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A couple of years ago we got a puppy, and since then I constantly worry that my house and my car smell like dog; a smell which I’m not sure anyone is fond of. The smell of your own house is one of those strange things that you can’t smell yourself, so I do worry that whilst I walk in and smell nothing, other than perhaps the wafts of garlic coming from the kitchen, others may wander in and want to leave immediately but be too polite to tell me.
I’m pretty sure my mum isn’t too polite to tell me, however, and I have specifically asked her if my house smells like a stinky, hairy, wet dog, and she says no, thankfully. So I reckon I’m possibly doing a good job of keeping my house smelling nice even with the fluffiest dog in the world living here.
I do love a candle and have a few dotted around the house that I occasionally remember to light as I am pottering about, but recently the beautiful smell of my house is mostly thanks to some lovely essential oils from Nikura.
Nikura is a family-run UK brand who make a brilliant and vast range of high-quality oils to promote well-being, support relaxation, encourage creativity as well as prevent your house from stinking of dog.
Essential oils have loads of benefits for the body and mind – Lavender can be used to help you relax and sleep, dispel low moods and help relieve pain, Eucalyptus can help with cold and flu symptoms, helping you breathe more easily, orange can be used to lift spirits and reduce anxiety and also makes a great cleaning agent in the home! There are so many different essential oils available to suit different tastes and requirements.
Nikura have an amazing range of essential oils and they are such a bargain, especially for such high-quality 100% pure essential oils.
I have the Nikura Starter Kit Essential Oil Gift Set which contains 6 x 10ml bottles of different scents and costs just £8.49.
The essential oil set I have, contains:
Eucalyptus (Chinese)
Known for its powerful, purifying scent, eucalyptus essential oil is often used to help clear airways and aid respiration. Its expectorant properties help it to shift mucus, leading to easier breathing and fighting cold and flu symptoms faster.
Lavender (French)
Lavender essential oil is a calming and relaxing natural remedy, traditionally used for its healing properties.
It has a powerful ability to help in treating wounds and protecting against harmful bacteria, and it is also said to help provide relief from pain. It can also help to reduce stress and dispel low moods.
Lemongrass
An old medicinal herb, lemongrass essential oil is often compared to citronella oil for its insect-repellent qualities, and gentle, lemony scent.
Pure lemongrass oil has many other benefits that many people aren’t aware of; helping to support a healthier gut, skin, and even a healthier mind.
Orange (Sweet)
Associated with prosperity, oranges have been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Able to lift spirits and relieve anxiety, orange oil is considered a brightening, bettering oil that contributes to overall wellness. Like other citrus oils, orange oil is an excellent cleaning agent and is often used in homemade cleaning sprays.
Peppermint (Piperita)
Refreshing and stimulating, pure peppermint oil has been known to boost energy, improve breath flow and relax sore muscles.
Tea Tree
Said to be helpful in fighting infections and relieving congestion, pure tea tree essential oil has been famous for its medicinal benefits for centuries and can be used to treat everyday illnesses such as the common cold.
I have been using these oils in a few ways since I got them. I love an occasional bath and I add a few drops of whichever oil I fancy or feel like I could do with to the water – Lavender if it’s the evening to help me relax before bed, Eucalyptus or tea tree if I have a cold, peppermint if I’m feeling achy or just whatever smell I fancy! They make the bathroom smell amazing and a bath feel so luxurious and spa-like.
I also like to use them in my oil burner in a few drops of water with a tealight burning underneath, but the main way I have been using them is in my diffuser which I’d actually forgotten I had. I’ve brought it downstairs and have it on regularly and it really makes the house smell wonderful very quickly.
These essential oils can also be used in skincare or as a massage oil mixed with a carrier oil or any body cream and massaged into the skin. You can add them to homemade soap, candles or potpourri too, so they are really versatile and useful to have in the home.
Nikura is an Aromatherapy Trade Council member, which means that they are backed up as being safe, quality oils that are marketed responsibly.
The oils are all vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, harvested ethically and blended by hand and bottled in the UK in quality amber glass bottles (which protects the product inside), and include an expiry date and batch codes on all labels.
Their essential oils are all 100% pure, but they also have a unique range of blends, carefully designed by their knowledgeable team.
I find that essential oils really can improve my mood, they make everything smell gorgeous and I am really enjoying using them a lot more. I am VERY fussy with scents, and I can’t take anything that might give me a migraine, but these oils are all lovely and right up my street. I love a fresh, citrusy scent and so my favourite is probably the lemongrass – it is so fresh and just makes our home smell gorgeous.
They are such a lovely brand and I have already recommended them to my mum who got a beautiful diffuser (from me!) recently for her new home, and I have added their ‘anti-anxiety’ and ‘fresh linen’ oils to my Amazon basket too (God, I love a fresh linen smell).
Nikura have such a brilliant range of different individual oils and gift sets and I’m so impressed with the quality and the prices. You can find out more and shop the full range here: Nikura Essential Oils.
Do you use essential oils? What scent do you like the sound of from Nikura?
Where to buy: Amazon or Nikura
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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