faith4tots.com » Topically

Is Your Deodorant Working?

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:20:12 +0000

Our culture is saturated with fragrance, many Americans preoccupied with avoiding body odor. Unfortunately, synthetic fragrance is loaded with chemicals and research continues to show more and more it is harmful not only to adults but to children, even unborn babies. The funny thing is often our body odor is reflective of the toxins we put into our body as our system tries to eliminate it. Instead of trying to mask unpleasant body odor with chemicals, it might be more effective to eliminate toxins you put into and on your body to lessen the toxins and odor coming out. Anti-antiperspirants and chemical deodorants will only make the problem worse when they clog your pores and body’s natural system of cleansing, causing toxins to search for another way out – or to settle in the body in a comfortable place like the liver or the brain. Perfumes are just as toxic, simply chemicals you spray onto your skin where they are absorbed quickly into your bloodstream. Is it any surprise that we have so many people in our society with mental illnesses like attention disorders, depression and anxiety? Our culture is saturated with chemicals, we are chemical beings – our bodies interact with all the substances we are exposed to. The unknown is how exactly will we respond to any given fragrance, perfume or other engineered ingredients in our environment – and will we notice?

Now, you don’t have to give up fragrance all together, the great thing is essential oils offer natural fragrance that supports your body’s health. Many oils make great deodorants because they are killing odor causing bacteria. Some essential oils are even excellent for deodorizing clothing, like those sweaty gym clothes that sat in your bag all day from your morning workout. I know people who just buy new workout clothes because they can’t remove the soaked in sweaty, smell from clothing. Young Living’s Purification or Thieves does the job in just one washing! Just add 2-3 drops to your laundry soap and wash as usual. I’ve been using a deodorant from Young Living for years and after I teach a yoga class others coming into the room have commented that it smells like a spa – Maybe because I’m sweating essential oils instead of toxic chemicals~

Just make sure any oils you use are Therapeutic Grade and not diluted or filled with additives. Since there is no regulation in the essential oil industry, make sure you get product from a trusted company that verifies and tests all their oils for purity, otherwise you may be just trading a synthetic fragrance for another chemical filled product. No matter what your personal preferences, there are essential oils to suit your personality. Essential oils were some of the first perfumes, synthetics have only been around the past 100 years or so, with Chanel No. 5 being the first mass-produced synthetic perfume. Real perfumes are out there and you can make your own. But purchasing a real perfume with real oils would be cost prohibitive to most, hundreds or thousands of dollars. Relying on cheap oils with potential additives or fillers is not wise either. Often additives in an oil will be the cause of irritation on skin, something many perceive as the oil being the culprit. Tainted oils may cause many symptoms including dizziness, nausea, headache and even heart palpitations so be careful when selecting your brand.

When you use essential oils for a personal fragrance, get them from a reputable source to ensure purity. You can use many essential oils directly on the skin if they are therapeutic grade with just a few things in mind. If you have a quality oil with nothing added and nothing taken away you will be more pleased with the results. You can always test a small area on the inside of your elbow or forearm to see if you are sensitive, any response would be apparent within an hour. Avoid applying citrus oils to skin exposed to the sun within 24 hours because they increase your sensitivity and you may burn. Here are some basic suggestions to help you find a scent you like.

Earthy – Cistus (Rose of Sharon), frankincense, myrrh, onycha, patchouli, spikenard & vetiver. Tree oils ground your emotions, they can be earthy or woodsy depending on what they are blended with. My favorite earthy blend is Young Living’s Sacred Mountain (spruce, ylang ylang, balsam fir & cedarwood).

Citrus – Bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange & tangerine. Young Living’s Citrus Fresh is a blend of citrus oils plus a hint of spearmint. Gentle Baby and Peace & Calming are two blends with citrus oils, but they have a gentle sweet aroma.

Spicy – Black pepper, cassia, clove, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg. Abundance is one of my favorite spicy YL blends.

