Holistic Holiday Hacks

If you are hosting a holiday event in your home, the first thing you are probably concerned about is cleaning for your guests. No one wants to entertain in a messy home! There are plenty of ways to naturally ensure your home is tidy and clean before your guests arrive. To reduce toxic exposure, use natural products. Replace the bleach, ammonia and other toxin laden chemicals with organic options.  Utilizing green products that you purchase or make yourself will help you eliminate toxic exposure and allow you to clean your home naturally.

Lemon

Lemon is a natural antifungal and antibacterial. It can be used in culinary, medicinal, and also home uses in cleaning supplies. It is an affordable oil that is a great holistic ingredient in hundreds of natural recipes.  Because of the chemical properties in lemon essential oil, it can be used a natural first aid remedy to clean wounds, scrapes and scratches. It is a staple in holistic first aid kits and can be safely used as a diluted solution in the place of alcohol and peroxide.

Sweet Orange

Sweet orange essential oil is a cold pressed oil extracted from the rind of oranges. It is a favorite ingredient in many aromatherapy blends and can also be used as a food additive.  According to research published by the Center for Food Safety and Department of Food Science, Sweet Orange was effective in killing various strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria such as staph and e.coli. It can also be used to create Natural Cleaning Spray. Mixing orange essential oil with witch hazel or white vinegar can be a great natural cleaning solution for countertops, floors and surfaces such as doorknobs and light switches.

Tea Tree

Tea tree oil is made from distilling the leaves of the native Australian plant, Melaleuca alternifolia. It was first brought into modern culture by Captain James Cook in 1770.  It is a great natural cleaning ingredient because it is a natural Antiseptic.  Tea Tree oil is very beneficial in preventing infection and bacterial growth.  This oil is also a great natural alternative to isopropyl alcohol gels. It has been scientifically proven to kill viruses and bacteria such as E. coli, S. pneumoniae and H. influenza.

Another vital part of hosting an event in your home is the ambiance! If you want your home to be inviting to your guests, utilizing natural scents are a great way to promote a comforting atmosphere.  Essential Oil diffusers filled with holiday inspired blends can be placed around your home to help your guests experience aromatherapy. Products such as natural beeswax candles can also be used to invigorate the air. Inviting your loved ones into your home to celebrate the holidays can be extra comforting if you add aromatherapy to your party.  Below is a list of fantastic essential oils you’ll want to add to your holiday gift list.

Vanilla

Vanilla is mainly used for culinary uses to sweeten desserts and foods but it is also used as a favorite in aromatherapy. Vanilla has a comforting scent that most people absolutely adore. It can be used to naturally scent candles, soaps and other comfort products. Vanilla is made from vanilla beans. Vanilla extract is made by extracting the vanilla flavor with alcohol and is different from vanilla “essential oil” which is actually a compound called an “absolute.”  Essential oils and absolutes are oils produced by plants, flowers or herbs. To produce vanilla absolute, the vanilla bean is placed into a drum and introduced to a solvent along with heat. The solvent is then removed, which creates something called a resinoid. The resinoid is treated with alcohol to separate the aromatic compounds. Vanilla is mainly used for comfort and food uses. It is a favorite in diffuser recipes and pairs wonderfully with other oils such as peppermint, lavender and lime.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an internationally renowned spice used for many purposes. The most common type of Cinnamon sold in North America is cinnamomum aromaticum, which is grown in southeastern Asia. Cinnamon essential oil can provide a warm, inviting scent to your diffuser blends and is a great way to freshen your home without using toxic air freshening products or chemical laden candles. It is important to note that cinnamon essential oil is very concentrated and can cause skin irritation and burns if applied without a carrier oil. If you are using cinnamon essential oil topically, be sure you are diluting it with a safe, organic carrier oil such as olive oil, jojoba oil or coconut oil. Recommended ratios are 4-6 teaspoons of carrier oil per one drop of cinnamon essential oil. Discontinue use immediately if irritation or burns occur. Do not use on children or on pets. Do not get into eyes, nasal passages or open sores.

People with respiratory issues such as asthma, allergies or environmental sensitivities need to use caution when diffusing cinnamon essential oil, as it can be irritating to the respiratory tract.

Fir Needle

Fir needle essential oil is derived from fir trees and created by the steam distillation process. Fir needle essential oil can be created from two types of fir trees, Balsam fir trees or silver fir trees.

Fir essential oil contains many healing compounds such as: tricyclene, alpha-pinene, camphene, limonene and myrcene. These chemicals have been shown to promote antimicrobial activities against bacteria and certain types of fungi.

Fir needle essential oil can be applied topically as a natural analgesic, which can be used to relax muscles and aid in muscle recovery. It is also widely used in aromatherapy recipes because of its rich forest fragrance and can make your home smell like a Christmas tree!

Peppermint

Peppermint is categorized as a perennial herb. It gets its scientific name “Mentha” because of the Greek legend of a mythical nymph who supposedly transformed into this plant.

When diffused aromatically, peppermint essential oil can induce a happier mood and has been shown to promote concentration and focus. Adding a few drops of peppermint essential oil to your household or office diffuser can help you feel better and be more productive.

Mary Tylor Naturals is proud to offer a selection of high-quality products to improve your well-being. We stand by our motto, “Better Ingredients for a Better Life!”

To learn more about holistic life hacks in a fun, easy way, check out our podcast Holistic Humor available on itunes, spotify and anchor!