Essential Cleaning

Essential oils are wonderful for making all natural, safe and very effective household cleaning solutions. Here are some ideas:

Emergency Preparedness Essential Oils

These oils are the most important ones to have in your camping gear, emergency/first aid kit and some people store them with disaster relief/emergency preparedness gear. Since we live in a place that can have earthquakes, and camping and hiking can become life threatening very quickly, these five oils are invaluable.

  

1. Lavender- This universal oil is great for almost everything. You can use this on bug bites, bruises, sleep deprivation, allergies, inflammation, sunburns, lice, ringworm, and many more. This oil is my absolute favorite and I use it daily for so many different reasons.
2. Lemon- This oil is known for its cleansing ability. Adding a few drops of this to your water can purify it, although still use another purification process since this won’t get rid of any sediment. It is also great for intestinal parasites you might get, it reduces fever, helps your digestive system and liver work, it is a disinfectant and an antiseptic.
3. Peppermint- This essential oil is great for headaches or any muscle aches or pains, it is also a catalyst when mixed with other oils. Peppermint is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, can be used for shock, colds, nausea, colic, and heartburn.
4. Helichrysum- This oil is great for bruising, sprains, and swelling. Any injury, that does not have broken skin, can be treated with helichrysum oil. This essential oil can be used to treat shock, heal bruises, help with broken bones, help with allergies, and is beneficial against infections and viruses.
5. Purify- This is a blend of many different essential oils such as lemon, lime, pine, citronella, melaleuca and cilantro. This blend was meant for purification. You can use it to kill airborne bacteria, viruses, mold, or fungus. It works great on neutralizing poison from insect bites, bee or wasp stings, or spider bites. It can treat respiratory conditions, help with skin healing, and repel bugs and mice.

Got a puker?

Try this:

DigestZen and Ginger together in a carrier oil and rub on stomach and back. Basil diluted in carrier oil and rubbed on the bottom of feet. Inhaling peppermint (a very small amount, on a cotton ball, also combats nausea).

DigestZen works wonderfully to calm an upset stomach. I have heard a couple people attest to this, lately. Ginger has long been used to help with nausea and throwing-up, as well as peppermint. Basil is helpful for gastric spasms, is useful for infections and is calming. Some use it diluted and massage it right onto the abdomen.

Itchy Winter Heads

It's basically Winter in Alaska now with plenty of snow, cold temperatures and very short days. Winter also brings itchy heads at my house. Thankfully, it is not lice (which we've had the displeasure of experiencing once before), but the dry conditions. So, what I have found to work is putting a drop or two each of rosemary and melaleuca oils into my shampoo. You could also rub it on the scalp after washing, but I prefer it in my shampoo. I leave it in awhile, while I am showering, and it makes a huge difference. You can also add a drop of peppermint, which gives a nice cooling/tingling sensation, for that extra clean feeling:) When my kids (or hubs) compalin of itchy heads, I do the same for them. I also have psoriasis on my scalp, which I've had all my life, as does my mother and late grandmother. Winter has always been the worst for my condition and I usually have terrible itchy head and danderuff and all things yucky that psoriasis has to offer. By using these oils, each time I shampoo, I have seen an improvement in the health of my scalp and the itchiness of others in my household. It sure beats all the other concoctions I've put together over the years to provide relief and it's completely natural and therapeutic, unlike the "medicated" shampoos you buy at the store. Plus, we keep the snow outdoors and off of our shoulders.


~Additionally~

Psoriasis and dandruff/itchy skin can be a sign of yeast overgrowth (candida overgrowth). Some may see better results by doing a cleanse by following a candida diet; cutting out sugars and gluten for a time, which feed yeast and greatly contribute to candida overgrowth.

Essential Beauty and Spa

Essential oils are an 'essential' (pun intended) part of natural beauty and spa treatments. If you've ever had a massage or facial, you know that EOs are used to encourage relaxation and pampering. Here are some great EOs recipes, for all natural skin care, that I thought were blog worthy, as well.


~Facial Cleanser~

1oz vegetable-based glycerin
2oz unscented liquid Castile soap (like Dr. Bronner's)
1oz distilled/purified water
1/2oz witch hazel
1 drop rosemary
1 drop peppermint

-Mix together and store in a glass or plastic bottle (glass preferably).
 For all skin types. Lasts 3-6 months.


