I've just finished a six day stretch at work which has made posting a little difficult! Sorry readers! Today, I am really excited because my Essential Rewards order finally arrived! Two of my items were on backorder, Purification and Citronella, so hopefully they'll get here soon, but everything else is pretty great! I've been basically out of oils sans a select few so I was happy to receive the ones that came. I got Lemon, Citrus Fresh, Thieves (LOVE), Eucalyptus Globules, Lavender (I use lavender like crazy), Cedar wood, and Joy. Already I've been able to put these oils to use and share them with people which is what I love the most. Honestly, I won't lie, making money by providing a way for people to get oils is nice, but it's not even close to why I am doing this. These oils have truly changed my life and I want others to experience that, too!
So what I did today:
Thieves
I used thieves in three different ways today. You read that correctly: three. Thieves is great for disinfecting and cleaning. First, I made my cleaning spray. For this I usually use a 12 oz. spray bottle. I fill it half way up with water, then add a little bit of cleaning vinegar. I follow with 20 drops of thieves. It works wonderfully. Not only did I make it and use it for myself today (It is the ONLY thing I've found that works really well to get off soap mildew) but I got to share it with someone. That's what this is really about to me.
I also used thieves while doing my dishes. As I mentioned--six day stretch. Shawn, my fiancé, also works part time, so we had a few dishes piled up. I added a bit of thieves to the dishwater.
Finally, I added a drop of thieves to my toothpaste. My teeth feel really clean (this was about ten minutes ago.)
This is why thieves is one of my favorite oils. It is very versatile.
Flea Spray
I hate fleas. We all hate fleas (I think). But I also hate flea medication. The dogs have to be careful after I put it on them. We can't touch them. And in some cases animals get sick from it. We've been trying to use oils to help prevent fleas this summer, and so far so good (knock on wood.) While I can't PROMISE this will work for you (we might just be lucky this summer.) Here is what I did (and shared!) I used a half cup of water with 1 drop lemon, 2 drops cedar wood and lavender, and 4 drops lemongrass and eucalyptus. There are a LOT of different ways to do this, but these are the oils I had on hand that are good at repelling bugs.
Cedar Wood
I'm not only using this on me to help with sleep (I felt relaxed immediately after application.) I also tried this on my dogs. At eleven pm my two dogs decided it was time to play and be noisy. I put drops of cedar wood and lavender behind their ears and within minutes both dogs were ready for bed. I always love seeing the way the oils work on children or animals because they can't talk themselves into it working.
And More...
Today, I used Citrus Fresh in the diffuser to make the house smell better, plus I put it in my water to drink. It tastes wonderful.
I also diffused Joy after Citrus Fresh. Joy makes me feel so happy.
I use lavender on my face after washing to help with acne. Works wonderfully.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil, made with the flowers of the lavender plant, is one of the most popular oils, available in Young Living's Premium Starter Kit, and part of many blends.
Lavender is one of my favorite, and most quickly used oils. It is an antiseptic, anti fungal, antibacterial oil that works well to help with sleep, acne, irritated skin, and a variety of other things.
Lavender has been claimed to work for insomnia, hair loss, burns, nerves, high blood pressure, plus more.
The biggest benefit of this oil is that it is calming and relaxing. It is great to use on children, as it is a gentle oil. It is often used in creams meant for children and babies as it is soothing and it helps bring on sleep. This oil can be used neat. It also works well being inhaled and can even be taken as a dietary supplement.
One benefit that this oil has is that it is great for cat lovers. Many oils are toxic for cats to use topically (being around them in a diffuser as long as they have plenty of room to leave is often fine) but for a nervous cat, or to use to as an antiseptic, this is a safe oil. Lavender is also good to help treat bug bites.
Multiple academic studies have been done on lavender essential oil.
Researchers at the University of Miami did studies that showed lavender increased the brains beta-waves. This leads them to believe that lavender does increase relaxation. Another study found similar results in 2001.
Lavender is one of the oils in the Young Living Premium Starter Kit.
Lavender is one of my favorite, and most quickly used oils. It is an antiseptic, anti fungal, antibacterial oil that works well to help with sleep, acne, irritated skin, and a variety of other things.
The biggest benefit of this oil is that it is calming and relaxing. It is great to use on children, as it is a gentle oil. It is often used in creams meant for children and babies as it is soothing and it helps bring on sleep. This oil can be used neat. It also works well being inhaled and can even be taken as a dietary supplement.
One benefit that this oil has is that it is great for cat lovers. Many oils are toxic for cats to use topically (being around them in a diffuser as long as they have plenty of room to leave is often fine) but for a nervous cat, or to use to as an antiseptic, this is a safe oil. Lavender is also good to help treat bug bites.
