With September our journey inward begins again, as we mark the end of summer and the start of autumn. It is a time when plants direct their energy toward the earth. Seeds will be incubated in the soil until they germinate in spring. Perennial plants draw the life force down into their roots, where it will rest through the winter. Our souls also begin to turn inward, responding to a call to come home. Now is the time to prepare the nest we will burrow into all winter.
In the temperate months of the year nature creates a world that sustains and nourishes us. For the coldest months we create our own haven. A portion of food offered up by the earth during the growing season has traditionally been put aside for the time when we must depend not only on nature’s bounty, but also on our own foresight to feed our bodies. So too, we can bring gifts from the plant world into our homes to uphold our physical, emotional, and spiritual balance.
The idea of fall cleaning has always been about more than the chore of removing the sand and soil of summer from our living quarters and thick winter clothes from storage to replace lightweight summer attire; it is about defining personal space and preparing a healthy refuge for the coming months. Using synthetic cleaning products undermines the holistic intent of the ritual. Residues from chemicals accumulate, poisoning and polluting the atmosphere — particularly in a closed-up house. Synthetic fragrances often cause physical and emotional irritation, triggering allergies and headaches, which can contribute to short tempers, lethargy, and general misery.
Using natural cleansers, herbs, and essential oils can soothe or uplift your spirit instead. A touch of lavender in soapy water, for instance, not only provides antibiotic, antiseptic, antiviral, and antifungal protection, but also eases headache pain and nervous tension while helping to balance emotions. Additionally, while many commercial cleansers may cause infection, irritation, or inflammation to unprotected hands — especially if you have an open cut or scratch — lavender, on the other hand, actually aids in healing such wounds. Many herbs and essential oils work overtime as insect or rodent deterrents as well. (See Herbs for Health, August 1999.)
The idea of adding lemon scent to dishwashing detergent is not surprising when you consider the properties of lemon as a water purifier, an astringent (grease cutter), and an antiseptic. The lemon-scented detergents on the shelf are, no doubt, mimicking a long-standing tradition of using lemon in dishwater for improved results. Of course only real lemon juice and lemon essential oil (Citrus limonum) are actually equal to the job, so try adding a teaspoon of lemon juice or a drop of essential oil to your dishwater along with an unscented, mild detergent. Other citrus oils are also appropriate for kitchen cleaning. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), orange (Citrus aurantium) and mandarin (Citrus nobilis) oils are all antiseptics. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) and lime (Citrus aurantifolia), have both antiseptic and antibiotic qualities. Eucalyptus lemon (Eucalyptus citriodora) is a particularly good choice when there is illness in the house; it covers all fronts, as an antibiotic, antiseptic, antiviral, and antifungal. The citrus-type oils are also emotionally uplifting, adding a sparkle to the mood as well as the room.
Also uplifting, refreshing, and invigorating, minty scents are another good choice for kitchen use. Peppermint (Mentha piperita), spearmint (Mentha spicata), and wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) all possess antiseptic qualities. Wintergreen should be used with caution and diluted well as it can be a skin irritant — one drop in a bucket or sink full of water should be sufficient. It should not be used for dishwashing; it is toxic if taken internally.
Try adding a warming note to kitchen cleaning done in cold weather with a drop or two of cinnamon leaf oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), which contains antibiotic, antiseptic, and antiviral properties. Do be aware that cinnamon leaf oil also is a skin irritant and can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
It is best to avoid strong floral scents in the kitchen which may compete with food flavors, but stronger scents can be used in the bathroom for banishing both germs and odors. In The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Valerie Ann Worwood suggests two excellent synergistic blends for the bathroom. For the first, use ten drops each of lavender, lemon, and citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) essential oils and five drops of bergamot and cinnamon leaf. The second has a spicier edge, combining twenty drops of lemon with ten drops each of sage (Salvia officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and five drops of oregano (Origanum vulgare).
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus or E. citriodora or E. dives), clove bud (Syzygium aromaticum), and lavender (Lavandula officinalis syn. L. angustifolia) essential oils are good disinfectant choices for use in a diffuser or a room spray when coughing and sneezing begins. Spray and wipe surfaces such as door handles, light switches, and telephones to prevent transmission of germs.
For freshness throughout the house, make a natural carpet deodorizer by pulverizing a combination of dried herbs to sprinkle on the carpet before vacuuming. Essential oils can also be used. Combine approximately fifteen drops of oil with either one cup of borax or one-half cup each of cornstarch and baking soda. Blend oils and powder thoroughly and allow to dry. Shake the mixture evenly onto the carpet, letting it set about fifteen minutes before vacuuming.
Rather than using commercial air fresheners that dull your senses, you may want to create your own blend of potpourri using essential oils that clean and purify the air while enhancing your sensitivity to scent. Create visual interest by combining dried leaves of various sizes and colors with seed heads, flowers, cinnamon sticks, wood shavings , pine cones, or peach pits. Let your imagination suggest other possibilities.
Select essential oils to complement your choice of plant material. Mix dry ingredients with oils, stirring well after each drop. Then place the mixture in paper bags, fold closed, and allow the scent to set for about a month. You also can purchase unscented incense cones and imbue them with three drops of the essential oil(s) of your choice. Let the cones dry for several hours before lighting.
It is interesting to note that essential oils derived from fruits and seeds, woods and resins, barks and roots tend to be both warming and grounding. Throughout the winter we can draw on the strength of oils such as cardamom seed (Elettaria cardamomum) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum), camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) and sandalwood (Santalum album), frankincense (Boswellia carterii) and myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), cinnamon, angelica (Angelica archangelica), ginger (Zingiver officinale), and vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) to support us, body and soul.
Try the following recipe for an "Inner Journey Diffusion Blend" from Aura Cacia — then experiment with your own blend. Combine six drops of frankincense with three drops each of cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) and lemon essential oils. Diffuse in a candle aromatherapy lamp for moments of spiritual renewal and meditation.
By consciously assimilating natural fragrances into your household routines, it is possible to bless your home with a scent that is uniquely yours, a synergistic blend that welcomes your spirit each day into the sanctuary you have created.
DISCLAIMER: Choosing a holistic approach to medicine means choosing personal responsibility for your health care. Herbs for Health offers a doorway through which to enter the realm of herbal healing, an invitation to further investigation on the part of the reader. It is in no way intended as a substitute for advice from a health care practitioner.