Initially many people buy a bottle of essential oil for the bath or for using with an oil burner. However, they have a multitude of uses, a few of which are outlined in this section.

Saunas
Essential oils can greatly add to the pleasure of a sauna, but not all oils are suitable. The most appropriate oils for use in saunas are those which are highly volatile, refreshing and easily absorbed by the lungs.

Try using Eucalyptus, Lemon, Peppermint Pine, or a combination. ALWAYS avoid using floral oils as they may cause nausea or headache when inhaled in the confines of steamy sauna.

Again, always ensure that only pure essential oils are used for this purpose, synthetic oils are likely to cause adverse symptoms such as nausea and skin irritation.

Finally, remember the golden rule - 'less is more' so only use a maximum of 5 drops in a litre of water.

Gargles and Mouthwashes
A gargle made with cider vinegar (which tends to dissolve essential oils better than water) to which a couple of drops of either Sandalwood or Lemon essential oil has been added are helpful in case of sore throats and laryngitis. Simply add the oil to 2 tsp of cider vinegar, stir well and then add to a small glass of warm water.

Similarly for a mouthwash use the same method but this time try Peppermint, Coriander or Sweet Fennel, all of which will help to sweeten your breath by killing bacteria. Myrrh can be useful in cases of gum disease.

An added benefit here is that the slightly acidic nature of the cider vinegar may help to reduce the build up of tartar (calcium deposits) on the back of the teeth.

Given that alcohol based mouthwashes have been linked with cancer, this is a potentially safer and cost effective alternative. Remember not to swallow.

Pot Pourri Refresher
These colourful mixes of dried flowers, herbs and seed pods etc tend to lose their fragrance after about six weeks. Use either essential or fragrance oils to refresh the mix.

When the fragrance has faded simply add a few drops of your favourite essential oils and either cover the pot-pourri for a short time, or better still place it in an air tight container to absorb essential oils fully.

The same process can be used with our scented pumice range, which can be used as an alternative to pot-pourri especially where space is a premium.

Fresh Smelling Home
Essential oils make great and relatively inexpensive alternatives to chemical sprays and air fresheners. They are also more environmentally friendly and person friendly too, containing no harsh and toxic chemicals. Many essential oils are also antiseptic so they can help when colds and flu are around.

The most efficient and cost effective method is to diffuse the essential oils through an electric diffuser or night light vapouriser (never leave burning candles unattended). However, a light bulb ring is a good choice in bathrooms and in young childrens rooms.

For a quick burst you can make up a mist spray cheaply in a small house plant sprayer with 2ml of essential oils (about 40 drops) in 250ml of water. Avoid spraying over polished furniture as some oils can affect the finish.

Log Fire
If you are one of the lucky ones who have the time and patience to have an open fire you might like to try the following: Place a few drops of your favourite essential oil onto a log about 15 minutes before lighting the fire. This also works well with outside wood burning stoves, but the effect is less noticeable. Once the fire is going properly, place the log on the fire and the heat will disperse the fragrance throughout the room. This is particularly pleasant at Christmas and on family occasions, as the fragrance can greatly enhance the atmosphere.

It can also add a touch of romance to that special evening.

Experiment with Citrus, Woody or Spicy oils.

Pest Control
There are many oils which have shown effectiveness as insect repellents the most useful easily obtained ones are Citronella, Eucalyptus, Geranium and Lavender.

Of these, citronella is the most widely recognised insect repellent in aromatherapy, and is used commercially in natural insect repellents. Put a few drops of it in a burner to clear the air, hang some strips of tissue paper with drops on by open doors and windows, or try a pot candle or incense for outdoor use.

As Citronella is potentially irritating to the skin, should you want to apply one as a repellent choose Eucalyptus, Geranium or Lavender and apply in low dilution using a light carrier oil.