Multiple academic studies have been done on lavender essential oil.
Researchers at the University of Miami did studies that showed lavender increased the brains beta-waves. This leads them to believe that lavender does increase relaxation. Another study found similar results in 2001.
Lavender is one of the oils in the Young Living Premium Starter Kit.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass Essential Oil is simply made from lemongrass--a grass that was given its name because...you probably guessed it, it smells like lemons!
Lemongrass has a lot of uses: it is a main component in the pain cream because it is anti-inflammatory. It helps clear infections. It helps regulate the parasympathetic nervous system. It also helps strengthen circulation. There is much more it can do as well.
It works great as a bug spray and it works well as deodorant. This oil has a lot of uses. Many people cook with it as well.
The oil can be diffused, applied topically, or taken internally. This is a hot oil and must be used with a carrier oil. Use at least 4 drops carrier oil for every 1 drop Lemongrass Essential Oil. I highly recommend Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Lemongrass. It mixes well when using this oil topically.
Since this oil IS a hot oil, it is not recommended for children. It also is not recommended for women who are pregnant.
Finally, lemongrass makes a great perfume because it holds a scent very well. There are many uses for this oil and it is a staple oil for someone who is looking to really incorporate oils into their life. It is not expensive, but not part of the Premium Starter Kit, however, with its many uses it is worth the purchase.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Citronella Essential Oil
Citronella Essential Oil doesn't just work like your favorite brand of citronella candle. Citronella has many uses, ranging from, but not limited to, being an antibacterial, anti fungal, and antiseptic. It works as deodorant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic. It can reduce a fever, and helps with stomach upset. It also is good for treating (gross I know) intestinal worms.
Also, it repels insects.
It is particularly good at helping to treat (but I still always say: see a doctor) infections of the digestive/urinary tracts. It's also great to have on hand for a first aid kit- you can use it for stomachaches, or to help disinfect a cut or scrape.
It is also recommended for helping pain/upset stomach when for menstrual cramps OR when it is a side effect of medication because this particular oil helps get toxins out of the body.
Many people also recommend Citronella Essential Oil for weight loss as it is a diuretic, so it helps reduce bloating. It also is a diaphoretic, which means it induces sweating, so it helps get toxins out of the body. This property is also what helps reduce fever.
Now we all know Citronella works on mosquitos, but as a dog lover, I like that it works on fleas. It also works on lice.
Citronella is overall a good oil to have around the house.
Also, it repels insects.
It is particularly good at helping to treat (but I still always say: see a doctor) infections of the digestive/urinary tracts. It's also great to have on hand for a first aid kit- you can use it for stomachaches, or to help disinfect a cut or scrape.
It is also recommended for helping pain/upset stomach when for menstrual cramps OR when it is a side effect of medication because this particular oil helps get toxins out of the body.
Many people also recommend Citronella Essential Oil for weight loss as it is a diuretic, so it helps reduce bloating. It also is a diaphoretic, which means it induces sweating, so it helps get toxins out of the body. This property is also what helps reduce fever.
Now we all know Citronella works on mosquitos, but as a dog lover, I like that it works on fleas. It also works on lice.
Citronella is overall a good oil to have around the house.
Friday, June 13, 2014
What Led Me to Essential Oils?
You can sort of find this story on this page here, but I thought this also deserved a whole post. Sorry for the repeats in the story, but this has a whole lot more information.
LEMONDROPPERS are not salesmen. So no one said to me, "Hey, I'm selling this product that you need to try." I found out about essential oils after a variety of events and I think each step of that is important to explain how I got to where I am today.
Part one: I am sick.
I am very sick. I don't have cancer (luckily!) but I do have a series of nervous systems disorders all stemming from a genetic mitochondrial disorder. I realize that was a lot of words, so simply, my brain does not work. And by doesn't work I do not mean in the "I can't do math" kind of way (I am killer at adding 2+2). My brain has a hard time regulating simple things like my heart rate, or how much I am supposed to sweat. Also my nerves, the little dudes who tell you things like "This is hot" or "Ouch" like to die and put me in a lot of pain. This has caused me to develop multiple syndromes. I won't go into those, but because everything is so complicated, there are not a lot of ways to treat it. We can sometimes treat the symptoms, but usually medications only work for so long, or things get worse. This leads to part two of my journey.
Part two: I have wonderful friends.
One of my very best friends is constantly looking out for me, and I her. I like to think that we are the kind of friends who sixty years from now are going to be living together after our husbands die (edit: or as she says, "We'll being living together even with our husbands still living with them on the couch.")
