Winter can be a difficult season. The chills and cold air are bound to affect your skin, hair and health. Along with the few basics that help maintain good health, you need to have a routine which can take care of you completely.
I started using essential oils almost a decade ago and they’ve become a staple for me. I use them depending on the seasons, because they have their own healing properties.
Over the years, I have experimented and stuck to some tried and tested DIY methods using essential oils which I would love to share with you.
Healing Hair Mask
Yes, the hair does get dry, frizzy and unmanageable in the winters. A good healing mask provides the much needed nourishment for the hair and the scalp.
Pure coconut oil does the trick, but a few drops of essential oils in it and you’ll end up with a wonderful hair mask that gives you beautiful tresses.
What you need:
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 5 drops of rosemary essential oil
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
Blend these ingredients in a dry glass bowl and apply from the roots to the tips of your hair. Cover with a shower cap. Leave it for at least an hour before you wash it with a natural and mild hair cleanser. Use this hair mask at least once a week for healthy hair.
Coconut oils and honey nourish your scalp and hair, providing it the much needed nourishment in the dry and cold weather. Essential oils of rosemary help to heal the dry and itchy scalp by reducing dandruff. Lavender, is a calming essential oil that helps to heal the scalp and reduce the dryness.
Decongest Naturally
A cough and cold are common in the winters. Don’t reach for the chemical laden balms this season, instead make your own! As a mum, who prefers natural products, most of the times I end up making my own concoctions and this one is my favorite.
My recipe for an all-natural healing vaporub.
What you need:
- 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil
- 10 drops each of eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil and lavender oil
Blend all the listed ingredients till it begins to thicken a bit. I use a hand blender to do that. Gently pour the mixture in a glass jar. Store it in an airtight container and dab a bit on the chest and forehead for complete relaxation.
Coconut oil is gentle for your skin, so this makes the base of the recipe. The essential oils of eucalyptus and peppermint are known to be excellent decongestants. They help you breathe easier especially during a cough or a cold. Lavender promotes relaxation and calms your mind, which in turn helps you to sleep better.
Moisturizing Body Oil
I love a warming body oil, especially in the winter because it keeps my skin moisturised for that extra hour. This super easy, no fuss recipe is something that you should try.
What you need:
- 1/4 cup almond oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essential oil
- 2-3 drops clove oil
Pour all these ingredients in a small spray bottle and mix well. Spray on damp skin to moisturize your skin. I prefer to use this post a shower for best results. You can adjust the fragrance as per your preference.
Almond oil is nourishing for your skin as it keeps it soft, supple and moisturised in the cool season. Clove is a typical winter spice that keeps your skin warm when applied.
(Pratibha Pal spent her childhood in idyllic places only fauji kids would have heard of. She grew up reading a variety of books that let her imagination wander and still hopes to come across the Magic Faraway Tree. When she's not rooting for eco-living or whipping up some DIY recipes to share with her readers, Pratibha is creating magic with social media. You can view her blog at www.pratsmusings.com or reach to her on Twitter at @myepica.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)