Let’s talk about barbecuing. While BBQ’s are great on their own, did you know that essential oils can help boost your BBQ experience, making it even better? True. Read on to find out why, as you fire up the grill, you should be sure to have some essential oils (4 specific oils), on hand.


CITRONELLA: You’re aware, I know, that this powerful oil (especially if pure) works well at keeping mosquitos and other bugs away from outdoor feasts. While this oil may smell pleasant to us humans, the bugs can’t stand it! If you want to step things up a notch, try adding peppermint oil and create your own bug-be-gone diffuser blend!


LAVENDER: Because outdoor meals tend to include some time in the sun (playing games while you wait for your food, for instance), including lavender in your picnic supplies is always a good idea. It is excellent at helping soothe sun-kissed skin.


PEPPERMINT: This minty fresh oil is a perfect summer companion. Peppermint oil can help you stay cool on those hot summer afternoons when hanging out by the grill or the pool. You can also mix peppermint with lavender to make an after-sun spray. Here’s a family favorite peppermint recipe we use to stay cool under the sun:

You need 5-10 drops peppermint essential oil, 3 cups of cold water, a washcloth or hand towel, and your freezer. Add the water to a large bowl and stir in the essential oil. Then submerge the towel in the water until it is soaked. Wring out excess water, roll up the towel and place it in the freezer.

I turn to this towel when I need to work in the yard and it’s getting hot; and we always try to include a few of these when picnicking. When needing to cool off, the frozen rolled-up towel is placed on your neck; you slowly unroll the towel as it thaws. The combination of icy coldness and peppermint oil is amazing! You’ll find that long after the iciness of the towel has subsided, it still feels cold, due to the peppermint oil.


LEMON: Adding lemon juice to your barbecue can step things up a notch, giving you a refreshing lemonade drink or a savory marinade for your meat. But lemon essential oil can give your barbecue a boost, too! This citrusy oil has so many benefits, but it can be especially helpful for cleaning and sanitation. Got some stubborn food stuck to the grill? Add some lemon to your cleaner to help get it off! Forgot to bring hand sanitizer to your local park BBQ? Rub a drop of lemon into your hands to help kill harmful germs.

And speaking of sanitizer and germ-killing, I much prefer pure lemon essential oil over commercial hand sanitizers. The oil doesn’t dry out my skin, the fragrance is much nicer, and the lack of mystery chemicals that commercial products contain is healthier overall. Mix about 20 drops of pure lemon oil in a small bottle with some coconut or extra virgin olive oil and you have not just an effective sanitizer, but a moisturizing one at that!


I’ll close with a few tips on how to purchase the purest essential oils, in case the above ideas interest you:

• They should be sold in dark amber or dark blue glass bottles. Clear glass allows unfiltered light to enter and can cause the oil to spoil.
• Never buy pure essential oils in plastic bottles, since the oils can dissolve plastic and contaminate the product.
• Always buy less rather than more. A 10-milliliter bottle will likely last months even with frequent use. Buying too much can lead to spoilage and waste.
• Typically, you should plan to use an essential oil within a year.
• Be sure to store any essential oils in a cool, consistently dark place.

    Alice Osborne
    Weekly Newsletter Contributor since 2006
    Email the author! alice@dvo.com