Thanks to The Oil Posse for this post! Visit their website for a free PDF download! The Premium Oil Collection + Diffuser + Lifetime YL Membership & ExtrasPremium Starter Kits are one of the BEST deals Young Living offers! Check out whats inside & head over to our "Best Deals From Young Living" page for more details!
We switched to Thieves a few years ago and we will never go back!
Here's my review of each product: ➵ Household Cleaner: Before that we were using what we thought was chemical free, until we started reading the warnings on the label! We used vinegar after that, and it didn't work super great & honestly I just wanted my house to smell GOOD... Thieves smells AMAZING & works better than anything. It is concentrated, so you just use a capful or two with 30 oz of water in a spray bottle. It's less than a dollar... that.is.cheap. ➵ Essential Oil: This is an oil I am never without. Immune System ✓ Upset Stomach✓ Headache✓ Sore throat✓ Canker Sores & Cold Sores✓ Diffuse to purify the air & make your home smell delish✓ ➵ Toothpaste & Mouthwash: There is no better toothpaste. Nope. And the dentist approves & our mouths have never been healthier. I had to buy some natural toothpaste at the store when I accidentally ran out of Thieves Toothpaste & my teeth felt like they had fuzzy slippers on, even after I brushed... never again. The mouthwash is so concentrated you only need like a teensy bit with water... sometimes we use this instead of toothpaste if we run out... 'cuz I already told you why. :) ➵ Handsoap: I cant use hand soap usually... my hands break out and get raw and itchy... I have issues, yes (have you read my story?), but remember, our skin is our largest organ and we absorb EVERYTHING we put on it. This soap is gentle, yet kills all the bad stuff without wrecking your immune system. #AntibacterialisnotHealthy ➵ Thieves Spray: We use this to make clean the air in all the yucky stinky places... all of them. We also spray it on anything that is germy... hands, toilet seats, doorknobs, um... yeah, anywhere... Plus, it works for sore throat spray. So, there's that. ➵ Waterless Hand Purifier: Purifies hands without drying them out... oh yes, and there's no poison in it. It. Works. Our girls kept coming home with dried out cracked hands, we found out it is routine to squirt them with Purell all day long. So, now they pack this with them and their hands are all healthy & so are their immune systems. So yep, that's why we love it. ♡ Just in case, do you know the story of Thieves? Thieves blend was inspired by the legend of the four 15th-century French thieves that were using a combination of clove, rosemary, and other botanicals to protect themselves from catching the plague while robbing the dead & dying. So if it protected these dudes from getting the plague, just think what it can do for us! Head over to your favorite Roots member page and order your Thieves Premium Kit & join our "Chemical Free Swap Out Challenge"! Today we are going to learn how to make Zzz..Rub! It's very simple, doesn't take long at all and you will thank yourself for making it after waking up feeling refreshed the next day!
Please note: I only recommend using the highest quality oils on the market, which is why you'll only see references to Young Living in this post. Please visit Young Living for more information. Ingredients: Coconut Oil 1/2 Cup Shea Butter 1/2 Cup Beeswax 1 Tbsp Cedarwood Essential Oil 15 Drops Orange Essential Oil 15 Drops For Extra Zzz Rub add: Valerian Essential Oil 5 Drops Lavender EO - 5 Drops Peace & Calming EO 3 Drops Melt Beeswax, Shea Butter and Coconut oil in a double boiler (or a pot filled with water and a glass Pyrex measure cup). Once everything is melted together, remove from heat and let sit on counter for about 10 minutes. I don't like to heat my oils up so I let the mixture cool before I add them. Add your oils, and stir well. The Valerian isn't the best smell so you made want to add a few more drops of your favorite to mask it. Once you have your finished product though the Valerian usually isn't too bad. After your oils are added, place your bowl of melted rub into the fridge, it's best to put the mixture into a glass or metal bowl that you can use a mixer with. Once your Zzz..Rub has a almost solid consistency, pull out of the fridge. You don't want it to be completely solid as it will be near impossible to mix. The middle can be pretty soft and it will still work just fine. Use an egg beater or stand up mixer and beat until it forms peaks just as whip cream would. Place product into a glass jar for storing, makes 4 oz. You now have your Zzz Rub! How to use: Since your feet have the most pores of any other part of your body, this is where I like to suggest you use it. Give your feet a generous rub down, climb in bed and start dreaming! If you find that it didn't work as well as you hoped, that's OK try again the next night and add a little more Zzz...Rub to your massage. The reason for this may be because your body isn't used to these oils and you need to build them up in your body before they will work to their fullest potential. Dream on! Cassidy Cushing Young Living Member Okay, I promised this post (along with a few others) quite some time ago... I figured THIS one, though, was the most important to get out there right now.
