Essential oils are gaining in popularity and you may have heard of Lavender essential oil...aka 'the Swiss Army Knife' of essential oils. With a multitude of uses, it has definitely earned the title. Common questions I often get asked are...
What can Lavender essential oil be used for? or..How do you use Lavender oil on horses? and..How do you apply lavender oil to horses? Todays blog has got ya covered! Let's chat Lavender essential oil, what you can use it for, and how to use it with your horse.
First, if you're new to using essential oils with your horse, grab my free guide to help ya get started where we go over what you need to know to use essential oils safely and easily with your horse, including safety and dilution, click HERE
I think Lavender's probably one of the most well known essential oils and should be given credit for bringing essential oils back into interest in the modern world with the help of a frenchman. While essential oils have been around a long, long time, with many references in the Bible, mentions from ancient Greece, and cultures across the globe, it was in the early 1900's that they re-surfaced in large part from the work of Rene-Maurice Gattefosse.
According to the Gattefosse Foundation (https://www.fondation-gattefosse.org/en/rene-maurice-gattefosse/) Gattefosse worked in his family's perfume business in the early 1900's. Lavender was an essential part of the perfume industry and Gattefosse is credited with the development of French Lavender, even creating a union of Lavender producers. He published numerous articles on lavender and its therapeutic properties. In the early 1900's, he burned his hands badly while working in the lab. He had heard lavender essential oil was good for burns and had a miraculous recovery of his burns using lavender essential oil. It inspired him on a new mission to convince the medical world of lavenders healing properties, and he dedicated the rest of his life to the research and development of essential oils for medical purposes. When his brother died of infection during the war, he embarked on developing an aromatic antiseptic. He continued to research and publish about essential oils until his death in 1950.
So what can you use lavender for?
Lavender can be a very calming oil. Research conducted at the University of Arizona ( https://phys.org/news/2018-07-calmer-horse.html) and published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science found "significant signs of stress reduction in horses that inhaled lavender from a diffuser"
Any situation where you think your horse would benefit from more relaxation would be a time you want to pull out the oil and have your horse take a whiff. Simply apply a drop to the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, and offer to your horse. If they like it, let them inhale it for as long as they want. Then, I like to the apply the leftover oil in my hands, to the back of my neck. I become a walking diffuser, stay calm myself, and have a more relaxed neck!
Aromatherapy diffuser jewelry can be a fun option to be a walking diffuser as well. Trailering, veterinary and farrier visits, grooming , tacking up, attending clinics...these situations and more could benefit from some Lavender oil. You can also add a few drops to cotton balls or wood clothespins and stash in your trailer or stall. Keep out of reach of your horse tho'. If you have electricity in your barn, you can run an ultrasonic diffuser.
Lavender can be beneficial for the skin and coat. One of my favorite ways to use it is by making a mane and tail de-tangler and conditioner. For my favorite recipe click HERE. It adds a nice shine and a calming aroma. During shedding season and in the summer when it's so dry and dusty, I also use this recipe to help with grooming. It keeps the dust down. Pesky annoyances also tend to not like the aroma!
Lavender can also be used to help with muscle tension by massaging it into hard working muscles.
It's also very popular in many food and dessert recipes and contains antioxidants. I love me a hot lavender latte-lol. In people, when taken as a dietary supplement it may provide immune support. It stands to reason that our horses could receive similar benefits. Be sure to only use essential oils labeled for ingestion such as Young Living's Vitality™ line. You can add a drop to your horses grain and see if they like it. My horses like the smell and taste of Lavender and I will add about 3 drops in their grain bucket when traveling. Every horse is different, and essential oils are super concentrated, so start with a drop and see if your horse likes it too.
Now you might be asking 'how do I apply lavender to my horse'?
First we have to chat about 2 key factors to putting any essential oil on your horse-quality and dilution. Not all essential oils are created equally. There is minimal regulation in the industry and many essential oils sold on the market are synthetic or diluted with other ingredients. To safely apply an essential oil to your horse, make sure you are buying a premium, high quality essential oil. Read the label on the oil you are buying and avoid buying any oil with the word fragrance on the label. Ask the following questions of any company you're buying essential oils from.