~Facial Toner~

1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp witch hazel
1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin
5 drops clary sage
5 drops grapefruit
5 drops Roman chamomile

-Sterilize the water by boiling for 3 minutes and then letting it cool. Next, combine all ingredients in a 2-4oz spray bottle and shake to blend. Shake well before each use and spray directly onto clean skin, or spray a cotton ball and apply. Lasts up to 2 months.


~Daily Moisturizer~

2 Tbsp almond oil
2 tsp vegetable glycerin
1 1/2 tsp grated beeswax
1 Tbsp distilled or spring water
1 vitamin E capsule
30 drops EO (try: lavender and Roman chamomile to soothe, melaleuca or geranium for a clearer complexion.)

-Combine first 3 ingredients in a small saucepan and warm the mixture over very low heat, stirring occasionally until the beeswax melts. In a separate saucepan warm the water over low heat. Remove both pans from the heat and cool until the wax and oil mixture just begins to thicken but is still liquid.

-Drizzle the warm water into the oil and was mixture, while stirring rapidly with a wire whisk. Continue whisking vigorously for 3-4 minutes until the mixture becomes pale yellow.

-Pierce the vitamin E capsule and squeeze the contents into the cream. Next add the essential oil and continue whisking for another 4-5 minutes until cream is thick and shiny.

-Transfer to a glass storage jar and allow the cream to set for at least an hour before using it. The moisturizer will keep for 3-6 months if stored in the refrigerator, or 1 month if left at room temperature.


~Whipped Coconut Body Butter~

1 cup unrefined coconut oil
A few drops of a favorite essential oil or blend (doTERRA, of course)

-Use a stand of handheld mixer, mix on high speed with a wire whisk attachment for 6-7 minutes, or until whipped into a light, airy consistency. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store at room temperature. Store in refrigerator during warmer months to prevent melting.


~Foot Scrub~

1/2-3/4 cup brown or white sugar
1/4-1/2 cup Epsom salt
1 cup oil (fractionated coconut, olive, jojoba, or sunflower oil
8-16 drops essential oil
*Like:
lavender and peppermint
rosemary and peppermint
wild orange and peppermint
Citrus Bliss
bergamont and ylang ylang
bergamont and sandalwood
Elevation and grapefruit

-Mix the sugar, Epsom salt, and oil until well-blended. Next, add the essential oils, alternating on drop at a time if you are using multiple scents. Make sure the essential oils are evenly blended, and then transfer the mixture to an airtight container for storage. Let your feet be pampered!

~Almond Orange Scrub~

1 handful almonds
1 orange peel
1 cup oil (fractionated coconut, olive jojoba, or sunflower)
2-3 drops doTERRA wild orange essential oil

-Mix the ingredients in a food processor for an antioxidant-rich full-body scrub.



(doTERRA Living Magazine)

Ringworm, Headache, Rashes...Oh, my!

Another busy day in our Madhouse. When I say we use these oils every single day, I speak the TRUTH! There seems to constantly be new opportunities to put them to the test, at least in my household.

My 7 year old son reported to me today that he has a birthmark on his leg and wondered if I'd ever seen it before. I said that I did not remember him having any birthmarks on either of his legs, so I'd better take a look at said "birth mark". What did I find? A red-ringed looking circular patch, on the back of his knee. I'd say that is not a birth mark, but ringworm. I could be wrong, but it certainly looks suspect of just that. So, this is the oil blend I am using on it:

~ 2 drops lavender
~2 drops melaleuca
~2 drops oregano
~6 drops carrier oil (I used grapeseed)

Apply 1-2 drops on the infected area three times a day for 10 days. After that, mix 30 drops melaleuca with 2 Tbs. carrier oil and apply daily until the ringworm is gone.

This seems like overkill, since most remedies do not require this many days for treatment. But, if it is indeed a fungal infection, then it will take longer to treat. I will report back with the results!

With all the rash excitement in the air, my 9 year old son decided to show me his legs and rashes. Which he does in fact have. I guess I need to pay more attention to my boys' legs! But, when they have long johns, wool socks and jeans on everyday, it's hard to get a good look on a regular basis. I think these rashes are either from dry skin or an allergic reaction to soap he may be using in the shower, since he does not have any other sickness or infection going on. They are localized raised, red bumps and are itchy. Hard to pinpoint a clear cause, but here is what I'm using:

~1 drop melaleuca
~1 drop lavender
~3-4 drops carrier oil

I am going to apply this several times a day and see if this clears it up. We have dealt with rashes before and this blend did a beautiful job, so I'm confident I'll have the same great results this time, as well.