We all LOVE our kids, we strive to make the best decisions for them, to protect them, to provide the best we can for them. Yet, most likely, every day, multiple times a day, we are buckling them up improperly, possibly risking their lives. We tend to think of car seats more in regards to the law and less about the protection they are providing our kids... IF they are used properly. We don't want to think about getting into an accident, but we just cant be certain that we wont. So, lets all take precautions to at least improve the outcome, if possible... because in reality, every time we drive with our little ones, we are taking a risk. Personally, I just want to know that I did my best to keep my little ones safe... and I'm sure you do too! The leading causes of injury-related death among children ages 14 and under are motor vehicle crashes, suffocation, drowning and fires and/or burns. "Our data revealed that parents and caregivers are making five critical, but fixable, mistakes when using car seats. This news is important because we know that correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent." -Safe Kids Here are the top 5 things to do to check your car seat (You can download this list on Safekids.com, there is a link in this press release.):
If you would like to have help with your car seat, there are car seat clinics all over the U.S. to help you! Search for one in your area by clicking here! If you live in Bend, the Bend Fire Dept (1212 SW Simpson) is hosts carseat clinics. I believe they host these clinics on the fourth Wednesday of every month... contact them, just to be sure. What's Going On? Baby products should be safe, not Toxic!*
So you've heard all this hype about chemicals in your bath and beauty products, it's caught your attention... but seriously, could it really be that bad? Yes my friends, it is... What am I talking about here? People, this is serious! Did you know that only 11 percent of the ingredients in personal care products are tested for safety? How many products do you use in a day, a week, a year? How about your children? Toxic chemicals are hiding in your products, and accumulating in your body with each and every use! Sometimes these chemicals are not disclosed on product labels because they're contaminants, not ingredients, and therefore are exempt from labeling laws! We're talking about carcinogens (proven cancer causing chemicals) in our babies shampoo, lead in our lipstick (they've taken it out of paint and put it in lipstick!? Hello??), and neurotoxins (chemicals that are toxic to the brain) in our fragrances... chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems... and that's just scraping the surface!* (Read more about "Why This Matters" at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/research/whythismatters.php) This is not my opinion. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics "is a coalition effort launched in 2004 to protect the health of consumers and workers by securing the corporate, regulatory and legislative reforms necessary to eliminate dangerous chemicals from cosmetics and personal care products".* So, you're concerned, you want to rid yourself of these products, but you don't know where to start? Well, let me tell you that it takes a lot of time and effort to educate yourself on these issues. I have researched claims, products, companies, ingredients, and so on. I have spent hours upon hours deciding what absolutely needs to be avoided, what is safe, and what is hyped up. I have been able to find trustworthy companies with exceptional products to fit every budget. I would love to share what I know with you! What to keep, what not to keep... Look at the ingredients, my number one red flag is a list of things I cant pronounce. Take label warnings seriously, they indicate hazardous chemicals. Top 10 Ingredients to Avoid (via Organic Consumers Association, Thanks OCA!) 1. Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea — These are the most commonly used preservatives after the parabens. They are well established as a primary cause of contact dermatitis (American Academy of Dermatology). Two trade names for these chemicals are Germall II and Germall 115. Neither of the Germall chemicals have a good antifungal, and must be combined with other preservatives. Germall 115 releases formaldehyde at just over 10°. These chemicals are toxic. 2. Methyl and Propyl and Butyl and Ethyl Paraben — Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Methyl paraben combines benzoic acid with the methyl group of chemicals. Highly toxic. 3. Petrolatum — I see this on lip products from time to time, which is humorous to me because they're usually advertised as protecting the lips from sunburn, chapping and so forth. Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly, and mineral oil causes a lot of problems when used on the skin photosensitivity (i.e., promotes sun damage), and it tends to interfere with the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dry skin and chapping. You are being sold a product that creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is unbelievably cheap. 4. Propylene Glycol — Ideally this is a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. Has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions. 5. PVP/VA Copolymer — A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, wavesets and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles may contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons. 6. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate — This synthetic substance is used in shampoos for its detergent and foam-building abilities. It causes eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions. It is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the parenthetic explanation "comes from coconut." 7. Stearalkonium Chloride — A chemical used in hair conditioners and creams. Causes allergic reactions. Stearalkonium chloride was developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, and is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which do help hair health. Toxic. 