How to move forward with EO use...

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This post will be a little different from most. I'm not going to share a recipe or remedy I've discovered. It is more practical. How to put this knowledge into action.

In the beginning I spent some time with all of this essential oil and healthy living knowledge in my head and good intentions to apply it to life. However, good intentions and knowledge are just thoughts. Thoughts weren't changing how I did things, or my health. I needed action.

There were several reasons that action wasn't happening often enough.

• Missing some of the ingredients
• Missing some of the tools
• Fear I would do it "wrong" and waste the oils
• Too busy with the current pattern of doing things 
• Simply forgetting to use them when I intended

I want to address some of these common roadblocks toward regular EO use in this post.

Darn! I'm Missing Ingredients:

Don't let this stop you! If you see a recipe you want to try on Mom's EOs or any other site, determine to make it. Each EO has several qualities to it. Depending on what you're making, it is possible the recipe will work even missing one of the EOs. Do some of your own research and see if your missing oil would be a make or break ingredient. If it is... Many EOs  have similar qualities. Substitute an oils with similar qualities. You could pick just about any quality in an EO and find that same or similar quality in another oil.  Be brave. Try a substitute. There is an untold amount of information out on the web. You can use the Spark Naturals oil descriptions to learn qualities. This is a good, reliable research site as well. It also helps to have a few reference books such as this one. You can even message me and I'll be happy to give some suggestions to try. Some common substitutes I've used...

• Birch and Wintergreen  and Peppermint all have cooling and pain relieving properties. 
• Roman Chamomile and Lavender are both calming and relaxing
• Basil and Thyme both have germ killing properties
• Most citrus are uplifting and help with mood. 

Oops! I'm Missing Some of the Tools:

There is always more than one way to accomplish a goal. No diffuser yet? You can passively diffuse by using a tissue, piece of felt, rub some on your hands and

breathe in, or cotton balls in a jar. No roller? Try a spray bottle, or just dabbing the oils on. No fancy jar? Recycle a cleaned out kitchen jar. Don't know how (or have the ingredients) to make salve yet? Add the oils to your current lotion. Don't let the idea of somethings being "just so" stop you from experiencing your oils.

I'm Afraid I Will Do It Wrong and Waste Precious Oils:

Just start. Honestly, one of the things I have discovered about EOs is that it is pretty hard to "do it wrong". I mean, you have to be careful. Don't ever put oils in your ear canal or your eyes. Read your bottles and don't ingest any EO unless the bottle says FOR DIETARY USE. If you ever have question about the strength, dilute it. But when making blends or diffusing - try not to stress if you get 3 drops instead of 2. It's all good if you need to use a substitute. Experiment. If one thing doesn't work, don't toss it ~ add to it and try again. Trust your instincts.  If you can't stand a smell ~ pass it on for someone else to try (many people experience oils differently. It has a lot to do with body chemistry). Just make sure you start somewhere or you'll never know. You might be a blending genius!

I'm Too Busy and Stuck With My Current Patterns:

It can be hard to break a habit. What are your habits? Headache? Grab a Tylonol? Heartburn? Tums? If you are busy, set aside a time one day to make up a few few remedies before you need them. You can specialize to your frequent issues. Then, when the time comes you are ready to try something new.  Some of the first ones I had on hand...

• LLP in a roller for allergies
• Stress blend
• Headache roller

I Keep Forgetting To Use EOs When I Intended: 

I worked on this several ways. First, I put my roller blend oils in my purse so they were handy no matter where I was, and I took the Tylenol out of my purse. Next I "attached" certain oils with behaviors that were already natural. For example, I put some Jeddy's in a small spray and set it next to my face lotion. When I put my lotion on daily in the morning my Jeddy's was there and I used that as well. I also got my family involved in using the oils. Then, when something would come up, like a headache or cut, my kids would remind me I had oils I could use. If all else fails, you could place a reminder post-it note on your Tylenol bottle "try oils first"! Switch out one thing at a time. Don't try to do it all at once. I started with LLP for allergies. This was all I did for quite a few months. Then, when  saw how well it worked, I was compelled to try the next thing.

I'm here to help. If you have questions, feel free to message me on Facebook or comment on this post!

Are there other reasons you haven't started using your Essential Oils yet? Share your reasons and any solutions you've found!

Above all... Let's just get started!

~Wendy


There are affiliate links in this post. If you choose to buy something from Spark Naturals, you will not pay any more, but Mom's EOs will get a small portion. If you'd like to save money you can use coupon code benderboymom at checkout and save 10%. 

Great Deal I Don't want you to miss....

This deal is expired  - but the post still has some great ideas of starter kits around $55

This isn't really my normal kind of blog post ~ I admit. I just didn't want my blog readers to miss what is going on at Spark Naturals and my Facebook. It is a giveaway, but everyone can win! I LOVE a good deal!

