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Truly Natural Alternatives for Pain Relief in Muscles, Back and Joints

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:07:04 +0000

I realize I may be making some of you uncomfortable talking about products you might be using. My long term goal, however, is to equip you to make the best choices in your personal care and body products. There are a lot of people doing great things with diet and exercise, and personal care is another component of wellness that can’t be ignored. Chemicals are absorbed into your skin and can accumulate over time. The great news is there are truly natural options in pain relief that will support what you are already doing. Anyone with aging parents, friends or colleagues knows that the a great deal of our population is overmedicated. You can lessen exposure to more toxins by making educated choices for pain relief. The last I checked, Amazon.com had 5,870 pain relief products available. How do you begin choosing products for pain relief? Start by reading the labels of what you are already using and know what you are applying to your body or ingesting. Many products not only have synthetic ingredients and artificial colors that could cause a reaction, any with artificial fragrance could be disrupting your thyroid and hormones. There are many Therapeutic Grade essential oils that can replace chemical filled creams and pills. Essential oils can be applied topically or to the Vita-Flex points on the feet for direct relief. While essential oils cannot repair serious injuries like a torn rotator cuff or the need for knee replacement, they can decrease inflammation, speed healing and lessen the time you have to take potent narcotics for post-surgical pain. Essential oils also work on physical and psychological aspects of pain. Here are some of the best choices for pain in the muscles, joints and backs. In addition to pain relief, essential oils have many uses, so when you apply an oil to your muscles or joints, you will be supporting your whole body’s health.

Idaho balsam fir- anti-inflammatory, grounding and relaxing to the body. Effective against respiratory infections, fatigue and sciatica.
Lavender – calming, relaxant physically and emotionally. Supports skin health, speeds wound healing in cuts, scrapes and 1st degree burns.
Wintergreen – naturally warming, muscle relaxant, highly anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic.
Basil – anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, also anti-bacterial and anti-viral.
Copaiba - powerful anti-inflammatory oil, antiseptic with almost imperceptible odor.
Marjoram – relieves muscle spasms, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, promotes intestinal peristalsis, mucolytic, expectorant.
Peppermint – cooling, anti-inflammatory, stimulating (don’t use before bed!) Synergistic and increases penetration when applied after other oils.
PanAway - an essential oil blend of helichrysum (heals tissue & nerve damage, anti-inflammatory), wintergreen, peppermint and clove
Deep Relief Roll-On is a convenient oil blend in an applicator bottle that you can roll on directly to sore muscles.

Joint Pain – is often caused by systemic issues. Essential oils can bring some temporary relief, but an honest assessment should also be taken of environment, diet and lifestyle. You can get a Healthy Home Checklist when you subscribe to the Pure Home and Body Newsletter as a starting point. MSM can be helpful in decreasing systemic inflammation, as well as looking at your diet. Ningxia Red is a powerful anti-oxidant that works to give your body added nutrition with whole foods rather than synthetic vitamins. Consult an Essential Oil Desk Reference, Prescription for Nutritional Healing and your holistic practitioner for management of chronic joint pain and autoimmune disorders.

For serious back injuries, essential oils can help bring relief until medical intervention is needed. Many individuals have prolonged or even avoided the need for surgery when they used essential oils with integrated care by a chiropractor, physical therapist and gentle exercise like yoga with an experienced instructor. The Raindrop Technique contains many anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic essential oils that are helpful for chronic back pain and even for individuals with scoliosis.

Name That Product: Here’s a challenge for you, a product labeled with “Natural Herbal Ingredients”. Used by chiropractors, acupunturists, massage therapists and nurses in clinical settings to relieve muscle pain. One of my biggest concerns is the use of menthol (made as a synthetic or watered down peppermint ), camphor (inexpensive filler that “smells strong”, may be derived from terpentine, used as insect or moth repellant and in embalming) and lavender “oil” (not even listed as essential oil, this is probably hormone disrupting synthetic oil) and artificial colors, and chemicals that release formaldehyde (also used in embalming):

menthol 5%, camphor 3%, water, aloe vera gel, isopropyl alcohol, lavender oil, triethanolamine, carbomer, ginseng extract, angelica extract, polysorbate 60, DMDM hydantion, imidazolidinyl urea, blue 1, yellow 5

The first person who guesses this product correctly will get a 5-pack of Ningxia Red singles to help fight inflammation from the inside out!