Part three: She has friends.
Her friend introduced her to essential oils.
Part four: They worked!
She found success in the oils. I took her claims seriously because she is not the type of person to get wrapped up in weird hippy stuff (Please don't take offense as I am the type of person to get wrapped up in weird hippy stuff.) She told me about how Valor worked on my precious godson. She showed me her stretch-mark cream results. I'd show you the pictures but she would probably kill me. She took me to an oils class where I was given free samples. These oils actually worked. And better yet no one tried to sell me anything. They told me what I could buy, yes, but they never pressured me. No one told me if I bought it I'd have to do any selling, something I did NOT want to do (ha ha ha.)
Part five: They really worked for me and I wanted to share that with others.
I personally feel better. I'm taking less medication. I'm off of my sleep medication. Due to my illness without my sleep medication I would sometimes go weeks getting four hours of sleep per week. I have not been able to go without it, but NOW I can. Occasionally I need to take it, but I have never been so happy. I've lessened the amount of prescription pain medication I have had to take. For the medication I am on I was on the highest dose that they give patients. Often I would have to take that amount. Now I often go days without needing to take it at all. As a person with one of the most painful illnesses known to science, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, this is a miracle. I've also gotten off of my anti-nausea medication. Peppermint has helped me tremendously there. Only rarely do I need to take it.
I never would say that these oils can replace western medicine, but I understand why the Cleveland Clinic and nearly thirty other hospitals recommend them. If you have an illness you should always continue your medication and consult your doctor, but it's worth a try, even if it just helps. I know when you are really sick just finding something that helps can be a miracle.
Anyway, that's how I got here. That's why I am trying to help people learn about essential oils and what they can do. I'm not saying they are a cure, but if it can ease anyone's suffering, or make anyone's life a little easier, healthier, better, then I think I am doing a good thing.
LEMONDROPPERS are not salesmen. So no one said to me, "Hey, I'm selling this product that you need to try." I found out about essential oils after a variety of events and I think each step of that is important to explain how I got to where I am today.
Part one: I am sick.
I am very sick. I don't have cancer (luckily!) but I do have a series of nervous systems disorders all stemming from a genetic mitochondrial disorder. I realize that was a lot of words, so simply, my brain does not work. And by doesn't work I do not mean in the "I can't do math" kind of way (I am killer at adding 2+2). My brain has a hard time regulating simple things like my heart rate, or how much I am supposed to sweat. Also my nerves, the little dudes who tell you things like "This is hot" or "Ouch" like to die and put me in a lot of pain. This has caused me to develop multiple syndromes. I won't go into those, but because everything is so complicated, there are not a lot of ways to treat it. We can sometimes treat the symptoms, but usually medications only work for so long, or things get worse. This leads to part two of my journey.
Part two: I have wonderful friends.
One of my very best friends is constantly looking out for me, and I her. I like to think that we are the kind of friends who sixty years from now are going to be living together after our husbands die (edit: or as she says, "We'll being living together even with our husbands still living with them on the couch.")
Part three: She has friends.
Her friend introduced her to essential oils.
Part four: They worked!
She found success in the oils. I took her claims seriously because she is not the type of person to get wrapped up in weird hippy stuff (Please don't take offense as I am the type of person to get wrapped up in weird hippy stuff.) She told me about how Valor worked on my precious godson. She showed me her stretch-mark cream results. I'd show you the pictures but she would probably kill me. She took me to an oils class where I was given free samples. These oils actually worked. And better yet no one tried to sell me anything. They told me what I could buy, yes, but they never pressured me. No one told me if I bought it I'd have to do any selling, something I did NOT want to do (ha ha ha.)
Part five: They really worked for me and I wanted to share that with others.
I personally feel better. I'm taking less medication. I'm off of my sleep medication. Due to my illness without my sleep medication I would sometimes go weeks getting four hours of sleep per week. I have not been able to go without it, but NOW I can. Occasionally I need to take it, but I have never been so happy. I've lessened the amount of prescription pain medication I have had to take. For the medication I am on I was on the highest dose that they give patients. Often I would have to take that amount. Now I often go days without needing to take it at all. As a person with one of the most painful illnesses known to science, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, this is a miracle. I've also gotten off of my anti-nausea medication. Peppermint has helped me tremendously there. Only rarely do I need to take it.
I never would say that these oils can replace western medicine, but I understand why the Cleveland Clinic and nearly thirty other hospitals recommend them. If you have an illness you should always continue your medication and consult your doctor, but it's worth a try, even if it just helps. I know when you are really sick just finding something that helps can be a miracle.