I like Young Living™ and you can read about their Seed To Seal™ guarantee HERE.
Now, let's talk about how you dilute Lavender essential oil.
To dilute, I like the easy button. I simply apply a dollop of carrier oil (a carrier oil is simply a fatty oil like a vegetable oil, that is perfect to 'carry the essential oil') to the palm of my hand, then add a drop or 2 of the essential oil, rub my palms together and apply to the desired area. There are dilution guidelines for percentages, but I have been using the dollop method for over 7 years now and have yet to have a problem...from my under 200 pound minis to my large and in charge draft cross mare. If you want to dilute by percentage, generally a 5-10% dilution is adequate. Keep in mind that horses with sensitive skin...think any pink skin and redheads....may need more dilution. Watch the area for any signs of a reaction, such as raised hair, swelling, itching, or biting of the area. If that occurs, simply add more carrier oil. Essential oils like fat, so when you add more carrier oil, it further dilutes the essential oil and slows down the absorption rate by the body to a tolerable level. Water and essential oils don't mix, so adding water usually only makes the reaction worse by driving the essential oil into the skin.
If you want to dilute by percentages, download my 'Quick and Easy Dilution' PDF for horses HERE
You might be asking if you can use Lavender oil without a carrier oil and if it's safe to use Lavender undiluted? Lavender is a mild essential oil and can be used undiluted. However, I recommend that you dilute it, especially if you are new to using essential oils with your horse. Dilution makes it even safer to use and minimizes any potential skin reaction. Dilution also helps your essential oils last longer and be more economical. Since essential oils are extremely concentrated extracts of plants and a little goes a long way, you only need minimal drops and dilution is helpful for applying and using the oil on a large area.
What carrier oil should you use? Glad you asked :)
I like olive oil, coconut oil, or fractionated coconut oil. Olive oil simply because I always have it. It's a thick oil and stays on the skin longer, so it works well, but can leave a greasy feel. It also has an aroma to it that may not be preferred for some recipes. I prefer the fractionated coconut oil, which is simply coconut oil processed to stay liquid, as it has no aroma and absorbs quickly, without leaving an oily residue. It's also very cost effective. Regular coconut oil is also a good option. I always tend to have it as well and it's inexpensive. It can add an amazing coconut aroma to recipes, and works great for a hoof moisturizer. In winter tho, it's hard to scoop out.
You can make a roll on for topical use. There are a couple of ways to create a roll on:
1: Purchase a roll on top from Amazon or your essential oil company (make sure the description says it will fit the size of essential oil bottle you have). Use an empty essential oil bottle that you have, pop the orifice reducer off, add desired number of essential oil drops based on how much you want to dilute it, add a liquid carrier oil, and then add the roll on top. Gently invert it to mix. Then you have a pre-diluted essential oil roll on.
2: Purchase a roll on bottle and top from Amazon. I like the 10 ml size. Add desired amount of essential oil based on how much you want to dilute, then fill up with a liquid carrier oil. I usually add about 10 drops to a 10 ml roll on, which is about a 5% dilution ratio.
For a step by step guide to creating a roll on, click HERE
The roll on makes it easy to have diluted Lavender essential oil at your fingertips. Now, you can:
-Roll it on any area of concern with the skin
-Roll it onto your palms and then hand comb thru the mane and tail
-Roll some on your horses poll or chest in any situation that your horse may get upset in
If you are at a show, be aware that some governing bodies will test for lavender. If that's the case, simply use it aromatically instead. Apply a drop to your hands and let your horse smell for as long as they want, then put the excess on you as a perfume. You will then be a walking diffuser to help create a more relaxing atmosphere.
-Roll on the abdomen for digestion
-Roll on stocked up legs
-Roll on bug bites, bumps, or bruises
Sometimes when applying lavender essential oil to skin, it's easier to spray, rather than roll. You can mist the area around your horse when needed as well. To make a Lavender Spray:
Add 12-20 drops Lavender essential oil to a 2 oz. glass spray bottle. Add 10 drops of a carrier oil or a pinch of salt to help the essential oil mix better in to the water. You can leave this out, but the essential oil will sit on top of the water, so it's less ideal. Fill up the remainder of the bottle with distilled water. You can use tap water but distilled water has the impurities removed, so I like it better. Make sure you shake it well before every use. For a step by step guide to making a spray, click HERE!