Battle Mosquitos With A Natural Repellant

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 02:17:13 +0000

I have been waiting for warmer weather all winter long. Of course, warm weather often brings mosquitos. With a little planning, you’ll be able to avoid the sting of these little pests with the use of some natural methods. History has shown us that mosquito and bug repellents are filled with controversial ingredients, some like DDT and DEET found to be harmful only after thousands of people have used them for extensive periods of time. While DDT is no longer used by the general public, DEET continues to be found in many products. Some studies have even found mosquitos becoming desensitized to DEET. Ingredients in DEET are classified as a neurotoxins with the potential to cause brain injury. In addition, some studies have found DEET to be dangerous when combined with common insecticides used in agriculture. Science is proving that essential oils and some other natural ingredients are just as effective, some more powerful than harsh chemicals at deterring mosquitos. In our family I tend to err on the conservative side, especially with my children when selecting methods to avoid insect bites.

The first step in battling mosquitos is to lessen your exposure: Remove standing water from your yard where they will lay their eggs. If you have small ponds or bird baths keep the water treated or empty containers and clean weekly to keep larvae from hatching. Check out some natural insect control products from an organic garden supply for your yard. Wear light colored clothing, long sleeves and pants in particular after dusk or when walking in wooded areas. Check your window and door screens for holes or spots mosquitos could invade your home. Consider replacing outdoor lights with a yellow bug light that does not attract mosquitos like traditional lighting.

Essential Oils are some of the most powerful mosquito deterrants available. Fragranced oils will not be any help against pests like mosquitos so make sure you are using a Therapeutic Grade Oil that will offer the best defense. Essential oils are pure plant extracts that protect the plants and trees from natural pests. These same plant extracts can offer protection to people as well. For the best results use a combination of oils to create a powerful blend. Here is a list of the most powerful oils mosquitos hate, followed by recipes I’ve used as natural mosquito repellent. Many of these oils are safe for use on everyone, including children and pets.

Lavender - safe for everyone, young and old including infants. Simply apply therapeutic grade lavender (I only recommend Young Living food grade lavender) directly to exposed skin (Neat).
Peppermint – safe for children over 4 diluted with a carrier oil. Peppermint is stimulating so avoid using right before going to bed. Also has a cooling effect on the skin, good for hot days.
Lemongrass – powerful oil that should be diluted before applying to the skin. Effective when applied to clothing from a spray bottle. Do not apply to the face.
Citronella – make sure you use pure therapeutic grade citronella oil, not just a fragranced oil which will not repel mosquitos. Dilute before applying to skin.
Cedarwood- adds a woodsy fragrance to a mosquito repellent, helps repel other insects in addition to mosquitos such as sand flies.
Thyme – anti-parasitic oil, has a very strong aroma that may be softened when blended with other oils.
Purification Essential Oil blend – Young Living exclusive blend of citronella, lemongrass, lavandin, rosemary, melaleuca & myrtleessential oils. This is a powerful blend that mosquitos and other flying insects dislike. We mix 8-10 drops of purification blend with a teaspoon of vegetable oil and apply to exposed skin. This blend is also excellent for bringing relief to any insect bites and stings. Apply undiluted 1-2 drops directly to the location as soon as possible after a bite or sting to lessen itching & swelling. (test first on a small area for sensitive skin).
Thieves Essential Oil blend - Young Living’s exclusive blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus radiata & rosemary essential oils. Helpful when mixed in a spray bottle and misted on the skin. Also a good option for treating an insect bite when applied topically. Dilute Thieves 1:1 with a carrier oil or witch hazel and apply on location as needed.
Melrose Essential Oil blend – Young Living’s exclusive blend of melaleuca alternifolia and rosemary essential oils. Apply neat or diluted 1:1 onto location to relieve pain and itching from stings and mosquito bites. Mix in a spray bottle and apply to clothing or exposed areas of skin.

Here are a couple of mosquito blends we’ve used in our family. You can mix up your own combination of essential oils to have on hand. Add the essential oils to a glass spray bottle, the same method as making your own air freshener. You can also add the essential oil blend to a vegetable oil and apply to the skin before exposure to mosquitos. Making your own mosquito repellent makes sense if you want to live a life with less toxins. These combinations are quick and easy to mix and you’ll know what ingredients you are putting on your body.