Anyway, that's how I got here. That's why I am trying to help people learn about essential oils and what they can do. I'm not saying they are a cure, but if it can ease anyone's suffering, or make anyone's life a little easier, healthier, better, then I think I am doing a good thing.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Why You Should Use A Carrier Oil
Carrier oils are oils that you use along side your essential oil. Not all essential oils need a carrier oil, some are applied neat (or all by themselves.) Some oils that almost always can be applied neat include, but are not limited to lavender, valor, and stress away. When using an oil on a baby or a child you should always dilute at first just to be sure and to make sure their skin gets used to the oil.
Now what types of things count as carrier oils? Vegetable oil (though I would not recommend this, you can use this), Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil, plus more. Many people tend to stick between EVOO and Coconut Oil. I personally use organic but that's up to you.
Now you may be wondering: can I just use lotion? That's a totally valid question. I'm going to save you the trouble of finding that out on your own: no. The reason carrier oils are used is because some oils are hot oils. Have you ever played the cinnamon game where you have to put a spoonful of cinnamon into your mouth? Your tongue burns and gets irritated. Well with some oils it is as if you are putting a pound of cinnamon onto one little tiny spot on your skin. It burns. These are hot oils. Lemon is a hot oil (notice how in real life lemon is sour?) Thieves is a hot oil because it has lemon, cinnamon bark and eucalyptus in it. These are all hot. You know how when you suck on a strong mint it may burn a bit? Peppermint essential oil can irritate your skin without a carrier oil.
Lotion, even if it has some oil in it, does not have enough oil to dilute the essential oil. You need to use a pure oil. I learned this the hard way.
I use lemongrass as deodorant. Noticing I no longer had any EVOO left in the bathroom I thought I would just use my lotion to dilute the lemongrass, a hot oil. Well, as I put it on I felt an intense burning. The longer I stood there the more intense the burning became. Next thing I know I'm running through my house to my kitchen trying to open my jar of coconut oil. Once I open it I'm standing over my stove shoveling coconut oil onto my armpits. It was really funny, but also really painful.
You can find out how much of the carrier oil you need to use on the back of your oil's bottle. Some oil's only require a 1:1 ratio, while some require a 1:4 ratio.
So in summary: Use your carrier oils! Always check the dilution instructions on the back of the oil bottle and make sure it is an actual oil and not a lotion.
Now what types of things count as carrier oils? Vegetable oil (though I would not recommend this, you can use this), Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil, plus more. Many people tend to stick between EVOO and Coconut Oil. I personally use organic but that's up to you.
Now you may be wondering: can I just use lotion? That's a totally valid question. I'm going to save you the trouble of finding that out on your own: no. The reason carrier oils are used is because some oils are hot oils. Have you ever played the cinnamon game where you have to put a spoonful of cinnamon into your mouth? Your tongue burns and gets irritated. Well with some oils it is as if you are putting a pound of cinnamon onto one little tiny spot on your skin. It burns. These are hot oils. Lemon is a hot oil (notice how in real life lemon is sour?) Thieves is a hot oil because it has lemon, cinnamon bark and eucalyptus in it. These are all hot. You know how when you suck on a strong mint it may burn a bit? Peppermint essential oil can irritate your skin without a carrier oil.
Lotion, even if it has some oil in it, does not have enough oil to dilute the essential oil. You need to use a pure oil. I learned this the hard way.
I use lemongrass as deodorant. Noticing I no longer had any EVOO left in the bathroom I thought I would just use my lotion to dilute the lemongrass, a hot oil. Well, as I put it on I felt an intense burning. The longer I stood there the more intense the burning became. Next thing I know I'm running through my house to my kitchen trying to open my jar of coconut oil. Once I open it I'm standing over my stove shoveling coconut oil onto my armpits. It was really funny, but also really painful.
You can find out how much of the carrier oil you need to use on the back of your oil's bottle. Some oil's only require a 1:1 ratio, while some require a 1:4 ratio.
So in summary: Use your carrier oils! Always check the dilution instructions on the back of the oil bottle and make sure it is an actual oil and not a lotion.
Purification
Do you live with smokers? Dogs? Dirty roommates? Children? A husband? A bad cook?
Do you have acne? Or an infection? A UTI?
You may want to try Purification.
Purification is made of Lemongrass, Tea Tree/ Melaleuca alternifolia, Rosemary, Myrtle, Lavandin, and Citronella Essential oils. This oil is great to diffuse. It is very good at purifying the air and taking out bad smells because of its antibacterial nature. We personally use this to liven up a stale room, or to help with the smell of owning two dogs. It is great to spray onto carpets. You can add it to your favorite cleaner to help make the house fresher, or add it to your laundry.
