Get Ready for Fall with a Boost from Ethereal Oils

The sunny hot days of summer will eventually give way to the beauty of fall and its changing weather. With the cooler temperatures comes the desire for a more comforting home and the need to boost our immune systems and find natural remedies for seasonal ailments.

Introducing ethereal oils, also known as essential oils, into your home can do all these things. The benefits of ethereal oils have been known since ancient times when they were used by various civilizations to heal the sick and as solutions to everyday aches and pains, mood swings, and concentration. Hypocrites wrote “a perfumed bath and a scented massage every day is the way to good health.”

Here is a Top Five list of essential oils that will improve your mood and your health and brighten up your home during the transition from summer to fall.

Lavender
Lavender is one of the loveliest most comforting scents I know and brings back childhood memories of sachets placed under pillows to encourage sleep. There is a reason for that. Lavender is known for its de-stressing powers and ability to eliminate nervous tension and help you sleep. In fact, it has been used for medicinal purposes for over 2,500 years. Whether poured into a warm bath, dispersed throughout your home using a diffuser, ming-ling with the air via a scented candle, or mixed with water and sprayed on bed linens, lavender will relax you, dissipate worry, and alleviate headaches. Its power to lower anxiety levels will leave you free to focus on the good things in life and make every moment of the present count.

​

Rosemary
Did you know rosemary was worn by Greek scholars during exams to help improve their memory? Like lavender, the benefits of rosemary have been known for thousands of years. Research shows that this woody evergreen-scented plant boosts nerve growth factor and supports brain function. When fresh sprigs are placed in water that is sipped throughout the day, you provide yourself and your family with a refreshing way to improve concentration. Diffused throughout the air, it may even help your children focus more effectively on their homework after a summer of fun. When mixed with Epsom salts, rosemary helps wash away the aches and pains your muscles have collected throughout your busy day. Increased concentration and renewed energy are essential factors for helping us enjoy our lives and make the most of them.

Lemon
There are so many ways to use lemon that it is one of the most “essential” of the essential oils to have on hand. We all know how delicious and nutritious lemon water is, but did you know it improves a dry scratchy throat? Lemon also cleanses toxins from every part of the body, stimulates lymph drainage, supports metabolism, nourishes skin, and increases energy. And, according to a study published in “Experimental Biology and Medicine,” breathing in the scent of lemon essential oils can improve the neurological activity that promotes the breakdown of body fat. Lemon is also a natural disinfectant, an astringent, and a teeth whitener. With so many benefits from the refreshing taste and scent of lemon, you’re bound to embark on each new day with a sparkling new attitude.

Orange
Oranges are delicious and their smell is intoxicating. Cold pressed from fresh orange peel, the sweet citrusy fragrance of orange essential oil released via an infuser throughout your house will put you in mind of being in the middle of a Florida orange grove. What better place is there to imagine being? It will also relax you and enhance your positive outlook. Another way to infuse your home with orange essential oil is to use it for cleaning. Just dilute it in some water and wipe down countertops, cutting boards, and appliances. It will clean and disinfect them without bleach or harsh chemicals, and it will make your kitchen smell wonderful.

Rose
No matter their color or variety, roses are among the most pleasing and aromatic flowers that can be grown in a garden or displayed in a decorative vase on your dining room table. Roses remind us of love, life, and celebration, but they also have therapeutic value and can help with many health concerns. Their essential oils have been used for centuries to treat ailments and enhance natural beauty treatments. Rose oil can improve acne and balance hormones, relieve anxiety, alleviate depression, and soften the skin. Diffused throughout your home, rose oil can help when you’re feeling blue.

Don’t forget, all the plants that contain these natural oils can be grown in your outdoor garden, and many of them can add color and aroma to your windowsill. If you don’t have the ability to grow the plants, remember to buy the oils only in their natural form. You won’t reap the same benefits from synthetic products. So take Hypocrites’ advice and enjoy the power of ethereal oils to improve body and mind every day.