Floral – Geranium, jasmine, neroli, rose, ylang ylang. YL’s “Joy” blend fits in the floral category.

Herbal – Angelica, chamomile, clary sage, lavender, rosemary. Tranquil Roll-on is an herbal blend of lavender, cedarwood and Roman chamomile.

Woodsy – Cedarwood, juniper, pine, spruce, sandalwood. Inspiration is an amazing YL blend of cedarwood, spruce, rosewood, myrtle, sandlewood, frankincense, spikenard and vetiver.

Complex oils contain many different essential oils, some more than 50 or 60! The result is an aroma full of character with definite top, middle and base notes like an expensive perfume. Creating blends is an art and takes time and practice using the best quality oils. If inferior oils or chemical additives are used, the quality of the overall blend will not be as pleasing as it could be. One of my favorite YL blends is Awaken, an amazing blend of over 25 different oils. The scent changes gently over time, reminding me of a fine wine. Watch for my next post, Essential Oils, the Fine Wines of Personal Care and an upcoming series on easy ways to use essential oils for personal care – including deodorant!

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. For medical treatment, see your doctor.

Make Your Own Lotion With 3 Simple Ingredients

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:07:47 +0000

Skin care is big business, accounting for millions of dollars in sales each year. According to IBISWorld the cosmetic and skin care industries are very competitive. As a result, companies are relying on new product introductions to grow their business. For the consumer, this means “new & improved” patented ingredients, more chemicals and toxins with unknown side effects, all with the promise of more youthful, healthy skin. Most Americans are accustomed to an abundance of choices in skin and personal care products, yet it can still be overwhelming trying to choose what is the safest and most economical. It helps to get products from a company you trust, like Young Living. EWG’s cosmetic database can help you avoid products with toxic ingredients. I’ve also found it easiest to simplify my routine where I can. If you are unfamiliar with the risks of using most drug store personal care products I encourage you to watch a short video from Safe Cosmetics.org, a non-profit organization committed to educating the public about safety in our personal care items.

Recently, I’ve found some great directions on making your own lotions at WabiSabi Baby.com. I’ve had the how-to information for years but never ventured out to try it until I read the clear directions from WabiSabi Baby. Packaged lotions are convenient and you don’t have to worry about shelf life, but if you’d like to try making your own lotion, I recommend this recipe. When you add your pure essential oils from Young Living you’ll have the purest lotion customized to your skin’s needs. I mixed together this batch of simple ingredients and had a very emollient lotion in 15 minutes. I used Young Living’s V-6 oil one time and coconut oil the 2^nd. The coconut oil version was amazingly emollient. I have used Young Living’s lavender lip balm (made with coconut oil) for dry patches and the coconut oil version was very similar. If you can heat up a can of soup, you can make this recipe. The first time I did this, the water separated a little. I reheated the mixture in the double boiler and it turned out much better. I look forward to trying this recipe with glycerin (making sure it’s vegetable glycerin) for even more moisture. Mountain Rose Herbs carries a large selection of lotion making supplies including beeswax pastilles and glycerin. Let me know if you’ve made your own lotions and what has or has not worked for you!

I mixed up ½ this amount the first couple times just to get comfortable with the technique:

¼ C vegetable oil (Young Living’s V-6 oil blend, coconut, jojoba)

¼ C emulsifying wax (I used local, organic beeswax. You can also get an emulsifying wax specifically for cosmetics)

1 ¼ C hot water (almost boiling)

Melt vegetable oil and emulsifying wax in a small sauce pan. Pour in hot water (this step is critical to avoiding a mess!) and stir until well incorporated, the consistency should be like milk. Pour the entire mixture into a glass canning jar or other glass bottle with a tight lid. Make sure you temper the glass first by running it under hot water to warm the glass slightly. I found it convenient to sterilize the bottle first, filling it with lotion once it has cooled a little, taking care to use hot pads for hot surfaces. Pour the lotion mixture in slowly as a dramatic temperature change will break the glass. Gently shake the bottle about every 10 minutes until the mixture sets.