8. Synthetic Colors — The synthetic colors used to supposedly make a cosmetic "pretty" should be avoided at all costs, along with hair dyes. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C Green No. 6. Synthetic colors are believed to be cancer-causing agents. If a cosmetic contains them, don't use it. 9. Synthetic Fragrances — The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have as many as 200 ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since on the label it will simply say "Fragrance." Some of the problems caused by these chemicals are headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation by a cosmetic that has the word "Fragrance" on the ingredients label. 10. Triethanolamine — Often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH, and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time. What? You cant pronounce those words? So, the easiest way to know whether or not a product is worthy enough to spend money on AND safely use is #1 Avoid scary chemicals, like "mercury" for example #2 If you cant pronounce it or dont know what the heck it is, there's a good chance you should avoid it! You may find some of your allergy issues will suddenly disappear if you discontinue using cosmetics formulated with petrochemicals and other synthetics. So, that's not too hard to remember, right? Just avoid the above ingredients. Write them down or print them out. Look through all of your products, check the ingredient lists. When you go shopping bring your list (there really is a printable list at Skin Deep's website!) and read every label... I know, crazy right?! Well, that's just what I did. When I started turning over products and reading labels, I ended up with an empty makeup bag, a bare bathroom, and a garbage bag full of products. Then I thought, shoot I have nothing left, and not enough money to buy more stuff. Well, most of the stores I buy from guarantee their products, so seeing as how I was not satisfied, I returned what I could. With a little help from "The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics", I included a letter to each of the companies, stating my dissatisfaction with their products. I also asked them to commit to manufacturing safer cosmetics. Let me just say that Victoria's Secret is the one of the number one companies and brands of concern on the Cosmetics Safety Database. They were my first stop. (Want to check your favorite products or brands? Check out www.cosmeticsdatabase.com) Just tell me what to buy... Seriously, who has time to read labels? I really don't either! However, when something grabs my attention like this does, I simply cannot ignore it! I HAVE to find out more information, more FACTS! Then, I either dismiss it (if it's just a bunch of hype), or address it. I just have this "thing" (OCD maybe?)... I get passionate about something and it utterly consumes me! But hey, now all of you can benefit from my hours of research! You just want to grab it and go, right?! I've got oodles of recommendations for you, but let's just start with a few reputable companies (I know my list is not complete, I'll be adding more as they come to mind). I have tried or currently use products from the following companies. Want a recommendation for a particular item? Post a comment or send me a message! - Lori Update: Many of the companies we used to recommend are selling out to large corporations, who are then reformulating the products... so you think you're getting your trusted chemical free product because the label looks the same & you had NO idea they were now owned by a different company and the product is NOT what you think it is! Ahhhh, so frustrating! So, we are updating our list & sadly, it is getting pretty short. If you've got any recommendations, let us know by filling out our "contact us" form! Honestly, since we started researching Young Living, nothing else measures up to the quality & integrity! Essential oils are amazing! We love everything we have tried so far... toothpaste, supplements, Thieves products, essential oils, Ningxia Red...) More about them HERE! Avalon Organics California Baby Dr. Bronner's Jane Iredale (Love her mascara!) Shea Terra Organics (Such YUMMY shea butter products! LOVE them!) Skin by Ann Webb (Love this skincare, I get mine on Amazon or Vitacost for less!) Spry Dental (Tooth care products with xylitol) Weleda (I have used their baby products for years, so gentle and smell yummy!) So, now you're enlightened... I know, I know, you're overwhelmed, right?! I was too at first, and the quote "ignorance is bliss"... no, no, don't think like that! You want to be informed, you want safe products, you and your precious family deserve the best! Don't waste your money on cheaply made products, full of toxic cancer causing chemicals! Hey, I'm going to make it easy for you to clean out your closet, er makeup bag! Your skin will feel better, look better, and you will BE healthier once you rid yourself of these toxins! Now go on, toss it out! *This information is provided by the following: The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics www.safecosmetics.org Skin Deep's Cosmetics Safety Database www.cosmeticsdatabase.com The Breast Cancer Fund www.breastcancerfund.org Think Before You Pink (A project of Breast Cancer Action) http://thinkbeforeyoupink.org/ Environmental Working Group www.ewg.org Organic Consumers Association http://www.organicconsumers.org/ Do you follow us? Find Roots of Integrity on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & Pinterest! Young Living's VALOR Essential Oil is a blend of Spruce, Rosewood, Blue Tansy, and Frankincense. Almond oil is in this blend as a carrier oil, so this is a ready to use, easy to apply essential oil blend. This blend is available in the 15mL size, along with another option, a 10mL Roll-On! Valor is an important piece of the Raindrop Therapy Collection.