Lastly, my oldest son fell today and hit his head extremely hard on our hardwood floors. He was very upset and said he saw spots and stars and his tongue was tingling. That's not good. He laid down for awhile until he felt composed enough to let me look at him. His pupils looked fine and he was able to walk without dizziness, so I decided we didn't need to call EMS...phew! However, his head was hurting a great deal and he said it felt like the worst headache he's every had. What did I do? Got out my oils, of course!! Here is what I blended for him:

*PastTense (a doTERRA blend) is what is first recommended, but since I don't have that oil on hand right now, I used this:

~2 drops peppermint
~2 drops eucalyptus
~2 drops rosemary

Apply to temples, forhead and neck.


After about 20 minutes, he reported his headache was not as bad, but still there. So, I'll continue to use it this evening and maybe tomorrow and see how he's feeling.

EOs are just like any other medicinal treatment. Often times, it takes several applications and sometimes over several days to see results. There are also instances where they work very quickly. The key is patience, consistency and persistence.

~Blessings

This Week in Pathogens....

This week has been a busy one, pathogen-wise. Since we have SO MANY children, Fall...Winter...and... Spring are all testy on the sickness home front. Some weeks we are all healthy, all at the same time and other weeks we are all sick, all at the same time. Then there are weeks where everyone shares their wealth of germs, in stages and we are sick for what seems like forever. I hate those weeks. The battle has been against several bugs this week, including (but, not limited to) double conjunctivitis (aka. pink eye), two ear infections and a nasty cold. Oh, and I pulled my neck/back out of place yesterday. That was the highlight of my week. Try putting your game face on for Arctic trick-or-treating when you can barely move your neck and upper back! Ughhhh...

In the spirit of being positive, I decided to get my oils out and see what, and who, we could slather up. My youngest, who is sixteen months old, woke-up with two very gooey, yellow, watery, red eyes a few days ago, as well as a runny nose and overall feeling like the cruds. Extremely irritable and not interested in eating or drinking his precious goat milk (which he loves more than life). So, I knew he was seriously coming down with something nasty. I looked in my EOs guide and found that lavender treats pink eye. An experienced-in-EOs friend confirmed that treatment option and I began using lavender around both of his eyes, 3 times a day, careful not to actually get it into his eyes (which is much harder than you think!). I did not have to dilute it as it can be applied 'neat' (aka. undiluted). I also rubbed melaleuca and lavender oil, diluted in a few drops of grapeseed oil, and On Guard oil blend into the soles of his feet, several times a day. Since he also had symptoms of a viral cold (runny-stuffy nose/congestion, etc.) I also diluted some eucalyptus oil and rosemary oil with grapeseed oil and rubbed that onto his chest and neck, several times a day and especially at night before I laid him down to sleep. Success!! We are on day 3 and his eyes are completely cleared up and his cold is also on the mend. Most notable is he feels much better and is back to his happy self. Nothing worse than an unhappy babe.

 Hopefully, the virus will have worked it's way through by the end of the week.  And, he has smelled wonderfully with all those delicious oils on him the last few days! I have to say how much I love the lavender and eucalyptus oils, especially when used together. So soothing and therapeutic. The last time I dealt with pink eye, I ran to my doctor's office and got scripts for eye drops and an antibiotic. Of course, I'm not 100% sure if his case was bacterial, viral or allergy related, but I'm guessing viral. I would use the same approach, however, if I suspected a bacterial infection...which is usually coupled with a fever, which he never had. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be able to use natural oils to treat sickness and not have to run into town, which is 20+ miles away, with all my SIX children in tow, every time we get sick. Not that I refuse to ever see a doctor, but it is a last resort.

My 3rd oldest son (7) and his little sister (3) both had ear infections this week, as well. Lavender and melaleuca on a cotton ball and inserted into the ear (at night, after they have fallen asleep), and massaged around the ear and in the outer ear opening several times a day have done wonders. I also used Mullein drops compound (from the Naturopath doctor) several times a day. Again, I see huge improvements and there are no more complaints of earaches. One happy Momma here.