When I started with EOs I kept reading recipes that included an oil I didn't have. That was tough. I always wanted more. When I saw the new deal of a FREE 5 ml lime with a $50 purchase, I had to extend my flash deal of a free 15 ml Melaleuca with a $55 purchase.

So, until 8/15/15 if you order $55 of oils, books, e-spa, accessories, Kits, OOTM club ~ anything from Spark Naturals, you will get these 2 OILS FREE and FREE SHIPPING! You could build your collection over night. $55 can get you a lot of 5ml bottles of oils at Spark Naturals! No membership required, No commitment, No MLM, but you still get my 10% discount if you use coupon code BENDERBOYMOM. 

**If you've been waiting to start into essential oils until you can afford it ~ that time is now.

Here are some examples of what you could get for around $55 if you use coupon code benderboymom at checkout.

These oils will support your health during cold/germ season : $56.16 w/code

5ml ea of
Clove
Eucalyptus
Lemon
White Fir
Peppermint
Marjoram
Cold and Flu Bomb Kit (oregano, Shield, melaleuca,roller)


Free
5 ml Lime
15 ml Melaleuca

Or you could get these oils that all help manage stress/anxiety: $57.88 w/code

5ml ea
Bliss
Zen
Lavender
Wild Orange
Grapefruit
Lemon
Ylang Ylang
10ml roller

Free
5 ml Lime
15 ml Melaleuca

Or you could start with all of these oils that have pain relieving properties for:$56.53 w/code

5ml ea of
Birch
Clove
Eucalyptus
Black Pepper
Wintergreen
White Fir

Free
5 ml Lime
15 ml Melaleuca

Or you could start with this Aromatic kit: $56.25 with code

Free
5 ml Lime
15 ml Melaleuca

I talk about how you can use the oils in this kit ~ here

With all of the Spark Natural's oils available in both 5ml and 15ml sizes you can put together an unlimited variety of oils to make your own "starter kit" perfect for your needs!

Please feel free to comment or message me with any questions. You can search the blog and my Facebook page for recipes on how to use different oils as well. I would love to help you get started on your journey to natural health and wellness!

Oh and don't forget to enter their contest for a $150 gift card ~ I hope you win!

~Wendy

How to use the Aromatic Kit

So I've decided it is time to get some of these oils into your hot little hands! There is no comparison to getting to touch, smell and use EOs.

The Aromatic Kit is a great way to build your collection with a very useful variety of oils.

There are 10 versatile oils in this wonderful kit. Following is a brief list of only some of the uses for these oils. Each one is linked back to the Spark Naturals web page so you can read about its properties, and if the oil can be used aromatically, topically, or internally. It will also state if the oil can be applied neat (straight from the bottle) or if it should be applied with a carrier oil. If ever in doubt... it never hurts to apply with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, almond oil, hemp seed oil, grape seed oil or even olive oil! Use what you have.
For the first 3 - 
Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint I'm going to refer you to an awesome list from Jill at One Good Thing by Jillee blog - and another list here too. Why reinvent the wheel? She's done a great job on these lists! She even has them in printable form for you! But as a teaser...


Lemon
* a drop in your water for health and taste
*remove sticky stuff from labels
*remove dried paint from clothes




Lavender
*diffuse to relax
*freshen linens
*Use for allergies
Peppermint
* a drop in a swallow of milk for heartburn
* a sniff in the morning for an alert mind
*a drop with oil for sore muscles


Wild Orange
*I love this citrus oil! It is delicious in sparkling (or normal) water.
*It is wonderful mixed with Zen in the diffuser.
*3 drops make a pan of brownies really special
*Just opening the bottle and sniffing is a mood lifter for me




Shield
*Mix with witch hazel for homemade hand sanitizer
*Diffuse to kill germs
*Use with honey and lemon for a sore throat soothing tea




Respire
*Rub on chest with carrier oil to ease breathing
*Rub on bottoms of feet when you have a cough
*Blend with a salve base for a Vics type rub
*Diffuse to kill germs

Bergamot
*Apply to scars to fade them
*Diffuse for its mood-lifting properties
*Use it on wounds for quicker healing
* Apply it to relax nerves and muscles






Zen
*LOVE to diffuse this with Respire at night for a restful sleep
*Rub on pulse points as a perfume
*Rub on chest to help with anxiety
*This is one of my favorites


White Fir
*Use topically for pain, sore muscles
*Diffuse to kill germs and support the immune system
*Diffuse for alertness

Ylang Ylang
*Add to massage oil or add a few drops to water for a special evening :) (read aphrodisiac)
*Use in body care products to balance skin
*Diffuse to calm mood or anxiety







To buy these oils separately would be $83.75. This kit is normally $62.50 which is a good deal! But it is on sale this month! All of February 2015 you can get the Aromatic kit for $50.62 when you use coupon code BENDERBOYMOM. That is over $12 savings.