Mosquito Blend #1, mix together in a 4 ounce spray bottle and shake before each use, or add 1 drop castille soap or bath gel base to emulsify the oil

15 drops Purification essential oil blend
8 drops peppermint essential oil
8 drops lavender essential oil
8 drops cedarwood essential oil
enough purified water to fill the bottle

Mosquito blend #2, mix in a 4 ounce spray bottle, shaking before each use, or adding 1 drop of catille soap or bath gel base to emulsify oil:

10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops lemongrass essential oil
10 drops melaleuca essential oil
enough water to fill bottle

Alternatively, apply lavender or purification oil directly to exposed skin, mixing with a vegetable oil if desired to extend the time between applications. The oils in these blends may also be used for pets.

This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and Pure Home and Body LLC does not intend to diagnose, treat or cure any diseases.

The Perfect Asthma Storm, Calmed With Essential Oils

suep — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 01:48:18 +0000

I have suffered allergies my whole life, receiving a full round of allergy shots by age 7. I still remember my doctor telling my mom I was allergic to anything with hair. I managed my allergies just fine, with an occasional itchy nose or runny eyes, taking an antihistamine once in a while and we even had 3 dogs. In my early 20’s I started to develop some chemical sensitivities – I noticed it mostly with candles and artificial fragrances, resulting in headaches, nausea & vertigo. About 10 years ago I decided I’d help my husband cut the grass for the summer (I tested positive for allergies to many grasses at 7) After a few weeks I noticed my chest getting heavy and I knew if I continued I would develop asthma. I had a great excuse to stop cutting the grass and my symptoms went away.

I’m sure you know someone who suffers from asthma, maybe even you yourself. The American Academy of Allergies, Asthma and Immunology found that 70% of asthma sufferers have allergies. They also stated that 34.1 million Americans will be diagnosed with asthma sometime in their life. Last fall I became one of those statistics as I experienced the perfect storm resulting in asthma. In November after raking some leaves I had a full blown asthma attack. Combined with a previous history of allergies, stress, lack of sleep, overworking and not fueling my body with optimal nutrients I had the ideal conditions to develop asthma. Since I am familiar with stress management techniques as a yoga instructor, I quickly retreated to a hot bath with some Eucalyptus essential oils, then went to bed. This did help alleviate the symptoms at the time, but over the next 2 months I had to work on reducing stress, exposure to allergens (artificial fragrance included) and adding even more nutrient dense raw foods to my diet through gentle daily cleansing. I’m almost fully recovered, but not totally. A visit to the bank the other day set me back a bit as I stood in line with someone wearing a strong perfume. The fragrance filled the room and the minute I breathed it in I began coughing. I have managed my symptoms with some essential oil blends though my doctor continues to try convincing me to take the standard regiment of asthma inhalers/drugs. During the couple of visits to my MD it was never suggested that I avoid asthma triggers or allergens. In the past month I discovered some food allergies that were bringing on these symptoms. Now I am equipped to avoid allergens and any adverse reactions. Here are some oils that I’ve used to deal with my asthma symptoms:

Breathe Again Roll-On – a Young Living blend of eucalyptus globulus, peppermint, eucalyptus radiata, copaiba, blue cypress, eucalyptus bicostata and myrtle oil. This combination of oils are of great support to the respiratory tract. Several, including copaiba are anti-inflammatory. Simply apply the roll-on oils to the chest area or VitaFlex points for the lungs on the soles of the feet. Breathe Again Roll-On is even more effective when you apply Raven essential oil blend afterwards. Wintergreen essential oil is helpful for opening up the respiratory tract but is a very hot oil. Always dilute Wintergreen oil, using only 1 drop of essential oil to 5 or 10 drops of a carrier oil. This blend of oils has worked well for me when I’ve been exposed to airborne or food allergens.

Lavender essential oil is a natural anti-histamine. Apply lavender oil (therapeutic grade) directly to the chest, sinuses or on the cheekbones, being careful to avoid the eyes. Food grade lavender essential oil can also be taken in a capsule as a systemic anti-histamine. Lavender essential oil is excellent for relieving itching, especially when applied directly to the area you need.

RutaVaLa essential oil blend is useful for relaxing the entire body. This is especially helpful in times of distress. I have used this blend for asthma brought on by or worsened by stress. If you’ve ever experienced an asthma attack during difficult circumstances, an argument with someone or other situation you have little control over, RutaVaLa could help reduce symptoms. Just one drop of RutaVaLa applied to the base of my skull was enough to relax my chest and ease my breathing.

