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Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe

Posted on June 11, 2013 | In Cleaning Tips
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toiletWritten by, Becki Andrus

Essential oils can be used with other natural ingredients to clean every room in your home. Many people overlook the benefits of using essential oils for cleaning… and reach for the commercial, chemical-filled products instead. When these store-bought cleaners are used in the home, they are creating a toxic environment that could be potentially dangerous to the health of your family.

Instead of risking your family’s health, it is better to use natural alternatives instead. In fact, it’s easy to make your own homemade cleaners with a few basic ingredients. Today, I’m going to share a recipe for homemade toilet bowl cleaner:

Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe:

2 cups vinegar
1 cup baking soda
5 drops tea tree essential oil
Sprinkle the baking soda into the toilet bowl, covering the surface of the bowl as much as possible. Drop in the essential oil around the bowl, then drizzle the vinegar over the baking soda.

When the vinegar hits the baking soda, a reaction will occur that causes it to start bubbling and fizzing. This natural bubbling will help to clean the toilet. Also, the tea tree essential oil has antimicrobial benefits that will help to disinfect and kill any bacteria present in the toilet.Natural Cleaning small

When the fizzing stops, use a toilet brush or a rag to scrub the toilet bowl to help remove any remaining spots. Flush the toilet to rinse it. Repeat if necessary, for stubborn stains.

For more natural cleaning recipes, check out my book with 42 recipes for every room in your house: Natural Cleaning Recipes.

With love,

Becki :)

Sore Muscle Solution: Epsom Salt Bath with Essential Oils

Posted on May 23, 2013 | In Home Remedies
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lavender bath saltWritten by, Becki Andrus

I spent a lot of time in the garden yesterday, and used the shovel for a few hours getting rows lined up and ready to plant our vegetables for the season. It was fun to be working outside, but I quickly remembered how that kind of work uses muscles that I’m not used to working so hard.

I had a LOT of sore muscles! My back, my shoulders, my obliques, and my legs were are tight and sore from the afternoon of work that I did.

Luckily, my essential oils came to the rescue!

That night, before I went to bed I soaked in a warm bath of Epsom salt and essential oils. The Epsom salt helps to detox and sooth minor aches and pains, and the essential oils were wonderful to help me relax and let go of the tightness in my muscles.

Here’s the Epsom salt bath recipe that I used:

1. Fill the tub with warm water. I like to get the water as warm as I can stand it, without it being scalding hot.

2. When the tub is halfway full, let the water continue to fill the tub and add 2 cups of Epsom salt. Use your hand to stir in the salts and so that they will dissolve in the water.

3. Add in 10 drops of your favorite essential oils. I used a few drops of Cypress to help with circulation, a few drops of Lavender to help me relax, and a few drops of the Citrus Bliss blend to help boost my mood.

4. When the tub is full, get in the water and enjoy a relaxing soak. I like to soak for at least 20 minutes to get the full benefits of the Epsom salt and essential oils.

With love,

Becki :)

Essential Oils and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Posted on May 20, 2013 | In Educational
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Written by, Becki Andrus

I recently watched a news clip talking about the growing concern about antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria… and how those types of bacteria are becoming more and more common in hospitals and other medical facilities. Over the years, more and more antibiotics have been used, which have resulted in the bacteria strains morphing to overcome the antibiotics.

These changes are called “superbugs,” and the bacterial infections they caused often kill 50% of the people affected by them. It is scary to think that a person may go to the hospital for one health condition, and end up contracting a “superbug” infection that won’t respond to any of the antibiotics or medications that are given to the person.

The interesting fact is that there are multiple essential oils which have been found to be effective against these superbugs, including MRSA. Research studies have shown that using essential oils with strong strains of bacteria results in the bacteria dying. The essential oils create an environment where the bacteria cannot thrive.

If essential oils are so effective against these bacterial infections, why aren’t more doctors and hospitals using them to treat the patients who are suffering from the infections? Because many of the doctors aren’t aware that the essential oils can actually help– it is common for doctors to be stuck in their thinking, that medications are the only options that are available.

My hope is that one day we will have medical facilities that utilize both natural/holistic remedies as well as medications (if they are needed). I would love to be able to bring my bottles of essential oils to each of those patients, and offer them the healing blessings of essential oils that I enjoy in my own home!

