Lavender Lavender is probably the most popular essential oil It can soothe skin and possibly help fight acne It has a floral aroma that can help you fall asleep Roman Chamomile Roman chamomile essential oil soothes skin and has a calming aroma that can help you wind down and clear your sinuses Lemon Lemon essential oil is antibacterial It can prevent infection when applied to the skin Its citrus aroma is energizing Orange Orange essential oil is a natural cleanser and deodorizer and it can help heal skin Like lemon its citrus aroma is energizing Peppermint Peppermint essential oil has a cooling effect It can relieve muscle pain and has an invigorating aroma that can make you feel alert Tea Tree Tea tree oil fights bacteria fungi and viruses so it can help treat athlete’s foot acne and more when applied to the skin
Be careful Don’t allow any undiluted essential oil to get on your skin or in your eyes or mouth Recipes from this book containing essential oils should not be used on children under age 6 and for older children an adult's help is recommended Lemon and orange essential oils could be phototoxic which means they can make your skin extra-sensitive to the sun Don’t apply citrus essential oils to bare skin before going outside And always wear sunscreen MEASURING YOUR INGREDIENTS Essential oils are very potent and must be diluted with distilled water or a carrier oil such as coconut oil jojoba oil or olive oil It might not seem like you’re using a lot but a little goes a long way The recipes in this book dilute the essential oil to about 1 percent That means some recipes require only a few drops We measure essential oils by the drop in this book because it’s hard to measure any other way There are 20 drops in 1 milliliter and 1 4 teaspoon is a little more than 1 milliliter There are very few recipes that will require more than 1 4 teaspoon of essential oil
HOW TO SAFELY MELT BUTTER AND OIL Shea butter is a soft solid that must be melted for many recipes in this book A double boiler is best for melting oils and butters but you can also microwave them at 50 percent power in 30-second increments and stir in between until the solid is almost all the way melted Stir to complete the melting process You don’t want to overheat the oils or butters Coconut oil is also used often in this book Whether your coconut oil is a solid or a liquid depends on where you live what time of year it is and the air temperature To solidify it place it in the refrigerator until it hardens To liquefy it heat it in a microwave-safe bowl in 10 second increments at 50 percent power and stir in between until the solid is almost all the way melted It’s best to heat the solids in a microwave-safe bowl with a pourable spout and a handle like a glass Pyrex measuring cup Be sure to always wear oven mitts when removing a hot bowl from the microwave
HOW TO SAFELY STORE YOUR PRODUCTS It’s best to use glass containers not plastic to store any recipe that contains essential oils because the essential oils can deteriorate plastic over time All of the recipes in this book make small batches since they are natural and don’t contain preservatives Unless indicated otherwise the finished products should be stored in a cool dry place and should be used within two to four weeks Never use a recipe if it looks like it has grown mold if it has changed colors or if it begins to smell bad ALLERGIES Some people have skin sensitivities and allergies Check with your doctor or dermatologist before using any of these recipes CLEAN UP Many of the recipes in this book use oils and butters which might feel greasy To clean up wipe your hands and any used dishes with a dry paper towel first then use soap and water to wash When using recipes in the bathtub such as sugar scrubs wipe the floor clean with a dry towel afterward Oils and butters can make surfaces slippery and unsafe