Add 8-10 drops of essential oils when the lotion cools to customize to your needs:

Calming lotion: Roman chamomile, lavender & frankincense

Acne prone: Melaleuca alternifolia

Eczema: Myrrh

Cooling Foot Lotion: Peppermint

Sunscreen: Add 1 T non-nano zinc oxide plus lavender to protect and support skin health (I ordered mine from WabiSabi baby.com)

Insect Repelling Lotion: Purification, Peppermint, Cedarwood, Thieves, Citronella (make sure it is not a chemical citronella oil, but pure plant extract). Add non-nano zinc oxide to make a bug repellent sunscreen

I made half this version for a couple days use and keep it in the fridge since there are no preservatives. You could also add some Vitamin E oil or essential oils that would act as natural preservatives. Make sure you don’t use citrus oils in lotion you will be putting on before sun exposure.

Watch for an upcoming post on (making your own facials at home) with pure ingredients and essential oils customized for your skin type.

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.

First Aid the Natural Way

Mon, 30 May 2011 21:32:52 +0000

I knew summer was almost here when my four-year old came in the house with two scraped knees, his brother an hour later with a sliver . The biggest change I make in first aid supplies this time of year is simply buying more band-aids for my portable oils case. I also stock up on those instant ice packs from a local sporting goods store. You’re probably mindful of the foods you eat, creating a natural first aid kit is just an extension of what you are already doing to be healthy. You can build your own compact first aid kit that is not only more natural, but kid friendly and even helpful in dealing with the stress that mishaps of life may bring. This natural first aid kit is compact and perfect for taking on trips camping , driving or flying. The 5 & 15ml (equal to 1/2 ounce) bottles of essential oils should be no problem to carry on a flight, although you can verify carry on restrictions with individual airlines before traveling. My first aid kit is not much more than my Everyday Oils collection - enough to treat most non-emergency situations in a natural way, some bandaids, antibiotic ointment and an instant ice pack. When you add essential oils to your first aid kit, make sure you are using quality therapeutic grade oils, preferably food-grade oils that are guaranteed to have no additives or chemicals in them which could actually be harmful if used for first aid. Here are some common first aid ailments and how we handle them with the Everyday Essential Oils Collection:

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.

Boost Your Immune System with Raindrop Oils

suep — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:26:20 +0000

Gary Young developed The Raindrop Technique, a method of applying essential oils to the spinal column to fight bacteria and combat systemic inflammation. He found through research that viruses and bacteria migrate to the spinal column. This should not be a surprise as it houses our central nervous system. The essential oils in the Raindrop Technique Kit include powerful anti-microbial oils like oregano, thyme, basil, cypress, wintergreen, marjoram and peppermint. Thyme essential oil in particular is consistently effective against many bacteria including e. coli, streptococcus, Pneumococcus and candida. Oregano oil has been found to be a powerful antibiotic against many bacteria. All of these oils are highly anti-inflammatory as well, helping to settle down an overactive immune system.

The basic premise behind the Raindrop technique is to drop essential oils down the spine, with crossing strokes over the vertebrae to help oils absorb along the entire spinal column. Many of these essential oils are considered “hot” oils and may have a tendency to result in temporary redness. Part of this is detoxification as the oils oxygenate the cells and draw out toxins. If uncomfortable heat results, simply add some V-6 massage oil to the back to dilute and cool down the area. Peppermint oil is used in the Raindrop technique. This helps in a couple of ways. First, peppermint oil is a cooling oil. It will help offset the heat of the other oils. Secondly, peppermint oil is synergistic with other oils. Peppermint oil drives other oils in deeper to the tissues. I see this time and again when someone applies an oil like PanAway, then Peppermint oil. The result is often a tingling sensation, cooling or soothing to the area. The combined oils in the Raindrop offer a synergistic effect as well. All the oils together form a powerful anti-inflammatory response, helping your body fight viruses or infections and to recover from illness. We use the Raindrop for colds, flu, fatigue and back pain. It can also be helpful post-surgical to help the body recover from trauma and start to detoxify the body. Talk with your doctor if you have had major surgery to see when it is best to start using essential oils.