Another use for purification is clearing acne. Purification also sterilizes cuts and wounds and can be used to help with bug bites and stings.
One other great use for purification is that it can be used on dogs to repel bugs. Ticks are repelled by purification as well, making it a vital part of a home-made flea and tick spray. Also, using harsh chemicals on skin to clean the wound is bad for an animal and does not promote healing, so peroxide or alcohol can be replaced with this oil.
When using purification the best way is to use a carrier oil. The oil can be used topically or it can be diffused. This oil has so many uses AND it smells good.
Purification is one of the oils that comes in the Premium Starter Kit. I warn you though, you'll go through it fast.
Do you have acne? Or an infection? A UTI?
You may want to try Purification.
Purification is made of Lemongrass, Tea Tree/ Melaleuca alternifolia, Rosemary, Myrtle, Lavandin, and Citronella Essential oils. This oil is great to diffuse. It is very good at purifying the air and taking out bad smells because of its antibacterial nature. We personally use this to liven up a stale room, or to help with the smell of owning two dogs. It is great to spray onto carpets. You can add it to your favorite cleaner to help make the house fresher, or add it to your laundry.
Another use for purification is clearing acne. Purification also sterilizes cuts and wounds and can be used to help with bug bites and stings.
One other great use for purification is that it can be used on dogs to repel bugs. Ticks are repelled by purification as well, making it a vital part of a home-made flea and tick spray. Also, using harsh chemicals on skin to clean the wound is bad for an animal and does not promote healing, so peroxide or alcohol can be replaced with this oil.
When using purification the best way is to use a carrier oil. The oil can be used topically or it can be diffused. This oil has so many uses AND it smells good.
Purification is one of the oils that comes in the Premium Starter Kit. I warn you though, you'll go through it fast.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Essential Rewards Explained
If you are a wholesale member of Young Living then this is for you. Yesterday, I talked about the Premium Starter Kit and all of its benefits. If you want to get involved with essential oils but are not sure where to start, I highly suggest heading there. If you are not yet sure if you even want to get involved with essential oils then checking out my page, "I want oils! Where do I start?" may be a good resource for you. There it goes through all the things you may want to consider before taking the plunge, including but not limited to the scientific studies on essential oils, the use of essential oils in hospitals, and why Young Living may be a good company for you.
Now you are already in. You've bought your starter kit and you do not know what to do next. Looking at the Virtual Office, or when you bought your oils, or even when your oils came, you've seen the term "Essential Rewards." Essential Rewards are great for two types of people: those who love their oils and those who are considering doing the business.
Essential Rewards is a once-a-month order where you get reduced shipping and a certain percentage of what you buy gets returned back to you in ER points. If you have been with the company 1-6 months you earn back 10%; 7-12 months you earn back 15%; and 13+ months 20%.
Now this sounds great! And it is. However, you must spend at least fifty dollars for your ER to go out. Also, essential rewards is an auto-ship. This means that you cannot just go and place it, but you pick a date for it to ship. However, you can change this date and what you order as many times as you want. You are given one month to miss, but if you miss two your ER is cancelled and you are unable to redeem your points. If you are going to miss another month know that you can cancel at any time and as long as you call before you cancel you should be able to redeem your points.
You can use your essential rewards points as soon as you get them or save them for more expensive items. Also, if your ER orders are big enough you can get monthly promotions from Young Living for free items.
Now, if you plan on doing the business side of Young Living you need to participate in essential rewards in order to get commission.
Now you are already in. You've bought your starter kit and you do not know what to do next. Looking at the Virtual Office, or when you bought your oils, or even when your oils came, you've seen the term "Essential Rewards." Essential Rewards are great for two types of people: those who love their oils and those who are considering doing the business.
Essential Rewards is a once-a-month order where you get reduced shipping and a certain percentage of what you buy gets returned back to you in ER points. If you have been with the company 1-6 months you earn back 10%; 7-12 months you earn back 15%; and 13+ months 20%.
Now this sounds great! And it is. However, you must spend at least fifty dollars for your ER to go out. Also, essential rewards is an auto-ship. This means that you cannot just go and place it, but you pick a date for it to ship. However, you can change this date and what you order as many times as you want. You are given one month to miss, but if you miss two your ER is cancelled and you are unable to redeem your points. If you are going to miss another month know that you can cancel at any time and as long as you call before you cancel you should be able to redeem your points.
You can use your essential rewards points as soon as you get them or save them for more expensive items. Also, if your ER orders are big enough you can get monthly promotions from Young Living for free items.