To celebrate, I'm going to do a giveaway! From 2/19/15 - 2/26/15 You can enter to win this kit and some included accessories. Details are in the graphic. Tell your friends to enter too - this is too good to pass up! . Winner will be announced 2/27/15. If you don't win you will still have a day to get it at the sale price.

I am also including a set of dropper tops for the oils you choose to use often, and 2 roller bottles so you can combine EOs with a carrier oil for easy application.

Just jump in and give it a try. You'll never look back once you realize how easy it is to get started. If you have questions please comment or message me. I would love to answer them or help you find the answers. I've included several graphics from www.organicfacts.net. They are a great resource too.

~Wendy

How to use Essential Oils... Let me count the ways!

How to use those oils....

The moment is here. You open your mailbox and there it is.... Your first order of essential oils! Yipee! You open the bottle and breathe in the aroma - mmmmm. Then you think, "what exactly do I do with this stuff?" Good question. There are several ways you can use essential oils, and you just did one of the most basic without even thinking!

Aromatic use:

Just smelling oils from the bottle can be very therapeutic. There are multiple studies that confirm the health benefits of inhalation of essential oils. Here is one, and another, and another. You can search on Pubmed for more.

You can diffuse (put them into the air so you can inhale/smell them) oils in several ways. You can use passive forms of diffusing such as putting a few drops of oil on a cotton ball and keeping it in a jar or other container so you can open and smell at will. You can place a few drops on a pendant such as these, or on a stuffed animal or a hankie. 

You can also actively diffuse in a cool mist diffuser such as these.
You don't need to stand over the diffuser breathing in the mist (but that is nice at times too). However, the diffuser should be located within the same room as you and as close as possible. For example, on your desk when you're working, in the kitchen when you're cooking. I keep one in the kitchen, the hub of my home. I also keep one by my bed to get the beneficial effects while I sleep. It soon becomes understandable why you might want more than one diffuser :)

I love the aromatic use of essential oils for fighting germs, congestion, cough, moods and more. Even when there is "nothing" to be treated, I like to have the diffuser running with a season smell, or mood ,or focus enhancing oils.

Topical use:

Another way is to use oils topically. This means you apply them to your skin. Your skin is your largest organ and oils that are rubbed into the skin will be absorbed by the body. You will need to use some care in which oils can be used "neat", which means as they are, out of the bottle, without diluting them. Some oils are "hot", and should be diluted with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil, almond oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil) or they can irritate the skin. *** Essential Oils should never be put into the ear or eye.

To use topically you take a drop or 2 or 3 and rub topically over the area of concern. Often times a carrier oil or salve comes in handy to help the oil cover a larger area. As I have said in other posts, EO use is very intuitive. Trust your body and what it is telling you.

If you have a headache, place the oil over the spot on your head that hurts. If you have a tummy ache, use it over the part of your tummy that hurts. Arthritis, place it on the joints. Back pain - it goes on your back (usually with a carrier oil to spread further). Wherever you put the oil, make sure to take a few minutes to massage it in. This gets the blood to the area to absorb and transport the oils - plus it feels good! Get the idea?

There are a few other good locations for general use. The bottoms of the feet have large pores and can absorb things quickly. This makes it a good spot to put oils you are taking for general systemic relief. For example, Jeddy's for ADHD/anxiety/Focus is great on the bottoms of the feet. Cold and Flu bomb is good on the bottom of your feet as your whole body is fighting the virus/bacteria. Dream sleep blend when you are trying to fall asleep works well here. My kids prefer to use this location for daily Jeddy's, cold and flu bomb, or other use. They can put their socks on and no one at school can smell they have oils on.

The base of your skull, your brain stem (where your neck meets your hairline in the back) is also a good place for getting things into your head - literally. I put my headache blend here as well as my LXR for anxiety and my Jeddy's for focus.

Finally the navel is a good place to get oils through the body, into your core. You have a high concentration of blood vessels here and they can move oils quickly. When I eat something my body doesn't like or I'm having a general allergic reaction to say, my dog. I put the LLP for allergies in my navel. Get it?

Rollers work great for this type of use.

I like topical use for just about any ailment. I find it can be very focused relief.

Dietary (internal) use:

There is controversy and caution about this one. First, let me say that you should only do what you are comfortable with and what suits you. To each his own. I will say that I do, regularly, take Spark Naturals essential oils internally. I do not recommend taking just any essential oil internally. You need to trust that any EO you take internally is pure. However, I feel the same way about topical and aromatic use. All of your oils need to be of the highest quality,  they end up internal eventually as well!.

