Essential oils have a variety of uses for everyday life. Their popularity is growing so much that you may even be aware of some of their uses even though you’ve never even seen a bottle in your life.
However, did you know that they have several applications in the kitchen? The best smelling essential oils have been used for centuries, not only as cleaners, but integrated into cooking and baking different dishes as well.
To help you learn what oils are good for use in the home, here are four (in random order) that we suggest you keep in your kitchen.
1. Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil has many uses in the home and specifically in the kitchen. It is a great oil for cleaning off your hardest to clean dishes or flavoring foods. For example, when added to recipes, it is a great alternative to mint in cakes, ice cream, or chocolate.
Another thing it is great for is deterring common kitchen pests such as ants, who cannot thrive under have menthol scents. By using this type of essential oil, it will greatly reduce the chances of your home (especially your kitchen) from being invaded by these unwanted guests. Sometimes it doesn’t matter what oil you use as pests are very clever in being able to find their way into your house undetected. To ensure that your home is protected from these insects at all times, it may be in your best interest to bring in pest control experts in your area, maybe one that is similar to this local terminix office new jersey so that you can continue to cook in peace from insects and pests. Always keep Peppermint oil in your kitchen though so that you are able to deter pests if you need too, not forgetting that it also makes your food taste good.
2. Lemon
Most people are very familiar with the lemon fruit but not many know about the many uses for its essential oil. Lemon essential oil is a must have in every kitchen because of its incredible versatility.
We all know how great vinegar is for cleaning. However, we also know how horrid the smell is. Who wants their kitchen smelling like vinegar at any time? Certainly not me!
Lemon oil is a great all purpose cleaner in its own right because it has antiseptic, antifungal and disinfectant properties, but with citrusy, fresh scent! Add a few drops to vinegar and create the ultimate homemade cleaning solution for your kitchen.
Then add a few drops to your favourite recipes to get that lemon flavour as well!
3. Lavender
Lavender oil is best known for its properties that help reduce anxiety and produce a calming effect. This is often the main reason why people keep lavender in their homes.
Many people diffuse lavender in their kitchens or keep a bit of fresh lavender in there to create a relaxing environment.
What many don’t know, however, is that lavender oil can also be used in the kitchen for their disinfectant properties, as well as germ reduction. This is why learning how to make lavender oil can be so useful.
Lavender is also great for desserts too, such as these Lavender Lemon Cake Cookies.
4. Clove
Clove is a great essential oil that can improve your immune system. You can also use clove oil for treating scabies.
In the kitchen, it can be used when cooking and also works equally well as a cleaner. Furthermore, diffusing it can add a fresh scent to your apartment and help reduce the growth of bacteria as well. Combine it with lemon oil to create an all purpose cleaning solution.
It can also be used as a preservative in some foods. A study called “Comparison Of Antimicrobial Activities Of Clove Oil & Its Extract On Some Food Borne Microbes” in The Internet Journal of Microbiology found that clove oil was more effective than popular food preservative Sodium propionate on some food spoilage bacteria.
Overall, essential oils hold great purposes not only in your house as a whole but especially in your kitchen. The uses mentioned here are just at the tip of the iceberg and the best part is that the oils are completely organic!
Do you use essential oils in your kitchen? Share some of your favourite applications in the comments below!
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