Valor is nicknamed, "Chiropractor in a Bottle"! Valor helps to align the physical structure of the body, self-correcting it's balance and alignment, giving relief of pain! I apply Valor to my neck when it is out of alignment. As I rub this oil on my neck, it is common for me to hear it begin popping and cracking... followed by immediate pain relief! True story! Valor has helped to alleviate my symptoms and pain related to scoliosis. There are cases where it has improved scoliosis in as little as 30 minutes! My husband has been having really intense back pain.. long story as to why, but he was hit by a car while biking years ago. BUT anyhoo.... he was in tons of pain yesterday, so what did I do? Yep, essential oils to the rescue! I put Valor right where the pain is and rubbed that in, followed with Deep Relief. About 3 minutes after I applied Valor, his legs stopped shaking and he was able to relax. He said he could totally tell that it was helping! I reapplied the oils before he went to bed, as he was in pain again. He fell asleep about 5 minutes after I started applying the oils. He now brings these two oils with him to work! Here is a little info on each oil that is in the Valor blend: SPRUCE (picea mariana) ~ Grounding, & balancing, Anti-infectious, anti-inflammitory, antispasmodic, cortisone-like, disinfectant, tonic. Uses: Helps to dilate bronchials to improve oxygen exchange. Helps to release emotional blocks. Cleaning, cooling, hyperthyroidism, yoga, arthritis, candida, immune-depression, rheumatism, solar plexus, aching joints, bone pain, glandular system, stimulates the thymus and adrenal glands. ROSEWOOD (Aniba rosaeodora) ~ Soothing to the skin, relaxing, pleasing to the mind... encourages feelings of peace and gentleness. Uses: Acne, dermatitis & eczema, dry skin, wrinkles, antifungal, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral, anti-infectious, vaginal infections, candida, depression, oral infections, cuts, nausea, tissue regeneration, wounds. BLUE TANSY (Tanacetum annum) ~ Helps to cleanse the liver and calm the lymphatic system... helps rid oneself of anger and promotes self control. Uses: Analgesic (pain relief), antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, helps with low blood pressure, relieves itching, sedates nerves. FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia Carterii) ~ Contains sesquiterpenes, which help oxygenate pineal & pituitary glands. Research has shown that sesquiterpenes have the ability to surpass the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain tissue! Frankincense was used biblically, there are 52 references to frankincense in the Bible! (the word "incense" is translated from Hebrew/Greek referring to "frankincense" or a mixture of which it was one of the ingredients). Uses: Helps with aging, arthritis, asthma, brain injuries, coma, depression, Lou Gehrig's Disease, mental fatigue, moles, M.S., Parkinsons Disease, tumors, ulcers, allergies, bites (insects & snakes), bronchitis, cancer, colds, coughs, diarrhea, diphtheria, gonorrhea, headaches, healing, hemorrhaging, herpes, high blood pressure, inflammation, jaundice, laryngitis, meningitis, nerve conditions, prostate, pneumonia, respiratory, prevents scarring, sciatic pain, sores, spiritual awareness (helpful to calm the mind when praying, reading, or meditating), staph, strep, stress, syphilis, T.B., tension, tonsillitis, typhoid, wounds, & even wrinkles & warts! To apply Valor Essential Oil, put a few drops on the bottom of the feet. To relieve pain, also apply to areas affected. To relieve pain along the spine, apply to the bottoms of the feet and along the spine. Valor Essential Oil is so helpful! 1. We use Valor instead of Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Bengay, Tylenol PM, and other OTC drugs for pain and sleeplessness! 2. Valor is so helpful for injuries! When our little ones get "owies", we apply Valor. Since it contains almond oil as a carrier oil, it does not sting when applied to even open wounds. My little ones ask for it when they get hurt... then they run off and continue playing! 3. Valor helps alleviate bruising too! 4. Valor relieves tension. 5. Valor is also good for our emotional and spiritual self, helps overcome fear (little ones afraid of anything? Valor & prayer work so well together ;)! Valor helps to build courage, confidence & self-esteem. It brings a feeling of calmness, peace, and relaxation. 6. Can be used in place of Peace & Calming Essential Oil for hyperactivity & ADD in children. 7. Valor can be used after any type of trauma to help realign and balance and even prevent shock! 8. Valor can have the effect of changing anaerobic mutated cells back to their normal state! Say what?! Seriously, God did a good thing when he made the plants! 9. Helps with problems related to muscles, bones, skin, the nervous system & emotional balance. 10. Valor is an important oil in the Raindrop Technique. If you haven't experienced this, you should! 11. Helps you cope in stressful or overwhelming situations... P.S. I have 5 kids and a husband... I love Valor! ;) 12. Valor can be used during pregnancy to relieve back pain. Oh how I could've used essential oils in pregnancy... I had yet to discover them... I missed out! If you are pregnant, dont miss out on essential oils! They can truly help you with nearly everything! 