5 NON-TOXIC ways to scent your Home for the Holidays by Kris Gurksnis, VLCE

The smell of fresh-cut pine trees or cookies baking in the oven can invoke fond memories of the holidays, compelling us to light a candle, squirt a fragrance spray or use a plug-in to create a festive vibe.

Unfortunately, there is a hidden danger in air fresheners called Phthalates. Used in air fresheners to make scents linger longer, Phthalates are an endocrine disruptor linked to birth defects, breast cancer, asthma and reproductive issues. This toxic chemical has also been shown to have negative affects on our pets’ health. They are a hidden danger because there are no requirements to list them on product labels.

Instead, scent your home with holiday cheer by trying some of these wicked easy, natural, non-toxic, compassionate alternatives!

1. NATURAL ROOM SPRAYS

Making a natural room spray is simple, fun and makes a great gift!

Check out my 3-minute, step-by-step video to learn how to do it: http://youtu.be/V9nUR0v5DJ0

2. BRING THE OUTSIDE IN!

Collecting pinecones, sprigs and berries on a woodland wanderlust is a great way to get outside, connect with the earth and bring the “outside in.”

Fresh Sprigs

Gathering sprigs can be a magical experience – personally and aromatically! White pine is one of my favorites to gather due to its beauty and healing properties. The needles make a wonderful tea for colds or respiratory issues. Arrange sprigs in decorative centerpieces, wreaths or basket arrangements.

  

 

Clove Oranges

Using a candy thermometer or pencil tip, poke holes in a ripe orange to create a design for your cloves. After the design is finished, insert the cloves in the holes. Arrange in a decorative basket by themselves or mixed with cinnamon pinecones. The juice from the orange infused with clove is the bees knees.

Cinnamon Pinecones

Gather 10-15 pinecones. Place on a cookie sheet bake at 175’ for an hour or until they open. Remove from the oven and let them cool. In a small spray bottle, mix 45 drops of cinnamon essential oil with distilled water and spray the pinecones. Place in a paper bag and allow them to marinate for a few days. When ready, place in a decorative bowl or basket. 

3. HOLIDAY SIMMAH

This is a quick way permeate the scent of the holidays throughout the home. Have fun and “spice it up” with various spices.

Place 5 cinnamon sticks, a dash of cloves, 2 slices of orange and some star anise in a pan with approximately ½ cup of water. Let simmah for about an hour on the lowest setting. Enjoy!

 

4. HOLIDAZED & DIFFUSED

There are many types of aromatherapy diffusers; two popular ones are ultrasonic and ceramic.   Ultrasonic aromatherapy diffusers break down the essential oil into micro particles, dispersing the scent into the air. Ceramic diffusers are heated by a tea light and are a less expensive option. Please keep in mind, animals are very sensitive to essential oils, so please check to see which ones are safe to use around your pet.

Here are some of my favorite holiday essential oil blends:

Sugar Cookie

½ tsp Vanilla Absolute

6 drops Cinnamon essential oil

2 drops Nutmeg essential oil

The Perfect Tree

7 drops Douglas Fir essential oil

4 drops Rosemary essential oil

3 drops Cypress essential oil

2 drops Nutmeg essential oil

Cold & Flu

4 drops Eucalyptus

3 drops Rosemary

2 drops Basil

2 drops Bergamot or Lavender

3. ALWAYS KEEP ROSEMARY BY YOUR GARDEN GATE AND FRONT DOOR

Rosemary reminds me of the holiday scratch n’ sniff sticker books that I enjoyed when I was a kid. When you scratched the pine tree , it smelled like Rosemary.   Rosemary by your door keeps negative energy out and greets friends with an aroma that is sure to invoke holiday memories.

Kris Gurksnis is the director of Get Waisted Salem and blogs for The Compassionate Cauldron. She is an herbalist, aromatherapist, Vegan Lifestyle Coach & Educator (VLCE), and psychic intuitive who has been reading tarot professionally for over 20 years. She has appeared on the History Channel’s “Haunted History” and Ghost Hunters. Kris currently lives in the “The Witch City,” (Salem, MA) with her magickal rescue cat Isis. Follow Kris on Twitter and Facebook (The Compassionate Cauldron and Get Waisted Salem).