Essential Oils

I am completely obsessed. As a modern crunchy mama, I always try to use natural remedies first before turning to prescription drugs. Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of modern medicine, but I like to explore all options first. I hate giving Dayton Tylenol, antibiotics, etc. unless he really needs them. Luckily, we have an awesome pediatrician that does not say "take this drug" quickly. I love that he seeks alternative remedies before prescribing medication - it is one of the reasons we chose him. Love.

In walk essential oils. Have you tried them? I am completely obsessed with my oils. We use them multiple times a day!! After hearing about them, being skeptical, and then researching them, I decided to try them out. I have a few friends who used them and swear by them, but honestly, the idea of using a natural product for medicinal purposes is what really intrigued me.

After doing a lot of reading, I decided to use Young Living essential oils. From what I have read, they are some of the most pure, therapeutic grade essential oils. Basically, you get what you buy. There are some other good oil companies, but we felt best about Young Living, even though we knew it would cost a little more than others. My runner-up would be Native American Nutritionals. As I said before, we felt comfortable with Young Living, but we are not die-hard loyal to the brand.

Once I got a starter kit (thanks Sister Beth) for Christmas, I really starting researching essential oils. It is crazy how much information is out there! Here are a few of the things that I have read.

• Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Research
• "What does the research say? Research studies on essential oils show positive effects for a variety of health concerns including infections, pain, anxiety, depression, tumors, premenstrual syndrome, nausea, and many others."
• National Cancer Institute

Obviously, we do not think that essential oils are a cure all. However, I have seen first hand the positive effects that they have had on our family and our health. I try my oils at the first symptoms of most illness. If that does not work, we seek modern medicinal help. If it means anything, the hubs was a huge skeptic about essential oils. He thought I was crazy when I spent my fun money on the premium starter kit. In about two weeks, he was a believer. 

I was pretty excited when this arrived in the mail!

How do we use the oils? Well, I am still learning. I read, a ton, and I ask my friends/co-workers a lot of questions. So far, I love the essential oils and have ordered 2-3 more oils each month. I don't think I will ever turn back! I am no expert, but I have learned quite a bit. Here are a few of the things we use in our home.

• lavender - I diluted this oil, put it in a roll-on bottle and put in down Dayton's spine at night for deeper sleep.
• lavender - I also diffuse 3 drops of lavender in Dayton's room at night.
• thieves - I diluted this oil, put it in a roll-on bottle and put it on the bottom of Dayton's feet for overall wellness and antibacterial qualities.
• purification - I diffuse this in the living room on weekends when we are home. It smells great and purifies the air.
• lemon - I use 1 drop of lemon in my water bottle. 2 drops total each day.
• lemon + thieves - When Dayton has a cold, I diffuse 2 drops of each at night. His cold clears up in 1-2 days. 
• peppermint + thieves - I use 1 drop of each diluted with fractioned coconut oil and use a q-tip to put it on Dayton's gums when he is teething. I only have do to this in the morning and at night and he loves it!
• joy - I put this on my wrists before church.
• stress away - I put this on my wrists before I go to work.
• maleleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) - I used this on a pimple at night. It was gone the next morning.
• thieves - I get horrible cold sores in my mouth. Sometimes I get multiple. I used thieves on a really bad one; once in the morning, once at night. It numbed it all day so that I was pain free and it was better the next day.
• peppermint - We use this to bring down a fever naturally. When Brad was sick, he used this on his stomach to help with the nausea and stomach cramps.
• frankincense - When I get headaches, I put a drop on my finger, then put the drop on the roof of my mouth. My headache clears up very quickly. 
• pan away or deep relief - we use this for sore muscles and back pain.
• fennel - My milk supply dipped a bit. I applied fennel and my supply went back up in 10 minutes. This was by for the most impressive!
• cedar wood - Brad and I use this for sleep and I use it in my shampoo for my hair.

There are about a million more things we use oils for, but this was just some of my favorites and what I thought of off the top of my head. What do you think? Interested?? It's definitely worth looking into, at least I think so. I follow several blogs about essential oils and I also belong to two groups on Facebook for essential oils. It's great having a community of resources! 

If you're interested in trying essential oils out, let me know! And if you want to order some, I recommend becoming a member so that you get the discounted prices.

You can sign up using my member number:

• Sponsor ID - 2470727 
• Enroller ID -  2332464

Side note: I do not "sell" Young Living essential oils, but if you sign up using my member number, I will get a type of commission. No worries folks, I won't be quitting my day job. I am not interested in selling essential oils. I do however, love them!!