Stay Cool

Anchor Tag

 

Hot! Hot! Hot! It’s a great song, but it’s not so great trying to keep cool when the temps are in the 90s. I try my best, though, and I’d like to share a few ideas that have really helped me and my family keep cool in hot weather.

The essential oils that really help beat the heat are those with menthol. Menthol is known for its cooling sensation – it’s used in teas, candies, medicines, ointments, and more, to help with whatever ails us. You can use menthol’s cooling properties to keep you cool, too!  

Spearmint and peppermint both contain menthol and have similar properties, but peppermint is stronger. Try mixing them together, for a softer minty smell that will help to stimulate you and keep you awake if you’re feeling drowsy from the heat.

If you overdo it at the gym on a hot day, blend spearmint with lemongrass, for an uplifting and cooling sensation that will keep you invigorated for the balance of the day. Both oils are antibacterial (peppermint is, too), so they keep your sweaty skin fresh.

Now for some specifics, to make sure you get the best results when you want to keep cool:

Blending is important with these scents – they are strong and should never be used straight up or neat.  All you need is 12 drops to one ounce of carrier. The other thing you need to do, for safety, is keep these mixtures away from your eyes.

Roll-on: Mix well with fractionated coconut oil and fill a roller ball. When Mother Nature then turns the heat up, roll the cool onto your wrists, behind your knees and at the back of your neck.

Spritz: Mix your drops with a half-ounce each of water and aloe gel, in a small spray bottle. This spritz will not only keep you cool, it will also keep your skin hydrated.

Compress: Mix 4 drops of your favorite mixture with a teaspoon of salt, add to a bowl of ice water, and soak a hand towel or other small cloth in the mixture. Wring out your towel and wrap it around your neck to make an invigorating compress.

You can also diffuse these oils, and we have lots of new take-anywhere mini-diffusers at Medicine World. Check them out when you come in for any and all of the essential oils you need. And if you have any questions, you know I can help you keep your cool this summer!