When my two youngest kids started to cough in the midst of my daugher’s illness I diffused frankincense in their bedroom a few nights.  Thankfully the frankincense was enough to stop the spread of germs, their coughs disappeared and really didn’t turn into anything.

Frankincense has been used for hundreds of years, historically it was first given as a gift to the Christ Child.  It is one of the most valued essential oils and in Ancient Times it was worth more than gold.  It’s most common uses have been as a cough medicine and for asthma, and most recently it’s been included in the Journal of Royal Society Medicine (1991).  It has also been researched for it’s benefits in rejuvenating the skin.  Frankincense is gentle enough for babies, but only if it is the highest Therapeutic Grade like Young Living’s food grade Frankincense (Boswellia Carterri)  and Sacred Frankincense (Boswellia Sacra). Research is finding that the boswellic acid in frankincense is highly anti-inflammatory and blocks  the biosynthesis of leukotriene acids. Boswellic acid can have a positive affect on the body whether it is inhaled for respiratory issues, or applied topically to rejuvenate the skin and soothe arthritic joints.  Not all frankincense, however, contains boswellic acid.  Buyers should beware when shopping for frankincense as there is a great tendency to add fillers and additives to extend the volume of frankincense essential oil.  Boswellia frereana for example, is a species of frankincense that contains no boswellic acid and is only useful for perfumes or fragrance and has no therapeutic benefit.

Young Living offers 2 species of Frankincense, Boswellia Carteri and Boswellia Sacra: Sacred Frankincense.  Boswellia Sacra has higher levels of incensole acetate, found to have anti-anxiety effects.  The Sacra species also has higher levels of Alpha-pinene.  Young Living exclusively distills Boswellia Sacra frankincense from Oman, a region known in the essential oil industry to produce this superior species of frankincense.  Boswellia carteri contains higher levels of limonene, a component found effective against cancer cells.  Both species of frankincense support a healthy immune system and may even repair damaged DNA cells.

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)            15ml   whsl  $69.75     retail $91.78

Sacred Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) 15ml whls    $89.75     retail $118.09

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, enter sponsor #1003003)  or retail (select customer).

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.  I am not a medical doctor, and I’m not prescribing treatment, I’m just a mom trying to keep her kids healthy.  This information is for educational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for medical advise. If you need medical attention seek the counsel of your doctor.

Farid A. Badria, Eman A. Mohammad, Mohammed K. El-Badrawy, et al (2004). Natural Leukotriene Inhibitor from Boswellia: A Potential New Alternative for Treating Bronchial Asthma. Altern & Comp Therapies. 10 (5) 257-265.

Houssen M, Ragab A, Mesbah A, El-Samanoudy A, Othman G, Moustafa A, Badria F. (2010). Natural anti-inflammatory products and leukotriene inhibitors as complementary therapy for bronchial asthma. Clin Biochem 43 (10-11) 887-890.

Safayhi H, Rail B, Sailer E, Ammon H. (1997). Inhibition by Boswellic acids of Human Leukocyte Elastase. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 281 (1). 460-463.

Ziment I, Tashkin D. (2000). Alternative medicine for allergy and asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 106: 603-614.

The most important steps include frequent hand washings ( Thieves foaming hand sanitizer), washing bed lines and towels (I add a drop of Thieves or Purification essential oil to my laundry soap for extra disinfecting), cleaning my bathrooms with Thieves wipes (you can make your own wipes with Thieves household cleaner and tough paper towels, store them in an old baby wipes container for convenience) and diffusing highly anti-bacterial blends like Thieves, Purification, Christmas Spirit and Frankincense to kill airborne bacteria.    Young Living essential oils are also the most important items in our medicine cabinet.  In fact, we really don’t have anything else in our medicine chest – no ibuprofen, acetaminophen,  or over the counter cough syrups with artificial flavors & colors.  This is what  we use for colds & flu symptoms:

1st onset:  For adults, make up a  capsule of Thieves:  2 drops of Thieves essential oil plus 3-6 drops of lemon in gel cap.  For kids  under 6, a spoonful of agave nectar with 1 drop of lemon essential oil added and 1-2 drops of R.C applied to the bottoms of feet.  Use Thieves hand sanitizer to keep germs from spreading.  Keep mouth clean where germs multiply with Thieves mouthwash.

Cough medicine -  1 tsp agave nectar with 1 drop of lemon essential oil.  For adults add 1 drop Thieves for extra boost. Suck on Thieves lozenges.

Fever – Adults, 3-5 drops peppermint essential oil on each foot.   Repeat as needed until fever is gone.  Children under 7 – Lavender & Frankincense on bottoms of feet or along spine – repeat as needed until the fever is gone.

