Essential Chocolate

Most people would agree that chocolate is an essential for Valentines Day. Creating your own chocolates for yourself or your sweetheart is fun and easy.

1. Just melt a bag organic chocolate chips. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil and stir in.
2. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to give it a delicious and healthy kick.
3. Spoon over your favorite nuts on wax paper or pour into fun shaped candy molds.
4. Let cool. Then enjoy!

Some of the best essential oils to couple with chocolate are:

• Peppermint: there is nothing like that combination of rich, dark chocolate with the fresh crispness of peppermint.(Peppermint works best with dark chocolate.)
• Orange: orange and chocolate are of course a match made in heaven. (Tangerine is equally delicious.)
• Lemon: brings a bright and tangy flavor to chocolate.
• Lime: this works well with both dark and white chocolate. I recently made some lime-flavoured white chocolate truffles dipped in dark chocolate – they were pretty damn good!
• Bergamot: this oil is from the same plant as earl grey tea.
• Lemongrass: adds an unexpected and pleasant zing. It’s strong, so don’t add too much.
• Cardomom: is a classic partner for chocolate.
• Ginger: is delicious in chocolate is ginger with a dash of cinnamon powder.

Chocolates make a great gift any time of year. Chocolates made with essential oil have a gourmet, special flavor with added health benefits!

Orange Mint Scrub

The uplifting aromas of orange and mint make this scrub an invigorating skin treatment. Exfoliate and moisturize at the same time!

• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

• 1 Cup sugar
• 1/2 C fractionated coconut oil
• zest of 1/2 an orange
• 5 drops orange oil
• 5 drops peppermint oil
• 12 oz. PET plastic jar

Instructions:

1. Gently mix ingredients in a bowl.
2. Scoop into the PET jar.
3. Keep jar near your bathtub or sink to use this refreshing scrub whenever your skin needs a boost.

Essential Oil Spotlight: Grapefruit

Grapefruit essential oil is cold-pressed from the rind of the fruit of a Rutaceae tree. It has a clean, fresh, bitter, citrusy aroma that may aid emotional balance and have an uplifting effect.

The antidepressant, antiseptic, and diuretic properties of grapefruit make it useful in treating a variety of issues. It is primarily used to treat eating disorders, indigestion, and postpartum depression and to aid in weight loss. It may also help with depression, withdrawal, eating disorders, fatigue, stress, and gallstones.

The French have used it to treat cellulite, digestion, and water retention.

Grapefruit essential oil can be used in food, diffused, or applied directly to the area of concern. Grapefruit does not have the photosensitivity that other citrus oils have, so it makes a good substitute for any other citrus if exposure to the sun after application is likely.

See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils to learn more about grapefruit essential oil and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2016 Edition, p. 81.

Essential Oil Spotlight: Cassia

Cassia essential oil is steam-distilled from the bark of the Cinnamomum cassia tree in the Lauraceae family. It has a spicy, warm, sweet aroma.

Historically, cassia has been widely used as a domestic spice. It has also been used medicinally to treat colds, colic, diarrhea, nausea, rheumatism, and digestive complaints.

Cassia oil is best used in small amounts blended with other oils, as it can be very sensitizing to the dermal tissues. Cassia is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) for human consumption but should be well diluted when taken orally.

Cassia oil is considered to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils to learn more about cassia essential oil and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2016 Edition, pp. 53–54.

Natural Wood Cleaner

This all-natural cleaner will leave your wood surfaces clean and glowing.

• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) Jojoba Oil
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) vinegar
• 20 drops lemon essential oil
• 8 oz. spray bottle

Instructions:

1. Pour jojoba oil and vinegar into the spray bottle.
2. Add the essential oil, put on lid, and shake well.
3. Spray onto a microfiber cloth, and wipe wood surfaces until they shine!

Use often to keep your wood looking shiny and to protect it from damage.

Moisturizing Face Oil in a Roll-on Bottle

“This has really made my skin look so much smoother.” —Deborah

This night-time face oil recipe was submitted as part of our Facebook contest. The original recipe used 1/2 cup (120 ml) coconut oil and twice as many drops of essential oil as listed below. We adjusted the recipe to be suitable for all skin types and so it could fit in a roll-on bottle for easier application.

