Orientation to Essential Oils
Essential oils are the life-blood of plants full of therapeutic compounds that communicate naturally with human body cells. Plant essential oils are gentle on the body allowing good bacteria to thrive, yet powerful enough to support the body as it fights invaders. Young Living Essential Oils support the body to come back into balance without harmful side effects
There are three main ways to get oils into your system:
Topically - Most essential oils are diluted with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba and applied to skin where they pass into the bloodstream
Ingestion - Often less than a drop is added to spice up a sauce or flavour baking while providing health support at the same time. A toothpick dipped in the oil and swirled in a sauce is often the perfect flavour boost.
Inhalation - Diffusing and inhaling oils allows them to enter the large blood vessels in the lungs or the olfactory system in the nose to circulate to where they are needed in the body. This method is where aromatherapy gets its name. Aromatherapy is not just a pretty scent: The olfactory nerves at the top of the nose are connected directly to the limbic centre of the brain that controls emotions and hormone secretions. This means inhaling essential oils works fast to impact emotional health or send a signal to calm an adrenaline rush or assist the body in balancing hormones.
There are about 300 therapeutic essential oils on the earth, but you only need ten to twenty of them to build a good kit.
Why Young Living?
Not all essential oils are created equal. Many companies increase profits by spraying crops with pesticides to get a higher yield or use chemical solvents to extract the oils and then dilute them with a cheaper 2nd and 3rd distillations or carrier oils. Most essential oils are sold more cheaply because companies cut corners.
When shopping for oils, I landed with Young Living because of their seed to seal commitment. Young Living owns farms around the world and oversees every step to ensure the soil, seeds, distillation process and final product are beyond organic and contain all the therapeutic compounds necessary for wellness support.
So, here’s what a typical day with essential oils might look like.
Skin and Hair Care - Did you know the average woman applies over 300 chemicals a day to her body just through soaps, makeup, shampoo, and hair care products. Eighty of those products are applied before breakfast!
Shower time
I was stunned when I realized my 'Sulfate Free' Shampoo and Conditioner received a dirty rating of 9 on the Healthy Living App. It may have been free of SLS but it had many other hormone disrupters and carcinogens in the ingredient list. I love that I can trust Young Living to have only the safest and purest of ingredients. YL sells a Lavender Mint Shampoo and Conditioner for all hair types and a Copaiba Vanilla for nourishing and volumizing. Our family loves the Copaiba Vanilla Shampoo, and I use the Conditioner daily to keep my hair soft and healthy!
Why Lavender and Peppermint in body wash and shampoo?
Over 1000 medical studies have been published on Peppermint. It effectively cleanses, promotes clarity and concentration, eases stress, reduces joint and muscle pain, relieves headaches and sinus issues and can support gastrointestinal health. Useful for cold sores, scalp and skin conditions as well as respiratory support. The aroma and tingly scalp sensation is an energy boost. Great start to the day.
Lavender is one of the top skin oils - reduces stress and promotes relaxation, calms skin irritations and lifts mood. This is also a great first aid oil and can be used topically without dilution (called ‘neat’) in some cases on adults. Works great on itchy bug bites, cuts and burns.
Mirah Shave Oil - Since I started using this in place of shaving cream, I've noticed the hair growth is finer. The oil creates a close moisturizing shave with a supportive aroma that leaves skin nourished. It can also be applied as a body care oil
Moisturizer
Shea butter/ coconut oil in equal parts make a great base for body lotion to nourish skin. This time I added Lavender, Frankincense (Elemi - cheap man’s Frank), Clary sage for hormonal support for body temperature, mood balance, deeper rest. Ylang Ylang for balancing, energy and fragrance.
**When making up creams with essential oils for safety, be aware that Citrus oils and some others should not be applied to skin that will be exposed to sun. If applied to skin, avoid sun for 12-24 hours. Photosentsitizing oils are labelled to help keep you safe. Put them where the ‘sun don’t shine’ or save it for moisturizing when sun exposure isn’t a risk.