Vita-Flex Points

suep — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:36:16 +0000

Vita-Flex means “vitality through the reflexes”. It is a specific form of hand and foot massage that helps deliver essential oils throughout the body. It is based on a complete network of reflex points that stimulate all the internal body systems. We use the application of essential oils to these vita-flex points to target specific health issues. For headaches we apply lemon, PanAway , Peppermint , M-Grain or BrainPower to the big toes – which are connected to the brain. For respiratory congestion we might use R.C. or Raven. The Raindrop Technique can be applied to the spinal points on the feet if you cannot apply oils to your own spine. Vita-Flex is also a good technique to use for individuals with asthma so the essential oils do not irritate the respiratory tract. Besides targeting specific areas of the body, for most people, having your feet massaged just feels good and can be soothing to the body and the mind.

Vita-Flex can also be used on dogs and horses! Check out dilutions for your dog before applying oils. I am working on getting a dog chart onto the site.

Applying Essential Oils Topically

suep — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:12:20 +0000

Essential oils can be diffused, inhaled, applied topically and oils certified by the FDA as food additives can be ingested. One of the easiest ways to get started with essential oils is to simply add a drop or two to your bath water to gently fragrance your skin.

Essential oils are highly concentrated, therefore requiring only a drop or two to be effective. This makes them very economical and portable to use. An oil that is therapeutic grade can often be applied NEAT, which is undiluted, without irritation to the skin. If you use an oil that is not therapeutic grade and it irritates your skin, it is most likely the chemicals or fillers that are causing a reaction. Some oils like clove, cinnamon, cassia, lemongrass and thyme should always be diluted before using. Consult your Young Living User’s Guide, Essential Oils Desk Reference or other aromatherapy source for guidelines on diluting specific oils. If you suspect skin sensitivity, do a test on the inside of your arm an hour before applying. Skin on the face and neck are more sensitive than the palms of the hands or bottoms of the feet.

Essential oils can be applied to the soles of the feet to Vita-Flex points. The bottom of the foot has points corresponding to many parts of the body. You can apply oils to specific points on the foot to target those areas. Applying oils to the feet is useful for persons with asthma and young children as inhaling essential oils could be irritating to their respiratory tract. Make sure feet are clean before applying oils as the oils will draw in any dirt with the essential oil. Applying essential oils to the feet is not only an effective method for administering essential oils, it is very soothing and calming.

Essential oils can also be applied directly to point of injury or need. Essential oils should NOT be dropped into the ear canal, nose orifice, or into the eyes. Use caution when applying a strong oil like Peppermint to the sinus area or temples, it causes a sensation similar to cutting raw onions and may be a little uncomfortable, but will pass in a few minutes. PanAway, for example can be applied directly to a bump, bruise or sore knee. The essential oils go directly to the point of injury and can start reducing inflammation.

Essential oils can be administered in the Raindrop Technique, applying oils along the spinal column. There is research showing viruses migrate to the spinal column, and when therapeutic grade essential oils are applied to the spine it can attack those bacteria and viruses where they may be harboring. Young Living has a Raindrop Kit with some powerful oils for detoxifying your body, but the technique can be used with any oils. We use the Raindrop Kit oils for back injury, first sign of flu and for times the immune system needs an extra boost. The Raindrop technique can be applied to the feet along the spinal Vita-Flex points effectively as well.

The topical application of therapeutic grade essential oils is not meant to be a substitute for serious medical treatment. Consult with your doctor or holistic practitioner if you have medical concern.

