Using Essential OIls

Due to continual research being done on essential oils, more application methods are being developed. The three methods dōTERRA recommends for using essential oils is aromatically, topically, and internally. Essential oils have a powerful effect on the limbic system when used aromatically. Topical application is commonly used on specific target areas for quick absorption. When used internally, essential oils enter the bloodstream and are distributed throughout the body.

You can click here and learn more about the different ways you use oils - or, you can get some yourself and try it out!

I diffuse every day . . . I take internally every day . . . and we apply topically every day.  (Not all at once, mind you - everything in moderation.)

Vetiver

Vetiver is one of the first oils I fell in love with - right after my passionate affair with Balance and Serenity.  This unique oil comes from the roots of the vetiver plant - which in the ground tangle up into an awesome medusa-like structure that produces a strong earthy fragrance.  Some wear it for purfume, with it's very musky odor, and others drink it as part of a daily immune boosting regemin.  I like to diffuse it at night with serenity amplifying the possibility for sweet, blissful, restful sleep.

According to the scientists at doTERRA - and lots of anecdotal research on my own - I can tell you that vetiver aids in calming anxious feelings, aids the immune system when taken internally, relaxes after a long stressful day, and promotes deep sleep.  Vetiver blends well with Serenity, Lavender, Balance, Sandalwood, and Lemongrass - diffused and topically.

Vetiver was instrumental in helping one of my kiddos past his school jitters and anxiety, and also his testing.  With a blend of vetiver and wild orange, he was able to calm and focus on tests and in school in general.  In fact, he's gone from failing to a straigh A Student - and in honors classes.  With parental support and this oil combination, the sky has literally become the limit for this awesome boy (who's now taller than me and very grown up - but we won't discuss that.)

If you are interested in more about doTERRA vetiver - check out the post here from doTERRA, or to purchase you can always go here.

Phyto Remedi ... What now?

Phyto-remediation, the process of using plants to clean toxins such as lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals out of soil and water has been extensively studied as a positive way to remove pollution.   It's quite effective, with plants up-taking up to 90 percent (in some studies) of lead and other heavy metals from the surrounding soil and water and absorbing it into the plant itself.  If you watched the video, I promised links to the studies - here they are:

Resiliance.org

ResearchGate

It would stand to reason then, that any plant matter eaten or used for therapeutic benefit would need to be produced in areas where these impurities are not present as the resulting oil would most definitely have impurities passed on through the plant itself (Essential oils, after all, are part of the plant).    It's why doTERRA is so specific about where their plants are sourced, and the seven layers of testing they go through before they even hit the bottles for sale.

What does this mean to me?  Well, I've often heard people say "It doesn't matter what oils you buy, you're just buying for scent anyway" or my personal favorite "you're only putting it on your lotion/soap/bath bombs...you don't need to worry too much about what's in them, as long as they smell good!"

That scares me when people say that.

Why?

The skin is the largest organ in the human body.  That's right - ORGAN - like your heart and lungs...vital in all body functions!  You absorb things through your skin.  When something is applied to your skin topically it become systemic (or part of your body systems) almost immediately.  Ever touched poison ivy and gotten a rash immediately?  What about cutting up jalapenos and burning your skin?  The truth is, our skin is very sensitive, and it should matter what you put on it - or in reality, IN  it.

I'm very careful about the things I eat, the things I clean with, and especially the things I apply to my skin - for scent or for therapeutic benefit.  It's that simple.  Because, science.  That's right, I just used a Bill Nye reference. I'm not going to apologize for that.

Co-Pay-Bah / Co-Pie-Bah

Regardless of how you pronounce it (and there are at least 3 ways I know of, and a lot of hot debate on the topic) , copaiba oil has quickly become one of my favorites and a staple in our house.  Grown in South America - particularly Brazil, it's been a part of the doTERRA line since 2017.  According to the literature that came with it: "So much information about Copaiba essential oil is focused on beta-caryophyllene, and for good reason. Not only does this sesquiterpene make up approximately 50 percent of CPTG® Copaiba oil, but it is also an amazing compound with health benefits that have been widely researched. To start, it’s a cannabinoid that has influential effects on CB2 receptors and a host of promising therapeutic benefits. It also has powerful antioxidant properties and supports a number of body systems when taken internally.* "

That's a lot of scientific information.  Which is awesome, because doTERRA is very big on science as a primary indicator of an oil use and efficacy...imagine that. 

