This Mother’s Day, instead of giving Mom a bouquet of flowers, try giving her pure essential oils instead! These "bottled flowers" last for a long time, and won’t wither and die like cut flowers do. Plus, pure essential oils are incredibly handy, and benefit everything from natural perfume and chemical-free skin care recipes to mood enhancement. Although scent preferences are very personal, many essential oils please almost everyone- even the pickiest people. Here are some gorgeous essential oils that make this Mother’s Day one that mom will never forget.
Bergamot
You might have thought that Bergamot was a type of herb, but in actuality, bergamot is derived from citrus peels. Its lovely aroma is soft and floral, and if you drink Earl Gray, you will recognize its characteristic flavor and aroma. Bergamot oil is uplifting and is great for beating stress and even depression. This incredible oil is even good for fighting acne when you apply it topically, but be careful avoid sun exposure! Bergamot can make the skin burn more easily in sunlight, so it's best used at night.
Geranium
Geranium essential oil is sweet and floral- almost like rose, but more herbal. In aromatherapy, geranium is used to combat stress and anxiety. It's also useful topically to help with lymphatic drainage, and can help reduce the appearance of cellulite over time (read: no more cottage cheese thighs!). Geranium is also helpful for female reproductive issues.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil has what may be the most popular and recognizable scent of any essential oil. Its floral, soft, clean, aroma is a great remedy for stress and tension. A few drops placed in a bath can help ease sore muscles, and if you suffer from stress or tension headaches, try applying some to your temples for fast relief! And while you're at it, try spritzing some on your pillows at night to relieve insomnia and sleep more deeply. Lavender is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory powerhouse, which makes it a great staple for your medicine cabinet. It can even provide relief to various skin irritation such as acne, insect bites, and minor burns. Need we say more?
Rose Blend
The aroma of rose blend essential oil is sweet and floral, it is soothing, uplifting and is said to enhance feelings of love and heal the heart. Rose oil can be worn as a perfume, and makes a great alternative to synthetic, chemical-laden perfumes. It is considered one of the best essential oils for beauty, and is soothing to skin irritations and acne.
Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang oil is sweet, floral, and intoxicating. Its aroma is said to be an aphrodisiac, and unsurprisingly, helps create feelings of joy and euphoria. Adding ylang ylang to an oil such as coconut makes a great sensual massage oil.
Now, if you want to go the extra mile, and you think Mom would appreciate something you make just for her, here is an easy DIY recipe for floral bath salts to give mom an at-home spa experience! You will need:
2 cups Epsom salts
½ cup baking soda
essential oils (any of the oil mentioned above, strong oils such as ylang ylang only require a few drops whereas softer oils such as lavender may need ten to twenty drops)
dried flowers (optional dried flowers add color to the mix; butterfly blue pea flowers will turn the bath water a calming light blue)
2 tbsp. oil (optional, for people with dry skin oils such as our herbal body oil can help moisturize the skin)
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and place in a container such as a mason jar or tin.
Related article: use essential oils to clean your home
If your mom is crafty, she will have a ball with this Botanical Perfume Kit! There is a very limited supply of these available.
Happy gifting!