So, add Lavender essential oil to your 'tool box' and keep it in mind the next time you head to the barn!
If you're ready for a deeper dive in using essential oils with your horse, check out my mini course "Oily Horse Intro" where we dive into the what, where, how, and why, of getting started using essential oils with your horse...safely and easily! Check it out HERE!
Remember, using essential oils with your horse is not a substitute for regular veterinary care and statements made have not been evaluated by the FDA, nor are they intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.
First, we might want to start off with why would you want to make your own deodorant? Simply grab the store bought deodorant you are using now and read the ingredients! If you are seeing aluminum, parabens (preservatives), phthalates, or the word fragrance...it's time to ditch and switch or consider making your own! If you do a google search with the words 'dangers of' before any of those ingredients, you will want to opt for an alternative. Plus making your own is cheaper, healthier and more fun!
First, it's important to realize that the smell actually doesn't come from your sweat but rather when the bacteria on the skin break it down. Everyone has their own individual microbiome on the skin. Certain foods can make you sweat more and affect the bacteria on your skin causing more odor. Cutting down on an overabundance of processed, sugary, greasy foods, and meat, can make a diiference. You may need to play around with ingredients and the essential oils to get the right odor control for your body.
Also, traditional antiperspirants plug sweat glands...and that's not a good idea! Sweating is one of the ways your body releases toxins, and you don't want to impede that. Sweating also helps control body temperature.
Natural deodorants work to kill the bacteria that give off the unpleasant odor, not to stop you from sweating. In the beginning, your body may go thru a transition period as it adjusts away from chemical laden products. You may sweat more at first, or you might actually stink more. Give it a good month to rebalance your 'ecosystem'. You can apply the homemade deodorant more often for the first month or make a roll on for quick odor control during the day.
You can make a spray or a salve. I have done both and find them both effective, but I prefer the salve, as I think it lasts longer. With a spray, I was having to use it twice a day and with the salve, I only need to apply once per day. I live in a hot climate and spend a good portion of the day outside in the barn.
Ingredients you will need for a DIY Deodorant Spray:
Vodka or Everclear. I find Everclear works better as it's a higher proof alcohol (higher proof over 150=more antibacterial action) but I have also used the cheapest vodka I could find and been satisfied. I just needed to reapply during the day.
Essential Oils. For the most part, you can use what smells better to you or your favorite. Remember, everyones microbiome is different and so some essential oils may work better for you than others. Its fun to experiment or rotate aromas and see what you like better and what works best for you. There are some essential oils that have been studied for odor control and may be more effective, but in my experience, the difference is slight and you can simply reapply if more odor control is needed, so use what ya like. What is important is quality! Not all essential oils are created equally. Be sure you are using a premium essential oil. I like Young Living™ and you can read about their Seed To Seal™ guarantee HERE
Fractionated Coconut Oil. This is coconut oil processed to stay liquid. It's an optional ingredient, but I thought that my deodorant lasted longer with the addition of this. The oil will stay on your skin longer than with just the alcohol. I also have sensitive skin and found that adding this kept the mix from burning if I used after shaving. Don't worry, if you leave it out and use after shaving, it really only burns for a few seconds and is very tolerable.You could also simply avoid using right after you shave.
Magnesium Oil. Another optional ingredient, but a good one to have. You can actually use plain magnesium oil as a stand alone deodorant. I didn't think it worked as well as adding the essential oils and vodka when I tried it, but I like the protection I got when I added it in as an addition. Again, everyone is different, make the basic recipe, try it, and if you need more odor control, add the additional ingredients. Also I have found that people with sensitive skin can be easily irritated by magnesium oil.
DIY Deodorant Spray Recipe:
glass spray bottle or high quality PET or HDPE plastic spray bottle, 4 oz. size works well, grab them on Amazon
3 oz. vodka or everclear
30 drops essential oils
If more odor control needed, consider adding 1 TBS Fractionated Coconut Oil
OR
consider adding 1 TBS Magnesium Oil...keep in mind this can be a skin irritant...
