How to Make an Aromatherapy “College Survival Kit”

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One down, one to go.  We’re nearly through the college years at my house.

My eldest son, Davide (R), is 26 and graduated from Penn State University a few years ago.  His younger brother Gianluca (L) is 21 and starting his senior year at Penn State next week.  Both boys have been using essential oils as part of their college experience.  Like they had a choice!

I sent them each to college with bags of essential oils and aromatherapy helpers that were specific to their personal needs as well as some generic “just-in-case” blends.

Davide has a tendency toward sinus infections when overtired, so I made sure to pack a steam inhaler and bottles of Tea Tree his freshman year.  I also included a bottle of the wonderfully antiseptic Lemongrass for him to clean his dorm room, which happens to be one of his favorite essential oils.  I though he might find the aroma a comforting reminder of home.

Gianluca doesn’t have sinus issues, but he does share an apartment so I make sure his place is always supplied with bottles of liquid castile soap with essential oils for the shower, spray bottles with essential oils to wipe down surfaces and mist in the air.  I still haven’t figured out a “no-partying-you’re-in-college-to-study” blend!

A Great Going-Away Present
Two years ago my cousin’s daughter, Mackenzie, had a going away party before she left for college.  I made an Aromatherapy College Survival Kit as my gift to her.  I included single note oils, pre-mixed blends that I thought would cover probable issues that college life tends to bring.  I also included goodies like body butter, lip balm and natural deodorant since she adores all natural products.  I put it all in a travel bag from SKS with a printed instruction sheet and a cute red ceramic electric diffuser.

Below is a list of my personal recommendations for a versatile
Aromatherapy College Survival Kit

SUGGESTED BLENDS
(Note: Blends should be made at a 5% to 30% dilution and mixed in Jojoba Oil to help keep the shelf life.)

Inflammation/Bruise/Pain Relief Blend:   Suggested oils:  Helichrysum, Sweet Orange, German Chamomile and Lavender.  For swelling, pain and inflammation from too many hours on the computer, or to address a minor injury until they can get to the student medical center.

Stress Headache Relief Blend:  Suggested oils:  Peppermint, Frankincense, Basil, Lavender.  These are all great oils to inhale during breaks from long hours of study, too much reading, noise in the dorm, general stress, hangover (I’m a realist).

Muscle Pain Blend:   Suggested oils: Birch, Ginger, Black Pepper, Marjoram. For sore muscles from physical education courses, college sports or even long walks and bike rides across campus to class.

Sinus & Allergy Congestion Relief Blend:  Suggested Oils:  Peppermint, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Lavender, Lemon.  These oils will create a cooling, uplifting blend that will also help clear the mind while studying .  Good to inhale for Fall/Spring seasonal allergies and congestion.

PMS Balance Blend:  Suggested Oils:  Clary Sage, Geranium, Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Sweet Orange, Cypress:   There’s nothing worse than having your period, feeling crampy and moody and having Mom a hundred miles away.  The oils I’ve recommended are all good for hormone balance, calming the nerves, and antispasmodic for cramping.  I’d make a strongish blend at about 5% (25 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier) to be rubbed into the abdomen and lower back.  Even just smelling this blend will help her feel more relaxed.

SINGLE OILS
Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia):  No college student should leave home without this essential oil!    Lavender has an outstanding balancing and calming effect on the CNS (central nervous system) so it’s great for the new stresses they’ll be facing, and may even be a comfort in times homesickness.  Lavender can be inhaled for headache, anxiety, insomnia.  It brings quick pain relief and healing for burns.  For sleep, sprinkle a few drops on your pillowcase.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia):   This is another don’t-leave-home-without-it oil.  College life can be a great way to pass germs around and this oil is a powerful antiseptic and one of the best for preventing and healing infection.  It has a strong affinity with the respiratory system and it will help fight colds, flu and alleviates sore throats, bronchitis, and sinus issues.   Shared showers are a great place to pick up toenail fungus and athletes foot; Tea Tree will kill both.  Great to use in a diffuser for killing airborne bacteria or steam inhalation for sinus infection.

Citrus Oils For Uplifing Spirits  (Orange/Lemon/Lime/Grapefruit/Bergamot)
The fresh, uplifting citrus oils are all very cheering – send along several if your student is prone to anxiety, worry and over-seriousness.  They are especially great to diffuse with Lavender on those gray fall or winter days or during a bout of homesick blues.  They are nice in the morning with a bit of Peppermint to help your student wake up and get moving.

Grounding Oils for Overwhelm.  Sandalwood, Santalum album or Vetiver, Vetiveria zizanoides are both great for combatting overwhelm and quieting the mind while soothing and grounding the nervous system.

An Essential Oil Diffuser:  Diffusion is the process of dispersing essential oils into the air for their aromatic and antibacterial effects. They can be used to make a dorm room smell better, help your student sleep/wake up and are great to kill airborne bacteria in close quarters when someone is sick.   (You can read more about diffusers here).
The choice you make for your student will depend upon what you think they will actually use and what is allowed in their living quarters.  Some dorms won’t allow fire.

Blank Inhalers:  These are fun and really practical for a busy, on-the-go college student.  You can make them an inhaler for sinus congenstion, headache, alterness, anxiety, insomnia, stress relief.  They can take their inhaler on the airplane, throw in their backpack or purse and use them anywhere…even in class.  You can make unique and personal inhaler blends for your student or have a “bonding blending day” before they leave and have them make their own.  Send blank ones along in case they want to make one while in school.
Other Supplies to Consider for Your Student’s Kit
Organic Castile Liquid Soap:   Buy the unscented variety and essential oils they like best.  This will be another way of getting essential oils into their system, keeping them healthy.

2 oz Spray Bottle with Natural Hand Saniziter:   Again, germs are part of college life so remind to use this natural hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.  Suggested oils: Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Clove, Lavender.  2% blend (20 drops to 1 ounce of natural Aloe Vera Gel).

2 oz Spray Bottles (Empty):  Empty spray bottles are useful as they can create their own air freshener, carpet freshener, kitchen/bathroom air spray, pillow spray at bedtime. Add 20 drops total of essential oil(s) and fill with water.  Shake well before using.  I recommend PET Plastic bottles from SKS.

And there you have it!

Is there anything else you’d recommend
for an Aromatherapy Survival Kit?

Please let me know in the comments section below!

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