Essential oil Blends that I have found helpful in asthma situations include R.C , Raven (when layered over R.C), Breathe Again Roll-On.

Single oils that may open up the airways: eucalyptus globulus, eucalyptus blue, Copaiba, wintergreen, peppermint, myrtle and Idaho balsam fir. Many oils can help with managing stressful situations which can have a direct impact on asthmatic symptoms: lavender, chamomile, citrus and tree oils (frankincense, sandalwood, spruce) can be very calming.

I believe our bodies were designed with systems in place to protect us: pain receptors in the nerves, coughing or sneezing to eliminate bacteria and a fever to fight against germ invaders. The problem is we have so many substances in our environment that could be causing these symptoms that we don’t always take the time to find out what the root cause is. I am motivated to do this, partly because I am stubborn and don’t want to be tied to daily medication. The FDA has actually urged doctors to hold off on prescribing common daily asthma medications as they have been linked to severe and fatal asthma attacks. More importantly, I want to clean up my environment because I want to live a life of quality – wellness, purpose and abundance.

I am seeing results, but it won’t be easy. I could continue my path of exposure to harmful things in my life and just take the daily meds to mask my symptoms. For now I’ve chosen the natural route, and I know my family will be healthier too. I have found a balance of managing stress, providing my body with optimal nutrition, avoiding allergens and using Young Living therapeutic essential oils has helped me eliminate my asthma symptoms.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Managing Attention Disorders With Essential Oils

suep — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 02:58:23 +0000

There are many oils that support brain function simply because they are bringing more oxygen to the brain and increasing circulation. When combined with a balanced diet, eliminating processed sugars and foods, artificial dyes and flavorings, essential oils can compliment any current attention disorder treatment. Some are even able to manage attention issues with therapeutic grade essential oils. If you or your child are under the care of a doctor for some attention disorder, consult with him or her to consider options incorporating therapeutic grade essential oils.

There are many essential oils that have high sesquiterpenes. In common terms this means they bring the most oxygen to the brain, helping all body systems work more efficiently. A lot of the oils work through the limbic region of the brain and can help with mental clarity and attention. Tree oils in particular have a “grounding” effect on many people. Grounding is best described as being balanced, focused and having a definite sense of direction in your life. We have all experienced frayed moments when our minds are racing in many directions. Times of stress in particular make us vulnerable to anxiety and inability to focus. For some, including many children, this impairment in concentration has become a way of life. Tree oils like frankincense, cedarwood, copiaba, palo santo and balsam fir all help with focusing our attention. Valor is a Young Living combination of oils including frankincense that supports clear thinking and ability to focus. Valor comes in a convenient roll-on that can be placed in a back pack for use throughout the day. Vetiver is also another oil that has been researched for effectiveness in treating ADD & ADHD. Vetiver essential oil has over 100 different sesquiterpenes in it!

These oils can be diffused, applied topically and used as a dietary supplement for food grade oils. Essential oils are a great way to manage attention disorders in a natural way while maintaining balance in the body’s chemistry.

Copaiba

suep — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:26:47 +0000

Copaiba (copaifera reticulata/langsdorfii)is also known as Copal and is the only oil tapped directly from a tree. It is harvested from trees in Brazil. Only the Brazilian copaiba has a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) distinction in the United States. It is the only copal distilled from the tree, other species may be distilled from the hard resin. Historical data shows healers in the Amazon use copaiba for many types of pain and inflammation as well as external skin disorders. In Peruvian traditional medicine, a couple of drops of resin are mixed with a spoonful of honey and taken as a natural sore throat remedy. It is also used in these cultures as anti-inflammatory and antiseptic especially for cleansing the respiratory tract. Some individuals may have relief from joint pain if the oil is applied directly to joints. Copaiba is certified safe as a food additive by the FDA.

Copaiba is found in the Young Living essential oil blends: Deep Relief Roll-on and Breathe Again Roll-on

Copaiba essential oil #3431 – 15ml bottle wholesale $39.75 Retail $52.30

You can order Young Living oils at wholesale (select Independent Distributor and order a $40 Start Living Kit for lifetime wholesale pricing, and no monthly minimums) or retail (select customer).

The information in this article is for education purposes only, it has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.