 The next time you have to mop and find yourself looking for alternative options to add in your mop bucket for a fresh aroma, try adding a few drops of essential oils to the bucket of water. Not sure which essentials oils to try? One way to start may be by asking yourself what kind of mood your in, and what kind of mood you would rather be in. Or maybe how would you like your home to smell or what aroma would make you feel happier or uplifted. Start first by gathering the essential oils you have on hand. Then grab your favorite reputable reference guide or online guide. You will need to closely check all precautions for each essential oil you plan to use prior to using. Also note who else is in the home such as kids, dogs, cats, someone with a medical condition, etc. Be sure to add your essential oil drops to the water after the bucket is done filling, not during, to prevent any intense aroma’s from steaming too close to your face and eyes. Lemon (Citrus limon) has multiple properties, one of which is being antiseptic. It is known for it’s refreshing, clarifying, energizing, and uplifting aroma, as well as it’s ability to be used in multiple household cleaners, leaving your home clean and lemony fresh smelling! Lemon essential oil is phototoxic however, so if you are using this essential oil, be sure the drops go in the bucket and not on your skin if you plan on spending the rest of the day in the sun. Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) has antiseptic properties as well, and is known to have an energizing aroma that can add cheer to your mood and uplift a tired mind. Last I checked, mopping surely wasn’t cheery, and brought on more tired than upliftment! So bring on the lime! Lime essential oil is also phototoxic. Another commonly used citrus essential oil is Orange (Citrus aurantium). Orange essential oil also has antiseptic properties and has the ability to add some sunshine to your mood and revive a lack of energy. Orange essential is phototoxic and may irritate sensitive skin. So as noted above, be sure the essential oils go into the bucket and not on your skin. How many drops to add? This can depend on how much water you are using, how much of an aroma you prefer, or how many times your will be changing the water as well. Start with less, two or three drops, and add a few more if needed per your preference. Listed above are just a few common essential oils used for cleaning purposes. There are many more! Use what you have on hand, or be creative with your choices and change with the seasons! If your looking to add some suds to the bucket, you can add a small amount of Castile Soap to the mix! Not too much though or you’ll have a floor full of suds! If you do not have essential oils but are looking for the alternative to try, some brands of Castile Soap do offer different essential oils blended in already. So have fun next time you mop by adding your own favorite mood lifting essential oils to the bucket! Blend a few favorites or use one essential oil with each bucket change. **The essential oils above only list a few precautions, not all. Be sure to always check for a full list of precautions for each individual essential oil prior to using any essential oils from a reputable reference.**  Happy Mopping!
References: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Second Edition, Copyright 2014, Pages 331, 371, 337 https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/lemon-oil.asp https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/bitter-orange-oil.asp https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/lime-oil.asp  Spring is finally here and the sun is shining bright as we wait for summer to approach with even warmer temperatures. Yard work is a must every weekend this month to prepare for flowering and gardening, and doing absolutely anything in the warm sun will make for the perfect day. During the spring we find ourselves reaching for the citrus oils to uplift our mood for indoor spring cleaning. We open the windows to smell the fresh breeze and waft the energies of the lemon and lime essential oil drops diffusing in the air. Clarity, energy, and an uplifted mood are just a few of the amazing benefits of diffusing citrus oils. However, some of you may like to add citrus drops to your favorite lotions or carrier oils for dull or oily skin, slow digestion, or even just for the love of the smell or uplifted mood the citrus scent can bring. The topical application of certain citrus essential oils can actually turn into a painful skin reaction as in a sunburn with redness and blisters if the skin is exposed to UV light after application, leaving you indoors, uncomfortable, with hopes of healing skin to get back out doors. Although citrus oils can have wonderful benefits for our skin, they can also have a very damaging effect in the sunshine. For example, Lemon (Citrus limon) is a very commonly used essential oil in the spring. Those opening up their cabins from winter may be reaching for lemon essential oil to really boost a better scent of fresher air, while also applying lemon essential oil to the the skin to uplift spirits, benefit skin ailments, spring colds… whatever the reason for topical application, one must know that cold pressed lemon (Citrus limon) essential oil is phototoxic. Natural chemicals called furanocoumarins (FC’s), found in certain essential oils can react when exposed to ultraviolet light. This causes a delayed phototoxic skin reaction peaking around 36-72 hours after UVA exposure. Extensive sun burn-like redness and blistering of the exposed skin can occur. Not all FC’s are phototoxic and others that are phototoxic have different degrees of phototoxicity. For one who is extremely interested in the chemical make up of essential oils and the percentage one can safely topically apply without risking a damaging phototoxic effect, it is highly recommended to research the essential oils you are going to use prior in the Essential Oil Safety Book by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young. Another good bit of information to note is that citrus oils that are “cold pressed” are phototoxic while “steam distilled” citrus oils are not phototoxic. There are also essential oils besides citrus oils that are phototoxic. Photoxicity should also not be confused with sensitization, another reaction that can happen with overuse of the same essential oils and chemical constituents or with repeated undiluted use of essential oils. Here is a list of a few common phototoxic essential oils: (Please note this is only a very small list of phototoxic essential oils, there are additional essential oils that cause phototoxicity as well as essential oils listed with a “potential” to be phototoxic) * Lemon (Citrus limon) * Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) * Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) * Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) * Bergamont (Citrus bergamia) * Angelica root (Angelica archangelic L.) If a phototoxic essential oil has been applied to the skin, it is best to keep that area of the skin out of the sun or covered to prevent a phototoxic reaction for 12-18 hours after application.  Be safe in the sun and enjoy the warm days ahead! REFERENCES: https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/lemon-oil.asp https://www.aromaweb.com/articles/phototoxicity-essential-oils.asp https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/bitter-orange-oil.asp Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Second Edition; Copyright 2014 Pages 85 & 194 The Aromatherapy Beauty Guide by Danielle Sade; Copyright 2017 Pages 27 & 28 |
AuthorJamie Michaels, RN, CCA, CAI ArchivesCategories |
RSS Feed
The information on this website is provided to promote aromatherapy and wellness education and resources. It is not a substitute for an educational consultation or an appointment with your health care provider. Products and content listed are not to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always contact your health care provider prior to using new products as a part of your wellness routine. Some of the web pages and links on the website may be affiliate links that provide a means of compensation. The affiliate web pages are not created by or updated by Aromatherapy by Jamie, J.OILS, LLC and Aromatherapy by Jamie, J.OILS, LLC holds no responsibility for it's content. Always consult with a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist or Health Care Physician/Practitioner prior to using essential oils, herbs, or other forms of aromatherapy for safest use, especially in pregnancy, children, elderly, immunocompromised, and animals.
|
*Follow on Facebook! or *Send an Email!
|
|
|
Thank you kindly for stopping by today!
Come again as products and resources are updated often!
Healthy Blessings!
Come again as products and resources are updated often!
Healthy Blessings!