Frankincense - 10 000 uses - more valued in Bible times than gold. Ancient Egyptians used Frank to promote younger, healthy, even skin tone. Powerful anti-inflammatory - so many health issues linked to inflammation from head to toe. Diffuse to help calm an anxious mind and bring tranquil energy. Supports colon and lung health. Topically can be used neat.
Not into DIYs?
Young Living has a Lavender Hand & Body Lotion as well as a more intense moisturizing Coconut Lime Replenishing Body Butter. This coconut oil body butter is fragranced with the natural scent of coconut oil and Lime oil to create a warm, tropical aroma.
Hair Care
I love using 4-5 drops of Argan oil after a shower to hydrate ends of hair and nourish the scalp. (I get mine from Kynk Naturals – a company owned and run by a friend of mine with organic fair trade shea butter products and argan oil – look her up at http://www.kynk.ca/ ). I added Rosemary - thickens hair as it stimulates hair growth. Clary sage naturally balances hormones and promotes healthy hair – Frankincense, Tea Tree & Lavender for scalp health and Peppermint for stimulating scent.
Deodorant - ¼ cup coconut oil, ¼ cup shea butter, ¼ cup baking soda, ¼ cup arrowroot powder, 20-30 drops tea tree (germ killer, skin helper), lavender (soothes razor burn), thieves (kills germs that create odor), 20 drops peppermint (deodorizer). Thieves Aromabright toothpaste also works well as a deoderant! Just a small pea sized amount used like a lotion for the arm pits. :)
Thieves Toothpaste: I also find the toothpaste extra good at cleaning power. Tartar was chipping off after the first week of use. My friend’s daughter had a cavity heal and another friend had gum disease reverse. Potent stuff.
Immune Support:
Prevention: Swipe of Thieves on feet before moving into the day. A NHP Oil blend of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary essential oils for an aromatic blend that fills any space with a rich, spicy aroma. (Normally I dilute oils for topical use, but Thieves I use on my feet ‘neat’ for maximum protection. The skin on the feet is thicker, so doesn’t seem irritated by the ‘hot’ oils in the blend. For use anywhere else on the body, dilution recommendations are 20:80 or 4x as much carrier as essential oil.) Inhale and apply topically to help prevent and relieve symptoms of cough and cold. Diffusing at night seems to help airway passages to stay clearer and offers a bit of humidity to the air.
Breakfast
Supplements:
Ningxia Red- It incorporates the benefits of Ningxia wolfberry puree; a super blend of blueberry, aronia, cherry, pomegranate, and plum juices; natural stevia, grape seed, and pure vanilla extracts; and orange, yuzu, lemon, and tangerine essential oils. NingXia Red provides a whole-body nutrient infusion. *Helps breakdown abdominal fat, sustains healthy blood sugar levels, immune and liver support.
Life 9 Probiotic
Omegagize - Omega 3, Vit.D, Ubiquinol - my naturopath put me on these three to help my body heal
Slique Essence - Grapefruit essential oil, Tangerine essential oil, Spearmint essential oil, Lemon essential oil, Cinnamon essential oil, Reb A (Stevia leaf extract) While stevia adds an all-natural sweetener that provides a pleasant taste with no added calories, it may help control sugar cravings, making it easier to stay on track with your health and fitness goals.
Work
Clarity for mental fog - Lemon, Peppermint, Lavender (+ allergy support)
Relaxing to bring down stress to focus - Stress Away
Immune Support when fighting colds, Adrenal and Mood support - Thieves, Lemon OR Thieves, Orange, Rosemary
Lunch
Digize - This is an oil blend of Tarragon, Ginger and Peppermint. Top Oil for supporting the digestive system. I usually mix it with peppermint in a roller bottle to apply topically over the abdomen to support the digestive system or inhale by diffusing with lemon.
