Last month I dug out the camp gear for some upcoming adventures!

There’s nothing like a clean sleeping bag and a fresh tent at the end of a full day on the trail. On top of cleaning up the gear, I also re-stocked my first aid kit and essential oil pack.

My doTERRA essential oils are some of the most important items I carry with me!  Not only are they natural, but they’re protective, cleansing, energizing, and soothing for so many issues – big and small – that I face from being outdoors.

Let’s dive into my list of 6 essential oils that deserve a spot in your camping gear this summer, and you’ll see what I mean.

Arborvitae

Native to Canada, Arborvitae is known as the “tree of life”, and the essential oil has a warm earthy aroma. It acts as a powerful cleansing and purifying agent, with natural insect repellent properties. Thujic acid, a tropolone found in Arborvitae, has been studied for its ability to protect against common threats in the environment.

Try It

• Add a few drops to an 8 oz. spray bottle with water and spray on surfaces or hands to protect against environmental threats.
• Add 10 drops to an 8 oz. spray bottle with water and use a natural insect repellent.
• Apply to wrists and ankles before going outdoors.
• Inhale the aroma for a sense of peace and calm.

Peppermint

One of my favorite essential oils for summer! I use Peppermint for soothing digestive issues, boosting energy, relieving occasional aches and pains, and opening up your airways to breathe easier when you’re on a big hike. I especially love it because it’s cooling to the body and so helpful in the heat!

Try It

• Rub Peppermint, diluted with fractionated coconut oil, on your shoulders, neck, back, or apply on feet and knees before and after activity to soothe aches.
• Inhale Peppermint when feeling fatigued or low on energy, also to promote healthy respiratory function and clear breathing.
• Apply Peppermint, diluted with fractionated coconut oil, to the abdomen for digestive issues.
• Cool off by applying peppermint to back of neck or make a spray bottle with 10 drops peppermint per 4 oz water.

Lavender

Have you ever spent the entire day outside, especially at altitude, and got a little too much sun on your skin? Lavender will be your new best friend!

It has a long list of benefits – like soothing occasional skin irritations and helping with restful sleep. It’s also helpful to apply a couple drops of lavender diluted with fractionated coconut oil to cuts or scrapes (or chafing!) to soothe and support repair.

Try It

• Apply to skin irritations, sunburn, or tense areas.
• Add 20 drops to a 10 ml roll-on bottle with fractionated coconut oil for an anti-chaffing blend to soothe the skin.

Melaleuca

This essential oil has an herbaceous, green aroma and is great for supporting healthy immune function and using as a cleaner for skin irritations.

If you’ve taken a fall, scraped the skin, or have any type of cut, apply a couple drops diluted with fractionated coconut oil to the area to support repair.

Try It

• For occasional skin irritations, apply 1–2 drops of Melaleuca essential oil onto affected area (dilute for young or sensitive skin).
• Add 1–2 drops to water, citrus drinks, or veggie caps to support healthy immune system function.
• Apply to fingernails and toenails to purify nails.

Eucalyptus

This essential oil opens your airways and allows for easier breathing like no other oil!  It can actually boost the immune response simply by inhaling.

You can try adding a couple drops of Eucalyptus to your chest for easier breathing, or add 5 drops of Eucalyptus and 5 drops Peppermint to a 2 oz. spray bottle filled with water to help cool the body during summer training!

Eucalyptus also has purifying properties that can be beneficial for the skin, for cleansing surfaces, and for cleaning the air. I love the fresh scent of Eucalyptus, and if you need to wake up the body before a long hike or run, take a couple drops in your hands and breathe deeply over the nose and mouth. You can also use it frequently throughout the activity!

Try it

• Make a cooling spray with 5 drops of Eucalyptus and 5 drops Peppermint to a 2 oz. spray bottle to help cool the body during summer training.
• Before or during a workout (or even while showering) place a few drops in the hands, place over nose, and inhale deeply to invigorate and promote vitality.

Helichrysum

This essential oil in my first aid kit because it stops bleeding fast! Helichrysum is best known for its restorative properties to the skin. It can even help reduce the appearance of blemishes and reduce scarring.

After-Sun Spray

• ½ cup witch hazel or water
• 2 Tablespoons pure aloe vera gel
• 10 drops Lavender essential oil
• 10 drops Peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops Roman Chamomile essential oil

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients in a 4 oz spray bottle and shake to combine.

WILD Outdoors Cleaning Wipes

• Paper towel roll
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon castile soap
• 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
• 2-3 tablespoons witch hazel
• 5 drops each of Lavender, Arborvitae, and Geranium essential oil
• zipper plastic bag or small plastic container

DIRECTIONS

Put the paper towel roll in the storage container you plan to use for the wipes. Mark where to cut the roll so that it will fit inside. Using a serrated bread knife, cut the paper towel roll in half along the center.

Mix water, essential oils, witch hazel, castile soap, and fractionated coconut oil together.

Soak paper towel pieces with mixture in container of choice for a couple of hours. You can flip the container over to help disperse the liquid.

Remove the center cardboard piece. This will pull out the first wipe. Continue to pull the wipes from the center.

6 Essential Oils That Deserve a Spot in Your Camping Gear This Summer http://bit.ly/eocamping @Jenni_Hulburt #essentialoils #outdoors

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