Alternatives To Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizers

suep — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:27:35 +0000

We are a clean society, no doubt. And now, after all the Swine Flu attention in the media, hand sanitizers are everywhere. They are in bathrooms next to traditional soap machines, on counters in day centers, on the teacher’s desks and by the entrance of most stores. The main company who has these units up has specific instructions on using their product. According to their FAQ’s page, you can use their product, which is mostly ‘ethyl alcohol’ (62%) “as often as you like”, and that “no alcohol is left behind because it mostly evaporates”.

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.

Deep Relief Roll-On

suep — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:52:36 +0000

Young Living offers a blend of oils targeted at deep muscle relief. This blend is a combination of peppermint, lemon, Idaho balsam fir, copaiba, clove, wintergreen, helichrysum, vetiver, Palo Santo and virgin coconut oil. This blend comes in a convenient roll-on bottle for a convenient, portable and no-mess application. Many of the oils in this combination are known for their pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties to help with sore joints, muscles and tension.

Using Essential Oils

suep — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:59:25 +0000

Essential oils are highly concentrated and should be used with great care. Stronger oils like clove, cinnamon and basil are hot oils and should always be diluted before using. Thinner skin like on the face and neck may require the dilution of oils more likely than the palm of the hand or bottoms of the feet. Individuals with asthma should have oils applied to the bottoms of the feet rather than inhaling oils as this may irritate the respiratory tract. If a rash occurs, this most often is toxins being eliminated from the body – if Young Living Oils are used. Using any other brand of oils does not guarantee safety in usage as the oils may contain unknown synthetics or fillers that could irritate the skin.

Essential Oils can be applied topically: Essential oils applied directly from the bottle are called ‘neat’. Oils applied with a carrier oil, such as Young Living’s V-6 oil will extend the oil a bit more and is helpful for using the essential oils in massage. Essential oils can be inhaled, simply from the bottle or the palm of the hand, diffused from a Young Living Diffuser, applied topically to the skin or taken internally as a food additive – any oils safe for ingestion will have the white food supplement label on the bottle. Consult your User’s Guide and Essential Oils Desk Reference for specific information on each oil’s usage.

Common areas to apply oils are directly where they are needed: a drop of peppermint essential oil applied to the temples can help for a headache, PanAway applied directly to a sore joint for pain relief, or lavender essential oil can be applied directly to a burn (make sure to use only Young Living therapeutic grade lavender for a burn, any inferior oil applied to a burn could make the injury worse). Reflexology is the practice of applying essential oils to the soles of the feet which are the source of nerve endings corresponding to many points of the body. The large toe for example, corresponds to the head and applying lemon oil to the big toe may alleviate a migraine headache.

Essential Oils can be Inhaled. Simply breathing essential oils may be useful for managing stress. The aroma of an appealing scent can help alleviate anxiety. Synthetic oils should never be used for this as the chemicals may actually make anxiety worse. Inhaling an oil is sometimes used for situations like respiratory conjestion, using a Young Living blend like R.C or a eucalyptus to soothe the respiratory tract.

Diffusing essential oils is perfect for deodorizing the air. You could diffuse a blend like Purification to neutralize odors. Thieves blend or Frankincense would be helpful in disinfecting the air when someone is battling a cold or flu. We’ve prevented the spread of many illnesses in our home by diffusing essential oils when someone comes down with a bug. It is also helpful to use the anti-bacterial blends like Thieves to clean frequently used surfaces like door knobs, light switches and faucets.

Food Grade Essential Oils can be ingested. Many of Young Living’s single essential oils are certified by the FDA as food grade, so they are safe for internal use. Just follow the recommended dose on each bottle. Some oils like Thieves, clove or lemon can be placed in a spoonful of rice milk or agave nectar and simply swallowed. Oils can also be filled into a supplemental gel cap available at most health food stores. Internal use is effective for targeting digestive issues like nausea & diarrhea (Peppermint oil), and systemic inflammation. Internal usage is also excellent as a dietary supplement as with Longevity essential oil.

Essential oils are powerful substances and should be combined with common sense. If you have a condition requiring medical treatment, see your doctor. The information on this website is for educational purposes only and Pure Home and Body LLC does not intend to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.