Summer is officially here — which means more sunshine, more time outside, more travel, and more adventure.
Of course, it can also mean mosquitoes, pollen, travel stress, sun exposure, and all the little things that can throw off your day.
That’s why we rounded up our favorite essential oil summer necessities to help you feel calm, comfortable, and prepared wherever the season takes you.
Explore our recommendations for the Best Essential Oils for Summer.
1. Sunburn
Essential oils are instrumental in treating sunburn — not only for pain relief, but to reduce swelling and prevent scarring.
Lavender in particular is known for its anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and antimicrobial properties, making it an excellent natural remedy for soothing sunburned skin and reducing discomfort
To cool and soothe the affected area, mix a few drops of Frankincense™, Lavender™ and/or Liver Support™ (which includes sun oils to soothe the skin from sun over-exposure or burns, like Lavender™, Geranium, Blue Tansy, Chamomile and Helichrysum) into coconut oil or cool, refrigerated aloe vera gel. Apply to the sunburned area several times per day.
2. Heat and Fatigue
Essential oils like Peppermint and its active constituent, menthol, may help create a “cooling” sensation on hot summer days. Menthol binds to specific temperature-sensing proteins in your nerve endings, sending a “cold” signal to your brain even on the hottest of summer days (Study)
To combat intense heat or associated fatigue; consider Lymph™ blend applied to the sides of the neck, under the arms or along the bikini area or Peppermint™ or Energize™ applied diluted to the forehead or the bottom of the feet.
You can also soak your feet in a cooling foot bath with a few drops of oil.
3. Allergies
Summer allergies are primarily driven by grass pollens, weed pollens (like ragweed), and outdoor molds, which thrive in hot, humid weather. Symptoms often include sneezing, congestion, coughing, and red, itchy, or watery eyes.
To soothe seasonal congestion and sinus inflammation, Histamine™ blend, Breathe™ blend and Sinus Support™ are great choices.
4. Hiking & Outdoor Adventures
I love to hike during the summer, but as I get older, I am more prone to muscle soreness, back and knee pain or stiffness after periods of intense physical activity. Fortunately, I have created an essential oil protocol to help keep me active and pain-free!
My outdoor adventure protocol includes:
Parasympathetic®: Activating the parasympathetic nervous system promotes the “rest and digest” state, which releases natural anti-inflammatory chemicals, interrupts pain signals to the brain, and relaxes tight muscles. Shifting out of a stress-induced (sympathetic) state is essential for managing chronic pain and stiffness. Apply Parasympathetic® over the vagus nerve (behind the earlobe on the mastoid bone).
Lymph™ and Fascia Release™: Pain and stiffness can be connected to poor fluid flow, lymph congestion, and tight or restricted fascia around the back, hips and knees. Your lymphatic system helps drain excess fluid and inflammatory waste from the tissues, while fascia surrounds and supports the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints that keep your body moving properly. When lymph becomes stagnant or fascia becomes tight, sticky, or restricted, it can contribute to swelling, tenderness, limited mobility, instability, and discomfort — especially after injury, overuse, or lack of movement. Topically applying essential oils such as Lymph™, Fascia Release™, and Circulation™ may help support lymphatic drainage, encourage healthy circulation, soften tight fascial tissue, reduce visible swelling, and promote greater comfort and mobility. For best results, apply around the back of the knee, hip crease, and sides of the knee, then gently massage upward with light pressure to encourage fluid movement.
Adrenal®: The muscles supporting much of your lower back are related to the adrenal glands and provide major support to the pelvis and lower back. When your adrenal glands are under more stress than they can handle, these muscles will directly be affected and the support to the lower back will be lost, leading to low back pain and even downstream issues, like knee pain. A fun fact, when the adrenals are off, they can throw off leg length, with one leg presenting as longer than the order as a result of a twisted pelvis. It is this disparity in leg length that often contributes to knee and hip problems, especially during long hikes or runs. To help balance the adrenals and with them, the muscles supporting the low back, apply Adrenal® on the lower mid-back over the adrenal glands (one fist above the 12th rib on each side).
Circulation™: Optimal circulation is important for any exercise, including hiking, where your legs and feet need a little boost to fight the effects of gravity. Essential oils can help improve circulation by relaxing the blood vessels and improving the health of the blood vessels. This helps more blood circulate through them, improving circulation in the process. Essential oils can also be used to help the veins contract, stimulating blood flow. Apply 2- 3 drops of Circulation™ on the sides or back of the neck, over the left clavicle, on the wrists or ankles to support energy, brain endurance and warmth of the distal extremities, like the fingers and toes.
Lemon™ has natural antiseptic and disinfectant properties and can be used to freshen and clean almost any surface. It can also be used to help take the sting out of insect bites and to help freshen the air and offset unappealing odors, like that of an outhouse.