13. Did I say skin?! Valor feels so good on irritated skin! 14. We apply Valor before and after chiropractic adjustments... which we need less of because the Valor is our "Chiropractor in a Bottle"! ~And remember, ALL of my posts on essential oils ONLY apply to Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. Young Living oils promote HEALTH... others just might smell pretty and give you a headache. Most Young Living Essential Oils can be used as dietary supplements, and have directions right on the label. Wouldn't it be great to be prescribed Young Living Essential oils instead of pharmaceuticals, and actually experience true healing? Well, we may not be able to get a prescription here in The States, but we can still take control of our health and use essential oils! Why cant you just buy your essential oils at the grocery store? "Over 90% of what is sold in the United States as 'pure' essential oil is fragrance-grade and diluted. (The FDA has determined that a product need contain only 5% of the ingredient on the label in order to use the word pure.) These oils are found on the shelves of many health food stores and at online discount houses. They may be less expensive, but THEY WILL NOT BE USEFUL FOR HEALTH :( ." If you would like to learn more about Young Living Essential Oils, become a wholesale or retail customer, have questions, or need help using your YL Essential Oils, THIS is the website you need! Let me know if I can help you! ~ Lori References: Essential Oils Desk Reference. Compiled by Essential Science Publishing. Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie & Alan Higley Gary D. Young N.D. An Introduction to Young Living Essential Oils. Lemon (Citrus limon) from the Rutaceae (citrus) botanical family. It has a strong, purifying, citrus scent that is revitalizing and uplifting. Lemon consists of 68 percent dlimonene, a powerful antioxidant. It is deliciously refreshing in water and very beneficial for the skin (trust me, read my story!). Lemon may also be used to enhance the flavor of foods. Lemon essential oil is cold-pressed from the rinds of lemons. Jean Valnet MD estimated that it takes 3,000 lemons to produce one kilo of oil. In his book, The Practice of Aromatherapy, Valnet wrote that lemon is a tonic for supporting the nervous and sympathetic nervous system.* Lemon has an approximate ORAC of 6,619 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter. CAUTION: Citrus oils should NOT be applied to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight for 12 hours or ultraviolet light within 72 hours. The lemon rind attracts the sun in nature, which is what ripens the lemon. Historically, lemon has been used to cure food poisoning, malaria, typhoid, and scurvy. I'm telling you, essential oils are not some new fad... our culture has simply forgotten... so thankful they are being rediscovered by so many! So, what can YOU use lemon essential oil for? Well, here are a few places to start: 1. Air Freshener. Put 6 drops of Lemon oil and 6 drops of Purification oil in a squirt bottle (I got mine at whole foods for about $2.00, it's a pretty blue glass spray bottle) mixed with distilled water to use in bathroom as an air freshener. Yay for this one! 2. Remove Gum, Oil, Grease Spots and Crayons. Use 1-2 drops of Lemon oil to remove gum, oil, grease spots or crayon. My 2 year old painted her whole self with black finger nail polish the other day! I dripped lemon oil on it, rubbed it gently with my fingers and it began dissolving and turned into a powder and she was all cleaned up! 3. Varicose Veins. Rub several drops of Lemon oil on varicose veins to improve circulation and relieve pressure on the veins. 4. Lemonade. For homemade lemonade, in a blender mix 2 drops of Lemon oil, 2 Tbsp of honey and 2 cups of pure water. YUM! 5. Callouses / Bunions / Warts. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on a corn, callous, bunion or wart mornings and evenings until it disappears. 6. Clean & prolong the life of fresh fruit and veggies! To clean and increase shelf life of fresh fruit, fill a bowl with cool water and 2-3 drops of Lemon oil. Drop cleaned fruit into the water and stir. Be sure all surfaces of the fruit contact the lemon 7. Counter Tops. Add 2-3 drops of Lemon oil to water and spray counter to sterilize. Smells so good too! 8. Dishcloths. Soak your dishcloth overnight in a bowl of water and a drop of Lemon oil to disinfect and kill germs. 9. Public Bathrooms. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on your hands after using a public bathroom (you know how some bathrooms have no soap, or no sink? Ewh.) Another good one for this is the Thieves Hand Sanitizer! 10. Rub it on little feet to boost immunity! Lemon oil is my "go to" when my little ones are fighting a bug. Rub 1-2 drops on the bottom of their feet every 20 minutes, until symptoms subside. (P.S. This works for big feet too ;) 11. Water purification. 1 drop to 12-16 oz of water purifies water, removing nitrates! 12. Remove stains & brighten fabrics & carpets. 1-2 drops on the stain. I just removed a bright orange stain of who knows what, from my white shag rug with lemon oil and Thieves Household Cleaner. 