over produce sebum…that waxy stuff that can be
associated with acne. Lavender helps balance sebum and control break outs.
You can see the original
post on doTERRA’s website HERE
Not
all essential oils are the same. A lot
have synthetic components even though they say ‘natural’ or ‘pure’. I use doTERRA because they test each batch 6
different ways and guarantee the quality.
If you would like to purchase a doTERRA oil here’s a link to my
store. http://www.mydoterra.com/TaketheThyme
