Allergies of all kinds

Allergies...

I've had them all my life. At a very young age (4-5?) I can remember crying on my mom's lap because my sinuses hurt. I had chronic ear infections, puffy eyes, and headaches as a child. I have always had seasonal allergies, except I'm so lucky I get to be allergic to something in every season!. I also have food sensitivities, allergic to mold, maple trees, grass, and even my dog.

Allergies are what got me started on essential oils. My whole family has at least seasonal allergies, and a few members got my lucky 'extras'.  I have to admit, I was open to alternative medicine long before learning about essential oils. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to the allopathic practice of medicine. It saved my life at age 17.   But over the years I have sought more traditional and natural methods time and again. I'm just not happy with the side effects that most medications have on me. I'm one of those people that is in the 2.5%. You know, the "less than 3% of people suffer this side effect" person.

When I ran across essential oils we were spending quite a bit on allergies medicine and other OTC drugs for the symptoms that weren't helped by the prescriptions. However, when I really looked at the big picture, I felt the prescriptions weren't helping at all. We spent $50/mo copay each on nasal sprays for 3 people. We used to pay a $60 (then $30 generic) copay for Claritin for 2 of us but then it became OTC. Our cost tripled for that. I paid $15 for prescription steroid eczema creme that 2 of us shared (shhhhh....). We bought Advil and Tylenol at Costco for the headaches/sinus pain and Sudafed at the drug store. My hubby was taking anywhere from 2-4 Sudafed and Tylenol/Advil doses a day depending on the season. I was doing at least 2. Then there was the frequent cost of antibiotics for when it all didn't work and we got sinus infections. Mine and my husband's liver function numbers were "concerning" to the doctors when we had our annual blood test. I was sure there had to be a better way.

Enter essential oils and Rebecca's blog www.campwander.com. I ran across her blog from Jill at www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com, her sister. I love these girls! They have awesome ideas. Anyway I began to read Camp Wander daily and liked what I read. I had always believed if there was a natural solution to something, it was the better route. I searched her blog for allergies and found a great post! I bought the supplies; a bottle of Lemon, bottle of Lavender, a bottle of  Peppermint (LLP), roller bottle and some fractionated coconut oil) and got started. I made my first allergy roller bottle, immediately used it, and IMMEDIATELY it started working on my congestion! I kid you not, right away my sinuses began to drain! Nothing over the years has ever worked that fast or that well on my allergies. It isn't perfect by any means, and it isn't a cure. I still have allergies. But when it comes to managing the symptoms, nothing beats LLP - hands down! The best part is it is natural, so if any allergies are really still bugging me an hour later I can reapply with no worries, no overdose risk, no negative side effects.

I keep this LLP roller with me at all times. I use it rolled on my sinuses for typical allergy congestion. I also roll it on my temples for allergy headaches, behind and in front of my ears for ear congestion, on my eyebrows when my eyes are itchy or watery (not too close, it will burn), on bug bites, in my navel if I'm having an allergic food reaction, or in my navel if my dog is making me itch all over. My husband and I also take a capsule of 6 drops LLP internally daily for allergies. We up it to 9 drops a capsule if it is a particularly bad time of the season.

It does seems to have had one side effect. It has improved both my husband and my digestion - go figure! I'm sure it is the daily peppermint and lemon.

Lucky for us -

Spark Naturals makes LLP all ready for you in a blend called, wait for it....LLP! 

To celebrate how awesome this blend is, and to get someone out there started on essential oils, I'm giving away a 5ml bottle of LLP and a 10ml  roller bottle. 

To make the roller I use:

Place 30 drops LLP in the roller then fill the remainder of the space with fractionated coconut oil. That easy!

(You can also use 10 drops each of lemon, lavender and peppermint if you use your bottle all up and don't have any super, duper, easy LLP)

You can use fractionated coconut oil, or any carrier oil that works for you, in the roller. Almond seed oil, grape seed, hemp seed oil, your choice. 

Bacteria, Viruses, Germs, OH MY!....

Bacteria, Viruses, Germs, OH MY!....

So essential oils have been in the news lately. Not all positive stuff. Basically it seems the FDA doesn't like it when people who represent essential oil companies state that essential oils can cure dangerous infections (article here). I get it. We can't go around saying something does something that it doesn't do. That would be lying. Bad. Very bad. Back to the days of traveling snake oil salesmen who sold fake medicine for grand profit. 

However, what if that isn't the case.... What if there is research that shows some essential oils do have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, germ killing, properties? What if they do work.... BETTER than some prescriptions? What if the FDA is more worried about liability, or other interests? Or what if the mega profitable pharmaceutical companies just don't want them approved? It seems to be a rather sticky topic.  I encourage you to do your own research on the subject. I've linked several articles, but they are just a few of many. I wanted you to know that research on essential oils, and their effectiveness, is out there. I'm not saying all prescriptions are bad, some are necessary, sometimes. You should always consult a medical professional on your conditions. Here is to hoping they will work with you on some natural solutions. Some will. I've run into several medical professionals that were open minded. 

On this blog I share my experiences, my successes in using an alternative method of treating my ailments and preserving my health. What I do may, or may not, be the same for you. Our bodies are unique (fearfully and wonderfully made) and each person will metabolize and use oils slightly differently. That is part of the process of taking charge of your own health. Many of the essential oil blends I currently use came out of trying someone else's recipe and tweaking it. You are welcome to use the things I share as a starting point for your own research and self-trials. I am my #1 guinea pig. 

Shield Protective Blend is on special this week at Spark Naturals. This is one of the oils I diffuse regularly to keep the house healthy. It has helped to fight off strep, sinus infections, and colds in our home already this fall. I also use it in the cold and flu bomb(kit available here).   The recipe is in the description. This kit will get you though 1-2 bouts of sickness. If you have a large family that passes germs around just get the 15ml bottles of each. The combination of  Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Lemon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary in Shield blend are very antibacterial/antiviral (according to the articles linked above). You can get an extra 10% off with coupon code BENDERBOYMOM.

I wish you well on your journey of discovering your own ways to maintain health. If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to email or message me. I will do my very best to help research with you. 

--Wendy