essential oils for the road

We'll be hitting the road soon, and as I consider what to pack, one thing comes to mind: my essential oils.

A few months ago I ordered this darling little case, as well as some small bottles, from aromatools.com.  I just love it!  It's perfect for my purse - and it was very fun to pick and choose which oils to have on hand when I'm away from home.

Melaleuca - Commonly known as tea tree oil, this classic is great for all kinds of things.  My main reason for wishing to have it along right now has to do with some skin troubles I've been having.  Melaleuca is one of the only things that soothes my problem spots.

Ylang ylang - Aromatic and lovely, ylang ylang can help enhance the mood on a romantic evening.  'Nough said.

Basil - I like to have this on hand in case of earaches. It really helps!

Peppermint - Peppermint is lovely and has many, many uses.  I most like to use it for occasional headaches.

Lavender - I use lavender for bumps, bruises, scrapes, and burns (including sunburns).  It's also great for relaxing at bedtime - I love that I can either rub it onto the soles of my feet or put a drop of two on my pillow...bliss!

Lemon - I am drinking a ton of lemon oil in my water lately!  

DigestZen - DoTerra's DigestZen oil blend is wonderful for digestive issues.  Stomachaches, heartburn, and (ahem) bathroom problems of several varieties.  Especially now that my heartburn has begun, I don't ever want to be without this blend handy!  I like to rub it on the offending area (stomach or upper chest).  It's just wonderful!

Deep Blue - My favorite way to use this blend is for muscle and joint aches.  Every once in a while I wrench my back, which sometimes leaves me moving stiffly for weeks at at time. Deep Blue is invaluable in soothing those hurting muscles. 

Balance - The Balance blend is "grounding."  It's great for helping with anxiety of a feeling of being unsettled.  Besides, I really enjoy the way it smells!

Breathe - This oil blend is for respiratory issues, so it's very handy to have on hand with kids around.  I've also heard it can be helpful for allergies.

OnGuard - I once heard someone say they always use this in movie theaters, and I can see why.  It helps protect against germs and viruses.  We always start rubbing it on our kids' feet when someone starts to feel sick, or if we have been exposed to an illness.  With a family our size, we don't want to mess around when someone starts to get sick.

There you have it - the oils I've chosen to carry with me when I am out and about, whether running an errand or on vacation.  I love using them on my family, and I've seen results personally as well.   I'm so pleased with my experiences so far!

I have mentioned on this blog that I'm a new representative for DoTerra.  If you're interested in learning more about these oils, or thinking of making a purchase, click HERE.  Either way, be well!

an announcement

I have something tell you guys.  It's not a huge deal - at least, I don't know that it is...not yet anyway.  Still, it's kind of exciting.  And there is potential here.  

Do you remember when I shared that I was falling in love with essential oils?  That attraction has continued to grow, and I've had so much fun learning about them.  

I carry them with me wherever I go.  We use them a lot around the house - for stomachaches, for bumps and bruises, for aromatherapy.  I personally use them on a daily basis - several times a day, in fact.

So in light of all this, and my love of the oils and what they can do, I have decided to become a consultant for DoTerra.  I'm still not entirely sure how this will look in my life, or how far I will try to take it all.  For now, let's just say I'm on a new journey.  And if you're interested in learning more about DoTerra or essential oils, or if you'd like to order something through me, let me know.  We can learn together!

After all, I'm just getting started.

my fascinating new love

I think I'm falling in love.  In fact I'm pretty certain of it.  I've been interested for a long time, flirting with the idea, playing with the possibilities.   They are endless, those possibilities.  And although there's always a chance that I'm caught up in the newness of it all, I'm pretty sure that this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Essential oils.

I know I've mentioned them a few times here, but I didn't really know much about them.  As it is I'm still kind of getting my feet wet.   Reading, researching, learning...and using. Because yes, I am using them!

I've always assumed the purpose of essential oils was to make things smell pretty.  Largely the same as a candle but without the fire hazard.   Was I ever wrong!    In the just over a month we've been using them in our home, we've used them to soothe a teething toddler, fight off a sickness, quiet a cough, ease (*cough*) breastfeeding issues, clean, and much more.  I've even been using them in my water bottle and as a flavoring for food and my  Teeccino.  

I've stirred a drop of peppermint oil into my brownie batter (that's all you need, they're so potent), and sipped on glasses of lemon water.  I love using lemon oil in my water!  It is delicious and refreshing.

(Note:  Not all essential oils are safe for internal use.  The brand I'm using, doTERRA, is Certified Pure Theraputic Grade (R) and many of their oils are safe for consumption.)

Last week my daughter developed a fever and said that her ear was hurting her a great deal.  I've heard that basil oil is fantastic for ear infections, so I put a few drops on a piece of cotton ball and tucked it inside her ear.  I also used massaged a few drops of basil and frankincense around her ear and jaw, after which she went to bed...and we didn't hear from her again until morning.  It was amazing!  I have also used (diluted) peppermint oil to help bring a fever down, and the Breathe oil blend from doTERRA to ease congestion, among other things.

One of my most recent experiments was cleaning with essential oils.  I made batch of all-purpose cleaner with soap nuts liquid (see THIS LINK) and...oh my word.  I have cleaned with essential oils before, the grocery store variety.  But when I put a drop of my new lemongrass essential oil  into my cleaning bottle, I was in bliss.  I have never enjoyed cleaning so much in my life!

My bathroom sink has never been more pleased to see me.

Water and a few drop of lemon oil also work great to clean; I'm not sure I'll mix them with soap nuts liquid  much in the future - it just doesn't seem necessary.

I also love, love, love diffusing these oils in my home.  We've used them to combat illness as well as to freshen up the house and lighten our moods.   My family as only had a diffuser for a few weeks, but we're already planning to buy another one for upstairs.  Love it!

So that's my newest adventure.  I'm having a lot of fun experimenting with essential oils, and what's more, I have seen headaches chased away and aching tummies soothed.

I can't speak for everyone, or every brand, what I truly love what I'm trying.  And no, I'm not a consultant or affiliate for doTERRA.   I'm simply very pleased with my experience - and I wanted to share.

Happy Monday!