Add all ingredients Into the spray bottle and shake well before each use.
Ingredients you will need for the DIY Deodorant Salve....
Coconut Oil. Creates a nice layer on the skin for long lasting odor control. Good for sensitive skin, adds a nice aroma, inexpensive, and rumored to be antibacterial itself.
Shea Butter. You will see many recipes for just coconut oil. I found coconut oil to be too liquid in summer and too hard in winter. With the addition of the shea butter, you get a nice cream consistency that stays year round and makes for easy application.
10 drops essential oil. Again some may work better than others, but I believe the difference is minimal. Use what ya like, and experiment. I find myself rotating between Lemongrass, Ylang Ylang, or Purification™ which is a fabulous blend from Young Living.
Baking Soda. Helps to neutralize odor. I have made this recipe without and find I need the extra odor control. This is an ingredient that many people can be sensitive to. Using just 1 TBS seems to do the trick for me without iritation. I have a friend who uses 2 TBS, and you will see that amount listed commonly in other recipes. I recommend starting with 1 and see how it works for you.
Arrowroot Powder. This is your drying agent, as it helps to absorb moisture. It's not really a common ingredient (altho you can usually find it in your health food stores baking aisle or on amazon), so I leave it out and find I don't really need it. You can also substitute cornstarch instead which is a more common ingredient you might have in your pantry.
DIY Deodorant Cream Recipe:
empty and clean container, I like to recycle used jelly jars or hand salve jars
2 TBS Coconut Oil
2 TBS Shea Butter
10 drops essential oil
Consider adding 1 TBS Baking Soda at a time for more odor control
AND/OR
1 TBS Arrowroot Powder or Corn Starch at a time for more moisture control
Combine the coconut oil and shea butter in a bowl and stir until mixed well and a creamy consistency. Then stir in the essential oils and dry ingredients if using. Scoop into your storage container. Swipe a small amount on your finger and wipe into your armpits.
I haven't had any trouble with this staining my clothes. In fact, when I quit using an aluminum based deodorant, I quit making yellow stains on my clothes. However, I have heard a few people report it added an oily residue to their clothing. I would make sure you are not using too much and wait a few minutes after application before getting dressed.
Remember, how long and how well the natural deodorant works, really does depend on your activity level, sweat output and microbiome..Stick with it and experiment! It may take you a month or so to transition over to a natural deodorant. Try different essential oil combos, or add the optional ingredients. If you need some extra odor control in the meantime, make a roll on and apply as needed throughout the day. Simply purchase a 10 ml roller bottle (amazon-lol). Add 10 drops essential oil, then fill the remainder of the bottle up with fractionated coconut oil. For a step by step guide to making a roller bottle with a few of my favorite essential oil recipes, click HERE
To get essential oil recipes, tips, tricks and hacks delivered straight to your inbox, click HERE
Did you know that it's generally recommended that you drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day…by the way…thats plain jane H2O…not tea, coffee, soda, lemonade, or even in my case- Kombucha-lol
If you're like me, water can get boring..and who wants to keep track of how much they're drinking..we have enough to do-right?! Luckily, there are easy ways we can spice it up, and keep track of our intake.
3 Easy tips to jazz up your water and get those ounces in by the end of the day.
Invest in a stainless steel or glass water bottle and know how much it holds and how many times per day you need a refill to get to your desired number..you’d be surprised at how helpful this is…
Or, invest in a glass pitcher, fill it up per day with your needed water amount and then add fruit or lemon, keep in the fridge.. and cold refreshing agua is always at your fingertips…plus you know you need to empty it by the end of the day, and when ya do, you've achieved your daily intake..try lemon, watermelon, strawberry, even cantaloupe…I like to buy whatever organic produce is on sale and use that..then I get a new flavor often.
Try infusing your water with essential oils..glass or stainless steel vessels only, as essential oils degrade plastic, and who wants to drink plastic?! Just 1 drop will do, and you will have to shake before every swig, as essential oils and water don’t mix, but heck, that breaks up the monotony-lol.
