DIY Hand Sanitizer
As a certified natural cosmetic formulator, I love making natural products. Plants are powerful. They are our allies. When used correctly, we can benefit from unlocking their power in our daily lives. Each plant has a unique and medicinal property on its own. Furthermore, once combined with other plants, they can be extremely potent.
Combined synergetically, they can be useful in disinfecting bacteria and viruses in our environment. In simple words- plant sanitizer in action!
Various studies showed successful lab results of essential oils, specifically from the oleoresin group, to combat many strains of positive and negative gram bacteria.
These are the essential oils and their properties that showed promising results for antibacterial and antiviral activity in studies:
Tea Tree– Antibacterial. Aids in respiratory infections. Aiding in symptoms of cold and flu.
Sage– Active against severe acute respiratory Coronavirus SARS- CoV.
Clove– Effective in strains of bacteria attacking the human respiratory system
Eucalyptus – Enhancing respiratory immunity. Reducing microbial contagion & aiding in symptoms of cold and flu.
Lavender– Immune enhancing and antimicrobial properties. It helps the body cope with stress.
Since antibacterial disinfectant products are hard to come by, my go-to disinfectant spray recipe should come in handy. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients that you can find at your local natural stores or online. You can also use the same ingredients to create an immunity blend at your office or home.
Note- Before starting, please read below the warnings of essential oil for safe use.
DYI Hand Sanitizer Spray
Equipment
- Glass Spray Bottle, 2 Oz. (Multiply the ingredients if you are making a larger quantity).
- Sticker label or a glass marker (optional)
- Funnel
Ingredients
- 5 Drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
- 5 Drops Sage Essential Oil
- 5 Drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- 5 Drops Cloves or Cinnamon Essential Oil
- 5 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 5 Drops Vitamin E Oil (or empty a Vit E capsule) (If you use it as a hand sanitizer spray, Vitamin E is excellent for the skin, as essential oils are drying)
- 2 TBSP Pure ethyl alcohol 95% * or Witch Hazel (Alcohol is the best choice in the case of COVID-19)
- Distilled Water (or boiled water and then cooled to room temperature)
Instructions
- Place the essential oils, Vitamine E, and the alcohol in the spray bottle. Close the bottle and shake well to combine.
- Once combined, add the distilled water to fill and shake well again.
- Shake before each use.
Notes
- Essential oils should NEVER be used undiluted!
- Essential oils are for external use only! They are very potent and should never be ingested.
- Keep away from face and eyes!
- For children under the age of 12, please cut essential oil drops quantity by half. (currently, it's 2% dilution per ounce, please make 1% dilution per ounce for children. Hence, from 22 essential oil drops, please cut to 11 drops).
- Don't use on babies.
- Don't use on/around pets. Essential oils could be irritated and, in many cases, dangerous to pets.
- In pregnancy, avoid during the first trimester; after that, please seek professional advice.
- As with natural components, herbs could be completely safe, and to some, they could be irritants. Listen to your body; if you come up with a rash or feel ill side-effects, please discontinue the use and seek medical advice.
References:
- Avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus susceptibility to botanical oleoresins and essential oils in vitro and in vivo. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016817021000016X#bib21
- Essential Oils as Antimicrobial Agents—Myth or Real Alternative? Molecules 2019, 24(11), 2130; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24112130
- Lavender: The antimicrobial activity of high-necrodane and other lavender oils on methicillin-sensitive and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA). Roller S, Ernest N, Buckle J, J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Mar; 15(3):275-9. Screening of the antibacterial effects of a variety of essential oils on microorganisms responsible for respiratory infections. Fabio A, Cermelli C, Fabio G, Nicoletti P, Quaglio P, Phytother Res. 2007 Apr; 21(4):374-7.
- Eucalyptus (influenza and H1N1): 35. Vimalanathan S., Hudson J. Anti-influenza virus activity of essential oils and vapors. Am. J. Essent. Oil Nat. Prod. 2014;2:47–53.
- Sage Oil: Active against severe acute respiratory Coronavirus SARS- CoV. Phytochemical analysis and in vitro antiviral activities of the essential oils of seven Lebanon species. Loizzo MR, Saab AM, Tundis R, Statti GA, Menichini F, Lampronti I, Gambari R, Cinatl J, Doerr HW, Chem Biodivers. 2008 Mar; 5(3):461-70.
- Tea Tree: In Vitro Antimicrobial Activities of Commercially Available Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Essential Oils. Brun P, Bernabè G, Filippini R, Piovan A, Curr Microbiol. 2019 Jan; 76(1):108-116.
- Clove: Effective in strains of bacteria attacking the human respiratory system, such as K. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus agalactiae, and S. pyogenes. 89. Schmidt E., Jirovetz L., Wlcek K., Buchbauer G., Gochev V., Girova T., Stoyanova A., Geissler M. Antifungal activity of eugenol and various eugenol-containing essential oils against 38 clinical isolates of Candida albicans. J. Essent. Oil-Bear. Plant. 2007;10:421–429. doi: 10.1080/0972060X.2007.10643575.
Disclaimer: The content contained on this website shlomit.co is for educational purposes only, it does not take the place of medical advice from your physician and should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition. Implementation of any suggestions from this website or related materials (blog, newsletter, etc.) is the sole responsibility of the viewer. Always consult your own medical doctor or other licensed health-care professional prior to making any dietary and/or lifestyle changes and to determine the best course of care for you.
Perfect timing. Thank you so much!