My Favorite Ways to Use Essential Oils

For sore feet after a long day or a hike, add five to eight drops of lemongrass oil to a large bowl or container of warm water, plus two tablespoons of Epsom salts if feet are really aching.

Dilute peppermint oil with a carrier oil, like coconut oil, and rub a small dab on the temples to help ease a headache.

A few drops in a diffuser on cleaning days lifts mood and energy; the anti-depressive, anxiety-easing properties of orange oil can work as an instant pick-me-up. It also makes a nice addition to a homemade kitchen cleaner: a spray bottle of half vinegar, half water, with a few drops of sweet orange oil mixed in for a more pleasant scent than vinegar alone.