Now, if you plan on doing the business side of Young Living you need to participate in essential rewards in order to get commission.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
The Premium Starter Kit Explained
Let's talk the Premium Starter Kit: What's in it? What should you expect? How do you get one? Why should you get one?
If you are considering essential oils and finding out how well essential oils work for you and your family then a starter kit is probably a great place for you to start. I chose Young Living's Premium Starter Kit (can be found here) because of 1) the quality of the essential oils, 2) the quantity for the price, and 3) the fact that I can get retail prices but am not required to sell and will not be penalized for not spending a certain amount of money (as many direct-sales companies do to discourage those who buy kits with no intention to sell).
The Young Living Starter Kit is approximately $150-$160 (depending on which diffuser you choose) plus tax and shipping. This is a great deal. In the starter kit you get: the Everyday Oils Collection (10 oils), samples, literature, stress away, a roller ball, Ningxia Red samples, and a diffuser. If you were to buy the Everyday Oils collection this alone is over $130. The cost of the diffuser is approximately $80. Just with these items alone you have received more than what you paid for.
The oils you receive in the kit include Peppermint, Lemon, Lavender, Thieves, Joy, Peace and Calming, Purification, Valor, Panaway, and Frankincense. Each of these oils have a million uses (okay, maybe not a MILLION, but pretty close!) Thieves is great for sick kids and cleaning house. Lavender is great for sleep and relaxation. Peace and Calming is good for rambunctious children. Valor is great for anxiety and along with Panaway is a component in the pain cream. Frankincense is great for treating acne. Purification is wonderful if you live with a smoker or dogs and leaves the room feeling cleaner. Lemon can help treat a UTI (as can purification). Peppermint is great for nausea and also is great for cleaning. Lavender, peppermint, and Lemon combined make up the allergy trio, and when diffused work extremely well combating seasonal allergies (I can testify to this). Joy is wonderful to diffuse for its smell and as a pick-me-up for when you are in a bad mood.
Now, when you buy a starter kit you sign up as a wholesale member. Once you do this you can now get any oils you purchase from that point on at wholesale price. This is a 24% discount off of the retail price. You are not required to sell to anyone. You do not have to spend so much a month. The only thing you really have to do is spend $50 in a year, and if you do not the only thing that happens is you are no longer a wholesale member. Basically, all you have to do is buy a few oils a year and you have your status for as long as you want it and if you decide oils are not for you there is no consequence.
Next time I'm going to talk about Essential Rewards, so look for that!
The Young Living Starter Kit is approximately $150-$160 (depending on which diffuser you choose) plus tax and shipping. This is a great deal. In the starter kit you get: the Everyday Oils Collection (10 oils), samples, literature, stress away, a roller ball, Ningxia Red samples, and a diffuser. If you were to buy the Everyday Oils collection this alone is over $130. The cost of the diffuser is approximately $80. Just with these items alone you have received more than what you paid for.
The oils you receive in the kit include Peppermint, Lemon, Lavender, Thieves, Joy, Peace and Calming, Purification, Valor, Panaway, and Frankincense. Each of these oils have a million uses (okay, maybe not a MILLION, but pretty close!) Thieves is great for sick kids and cleaning house. Lavender is great for sleep and relaxation. Peace and Calming is good for rambunctious children. Valor is great for anxiety and along with Panaway is a component in the pain cream. Frankincense is great for treating acne. Purification is wonderful if you live with a smoker or dogs and leaves the room feeling cleaner. Lemon can help treat a UTI (as can purification). Peppermint is great for nausea and also is great for cleaning. Lavender, peppermint, and Lemon combined make up the allergy trio, and when diffused work extremely well combating seasonal allergies (I can testify to this). Joy is wonderful to diffuse for its smell and as a pick-me-up for when you are in a bad mood.
Now, when you buy a starter kit you sign up as a wholesale member. Once you do this you can now get any oils you purchase from that point on at wholesale price. This is a 24% discount off of the retail price. You are not required to sell to anyone. You do not have to spend so much a month. The only thing you really have to do is spend $50 in a year, and if you do not the only thing that happens is you are no longer a wholesale member. Basically, all you have to do is buy a few oils a year and you have your status for as long as you want it and if you decide oils are not for you there is no consequence.
Next time I'm going to talk about Essential Rewards, so look for that!
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Valor: What is it and what is it good for?
Valor is one of Young Livings most popular oils and is one of the oils featured in the premium starter kit. Many people who use Valor will list it among their favorites. But why?
