Cleaning my Bathroom with Essential Oils

I decided to conduct an experiment using Essential Oils to clean my bathroom.

I have a cat that lives on my main floor, so chose not to use the essential oils in that bathroom. It is late and she will be closed into the adjoining room for the night. Cats do not tolerate essential oils very well. I learned this the hard way when I first started using oils. I had a diffuser going in the adjoining bathroom for 6 to 8 hours a day (this is where the kitty-box is). I would shut the diffuser off at night but after that many hours during the day – the room she sleeps in was pretty saturated with essential oils. This is a story for another time, but she was a sick kitty for a long time. She is now happy and healthy. She is a sweet cat with a very strong will to live a long life. I try not to use essential oils around her and move her to a different part of the house when I am preparing oils for use.

With that said – I used the bathroom where she will not be. I also use Norwex antibac cloths for cleaning. Essential oils work very well with these microfiber cloths. They are made with a combination technology of silver (antibacterial qualities in silver) and microfiber. These are great cloths and because of the antibacterial qualities of the fabric, I do not use chemicals to clean.

I have been using homemade baking soda, borax and essential oils to clean the bathrooms for about 5 years. Tonight, I filled a bowl with warm water, and 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. I cleaned the sink, the bathtub and the toilet with the cloth and water. My porcelain is clean and shinny. My faucets are also sparkling. The bathroom has a pleasant aroma and I am looking forward to taking a bath in the freshly cleaned tub.

After reading about Eucalyptus Oil in The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, I will be using eucalyptus oil throughout the fall-winter-cold-and-flu-season.

Eucalyptus:
• Latin Name: Eucalyptus globules
• Properties: Analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-neuralgic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, (it is pretty much anti-everything and is a good oil to have in your apothecary closet).
• Mind and Spirit: Psychologically, eucalyptus oil serves as a refreshing and stimulation substance. It also assists concentration.
• Body: The expectorant activity of eucalyptus oil has the property of reducing the swelling of mucous membranes and of loosening phlegm, thus making breathing easier. Anecdotal evidence also indicates that eucalyptus oil supports the pancreas and lowers blood sugar. The clean, crisp smell results in easier and deeper breathing, and good clean air has always been associated in folk medicine with good health. This is valuable oil for treating the respiratory system. Eucalyptus stimulates the immune system.
• Precautions: When taken internally eucalyptus oil is toxic.

Happy Cleaning and Blessings,

Dorine

Skin Patch Test

I have wanted to put together a blend of Neroli, Ylang Ylang, and Sweet Orange for a while – this is a good blend for the end of the day, for a relaxing bath and/or massage. Using the 2% ratio for 1-ounce of carrier oil, I first made a synergistic blend and did the patch test with the blend on my right inner elbow.

Neroli:
• Latin name: Citrus aurantiun var.
• Properties: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrisant, cordial, deodorant, digestive, stimulant
• Mind and Spirit: effective sedative, used as a natural tranquillizer for anxiety
• Body: relieves muscle spasm

Ylang Ylang:
• Latin name: Cananga odorata
• Properties: Antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, sedative
• Mind and Spirit: According to Susanne Fischer-Rizzi: “The spirit of ylang-ylang usually fits the person naturally drawn to it. Upon inhaling ylang-ylang with its heavy seductive, sweet aroma, one can imagine a fiery, temperamental passionate and erotic person with an awesome radiance and confidence, never losing her balance. She would always dress in bright and colorful clothing and loves to wear jewellery.” Ylang-ylang has tension-relieving properties and is beneficial for nervous depression that is accompanied by severe tension.
• Body: reduces rapid breathing and heart rate, lower high blood pressure, beneficial for treating PMS

Sweet Orange:
• Latin name: citurs sinensis.
• Properties: Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, sedative
• Mind and Spirit: The cheerful, sensuous and radiant nature of orange conveys warmth and happiness. It assists people to relax and unwind.
• Body: properties overlap with Neroli

Process:
1. I washed the area with a natural unscented soap and water. Rinsed well and patted dry.
2. I applied 1-drop of the synergistic blend to the crook of my right arm.
3. Closed arm (hand to shoulder) for five minutes.
4. Opened and closed once again.

Results:
The outside right area of my right arm had some swelling. No pain, no discomfort, just some swelling. Two hours later, the area is still a little bit swollen – still no pain.

I repeated the process, using the crook of my husband’s arm. His arm also had some swelling but not as much as mine, and two hours later, all swelling is gone.

I added two tablespoons (1-ounce) of almond oil to the bottle and will use one teaspoon of it later tonight as bath oil and/or massage oil. It smells great.

The recipe:
2-drops Neroli
5-drops Ylang Ylang
5-drops Sweet Orange
2 T. Sweet Almond Oil


Test #: Clary Sage:

Process (using my left arm):
1. I washed the area with a natural unscented soap and water. Rinsed well and patted dry.
2. I applied 1-drop of Clary sage to the crook of my left arm.
3. Closed arm (hand to shoulder) for five minutes.
4. Opened and closed once again.

Results:
No adverse affects.

Clary Sage:
• Latin name: salvia sclarea
• Properties: Antidepressant, antispasmodic, deodorant, sedative, tonic
• Mind and Spirit: dispels depression, especially when arising from nervous burnout. Clary sage may be used to center and ground scattered thinking and absent-mindedness
• Body: Its antispasmodic properties make it useful for helping with cramps in the lower back. This oil promotes oestrogen secretion, helps in menopause when symptoms such as hot flashes, dizziness, headaches, night sweats, are prominent.

Blessings,

Dorine Doyle King
The Red Phoenix Feng Shui