Essential Oils for Dad

Dads often have a lot of work to do to keep the house and everything in it functioning properly. Sometimes the essential oils that can help the best are ones that are practical and help him get the job done. Other times, he may just need oils that help to relieve stress, boost his energy, or soothe a headache. Here are a few suggestions for essential oils that men can use this summer:

Oils for Reducing Paint Fumes: Do you hate breathing in the paint fumes while painting and can still smell them for days afterward? Try adding a citrus oil or blend to the paint before painting. (One 15 ml bottle will work for a 5 gallon bucket.) Stir occasionally, as the oils may rise to the top if using a water-based paint (Modern Essentials, p. 46).

Hand Degreaser: After working on the car, dad’s hands are likely covered in hard-to-remove grease. Try giving him this hand degreaser with lemon essential oil!

Hand Degreaser

Servings: Yield = 1/4 cup | Time: 2 minutes | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients and Materials Needed:

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. Epsom salt (or other salt)
• 4–6 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients in a 2 oz. glass bottle or salve jar.
To use, shake bottle to mix ingredients, dump out a little on hands, and rub together.

Note: Applying a moisturizing lotion before the degreaser always makes cleanup easier.

Allergy Relief: Yardwork is often on a dad’s task list, but sometimes being outside gets his allergies acting up. A blend of lavender, lemon, and peppermint is often used to combat these allergies. Modern Essentials also lists melaleuca, Roman chamomile, melissa, patchouli, and eucalyptus essential oils as oils that may help with allergies (p. 175).

Stress–Relieving Oils: Dad can have a lot of stress due to the many pressures that come with providing for and taking care of his family. Essential oils can be very beneficial for relieving stress. According to the book Modern Essentials, oils that may help with stress are lavender, lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, geranium, cedarwood, sandalwood, rosemary, Roman chamomile, or frankincense (p. 274).

Energy–Boosting Oils:

After a long day at work, dad may need some energy-boosting oils so he can play with the kids and spend some “Daddy Time” with them. Modern Essentials recommends the following oils to help with boosting energy levels: white fir, peppermint, lemon, basil, thyme, rosemary, orange, lemongrass, or eucalyptus (p. 220).

Oils for Soothing Headaches: With all the work dads do, headaches are probably a common occurrence. If so, try giving dad peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, frankincense, patchouli, basil, marjoram, lavender, clove, eucalyptus, or a blend such as the Tension Blend or Soothing Blend to relieve his headache (Modern Essentials, p. 229–230).

Oils for Relaxing: Above all, even dads need time to relax. Maybe dad enjoys soaking in the bathtub, or maybe he just needs some time to lay on the grass and take a nap. Whatever he does to relax, essential oils can always enhance the experience. Modern Essentials suggests the following oils that may help with relaxation: lavender, ylang ylang, lemon, Massage Blend, Roman chamomile, geranium, frankincense, sandalwood, and clary sage (p. 264). If adding the oils to a bath, mix them first with some bath gel or Epsom salts so they can disperse more easily throughout the bathwater.

Source: Modern Essentials, Fifth Edition, 2013.

The information above is an abridgment from the Modern Essentials “Personal Usage Guide” section by AromaTools®. This information has been designed to help educate the reader in regard to the subject matter covered. This information is provided with the understanding that the publisher, the authors, and AromaTools®, LLC, are not liable for the misconception or misuse of the information provided. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, illness, or injured condition of the body. The authors, publisher, and AromaTools®, LLC, shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this information. The information presented is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult a qualified health care professional.