Story - A. rose from his bed after bedtime calling for help. He was clammy and his stomach was churning. I rushed with him to the bathroom expecting the nausea to erupt into more. I left him with Lance while I ran downstairs to where I keep my pre-made rollers filled with combinations of essential oils in proper dilution for topical use. This one was my "Tummy Troubles" roller. I rubbed the roller filled with Digize/Peppermint in Coconut Oil (as a carrier) combo on his abdomen. Then I grabbed my Peppermint roller and put it at the base of the skull where he was so clammy and hot - to cool him down. I also gave him a teaspoon of honey to calm his irritated stomach. He responded immediately. Within twenty seconds, he was already feeling better. We stayed in the bathroom as I rubbed his back and watched him closely. His breathing and churning stomach calmed. After five minutes he returned to bed and slept soundly until morning and never did throw up. He is now a firm believer in the power of essential oils to benefit the body safely and effectively.
Mid-Afternoon Lag
Peppermint - car vent diffuser kept me awake on a long drive. Diluted in a roller on back of neck or muscles it is a quick pick me up or headache reducer.
Tension Roller - Peppermint, Copaiba and PanAway - alleviates sore muscles, tension, headaches, sore feet.
PanAway is a blend of wintergreen, clove, helichrysum, peppermint - Wintergreen known for pain assistance, helichrysum regenerates nerves and is used for muscle spasms, Clove helps with pain and opens blood flow, and bone preserving.
Copaiba - This oil contains the highest amount of Beta Caryophyllene (55 percent) of any known essential oil. Beta Caryophyllene supports the body’s natural response to irritation or injury. Highly anti-inflammatory, copaiba supports nearly every system in the body. It is also great skin oil and enhances constituents in other oils when blended with them. Can be applied directly to sore gums - a drop on the finger rubbed on gums.
Story: In a series of interviews all day. Colleague was reaching for advil during a break when I offered my tension roller to see if it would help. She applied it to neck and shoulders and temples. Carried on with interviews - at the end, she was still holding the advil and no longer needed them.
Sports Injuries:
Abrasions or Cuts: Calendula lotion with Lavender and or tea tree
Deep Relief: a favourite for muscle stiffness or pain.
Muscle Rub
½ cup shea butter
¼ cup coconut oil
10 drops Copaiba, wintergreen, marjoram
5 drops Helichrysum
Garbage and Compost
Clean up nasty smells with Purification - I’ve diffused this in musty hotel rooms (It looked better on line when we booked it),
Laundry with Wool Dryer Balls in place of toxic dryer sheets.
Dryer Balls Recipe
1 oz dropper bottle
50 drops lavender and lemon
Add vinegar to reduce soap residue and as a natural softener
3-4 drops on each dryer ball
Kitchen Clean Up
Thieves Dish soap (no SLS - low sudsing - if need suds - combine with Nature Clean (50/50)
Spray bottle - Thieves Cleaner - one capful makes one spray bottle - about $1.10/ bottle - replaces glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner, hardwood floor cleaner…
Lemon - ungoo anything - labels off bottles, stickers off windows
Bed Time
Add Frankincense to face cream or body lotion for anti-aging power. Sweet, warm, calm fragrance to prepare for bed.
Diffuse Calming Blends All Night Long
1.Thieves and Stress Away
2. Stress Away and Lavender
3. Lavender and Bergamot (used in treating depression, induces relaxation and reduces agitation - when combined with Lavender reduces blood pressure - photosensitizing - avoid sun exposure for 12-48 hours after topical use)
4. Thieves, Rosemary, Orange
5. Lavender, Peace & Calming, Frankincense
6. Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, Lavender - Korea 2006 study - terminally ill - reduced stress response and cortisol levels and lowered blood pressure of those with hypertension when used once a day for 4 weeks
7. Cedarwood, Lavender, Clary Sage, Peace and Calming, Patchouli
Lavender - headache, digestive discomfort, joint pain - most known to enhance relaxation. Safe to use with children and babies if diluted. Individual response - some find it energizing. Put in Epsom salts for a relaxing bath (**oils and water don’t mix, so avoid having the oil pool on top of the water to be in contact with skin by mixing with bath salts first so it mixes throughout tub) -Diffuse or lightly mist sheets or put in a roller and apply to big toe - reflexology point for head.
Healthy swaps can be made throughout our homes and daily routines to continue to support our body's efforts to stay above the wellness line. Let's take small steps that add up to great health! Let's thrive together!
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