I use valor personally in two ways: to help manage my dog's anxiety and to help calm my godson. This is valor's biggest use: treating anxiety. The oil, made of Rosewood Essential Oil, Spruce Essential Oil, Frankincense Essential Oil, and Blue Tansy Essential Oil. Valor does not need a carrier oil, however, if using on pets/children it is always best to use a carrier oil at first to see how they react/get them used to the oil. Now personally, I've seen how it works on my pet and on a three year old's temper tantrum
(I swear, it is like magic), and a woman in my up-line swears by Valor to the point that when it comes back in stock (it is very popular and often is out of stock) she buys multiple bottles. It's also been documented to treat depression, muscle spasms, insomnia, nervous system issues, stress, ADD, spinal conditions, snoring, and similar conditions.
It is often used on the wrists, chest, or neck. Many people also put valor on their feet following certain spots that are thought to help certain areas of the body. It can be diffused, added to bath water, and not only can it be used on people but it can be used on pets. I swear by it with my one dog Clinton. We rescued him from a shelter and he will often display anxious behavior. Whenever I bring Valor out he comes running. Often it puts him to sleep. (Now our puppy is another story. I can't say this will work on puppy energy.)
This is one of those must-have oils, which is why it is included in the premium starter kit.
(I swear, it is like magic), and a woman in my up-line swears by Valor to the point that when it comes back in stock (it is very popular and often is out of stock) she buys multiple bottles. It's also been documented to treat depression, muscle spasms, insomnia, nervous system issues, stress, ADD, spinal conditions, snoring, and similar conditions.
It is often used on the wrists, chest, or neck. Many people also put valor on their feet following certain spots that are thought to help certain areas of the body. It can be diffused, added to bath water, and not only can it be used on people but it can be used on pets. I swear by it with my one dog Clinton. We rescued him from a shelter and he will often display anxious behavior. Whenever I bring Valor out he comes running. Often it puts him to sleep. (Now our puppy is another story. I can't say this will work on puppy energy.)
This is one of those must-have oils, which is why it is included in the premium starter kit.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Lemongrass...As Deodorant!
Yesterday when looking up at all of the benefits Young Living's Lemongrass Essential oil has I happened upon one use that I didn't quite imagine...it can be used as deodorant. Now, it makes sense. Lemongrass is antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic..among many more! So it makes sense it would work as a deodorant. Our armpits smell because of bacteria. Well, I expected it to work how most store-bought deodorants work....really great at first and within a few hours I would need to reapply, especially in this 80 degree humid weather (while I was at work, no less).
As someone who is a big skeptic (you probably don't believe that but it is true) I did not expect the results I got. When I put it on at 11am with a 2 drops lemongrass 4 drops EVOO ratio, it smelled strong. When I went to get in the shower at 10pm it still smelled strong. In addition, all day I did not feel sweaty. I personally was not looking to use it as an antiperspirant. While that is still up in the air, I will say as a deodorant it worked 110% for me. Not only did it stop smells from occurring, but it maintained a strong pleasant scent.
Know someone with BO? Kindly gift them a bottle of lemongrass and start hinting them some suggestions.
Know someone with BO? Kindly gift them a bottle of lemongrass and start hinting them some suggestions.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Lemongrass Lavender Soap
For this project we (my fiancé and I) used
- 1 box ready-made goat's milk soap base. (We did this to avoid having to use lye. I checked the ingredients in our box and was satisfied.)
- 1 cup organic olive oil
- 1 package dried lavender/ approximately 1/2 cup
- 25 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 15 drops lavender
- 2 tablespoons honey (not intended, but my fiancé was all "milk and honey!"
The package said you could microwave the soap, but I don't like what the microwave does to stuff when you can use the stove, so we took the long route and used a make-shift double boiler. You most likely could avoid using a double boiler if you used very low heat.
Once melted we removed it from the heat and continuously stirred. If it sat it developed a hard film and we needed it to be smooth. Once it cooled down to the point where it was warm to the touch (I wouldn't burn) that's when we started adding stuff. You do not want to add essential oils to hot wax, soap, etc. This will render the oils nearly useless. We added the oils last allowing the other ingredients to cool it down further.
Then we poured it into our mold, set it in the fridge, and waited.
About an hour and a half later it was ready. Ours made 9 big pieces. If you wanted smaller pieces to give away, or had actual molds it would probably go a LOT farther. But we made big 'ole hunks.
After cutting it I took a shower and it was marvelous. I had read online that one worry with the pre-made soup we bought was that it was not "soft" enough. The olive oil really softens it out. The lavender exfoliates, and the lemongrass smell is really complemented by that as well. I was really happy with the product. I highly recommend trying it.
For anyone who buys a kit this month they will get some free soap!
Lovely Lemon Water
Ladies- let me level with you right now. We often get UTIs. It hurts. Then you have to go through the process of downing gallons of cranberry juice, going on antibiotics, or taking those pills that turn your pee orange and stain all of your underwear.
