Easy to make natural sanitizers
Earlier I posted a formula for a quickie hand sanitizer, but a couple of folks have mentioned that they’re not too hip on the smell, or they would prefer a “spicier” or “fruity” note rather than a minty note. So, here’s a couple more formulas to keep you safe and sanitized during the cold and flu season.
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon perfumer’s alcohol
- 4 ml Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
- 4 ml Clove Bud Oil
- 4 ml Rosemary Essential Oil (Avoid use during pregnancy. Not for use by people with high blood pressure or a history of epilepsy.)
- 4 ml Lemon Essential Oil
- 4 ml Narrow Leaf Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Narrow Leaf essential oil has a more pleasing aroma than the more common Blue Gum Eucalyptus. Due to its pleasant smell and its valuable chemical constituents, this is my favorite Eucalyptus oil. Although it has strong antiviral properties, it is also gentler than Eucalyptus globulus, and therefore useful in aromatherapy preparations for children and the elderly.)
*Directions: Mix all of the ingredients together. Shake and use.
This type of formula dates back to the 15th century. Reportedly, thieves covered themselves in something similar so they could steal from plague victims and dead bodies without catching the disease. Independent lab tests of this oil blend shows a %90 kill rate on micrococcus luteus within 12 minute diffusion and a %99.3 reduction after 20 minutes. Pseudomonas aeruginosa – a major agent of nosocomial infection, showed %99.96 kill rate after 12 minutes of diffusion.
With this formula, you’ll need to shake the bottle each and every time you use it because essential oils and water don’t naturally mix. Cinnamon Essential Oil can be irritating to skin. If any irritation occurs, double the water (use 6 Tablespoons) to decrease irritation. If irritation continues, you can try switching out the Cinnamon Leaf EO with Tea Tree Essential Oil, or try using a carrier oil instead of a water blend.
I generally make this formula using a light oil carrier, such as sunflower or evening primrose, instead of water/alcohol. It blends better, but is a much heavier recipe and cannot be easily used in a spray bottle.
*Directions: Mix all of the ingredients together. Shake and use. Since Alcohol is a natural emulsifier, this recipe will turn white and not require shaking each and every time before use. Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil can be irritating to skin. If any irritation occurs, double the liquid (use 6 Tablespoons) to decrease irritation. If irritation continues, switch out the Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil with Tea Tree Essential Oil. This blend is based on the research in the Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery (2009) available online at www.sciencedirect.com
3 tablespoons Aloe Vera Gel or Liquid
5 ml Lemon EO
4 ml Tea Tree EO
Optional: 2 ml White Thyme Essential Oil
*Directions: Mix all of the ingredients together. Shake and use. Can also be used on places like doorknobs, telephones and other common germ vector locations.
1 ml White Thyme Essential Oil
1 ml Litsea Essential Oil
2 ml Orange Essential Oil
1/2 C. Aloe Vera
1/2 Teaspoon Lecithin
*Directions: Combine the lecithin and the essential oils together in a small container. Slowly pour the essential oil mixture into the aloe vera while stick blending the mixture. This will naturally help emulsify the mixture (think salad dressing). Lecithin is typically found in health food stores and is a natural emulsifier. This blend will be thick like lotion. Spray bottles won’t work with this formula.
Here are some great research links: Fungus Killed by Essential Oils, Antimicrobial Essential Oils {PDF}, Antibacterial Soaps, Tea Tree oil antimicrobial, Tea Tree Oil & Fungus, Tea Tree Oil.