More tips for adding essential oils to your water:
If you prefer a tad of sweet, add a few drops of honey to your water bottle, add a drop of essential oil, then fill your bottle up with water. This will help the essential oil mix in the water, but you still need to shake well before drinking. You can also purchase Stevia drops at your local grocery or on Amazon, and use that instead of honey to keep it zero calorie.
Make sure you are using essential oils labeled for ingestion! I like Young Living's Vitality™ Line. You can use any essential oil labeled for ingestion...but some of them are too strong and don't taste good, for example-Oregano.
Any of the citrus oils are mild enough to use a drop and get away with it-haha! I also like to do a full drop of Peppermint.…and if you like Earl Grey Tea, try a drop of Bergamot.
Some essential oils taste good but a drop is too much, so you can dip a toothpick thru the orifice, then swirl the toothpick in your water bottle after ya fill it. Good examples of this are Cinnamon, Copaiba, Spearmint, Nutmeg, and Lavender.
Everyones tastes are different, so pick an essential oil based on what you think you may like, and give it a try...if it's too strong, add more water.
If you're interested in more info about consuming essential oils...grab my free guide that includes what you need to know to safely ingest essential oils. Grab it HERE!
Sometimes when I have essential oil get togethers, we like to play this game of....'If you could only have 1 essential oil....which one?' Yikes! Who wants to only have one-right?!-lol! (they are like potato chips :) ) But, it's a fun way to learn about essential oils and how everyone is using them! Today, my pick is Peppermint..so I'd like to share all the ways I use Peppermint Essential Oil for myself and my horses and dogs.
Peppermint Essential Oil is steam distilled from the leaves, stems, and flower buds of the Peppermint plant. A strong oil that has a high concentration of Menthol, it can create a tingling and cooling sensation on the skin. You can use it for your digestive, respiratory, and nervous systems, as well as for skin, muscles and bones. That's why it's one of my faves...you can use it for every body system!
Cooling Spray
This is my favorite 'cause I live in a hot climate. Sometimes it feels like an oven, and having horses, ya can't stop goin' outside even when the temps jump into (and stay) in the 3 digits....It's super simple, grab a glass spray bottle, add 10 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil per 2 ounces, then fill up with water. You can use a high quality chemically resistant plastic spray bottle (PET or HDPE), if you prefer. Shake well before each use and then mist the back of your neck and arms...ahhh... instant air conditioning. You can spray your horses along the lower neck over the jugular vein, along the abdomen, and in-between the back legs to help cool them off. I also love to use this spray to help with those pesky outdoor annoyances in summer months.
Cooling Horse Rinse
After exercise or sometimes even if the horses are sweating just hanging out in the stall, I will make a rinse with peppermint and Epsom Salts. The Epsom Salts can add additional help to relax and soothe muscles and also help the essential oil disperse in the water. Simply add a half a cup of epsom salt to a 2 gallon bucket, add around 10-20 drops of Peppermint essential oil to the Epsom Salt, stir, and then fill the bucket with water. After the Epsom Salts have dissolved, sponge your horse down (then make sure to squeegee them to get the water off the coat, otherwise the water can act as insulation). This can help soothe and relax tired muscles, and be very cooling.
Bath Salts or Foot Soak
Add 10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil to 1/3 cup epsom salt in a 4 oz. glass jar, and mix well. For a foot soak, use 1 TBS in a bowl of hot water that your feet will fit in, or for a bath add 2 TBS to your bath.
Peppermint Tea
Add 1 drop of Peppermint Essential Oil labeled for ingestion, such as Young Living's Peppermint Vitality™ to honey, and then add hot water. Use the desired amount of honey for your sweetness level, I like about a half a teaspoon.
Peppermint Coffee
I love to add a drop of Peppermint Vitality™ to my morning coffee. Not only do you inhale a boosting aroma right off the bat, but then my coffee tastes amazing....a perfect way to start the day!