13. Skin. Brighten your complexion and remove dead skin cells (remember dont go in the sun for 12 hours, and no tanning for 72 hours). Lemon also is antifungal and antiseptic, this is a key ingredient in my blend for my skin condition. 14. Fingernails. Strengthen & harden your nails with lemon oil. 15. Brain POWER! Lemon helps promote thought clarity. Diffuse it while working or studying. Or, place 2 drops in your palm, cup your hands and breath in through your nose. 16. Anxiety. Lemon oil promotes health, and healing. Its fragrance is invigorating and promotes feelings of well being. 17. Cellulite. Rub lemon oil on affected areas. 18. Food! Use lemon oil to flavor your food! I just used it to create a new recipe, Lori's Lemon Superfood Bites. More to come... ~And remember, ALL of my posts on essential oils ONLY apply to Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. Young Living oils promote HEALTH... others just might smell pretty and give you a headache. Most Young Living Essential Oils can be used as dietary supplements, and have directions right on the label. Wouldn't it be great to be prescribed Young Living Essential oils instead of pharmaceuticals, and actually experience true healing? Well, we may not be able to get a prescription here in The States, but we can still take control of our health and use essential oils! Why cant you just buy your essential oils at the grocery store? "Over 90% of what is sold in the United States as 'pure' essential oil is fragrance-grade and diluted. (The FDA has determined that a product need contain only 5% of the ingredient on the label in order to use the word pure.) These oils are found on the shelves of many health food stores and at online discount houses. They may be less expensive, but THEY WILL NOT BE USEFUL FOR HEALTH :( ." If you would like to learn more about Young Living Essential Oils, become a wholesale or retail customer, have questions, or need help using your YL Essential Oils, THIS is the website you need! Let me know if I can help you! ~ Lori References: Essential Oils Desk Reference. Compiled by Essential Science Publishing. Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie & Alan Higley Gary D. Young N.D. An Introduction to Young Living Essential Oils. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)"Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma that is soothing and refreshing. Because it is the most versatile of all essential oils, no home should be without it. Lavender is an adaptogen, and therefore can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. It is a great aid for relaxing and winding down before bedtime, yet has balancing properties that can also boost stamina and energy. Therapeutic-grade lavender is highly regarded for skin and beauty. It may be used to soothe and cleanse common cuts, bruises, and skin irritations. The French scientist René Gattefossé was among the first to discover these properties when he was severely burned in a laboratory explosion. Lavender may also be used to enhance the flavor of foods. Lavender has an approximate ORAC of 3,669 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter." Ingredients: Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) Yep, that's just one ingredient... 100% Pure The most versatile of all essential oils. Safe to use for all ages. Therapeutic-grade lavender has been highly regarded for the skin. Lavender has been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations. The fragrance is calming, relaxing and balancing – physically and emotionally. This plant is grown and distilled at the Young Living Farms. Here are several uses for Young Living's Lavender Essential Oil: 1. Calming: Rub Lavender oil on the feet for a calming effect on the body. This oil is especially helpful with stress, anxiety, depression, and overall mental health! 2. Sleep Aid: Rub a drop of Lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow to help you sleep. From tiny babies to stressed out students to sleepless anxious folks, lavender is proven to help you sleep! Rub a drop on the soles of each foot. Try diffusing lavender to help you drift off into dreamland! 3. Bee Sting / Insect Bite: Put a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching, pain, and reduce swelling. 4. Minor Burn: Put 2-3 drops Lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain, and provide faster healing with less scarring! 5. Cuts: Drop Lavender oil on cut to stop bleeding, clean wound, and kill bacteria. This is a little "stingy" for kids, so it helps to dilute in a tiny bit of carrier oil first. 6. Eczema / Dermatitis: Mix several drops of Lavender oil with V-6 Vegetable Mixing Oil and use topically on eczema and dermatitis. Read my personal story of healing of a severe skin condition using lavender! 7. Motion Sickness: To alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of Lavender oil on end of tongue, behind the ears or around the navel. 8. Nosebleed: To stop a nosebleed, put a drop of Lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice. Push the tissue covered ice chip up under the middle of the top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long as comfortable or until the bleeding stops (do not freeze the lip or gum, um ouch!). 