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.

The Power of Diffusing

Many teachers I know diffuse essential oils in their classrooms. Many homes I know do as well, but I think it's even more important in a classroom setting. So many different germs and sicknesses floating around, not to mention odor issues. Popular and affective oils to use are Wild Orange, Lemon, grapefruit and On Guard. These will all purify the air of contaminants and germs, while leaving behind a fresh, clean and uplifting scent. These oils can also be used as a disinfectant spray. On Guard, especially, can be added to water in a spray bottle and sprayed over hard surfaces. Purify is another doTERRA blend that is used to clean the air.

Lavender is also used in diffusers to help calm nerves and promote focus. I use lavender often for this purpose, especially at night when my creatures need to settle down and sleep soundly. Works like a charm.

I also use the blend Breathe or eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender when my littles' have a cold or allergy/sinus issues. Works wonderfully to help clear their nasal passages and chests.

There are LOTS of diffusers out there, here are a couple popular ones:

Lotus Diffuser

Aroma-Ace Diffuser






*Another low-cost option is taping a cotton ball, that has a drop or two of EOs, to a fan. Turn it on and it will diffuse. One thing you do not want to do is use heat when diffusing. It affects the properties of the oils and makes them less affective.

Essential Oil Recipes

dōTERRA EOs are not only medicinal and therapeutic, but you can cook with them...which, I LOVE.

 Here are a few recipes:




~Spinach and Feta Pasta Sauce~

1/4 cup pine nuts
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 cloves crushed garlic
10 ounce package of thawed frozen spinach (or fresh spinach chopped and wilted)
8 ounces of crumbled feta cheese
1/2 bundle chopped scallions
4-6 diced Roma tomatoes
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 drop oregano
1 drop black pepper
1 drop rosemary

Directions: Brown pine nuts in a hot pan, then add 1-2 TBS EVOO and saute with the crushed garlic. Next, add the spinach and feta cheese. When the cheese is mostly melted add the scallions. Once the cheese is incorporated into the spinach, add in the tomatoes and mushrooms and stir. Take care not to overcook the tender vegetables. Remove from heat and cool slightly before adding the essential oils and herbs. Stir to mix well.

Serve over pasta. Can also be used as a hot or cold dip!

*Tip~
The rosemary essential oil is key in this recipe as it balances out the spinach flavor. Add more or less, to taste.

By: Rachel E Hall, IPC




~Broiled Lemon Asparagus~

1 large bunch asparagus
Unrefined coconut oil
Lemon essential oil

Directions: Wash asparagus and trim ends. Place on a large cookie sheet and sprinkle with sea salt. In a separate container melt 2 TBS coconut oil and add 3-5 drops of lemon oil and stir; then drizzle over the asparagus. Broil on high for 5-7 minutes, watching carefully to ensure they don't burn. Serve immediately.

By: Angela Zavala, IPC




~April's Raw Vegan Veggie Dip~

1 to 5 cloves
16oz package of garbanzo beans, soaked for one day and then rinsed. OR, 15oz can of garbanzo beans rinsed.
Juice from 2 lemons
5 handfuls of spinach
Red and orange bell peppers
1 can of black and a variety mix of green and kalamata olives
2 stems of fresh basil
Small bundle of Italian parsley
2 sprigs of rosemary
4 Roma tomatoes
1 tsp Real salt [Sea Salt]
2 TBS Bragg's Vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow squash
1 zucchini
1 small egg plant
Handful of almonds or pine nuts
Small red onion

Directions: Pulse everything in a food processor [or blender], then add in:
1 drop oregano
2 drops rosemary
3 drops clary sage
4 drops fennel
7 drops basil

Serve with celery and pita or Terra Chips. Add feta cheese, if desired.

*Tip: The essential oils used in this recipe produce a strong flavor. Start with 1 drop first, and add more until desired flavor is achieved.

By: April Reeder, IPC




~Lavender Pecan Cheesecake~
With Blueberry Lavender Sauce

Crust:
 1 cup crushed pecans
1/2 cup crushed graham crackers
2 TBS sugar
1 TBS butter, melted

Filling Ingredients:
32oz full-fat cream cheese, softened (four 8oz packages)
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 whole eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 TBS vanilla extract
3 drops lavender essential oil

Sauce Ingredients:
1 pound blueberries, fresh or frozen
1 cup sugar
1 TBS cornstarch
2 tsps lemon juice
1 drop lavender essential oil
A pinch of salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease the sides and bottom of a 9" springform pan.

In a medium bowl, mix pecans, graham crackers, sugar, and butter. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan and set aside.

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese until it is nice and smooth (no lumps!). Slowly add the sugar as you continue to beat the cream cheese; scrape the sides of the bowl and continue to beat until combined.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low just long enough to incorporate. Don't over mix. Add the sour cream, vanilla, and lavender essential oil and mix just until you have a smooth consistency.

Pour filling over prepared crust and stick your pan into your preheated oven. Turn the oven down to 250F and bake for 1 1/2 hours. The center should still wobble a little. Once done baking, turn the oven off and let sit for at least an hour. After about an hour our so, open the oven door and let it sit for a few more hours. Once cooled to room temperature, refrigerate for several hours.

Sauce:
In a small sauce pan, bring blueberries, sugar, and cornstarch to a boil.

Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, lavender oil and salt.

Allow to cool and refrigerate until ready to top your cheesecake. You will not be disappointed!

By: Shannon Carver, doTERRA Consumer



~doTERRA Living~

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.

Dental Work, Heavy Metals and Mercury

Great info on mercury, heavy metals and how dental procedure changes and cilantro can help
balance the thyroid gland and endocrine system. Wow. I need to make some dental appointments!! My mouth is FULL of silver. Oy.


http://thelightsomelife.com/heavy-metal-chelating-doterra-cilantro-essential-oil

Peaceful Child

A friend shared this blend and so I am passing it on...

Helps with anger, frustration, stress, anxiety, ADHD and other emotional and behavorial issues.

*You can also add lavender oil to this. Some prefer it added in.
*You can use any carrier oil, as well.



Here is more info:

http://www.peacefulchildblend.com/about-peaceful-child/

Thinking I need to make a really large batch of this stuff!! Ha!

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.