With love,

Becki :)

Mother’s Day Gift Idea: Essential Oils Foot Massage

Posted on May 12, 2013 | In Essential Oils
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foot massageWritten by, Becki Andrus

Still looking for a good Mother’s day gift? Consider spending a little time giving her an aromatherapy foot massage with essential oils. You won’t go wrong spending a little time massaging her feet with pure essential oils… it is relaxing and uplifting, she will love it!

The best way to use essential oils for a foot massage is to add a few drops of essential oil to a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. Spread the oil mixture over her feet, both the tops and bottoms of the feet. Spend time on each foot, rubbing in the oil and massaging her arches, heels, balls of the feet, and toes.

You can use any essential oil for the foot massage. Choose the essential oils based on any specific health concerns that she may have. Also, consider including essential oils that are relaxing and uplifting, to help improve her mood.

Some of my favorite essential oils for a foot massage include:

  • Lavender
  • Orange
  • Ylang Ylang
  • Roman Chamomile
  • Lemon
  • Grapefruit
  • Frankincense
  • White Fir
  • Cypress
  • Rose
  • Lime
  • Patchouli

P.S. If you are a mother… tell your loved ones that YOU want a foot massage with essential oils as a Mother’s Day gift!

With love,

Becki :)

Steam Inhalation: Home Remedy for Nasal Congestion

Posted on May 2, 2013 | In Home Remedies
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steam inhalationWritten by, Becki Andrus
For nasal congestion, a common treatment is for people to turn to over-the-counter medications: decongestant and/or antihistamine pills, vapor rub, etc. But, there’s no need to reach for these chemical-filled nasal congestion “remedies,” because you can use essential oils for respiratory problems!

If you are experiencing nose congestion or sinus congestion as a result of a cold or allergies, then steam inhalation with essential oils is a great option to open those sinuses and allow them to drain. This home remedy for nasal congestion is simple and easy to do, you can do it in the comfort of your own home– and you probably already have everything that is needed.

What you will need:

  • A glass bowl
  • Steaming hot water
  • A few drops of essential oil (peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, and/or ginger are good options to try)
  • A large towel

Pour the steaming water into the glass bowl, add 2 – 3 drops of essential oil into the water, hold the towel open over your head, close your eyes and lean over the bowl of steaming water. Breathe in deeply thru your nose, and inhale the vapors. Continue breathing deeply for 2 or 3 minutes. Have tissues ready, because as the sinuses open up you should start to experience mucous drainage out the nose.

The towel is used as a tent, to catch the steam and keep it in the area of your face. The easiest way to drape the towel is to have it resting on the back of your head, with the ends of the towel hanging down over your ears when you are leaning forward. When you move your face over the bowl, the towel is hanging to the side, trapping all of the steam into the tent.

It is best to keep your eyes closed while inhaling the steam, because the essential oils can be strong and you don’t want them to irritate your eyes. Also, be VERY, VERY careful to not injure yourself with the hot water or steam. Don’t let your face touch the water (hold your nose 8 – 12 inches above the bowl), and if the steam is too hot allow it to cool a little bit before you begin.

While you are inhaling the steam, if it becomes too intense, simply lift the towel a little bit to allow more fresh air in. Then, resume the deep breathing whenever you are ready. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, discontinue the treatment.

This home remedy for nasal congestion helps in several ways:

  • The steam helps to open the sinuses (it has a similar effect as the steam from a hot shower)
  • The essential oils have natural elements that help to open and clear the sinuses as well
  • Essential oils have natural antibacterial/antiviral properties, so they also help to treat & prevent sinus infection (as well as getting rid of the root problem that caused the congestion in the first place)
  • As an added bonus, the steam helps to open your facial pores which can help to cleanse any skin impurities!

I like to use this nasal congestion remedy twice a day when I am experiencing sinus congestion. Typically, in the morning and night to help open the sinuses and help me breathe better throughout the day.

I hope that you enjoyed this essential oils tip! If you found the information helpful, please take a moment to use the social sharing buttons below to share the information with your friends. For more tips to use essential oils for home remedies, be sure to enter in your email address and sign up for my free essential oils newsletter and “Kick Start Guide.”

With love,

Becki :)

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