9. Unblock Tear Ducts: Rub a drop of Lavender oil over the bridge of the nose to unblock tear ducts. You will want to close your eyes for about 20 minutes as the vapor can be pretty intense. On a little one, I would do this while they sleep. 10. Dry / Chapped Skin: Rub Lavender oil on dry or chapped skin. 11. Chapped / Sunburned Lips: Rub a drop of Lavender oil on chapped or sunburned lips. 12. Scar Tissue: To reduce or minimize the formation of scar tissue, massage Lavender oil on and around the affected area. 13. Deodorant: Rub 2-4 drops Lavender oil over armpit area to act as a deodorant. 14. Hay Fever: Rub a drop of Lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever. 15. Dandruff: Rub several drops of Lavender oil into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff. 16. Moths & Insects: Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a cotton ball and place in your linen closet to scent linens and repel moths and insects. 17. Water Fountains: Place a drop of Lavender oil in your water fountain to scent the air, kill bacteria and prolong the time between cleanings. 18. Sweeten Laundry: Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a wet cloth and throw into the dryer to deodorize and freshen your laundry. 19. Cold Sores: Put a drop of Lavender oil on a cold sore to speed healing and ease symptoms. 20. Allergies: Diffuse Lavender oil to alleviate the symptoms of allergies. 21. Sunburn: Spritz several drops of Lavender oil mixed with distilled water on a sunburn to decrease pain and aid in faster healing! 22. Rashes: Apply 2-3 drops of Lavender oil to a rash to stop the itching and heal the skin. Trust me this works! More to come... If you would like to learn more about Young Living Essential Oils, become a wholesale or retail customer, have questions, or need help using your YL Essential Oils, THIS is the website you need! Let me know if I can help you! ~ Lori References: Essential Oils Desk Reference. Compiled by Essential Science Publishing. Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie & Alan Higley Gary D. Young N.D. An Introduction to Young Living Essential Oils. Testimonial by Lori Scearcy Why do I say essential oils "saved my life"? Well, I was being robbed of truly LIVING... I was almost 21 years old when I became afflicted with a skin condition... doctors couldn't identify it. Most of the time it was invisible. Sometimes I would break out in small blisters all over my body, sometimes purple splotches, sometimes pink prickly spots, or a bumpy rash. It became much worse over time... debilitating. Itching and pain are communicated in the brain the same. So, for me, I would itch intensely and alleviate that by scratching.. which made me feel pain... but pain was better than the itching. I felt crazy. I couldn't get dressed because many of my clothes irritated my skin. I couldn't exercise because it made me so uncomfortably itchy. Friends thought I just didn't like to get out, I was a considered a "homebody", I would agree with that because it was easier than explaining my affliction... really, I just couldn't go out much because every day was the same... debilitating. I used to be very outgoing. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't make this go away, I simply kept it a secret from most people... but my family knew. I couldn't let my kids sit on my lap for very long because the heat from their bodies made my skin crawl. I couldn't go swimming with my family, so I would sit on the side. I couldn't sit in the sun because my skin would burn and itch. One drink of wine would seemingly send out a heat wave and cause my skin to burn and itch. Chocolate, tomatoes, and some other foods would do the same. I couldn't go 5 minutes without thinking about how much pain I was feeling. I tried to distract myself, tried to talk myself into thinking it was all in my head. Even in my sleep, I dreamt of itching, pain, fiery sensations in my skin. I never slept well at night, if I even could sleep at all. Sometimes I would take pain medicine or benedryl, just to alleviate some of the itching and pain, so that I could sleep. I would wake up most nights and realize I had scratched til I bled. Many nights my husband would wake me up telling me to stop scratching. Sounds like a nightmare... it was. I felt like I had a plague. I felt so lonely, frequently depressed... like I was involved in an internal war with myself. It sometimes made me feel like I could truly go insane... I felt like the leper in the Bible. I had been to the dermatologist, doctor, and naturopath. I had tests for allergies to food and other things. I was told I had eczema and dermatitis... they prescribed topical medicines, I tried them all. They made my skin feel worse. I had to stop nursing my 3rd child before we were ready so that I could try another medicine. The only thing that helped alleviate the rash was Prednisone. I would go on that for 8 days... my skin would clear... and then it would all start over. I stopped using all of the prescriptions years ago because it is so bad for your body, and what was the point, they didn't help. I tried natural remedies... nothing worked... nothing. I prayed and suffered... for 13 years. Before we left for family camp in August (summer 2012), I had googled eczema and dermatitis cures once again, as I