Two of my other kiddos have the cold that is being passed around and I am using the On Guard oil blend on the soles of the feet (mostly at night, before bed), and eucalyptus, rosemary and melaleuca oils, diluted in grapeseed oil (but, you can use any carrier oil) on their chests, necks and noses, especially before bed. If I had the oil blend Breathe, I would use that on their chests and so on, but I do not currently...so the other oils are working nicely.

And, last but not least, my neck and back. I have chronic back pain, mostly in the sites where I had epidurals with half of my births (the other half I realized that I could indeed birth, drug-free...without dieing). Plus, I suffer from mild to-moderate scoliosis and poor posture, constant lifting of children and being on my feet much of the day. My go-to oils for my back issues/pain are peppermint and lavender, diluted in a carrier oil. I also love the oil blend Deep Blue and sandalwood and frankincense oils are also very effective for back pain. That coupled with a hot pad or hydrotherapy and my back pain melts away. Now, I will admit I have prescription pain pills that I break out when I cannot function, (an in walk, get out of bed...you get the point). But, those are a last resort because of the side effects I experience including: extreme drowsiness, dizziness and a general feeling of fog.

That is our week in pathogens! Hoping next week brings a much needed break from the sicks and we can enjoy some predicted snowfall. :)

~Blessings

It All Started When...

we ALL contracted head lice. That dreaded call from the nurse, that every mother prays she never gets.

That is when I freaked out, called the Naturopath and then my "essential oils friend". She basically gave me one word....melaleuca oil, also know as tea tree oil. I admit I was a bit doubtful this would get rid of the nasty little bugs living off our scalps, but I was desperate to try and I DID NOT want to use the toxic lice shampoos and treatments sold at the grocery stores. No way was I going to use a poisonous chemical on my kids' (and baby's) heads. Upon further examination of the household heads, two of my kids had live louse crawling around in their hair. Yea, beyond horrifying and disgusting. As a mother of 6 children, my older kids wash and comb their own hair, so I had no idea they had bugs crawling around. I am convinced they got it first, from school, and generously shared it to the entire household. (Are you scratching your head yet?:)

 Even though I could not positively see that we all did indeed have them, I decided to go ahead and treat everyone. First, we had to suffocate them by pouring olive oil all over our heads and then wrapping with plastic wrap. We walked around the house for a good 2 hours, dripping oil all down our faces. Try keeping a 2yr old and an infant's head wrapped in olive oil!  Not good times. You could actually see the live louse struggling in the olive oil on my two older children, who had the worst infestation!  After that we washed the olive oil out with shampoo that I infused with doTerra's melaleuca oil. We left that in for a good 30 min. We washed everyday with this infused shampoo (any shampoo you may have lying around with 1-2 drops of the melaleuca oil). Then I treated everyone's scalp for the next 2 days with the oil, undiluted. I just put 2-3 drops in my hand, rubbed them together and massaged scalps. We had no ill side effects from using the oil full-strength, even my infant's delicate skin was not bothered.  At the end of our 2nd treatment, there were no louse or nits left. We did continue to nit comb for the next week, just to be sure. But, I did not see any eggs in anyone's hair. The oil had done it's job, most beautifully and naturally! I couldn't have been more pleased.

After washing more laundry than I ever care to wash again in one lifetime, vacuuming the entire house and putting all toys, etc., into quarantine we seemed to be rid of the nasty buggers. We had a month or so left of school in the year and I was not excited to send my cleansed children back to a lice infested school! Alas, I decided to be brave and was given the recommendation of using a EO leave-in spray for their hair and heads. Here is what I used:

melaleuca (tea tree) oil
lavender oil
peppermint oil
eucalyptus oil
rosemary oil

Mixed the above oils with distilled water in a spray bottle (glass preferably) and sprayed the heck out of my kids' hair/heads before they left for school. Not only did it smell fantastic, we did not get lice again.

True story! This is what peaked my interest into doTERRA essential oils. I have used EOs for a long time, mostly for aromatherapy purposes, and have lots of other brands sitting in my stash. Upon opening one of these oils up, you can immediately smell a difference. doTERRA's oils are not only more balanced and crystal clean to the nose, but they pack a mighty punch when used for common ailments and health concerns. We use them every single day. :)

~Blessings