I first became curious about essential oils a number of years ago because a my birth doula had suggested using them for a few things we were trying to treat at home and they really seemed to work. At the time I first began using them it was because she suggested that for the horrible congestion I was experiencing due to sickness, I should take a hot steamy shower and put a few drops of Eucalyptus essential oil in the tub during my shower. At the time I didn't know any better than to run to the health food store and grab the cheapest bottle of eucalyptus I could find...but it did work and my steamy shower opened me up much like ingesting a mound of horseradish would!
Over the next several years I dabbled a little here and there with oils and what always impressed me was how very little essential oil it took (usually 1-2 drops) to see a notable difference in whatever I was trying to treat. Now, let me say essential oils are not magic or voodoo, they are just the most potent form of a plant steam distilled and collected as oil. Some plant matter produces more essential oil than others, there are some crops that require several tons of plant matter just to produce a pound of essential oil...so its pretty potent stuff.
When my birth doula found a company she loved, she had tried a number of different companies over the years as well, she turned me on to it and I could clearly smell and feel a difference. When I compared her new brand to the ones I had been using from the health food store it was night and day as hers even smelled less "chemical" and very strong. What also impressed me is that many of the bottles that contained essential oil from edible plants, were also labeled as safe for ingestion in small amounts. It had always baffled me before why peppermint or ginger essential oils from the health foods store said "do not ingest" when those are clearly edible plants.
So I began more research and I began using ailments and issues that came up in day to day life to try out some of these oils on. I had a few go-to books that I was using where I could look up an issue...say a sunburn or seasonal allergies and they would suggest what oil to try and how to apply it (be it topically, internally or aromatically). I was finding many successes. Among my favorites were:
Lavender Essential Oil
- kitchen burns (applied topically took out the immediate sting and healed so much faster!
-allergy itchy eyes (applied to the temples and on bridge of nose stopped the itch almost immediately)
-poison ivy (applied directly and in conjunction with peppermint oil helps significantly!)
Eucalyptus & Peppermint Oils
-Congestion
-Stuffy or Runny nose
Oregano Oil
-an antiviral that also removes warts and can act as a natural antibiotic
A Blend of Wild orange essential oil, combined with clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary
-knocks out fever blisters, sore throats, and often run of the mill viruses.
Those were just the beginning, my arsenal of essential oils has grown to a number of oils (over 40 now) that I use not only to treat issues naturally but also to add to other products we make at home (such as our own deodorant- Recipe Here, skin salves for eczema, facial scrubs, etc).
I know in the beginning I was overwhelmed with information so I just asked my friend and others, read incessantly, and used some common sense trial and error. I did a post HERE on the bare basics of essential oils, it was information that helped me in the beginning so I wanted to share.
Bare Basics Of Essential Oils (Click on link)
The really neat thing about taking steps towards more natural living is the amazing sense of empowerment that comes with learning that there are many ways to treat issues at home without running to the doctor's office and spending copays and time only to get medications that may or may not work and often carry side effects. I always suggest trying natural remedies first and if all else fails, you can always go to the doctor!
The important part about using oils is that you get them from a company that sources all natural CPTG (certified pure therapeutic grade), organic oils preferably from the locations around the world where the plants grow indigenously. I am happy to provide anyone with more information as I love the company I am now using and I love the role of mentoring and teaching others. If you want any more information about the oils I use please feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you.
Want to be sure you don't miss a single post in this series? Be sure to subscribe to my email notifications to get emails about new posts...top right corner of the screen, just add your email and you will also be entered to win a natural freebie at the end of this series!
Over the next several years I dabbled a little here and there with oils and what always impressed me was how very little essential oil it took (usually 1-2 drops) to see a notable difference in whatever I was trying to treat. Now, let me say essential oils are not magic or voodoo, they are just the most potent form of a plant steam distilled and collected as oil. Some plant matter produces more essential oil than others, there are some crops that require several tons of plant matter just to produce a pound of essential oil...so its pretty potent stuff.
When my birth doula found a company she loved, she had tried a number of different companies over the years as well, she turned me on to it and I could clearly smell and feel a difference. When I compared her new brand to the ones I had been using from the health food store it was night and day as hers even smelled less "chemical" and very strong. What also impressed me is that many of the bottles that contained essential oil from edible plants, were also labeled as safe for ingestion in small amounts. It had always baffled me before why peppermint or ginger essential oils from the health foods store said "do not ingest" when those are clearly edible plants.
So I began more research and I began using ailments and issues that came up in day to day life to try out some of these oils on. I had a few go-to books that I was using where I could look up an issue...say a sunburn or seasonal allergies and they would suggest what oil to try and how to apply it (be it topically, internally or aromatically). I was finding many successes. Among my favorites were:
Lavender Essential Oil
- kitchen burns (applied topically took out the immediate sting and healed so much faster!
-allergy itchy eyes (applied to the temples and on bridge of nose stopped the itch almost immediately)
-poison ivy (applied directly and in conjunction with peppermint oil helps significantly!)
Eucalyptus & Peppermint Oils
-Congestion
-Stuffy or Runny nose
Oregano Oil
-an antiviral that also removes warts and can act as a natural antibiotic
A Blend of Wild orange essential oil, combined with clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary
-knocks out fever blisters, sore throats, and often run of the mill viruses.
Those were just the beginning, my arsenal of essential oils has grown to a number of oils (over 40 now) that I use not only to treat issues naturally but also to add to other products we make at home (such as our own deodorant- Recipe Here, skin salves for eczema, facial scrubs, etc).
I know in the beginning I was overwhelmed with information so I just asked my friend and others, read incessantly, and used some common sense trial and error. I did a post HERE on the bare basics of essential oils, it was information that helped me in the beginning so I wanted to share.
Bare Basics Of Essential Oils (Click on link)
The really neat thing about taking steps towards more natural living is the amazing sense of empowerment that comes with learning that there are many ways to treat issues at home without running to the doctor's office and spending copays and time only to get medications that may or may not work and often carry side effects. I always suggest trying natural remedies first and if all else fails, you can always go to the doctor!
The important part about using oils is that you get them from a company that sources all natural CPTG (certified pure therapeutic grade), organic oils preferably from the locations around the world where the plants grow indigenously. I am happy to provide anyone with more information as I love the company I am now using and I love the role of mentoring and teaching others. If you want any more information about the oils I use please feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you.
Want to be sure you don't miss a single post in this series? Be sure to subscribe to my email notifications to get emails about new posts...top right corner of the screen, just add your email and you will also be entered to win a natural freebie at the end of this series!