Boost Your Water
Add a drop of Peppermint Vitality™ to your water bottle....keep in mind you need to use glass or stainless steel-no plastic. Shake well each time you take a swig! This gives you a refreshing boost every time you take a sip and breaks the monotony of plain ol' water. Plus Peppermint Vitality™ can enhance healthy gut function and help calm occasional stomach discomfort.*
Fresh Breath Spray
Add 1-3 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil labeled for ingestion, such as Young Living's Peppermint Vitality™ to a 5ml glass spray bottle (available on Amazon) and fill up with water. Shake each time before you use. You can add a drop directly to the roof of your mouth via your finger for a high powered, breath freshening punch, but it is a super strong whammy in your mouth!
Muscle Rub
Add 10 drops to 1/2 cup coconut oil in a glass jar and mix well. Rub into any area you want to target. This works great for dogs as well and I often like to rub this into my older dogs hips.
Make A Roll On
Make a roll on by adding 10 drops into a 10 ml glass roller bottle (available on Amazon), fill with a carrier oil. I like to use fractionated coconut oil. It is coconut oil processed to stay in liquid form, has no aroma, and absorbs well into the skin without leaving an oily residue. You can simply add a roller fitment to your bottle of Peppermint Essential Oil, but since Peppermint is very strong, I recommend diluting it in a roller bottle. Repeated undiluted use can cause a skin sensitivity.
Use this roll on...
-on the back of your neck during afternoon slumps, or anytime you need a 'pick me up' or some extra energy
-if ya need to focus or be mentally alert.. handy for studying, learning something new, late night driving trips (there have been studies done indicating that inhaling peppermint can increase mental accuracy by up to 24%!)
-roll on your dogs abdomen if car rides are unsettling
-roll on your horses abdomen for digestion
-roll on your chest before or after exercise to support good breathing
-use as a liniment by rolling on your horses tendons after exercise
-roll on any area of discomfort that you, your dog, or horse has
Make Peppermint horse cookies...get the recipe HERE
For more recipes and tips makin' essential oil use easy for the whole family...sign up for 'The Weekly Oiler' HERE
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Young Living products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
First question you might ask-is why-lol...why do I need a dry shampoo. Let me show you how handy a dry shampoo has been for me and my dogs!
First things first, if your dog seems to always have an odor and he isn't rollin' in anything, you should schedule a visit to your vet. That's not normal, any odor form the mouth or ears should be evaluated and same for if its coming from the skin or coat- you may need to look at what your fur kid is eating. Brushing your dogs hair at least twice weekly does wonders for the coat. It helps to distribute your dogs natural oils throughout the coat, and helps gets rid of dead hair and skin.
So, I'm getting ready to leave for the day, and I go to kiss my snugs goodbye (doesn't everyone kiss their dog goodbye?) and pee yewww! She must have just rolled in something. Well, I've really got to get out the door, but I don't want her puttin' that stink everywhere until I get home, so I pull out my dry shampoo. Don't worry, this DIY dry shampoo only has 3 ingredients so even if you dont have any pre-made, you can whip it up almost instantly.
All you need is baking soda, cornstarch, and essential oils!
Simply mix equal parts baking soda and cornstarch, and add about 10 drops of essential oil per 2 cups. If you were making it on the fly, sprinkle a little of baking soda, then a little of cornstarch in your palm, and add a drop of essential oil. There are so many times that this comes in handy tho, that I like to take 1 cup of each, mix it together, and add about 10 drops of essential oil. Then I transfer it to a jelly jar and poke holes in the lid so I can shake it on the coat. An empty spice container works too, or even a bowl and an old paint brush for little dogs.
It's also come in handy 'cause bath time stresses out several of my chihuahuas and sometimes they just start to get that doggie smell. Using this dry shampoo in between baths helps to keep the coat fresh and clean.
Then there's winter...I don't like to bathe in winter, especially my Great Pyrenees. With all that hair, its way too cold and he'd never dry, yet he likes to roll around in the dirt...all.. day..long..I really like using the dry shampoo before he comes in the house.
I like to use calming essential oils that are also good for the skin. My favorite for this recipe is Cedarwood. It's a very inexpensive essential oil too. I also occasionally use Myrrh, and Lavender is a good choice too. Frankincense is also at the top of my list!
So the next time you need some doggie odor control and would rather not on a bath, give this recipe a try!
For more recipes and tips makin' essential oil use easy for the whole family...sign up for 'The Weekly Oiler' HERE