There are a few ways to take oils internally.  You can put a few drops in a "shot" of water or juice. One of my favorites is a drop of peppermint in a shot of water or almond milk to kick heartburn. Works like a charm - immediately! You can put oils in a gel capsule. I take a capsule of 6 drops LLP daily. I also use cold and flu bomb in a capsule to fight sickness.  There are some great ways to use them in cooking. A drop of wild orange in brownies is to die for and a drop of cilantro in your salsa is mmmmm. Spark Naturals FB page regularly posts recipes for cooking with essential oils. I've also made this great recipe for cough/immunity drops, and will drink Shield tea when I'm avoiding the sickness that is going around that week.

How do you know what oils are safe in what ways?

Spark Naturals labels all of their bottles as to which type of use is appropriate for that oil. It will say "aromatic, topical, or dietary use" on the bottle so there is no confusion as to what is safe.

I hope this helps those who are just starting with oils, or still have questions. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments too! 

Here's to your health!

Wendy

Where to start...

Starting Out With Essential Oils...

So the most common question it seems is "where do I start?" I get it, really I do. The world of essential oils can seem overwhelming. I've even had one person tell me it is like reading another language. I felt that way too in the beginning. It is hard to believe how far I've come in the past 8 months. You see, I am a researcher. Not by trade or anything. But I research something to death before I begin. Call it caution, informed decision, or neuroticism :). But if I have any inkling that I am going to get sucked into something, I want to know how badly I'm gonna be hooked before I commit. This is a long standing pattern in my life. (Usually) It serves me well. Starting my journey with essential oils was no different. One of the things I love about Camp Wander is how she cites reference articles in many of her posts. Facts - love it! 

I shared last week how I started with Lemon, Lavender, and Peppermint, or LLP, for my allergies. After researching oils and how people use them, I decided to attack a problem, my allergies. But it doesn't have to start that way. You can just start with appreciating the way something smells. Aromatherapy. There are so many health benefits to be had while enjoying a scent from a pure essential oil. Or maybe you just need to start with a few drops of lemon, or lime, or orange, in your water. Our Citrus Kit is great for that. 

With all of that said....

I usually say to start with the Essential 4 pack  because you can do so much with it. Here is a great printable from OGT , and another. 

However, If you have any anxiety - diffusing LXR is the BEST! I also dab a little on the back of my neck, over my heart, and on my wrists.  

At this time of year I might suggest starting with a bottle of Shield  and a diffuser. It is great for killing germs and keeping the whole house healthy. 

One of the benefits of Spark Naturals is that they offer their oils in both a 5 ml and 15 ml size. I would start with the 5 ml bottles of things so you can tell if you like it. There are certain ones I knew right away my re-order would be a 15ml because I love it so much **read I cannot live without my LXR**

If you just want to jump in and buy several oils to start, than the Health and Wellness kit is the best place to start.  It is 10 - 5ml bottles of 7 single oils and 3 blends all focused on your health and staying well.

What I would have done different now that I'm "all in". 

*Buy a diffuser right at the start. I waited several months. I now realize it would have been better if I had postponed a few of the oils I bought in the beginning to redirect those funds to a diffuser. It is an investment, but well worth it and everyone benefits from diffusing. I wouldn't be without it now. Plus it is a great way to ease yourself (and family) in. I know I often post of my topical and internal use of some oils, but diffusing is very effective as well.

*Try the blends early in your journey. Spark Naturals has already done the work for you on these. They are so easy! Why reinvent the wheel.

*Try some of the single oils for their properties listed in their description on the website. I was excited to make blends at the start and always felt I was "missing" an oil I needed. I've discovered that sometimes less is more. 

*Key Point!!!  If you hear nothing else in this post, please here this. The purity of your essential oils matters. A lot! I started with a few cheaper oils from the health food store. I did not get the results I had read about. Even though they said "pure", they weren't. Scary to think what chemicals I may have exposed myself to as well. I could instantly tell the difference with the first Spark Naturals oils I ordered. I trust Spark Naturals. They are tested pure. Here is the excerpt from their web site:

Pharmagrade:

Spark Naturals  products are Certified Pure PharmaGrade – CPPG™ – a physical standard ensuring our products are of the appropriate identity, strength, quality, purity, and consistency standards used internationally for quality and purity. Our raw materials are tested and authenticated to be of pharmaceutical grade purity. 

But more than that I trust the experience of others I respect, who trust Spark Naturals too. Whatever brand essential oils you use, please make sure they are tested, high quality, pure, oils. Here is a great post of a simple way to check

.

However you decide to start, just start. It will begin to open your eyes to some great tools for health. If you have questions please contact me. I am happy to try to answer them or help you find the answer. 

Happy Beginnings!

Wendy

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