For me, what this all means is that it's a good go-to for overworked muscles, whole body wellness support, and to calm the occasional *anxious feeling.  In fact, last year (2018) the company introduced the copaiba softgel, which has worked it's way into my daily wellness routine.  

USAGE TIPS

• Add one to two drops to water, juice, or tea to support the health of the cardiovascular, immune, digestive, nervous, and respiratory system.*
• Provides antioxidant support when ingested.*
• Drop one to two drops under the tongue as part of your daily health regimen. 
• Add a drop to facial moisturizer to help keep skin clear and reduce the appearance of blemishes.

More useful information here or to purchase go here.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sneezing and Trees

I'm looking out in my back yard right now - and it's covered with green and yellow flowers - usually that would make me very happy...unfortunately, I didn't plant these flowers, they were blown in on the wind... and I need to get rid of them ASAP because they make my eyes all itchy and my nose pretty sneezy.

One could argue that children are excellent weed pullers and ridders of all things green and yellow...sadly, mine also suffer from the same seasonal issues I do (dang genetics!) so, it makes it difficult to talk them into it.

Thankfully I do have TriEase on hand at all times...in fact, when the calendar switches to a particular season, we all take it daily, because without it we all turn into a sneezing blobby mess.  Except the husband.  He's apparently immune to green and yellow.

So, here we go, spring in Arizona (which I totally love, by the way) - and TriEase in our house.  If you want a sample, I'll send it out post-haste, just contact me here.  No one should have to be all sneezy and blobby.

Ginger

Bahia del Sol - the most amazing beach front resort!

Horseback riding, volcano mud baths, and walks on the beach...

I just recently returned from an amazing trip to Costa Rica with my sweetheart.  We spent almost an entire week at the most amazing resort (Bahia del Sol), eating some incredible food (I probably ate my weight in pineapple....don't judge me), and spending time with some pretty awesome people.  All in all I believe there were about 30 doTERRA leaders there together, and all of this was led by Melody Watts - our team Presidential Diamond.  It really was an experience that I will not soon forget.  We had the opportunity to go horseback riding through the jungle, zip-line over an active volcano, go snorkeling in the ocean and hold various fishes and wildlife, get up close and personal with some monkeys,  and generally just enjoy each other's company.

As we traveled around, one thing that became quite clear quite quickly, is that a land that is dotted with volcanoes (there were three very close to where we were) also has some very rough and twisty roads.  Occasional nausea while sitting in a car is one thing - but add the twisty roads, high humidity, and over 90 degree temperatures outside, and well, it was a perfect storm.

The cool thing was - we were traveling with a whole crew of oily minded people.

And the entire bus smelled like ginger and peppermint.

Ginger can help reduce occasional nausea by either being applied topically or inhaled*.  We passed that little bottle of ginger around the entire bus, and all of us applied it in a circular pattern around our belly buttons.  No amount of nausea was going to spoil our trip to paradise!  With 30 people all using it topically, it was also aromatically very soothing.

Ginger , of course, is also well known as a main ingredient in many Asian foods, or in my family Swedish cookies!  Ginger has always been used to support healthy digestion*...especially in cookies.  (okay, that last part is just my own personal opinion, no actual science backs up the cookie theory.  Plenty of real-world trial on it though!) I even have a recipe for Ginger pancakes (using the doTERRA Ginger Essential Oil!) (click here).

I can't wait to go back to Costa Rica, I loved every minute there.  And, as long as I pack my essentials - which why would I leave home without them? I'll be great!

(P.S. TSA is very good about the oils when you are traveling.  I've never had a single issue - in fact, I've had many officers ask me about them - and not in a "you can't fly with those" kind of way.  One even wanted me to spray his hands with On Guard Hand Sanitizer!)

Happy Travels!










* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, ore prevent any disease.