Sore Throat – 1 tsp agave nectar with 1 drop of lemon essential oil (Lemon essential oil contains many more nutrients and antioxidants than just lemon juice as the essential oil is distilled from the rind – use only food grade lemon essential oil for ingesting) .  For adults and children over 6 add 1 drop of  Thieves oil to the spoonful of lemon/agave nectar.  Thieves lozenges are also helpful.   Gargle with Thieves mouthwash.

Sinus & Chest congestion – R.C. applied to the bottoms of feet, rubbed on the chest or inhaled.  Add a  few drops to bath water and breath deeply.  Frankincense supports the respiratory tract and viruses.  Apply to the chest and throat area on lymph glands.  Place a drop of frankincense on the tongue to fight viruses.  Raven is a Young Living blend made of Ravensara, wintergreen, eucalyptus radiata, lemon and peppermint.   It is especially effective when layered with the R.C blend.  Breathe Again Roll-on is a convenient blend to apply directly to the chest or Vita-Flex points for breathing relief due to cold and asthma.

Cold/Canker Sores – suck on a Thieves lozenge or apply a drop of Thieves essential oil directly to the spot to alleviate pain and speed healing.  Peppermint oil also may help when applied directly.

Headache /body aches – Raindrop Technique, apply peppermint or Panaway on the forehead and temples or  lemon essential oil on the big toe.  Soak in a mineral bath like Ancient Minerals with 3-4 drops of lavender essential oils added.

Vomiting/diarrhea - peppermint essential oil applied to bottoms of feet, on the belly and 1 drop in water to sip.  Children under 6 should not use peppermint oil, instead use Frankincense or ginger essential oil on the feet and belly.  After 1 hour of no vomiting, gradually introduce liquids. Dilute 1 oz. Ningxia Red with 4-5 ounces of water is a gentle way to start adding nutrients.

Inner Defense is a supplement that contains 4 different types of Oregano.  This is highly antibacterial, research shows this blend is as powerful as some antibiotics.  When using Inner Defense, 10-12 hours later take a probiotic likeLife 5.   For example, Inner Defense in the morning, Life 5 at bedtime to replenish healthy intestinal flora.

In addition to some of these suggestion make sure to add some homemade chicken soup, drinking plenty of  high quality fluids, rest and some common sense to ensure a quick recovery.  Always seek the advice of your doctor for serious illness.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are meant for educational purposes only, they are not a substitute for medical care.

Therapeutic Grade Melissa essential oil comes from the melissa officinalis plant, in the mint family. It’s commonly called “lemon balm” and   it is steam distilled from the aerial parts before flowering.  Historically it has been used for nervous disorders, to promote fertility and in Munich, Dr. Dietrich Wabner, a professor at the Technical University in Munich found it effective against the Herpes Simplex virus.  It may be helpful for depression, viral infections, anxiety and insomnia.  Diffuse 1-2 hours up to 3 times a day, apply to the skin or Vita Flex points to support the immune system.

Melissa essential oil is found in the Young Living blends of Awaken, Brain Power, Forgiveness, Hope, White Angelica and in the supplement Multi-Greens.

Our family has personally received the benefits of  melissa essential oil in the Thieves mouthwash blend and Multi-greens.  Awaken is one of my favorite Young Living blends, a combination of 5 different blends including 27 different essential oils including melissa essential oil.   It’s an exquisite blend that  I wear  as a “healthy” perfume.    When you use the essential oil blends or personal care items with melissa in it, you are getting a powerful oil in an economical way.

Select Research:

Kucera LS, et al. Antiviral activities of extracts of the lemon balm plant. Ann NY Acad Sci. 1965 Jul 30;130(1):474-82.

Sadraei H, Ghannadi A, Malekshahi K. Relaxant effect of essential oil of Melissa officinalis.  Fitoterapia. 2003 Jul;74(5);445-52.

There is speculation about when skin cancer was actually discovered, with some resources finding that a malignant melanoma was even discovered on an Egyptian mummy.  The traditional medical community states that skin cancer rates are soaring simply because detection rates have improved.     Historically, many cultures avoided the sun because light colored skin was more desirable than darker colored sun.   Currently, skin cancer rates are highest in developing countries with speculation that it is related to increased sunscreen usage.  Some of the ingredients in question include oxybenzone (also known as benzophenone-3) and retinyl palmitate.  Those who defend the use of these chemicals cite studies, but these studies have only been performed on animals, not humans, so more research needs to be done.  They also argue that these chemicals are safe to use in sunscreen because the amounts are so small.

The research I have found regarding these two ingredients is enough for me to avoid them altogether in my family.  Given the FDA’s history of releasing chemicals as safe for use, only to have them banned later after finding them harmful (DDT, Parabens, BPA to name a few) I’d rather not have my children be the test market for new drugs, particularly if there are safe options to purchase or make yourself at home.