had many times before. I came across a blog about an essential oil cure... lemon, lavender, melaleuca (tea tree), and peppermint. I was super skeptical... like I said, nothing worked for me. I had tried essential oils a bit in the past with no improvement. It kept coming to remembrance though, and I wondered, what if? We left for family camp... one of my girls got sick while we were there. My good friend brought over a few essential oils from Young Living and rubbed my daughters feet. She left me with lemon and lavender essential oil to continue applying to my daughter to help her with her symptoms. Later that night, as I was once again in agony, I recalled that blog I had read... lemon and lavender... I had those. I applied them and felt an immediate relief... but just slightly... but it was enough to resist scratching. I continued applying them, along with a bit of organic olive oil. Within 3 days, I had been able to make it through an entire day without scratching. That was a huge improvement! My friend brought over peppermint and I added that to my regimen. I ordered some more oils, adding peppermint and melaleuca. I made it one week without scratching... it just kept getting better! So what is the difference with Young Living Essential Oils? Well, I learned that they are therapeutic grade oils. The oils I had used previously were not pure, and were doing me more harm than good (if any at all). So, I am a true believer in Young Living Essential Oils... because for me, they were my lifesaver. (You can read more about why we chose Young Living HERE.) If you or someone you love are suffering from a skin condition, you may also find relief with the regimen I am using. Here is exactly what I do... Remember to start with clean skin, no lotions or creams or anything on your skin before applying the oils! Avoid lotions with petrolatum (no Aveeno does not = healthy skin), fragrances (even if it says natural, essential oils, etc... these are almost always synthetic and/or chemical based), etc. Stick with just organic virgin coconut oil, organic olive oil, avocado oil, or Young Livings V-6, or any of Young Living's massage oils or lotions (Lavender is my favorite! Makes my skin feel amazing!).
Open your oils up, it will be easier to do this now than after you have oils in your hand... Put about 1/4 tsp of Virgin Coconut Oil in the palm of your hand. Add 1 drop of each of the following essential oils: Lemon, Lavender, Melaleuca Alternifolia, and Peppermint. Massage gently into affected area. Repeat process on all areas of affected skin. A 15mL bottle of YL Essential Oil contains approximately 300 drops. So, you should have plenty for quite a while. I started out applying the oils every time I felt itchy. At first, this was quite often. Within 3 days, I was applying oils about 5 times. I now apply the oils after bathing and sometimes before bed. I also have found relief with putting Peace & Calming Essential Oil into my YL Diffuser at bedtime. My skin condition, like many others, is aggravated with stress, and being over tired. The diffuser really helps me to relax and fall asleep. You can also run the diffuser with 1 drop of each of the skin care regimen oils. With the affected area of skin exposed and close to the diffuser, the skin is able to soak in the oils being diffused. Very therapeutic and relaxing. (I now have an amazing bedtime routine that I will share here soon!) If you would like to order Young Living Essential Oils, you can do so here, Roots of Integrity - Young Living (or ask the person who led you to this page or has been helping you so far), and have it shipped right to your door! If you would like to order at wholesale cost (24% off retail), you can also become a member like I did. If you order the "Premium Start Living with Everyday Oils Kit", you will get 11 essential oils, which include the oils you need for your skin, plus the home diffuser, plus a bunch of other stuff you can use & share! The value is incredible, you're saving over 50% off of retail with this kit! Please let me know if I can do anything to help you! Newsflash! Costco has this for less right now! Only $22 and some change, I think.. sorry, lost my receipt, so I can't quote the price exactly. This is the deal on coconut oil that I've been telling you all about. If you use Subscribe & Save on Amazon you get it for only $46.50 for 2 54oz. jars. That is only 43 cents per ounce! On the Nutiva website the price for one 54 oz. jar is $37.99... sooo, that's $75.98 if you bought 2... sooo, this deal on Amazon is a savings of about $30! I'd say that's a big deal! This is Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. It's raw, unrefined, yummy coconutty deliciousness. I use it. A. LOT... In place of butter and any oil in my recipes... as a moisturizer, I make LOTS of raw treats with it, I cook with it, AND I make this yummy frosting with coconut oil, cacao powder, and raw honey... I just LOVE coconut oil! The uses and health benefits are endless!
Here's a little tidbit on the health benefits of this amazing oil from Organic Facts.net: "The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc" You can also check out Coconut Research Center for more info on coconut oil. Yummmyums. |
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