5. On the Go First Aid
Tea Tree™ oil can be used as a first aid ointment. It is useful for all kinds of skin wounds and abrasions or irritations from a scraped knee or bug bites to athlete’s foot. Its anti-fungal, antiviral and anti-bacterial properties make it a good choice for all types of infections. It aids in immune function and supports against throat and respiratory pathogens, and helps with slivers in the skin. It is also a great on the go disinfectant and can be applied on scrapes, minor cuts and small infected areas to clean up and disinfect the wound.
Nerve Repair™ helps relieve all types of pain, cramps or spasms, including joint and back pain or any kind of physical exertion. Its active ingredient of Helichrysum™ oil makes it a great blend for bruising, sprains, and swelling. Any injury that does not have broken skin can be treated with Nerve Repair™ blend. Its analgesic properties help make bumps and bruises less painful, heal more quickly and reduce any black or blue discoloration. This blend can also be used to treat shock, heal bruises, help with broken bones, help with allergies, and is beneficial against infections and viruses.
Anti Inflammatory™ blend is amazing for treating any kind of inflammation, including relieving sore or cramping muscles and easing any kind of aches or pains. The anti-inflammatory properties of this blend are helpful for burns, bee stings nettle rashes, and other injuries. It also works wonders on stiff joints or tendons, helps to ease a headache and calm an allergic reaction. My daughter’s favorite usage for this blend is for purely cosmetic reasons, when applied to the bottom of the feet before bed, it helps heal blemishes while you sleep.
6. Insect Repellent
Purification™ blend contains several essential oils known for their insect repellent properties, including Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree™, Lavender™, Myrtle, Citronella. A study by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that Clove oil in the Parasympathetic® blend provided one and a half to three and a half hours of protection against mosquitoes. Research has also shown Peppermint™ to work as a natural insecticide that kills as well as repels mosquitoes. Finally, Tea Tree™ oil can help suppress annoying summer predators like as fleas, leeches, lice, and ticks. To make your own bug spray in a 4 oz clean spray bottle, combine ¼ cup of distilled water, 2 tsp of a carrier oil (like coconut or olive oil), 2 tsp of vodka or witch hazel, and 30 – 50 drops of essential oils. Shake well before spraying on your skin.
7. Bug Bites
If the bugs are eating you alive this summer, you no longer need to suffer.
When a mosquito bites, your immune system reacts to the mosquito’s saliva as a foreign substance. This triggers the release of histamine — the chemical responsible for the redness, swelling, and itching that make bug bites so uncomfortable.
That’s why supporting a healthy histamine response can help calm the skin and ease irritation. For bug bites, bee stings, or wasp stings, apply Lavender™, Tea Tree™, Frankincense™, Histamine Balance™ or Liver Support™ to help soothe discomfort, reduce visible swelling, and support the skin’s natural healing process
Lavender is a terrific oil to facilitate bite or wound healing (including bee stings). Tea Tree™ oil and the oils in Liver Support™ blend (including Lavender, Geranium, Blue Tansy, Chamomile and Helichrysum) minimize the irritation and support healing from insect bites or bee stings.
Lavender™is especially helpful for calming irritated skin and supporting wound healing(including bee stings). Tea Tree™ oil and the oils in Liver Support™ blend (including Lavender, Geranium, Blue Tansy, Chamomile and Helichrysum) minimize the irritation and support healing from insect bites or bee stings.
These oils can help calm irritated skin, reduce visible swelling, and support the skin’s natural healing process. To use, simply dilute a few drops in a carrier oil, like olive or coconut oil, and gently apply to the affected area.
8. Sleep
Summer sleep is harder because longer daylight hours disrupt your circadian rhythm, delaying melatonin production. Additionally, warm and humid nights interfere with your body’s natural need to drop its core temperature at night to achieve deep, restorative restTo trigger the natural release of the sleep hormone melatonin, apply Circadian Rhythm® on the top of the skull, above the ears and very back of the head.
For especially challenging sleepless nights or daytime anxiety, Sleep™ can help the body relax and unwind at the end of a busy day. Just apply Sleep™ to the nape of the neck or the bottom of the feet.
Oils to avoid with sun exposure: Citrus-based essential oils absorb higher amounts of the sun’s energy, creating sun sensitivities. It is best to avoid applying citrus oils, including Orange, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Lemon, Lime or Tangerine to areas of the skin that will be in contact with the sun.
Featured Oils
Ready to get started? Click the links below to order today:
- Breathe™ available here
- Energize™ available here
- Frankincense™ available here
- Histamine Balance™ available here
- Lavender™ available here
- Liver Support™ available here
- Lymph™ available here
- Parasympathetic® available here
- Peppermint™ available here
- Purification™ available here
- Sinus Support™ available here
- Tea Tree™ available here
- Circadian Rhythm® available here
- Sleep™ available here
- Fascia Release™ available here
- Adrenal® available here
- Circulation™ available here
- Lemon™ available here
- Nerve Repair™ available here
- Helichrysum™ available here
- Anti-Inflammatory™ available here