Oxybenzone (also known as benzophenone-3) is used in industrial processes to initiate chemical reactions. The MSDS lists it has having negative long term effects on reproductive systems.

Retinyl Palmitate – is Vitamin A.  This additive is used in skin care products because of the potential it has to heal the skin.  The problem with the  chemically engineered retinyl palmitate is it reacts with sunlight – UVA rays, showing  in research with animals that  it accelerates the growth of skin cancer tumors.  So it is safe and good for your skin, but maybe not if used in the sunlight – any volunteers for human studies with this chemical?

Nano-particles – including nano-zinc oxide.  Nano or micronized particles are manufactured to be superfine and readily absorbed by the body. Marketers claim these micro-molecules can penetrate deeper into the skin healing tissues further than previous products.  The problem is that the long term effects of delivering man-made chemicals deep into human cells is unknown.  As with many man-made chemicals, I try to limit exposure with nano-particle chemicals because they are too new and the lasting effects are uncertain.  If you are going to make your own sunscreen with zinc-oxide, make sure to use ingredients that are not nano-particles.

When you choose sunscreen for your family, do your research and make an informed decision.  Sunscreens are loaded with chemicals that may or may not affect you in the long run.   Read labels and know what you are putting into and on your body.  Long term affects may be just a gamble , is it one you’re willing to take?

Watch next week for a recipe to make your own sunscreen with single ingredients that can protect your skin without chemicals plus therapeutic grade essential oils that nourish and heal your skin!

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.

Cuts & scrapes - cleanse first with water & soap if available.  Apply 1 drop of lavender or Purification oil to wound before covering with a bandaid.  Lavender disinfects and speeds healing.

Bumps & bruises – apply PanAway to bump, only to unbroken skin for adults and older children.  If there is a scrape on the bump, use Frankincense.  Frankincense is gentle enough for newborns and toddlers, Young Living Frankincense can be applied undiluted directly on location to bump or wound.

Burns – apply lavender undiluted directly to the burn as soon as possible.  Lavender stops the inflammation and can immediately start the healing.  I’ve used this countless times, every time I apply right after injury, a blister never forms.  Continue applying lavender (even every 5-10 minutes) until pain subsides.  For sunburn, make your own lavender spray.  Add 10 drops of lavender essential oil to a 4 ounce glass spray bottle, fill with water and keep in the fridge for cooling relief when sprayed directly on skin.

Cramps, muscle & PMS – apply 1-2 drops peppermint essential oil directly to sore muscle, to the abdomen for PMS.

Digestive issues - including nausea, diarrhea, travel sickness and IBS.  Apply 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil directly to the abdomen, for children under 3 use Peace & Calming or Lavender essential oils.  If using Young Living’s food grade peppermint oil, add a drop to a 16 ounce glass of water and take small sips every 10 minutes until symptoms subside.  Even just applying a drop on the vent of the car as you travel can help ease motion sickness for everyone.

Fever – Lavender is cooling and especially effective for children and infants.  Peppermint is helpful for those over 3 years of age.  Apply 1-2 drops of your oil of choice to the soles of the feet or along the spine, massaging into the back.  Frankincense can also be added to the lavender or peppermint to enhance the cooling effect.  Repeat every hour if needed.

Headache – apply lemon essential oil to the big toe.  Peppermint and Thieves may also be helpful.  PanAway is another option, applying 1-2 drops to the temples or back of the neck.  Check out my drug-free headache relief post for specifics on techniques for applying the oils.

Insect bites – apply Purification blend directly to mosquito, spider bites and bee stings.

Itching – apply lavender undiluted directly to area of irritation.

Muscle injury – apply PanAway essential oil directly to point of injury.  Layer peppermint oil on top to drive Panaway deeper into tissue. Repeat every hour until pain subsides.

Sinus Congestion – apply peppermint essential oil to bridge of nose. For congestion from allergies, apply lavender essential oil to the bridge of the nose.

Stress – apply lavender essential oil or Peace & Calming blend to the back of the neck, breath aroma in deeply to calm nerves.  Frankincense is especially helpful in chaotic situations when you need to focus and relax.  Apply frankincense to the temples, back of the neck or simply breath in the aroma. Any of these oils as well as Valor blend are also helpful in severe injury situations and can be inhaled or rubbed on to the soles of the feet on the way to seek medical treatment to calm those involved.

Essential oils are an easy, compact and effective way to deal with non-emergency situations in a natural way.  Add them to your existing first aid kit for natural options that do not expire.  For more information on specific usage in these and other situations, refer to an essential oil desk reference or other aromatherapy guide.  Watch for my next post June 4th,  with recipes for using essential oils for chemical free sunscreen and bug repellant!