Roll-on Moisturizing Face Oil

• Servings: Yield=2 Tbsp. (30 ml)
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

• 5 drops frankincense essential oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops ylang ylang essential oil
• 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) Fractionated Coconut Oil or Jojoba Oil
• 1 oz. (30 ml) Roll-on Bottle

Instructions:

1. Combine essential oils and carrier oil in the roll-on bottle. Place the roll-on top on the bottle, and screw the lid on. Shake to mix and, if possible, let the mixture sit overnight before using to allow oils to integrate.
2. To use, roll onto face, neck, and chest as needed.

Special thanks to Deborah Holden-Grogan for submitting this recipe!

Pet Odor Neutralizer

We love our pets. But let’s face it—they stink! It can be tricky to get the odor out of carpets and furniture without damaging them with strong chemicals. But there is a natural solution!

Apple cider vinegar is a great cleaning agent if you are environmentally conscious. Its antibacterial properties make it a natural alternative to bleach. Using apple cider vinegar instead of bleach to clean will eliminate the strong chemical smell and prevent ruining your carpet and upholstery. Once the vinegar solution evaporates, only a sweet and slightly floral scent remains with no fumes!

• Servings: Yield=1 cup (240 ml)
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

• 10–20 drops essential oil of choice (We suggest geranium, lavender, and lemon as a great blend.)
• 1 cup (240 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 8 oz. Glass Spray Bottle

Instructions:

1. Add 10–20 drops of essential oil to a small spray bottle filled with apple cider vinegar.
2. Shake well before each use, and spray on the smelly surfaces. Let the Pet Odor Neutralizer dry and take the odor away.

 

Autumn Simmering Potpourri

Autumn is here! Time for crisp weather, crunching leaves, and delicious baked treats. Fill your home with the essence of the season by simmering your favorite essential oils, spices, and fruits. Not only does simmering fresh potpourri make your house smell warm and inviting, but it also helps humidify the home a bit.

• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

• Water
• Cinnamon sticks
• Apple peels
• Orange rinds (Dry them ahead of time or use fresh peels.)
• Whole cloves
• Homemade Pure Vanilla Extract
• Cinnamon essential oil
• Clove essential oil

Instructions:

1. Fill a saucepan with water, and bring to a boil. Add the ingredients from the list and several drops of each essential oil.
2. Boil for a few minutes; then turn the heat down to simmer all day.
3. Add water as needed, and check the pot every half-hour or so to prevent burning.

This recipe is one suggestion. You can use different amounts and mix up ingredients as you like. Save your orange, lemon, and lime peels and apple skins, and add whatever spices and essential oils you love.

*Do not leave the house while potpourri is simmering.

Odor-Blocking Toilet Spray

Leave the bathroom better than you found it with this odor-blocking formula! Just spray it on top of the water before you go, and you won’t leave behind any odorous evidence. The soap and essential oils create a film on the surface of the water and leave a fresh scent instead!

• Servings: Yield=35 ml
• Time: 5 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

• 1/2 Tbsp. (7.5 ml) Castile Soap
• 1/2 Tbsp. (7.5 ml) Vegetable Glycerin
• 1 Tbsp. (15 ml) rubbing alcohol
• 10 drops bergamot essential oil
• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 1 tsp. (5 ml) Homemade Vanilla Extract

Instructions

1. Combine castile soap, glycerin, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils in a small glass spray bottle.
2. Shake to mix thoroughly.
3. Spritz toilet water a few times before you “go” to trap the odors.
4. Shake well before each use.

This is great to carry along on trips or while visiting somebody else’s home!

 

EO Dry Shampoo For Dogs

This dry shampoo for dogs smells fresh and sweet! The baking soda and cornstarch absorb the stink-causing oils from your dog’s skin and fur, making this recipe the perfect solution to keeping your dog smelling clean between baths!

• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp. (41.5 g) baking soda
• 3 Tbsp. (24 g) cornstarch
• 10 drops orange essential oil
• 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) Homemade Pure Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients in a mixing bowl.
2. Pour mixture into a plastic spice jar.
3. Sprinkle a little on your dog’s hair, and rub it in with a good petting and scratching.

Your dog will love the attention and will smell better instantly!