This information is for educational use only and Pure Home and Body LLC does not intend to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

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.

I grew up with serious allergies and got the full series of shots when I was 7 years old.  As I’ve gotten older my symptoms have varied in severity, and some of my children inherited similar traits.   The reactions vary  from child to child in our family, some get itchy eyes, another a runny nose.   Something must be blooming that is causing our current symptoms and we have some runny noses, itchy throats and eyes – mine included. So far we have been able to avoid over the counter allergy meds, including some inhaler samples given to us by a doctor.  We’ve been able to avoid these drugs by using natural methods and nutritional support.  You may make different choices in your family and I am not prescribing treatments for any serious allergy issues.  Talk with your doctor about options for your family.

For scratchy throats we got out our Lemon Agave Nectar which has been in the cupboard since spring.  I’ve added 10-12 drops of Young Living lemon essential oil (which is food safe) to 4 ounces of Agave nectar.  We take a teaspoon of this at a time.  Even the baby, Andrew , likes to take this “nectar”.  The girls are in a musical at Elmbrook church this weekend with our oldest doing a solo.  This Lemon Nectar is keeping her throat soothed for all her performances.  If you want to add an extra boost to a spoonful, add a drop of Thieves – making sure to mix in well before swallowing.  I would not use Thieves internally in children under 4 because it is such a powerful oil.  If an adult needs only 1 drop of Thieves, a small child would need only a scant amount when applying to the feet.

Today I woke with itchy eyes and a bit of congestion.  I’ve started diffusing Lavender, and spread 1 drop of Lavender around the sinus area, temples and close to the eyes – but not in them.   If you do this close to the eyes, make sure not to get the oil in the eyes, and do it when you can just close your eyes for a few minutes after to allow the essential oil to soak into your skin.  I have to say that about 15 minutes later my eyes and sinuses are feeling quite better.

If  I’m really feeling groggy and a bit pulled down from allergy symptoms I’ll take a capsule with 2 drops of Thieves and a couple drops of Lemon.  It’s amazing how this seems to give my system a boost and bring it better into balance.

Aside from staying away from allergens, there are some other things you can do to avoid common allergens like dust – Take your shoes off at the door when you come in a home.  Shoes carry not only allergens, but a host of chemicals and dirt that are not healthy for anyone. (Think of all the places you’re shoes have been, which may include pesticide sprayed lawns). Dust and vacuum with a HEPA filter often to keep allergens from dispersing into the air.

Many allergies are caused by undigested proteins in the blood so it is essential to fit the proper probiotics and enzymes in to your system to help digest and assimilate foods.  This is especially important for anyone who has taken a round of antibiotics.  Just eating yogurt is not providing the probiotics your body needs to maintain healthy flora in the intestinal tract.  Young Living’s Life 5 probiotic has been tested to ensure the right probiotics are surviving digestion and reaching the colon.  If probiotics do not survive the digestive juices they cannot get established in the colon.  Young Living also makes several enzyme combinations:  Sulfurzyme and Essentialzyme to help aid in digestion.

I most recently was thinking about ‘alcohol baths’ which have been strongly discouraged because of possible alcohol poisoning.   You may have never heard of alcohol baths used for lowering a fever unless you were a nurse 30+ years ago or know someone who was.  My mom was a nurse and was trained to use alcohol baths as an option.  In time this practice was eliminated because of the potential harm it may cause and is no longer taught in medical school.  There are many articles on the dangers of alcohol baths and ethyl alcohol because the alcohol is absorbed through the skin.  Could this same effect result from applying an alcohol based hand sanitizer on the hands “as often as you like”, more quickly with a small child of 20-30 pounds?  I’d rather not find out, so I use essential oil based hand sanitizers which have no alcohol.

Young Living makes the Thieves Hand Sanitizer which is based on the Thieves essential oils of clove, cinnamon, rosemary, lemon and Eucalyptus radiata.  Clean Well is another brand that offers a spray sanitizer, alcohol-free, based on Thyme essential oil and aloe.    If you have been using essential oils for any time, you know that skin absorption is one of the benefits of using the oils, especially on children.  The essential oils penetrate the skin barrier and go directly to the bloodstream.  The skin is our largest organ and capable of absorbing many substances.

Hand sanitizers are a convenient way to cleanse the hands in a pinch if there is no running water, but even the CDC advises to keep the hands clean with soap and running water.  The CDC even advises that hand sanitizers  “should not be used in lieu of hand washing”.  Check out this link for proper hand washing techniques.  And use old fashioned soap – not anti-bacterial, chemical laden versions adding to the chemical absorption through your skin.  Young Living also makes some nice foaming hand soaps in a Thieves blend or Lavender.