Now let me tell you something that works better than cranberry juice and faster than antibiotics- lemon essential oil water.
I personally get UTIs, bladder infections, and kidney infections frequently due to medications I take. I used to have to drink straight, non-concentrated cranberry juice constantly (trust me, this stuff is awful, and I enjoy cranberry juice.) Well, once I got my premium starter kit I did some research and found that lemon essential oil is great for treating and preventing UTIs. Not a week later did I start exhibiting symptoms and I decided to test it.
I filled up my glass water bottle (lemon essential oil, and all other citrus essential oils cannot go in plastic bottles as they will pull chemicals out of the plastic), added two drops of lemon and then I started drinking. Within 24 hours all symptoms disappeared completely.
Lemon is also a key ingredient in the Weight Loss Trio because it works as a diuretic and helps prevent and ease bloating.
Finally, it just tastes good! So get your lemon water on.
Once again, it is incredibly important if you are going to take oils internally to only take therapeutic grade essential oils. Make sure you get them from a seller that can be trusted (not Amazon!). This is why I choose Young Living. All of their oils are monitored from the time they are grown until packaged and tested by both YL and an outside company. Then they are shipped directly to the customer. Health food store oils may be great to smell but you don't know if they are adulterated. The FDA does not regulate oils so ANYTHING can be in them. If you want to purchase oils you can get them here or find more information about oils here.
Frankincense
King Tut was buried with Frankincense...it is that cool. In all seriousness, this is one of the nicer oils you are going to come across. It's also one of the harder to spell, so it is going to go by its shorter name--Frank. Frank is pretty popular because its been shown to actually help cancer patients by working to shut down the part of the nucleus that "codes" bad information. In addition frank actually works on different parts of the brain to affect emotion. Cool, huh?
Now, whether you believe that or not (I hope you to go find out in places other than me.) Frank still does a lot of cool things. It's an anti-infectant, anti-depressant, anti-septic, muscle-relaxant, and sedative and anti-tumor. Now, this allows it to help in a variety of ways. It can help when you have colds and coughs. It helps if you need a pick-me-up. If you are anxious, or have insomnia. I use it mostly for insomnia. Frank is expensive, especially if you get it unadulterated. So I only use it when I am desperate, but when I do use it I see a big difference.
Now, some people suggest diluting frank, but on the Young Living bottle it says the oil can be applied neat (without a carrier oil.) Using the oil on children or on a first-time user it is always better to dilute first, try neat later, than to use the oil neat the first time and then have a reaction from it. In my personal experience I have very sensitive skin but did not have a reaction, however, everyone is different.
Also, because frank is so expensive many places will adulterate it with oils like lavender, tea tree, or eucalyptus. Be sure you are getting 100% frank. If interested you can find it here. Frankincense comes in the Young Living Premium Starter kit. This is one of the reasons the starter kit is such a great deal. Frank is an $80 oil. You get it in the starter kit (and an $80 diffuser) along with 10 other oils. That is the cost of the kit right there with those two items.
Peppermint Essential Oil
If you are pregnant, a clean freak, ever nauseous, love clean scents, looking to lose weight, have allergies, have ever had a cold, plus more than this oil is something you will probably use. Peppermint is good for everything, which is why it is one of the oils featured in the premium starter kit. I personally use it for cleaning, making the house smell nice, upset stomach, drinking, and the allergy trio (along with lemon and lavender).
Peppermint essential oil antiviral, anti parasitic, and anti-bacterial. This makes it great to add to cleaning sprays and to diffuse when people are sick (not to mention when someone has a cold the anti-inflammatory nature of the oil helps with stuffy noses.) It is also good for digestion (great with tea!), analgesic (dulls pain), and helps stops muscle spasms. Got back problems? Good for it. Got stomach problems? Go peppermint. Got eczema. Yup. Flu? Helpful.
Peppermint is one of those oils that is considered a "hot" oil, so you are going to want to dilute it when putting it on the skin. Also, if you are drinking it in your tea or water, trust me, less is more. The taste really complements lemon essential oil in water (1-2 drops lemon with 1 drop peppermint.)
If you have a cold a great way to use peppermint oil is to mix it with a carrier oil at a 50:50 ratio and then rub the oil on your chest. This will help clear lung and nose congestion. You can also try a peppermint essential oil steam. Take a hot bowl of water, add a few drops, and cover your head and the bowl with a towel in order to keep the steam in. Deeply inhale.
Peppermint oil has also been shown to greatly reduce the symptoms of headaches, especially the nausea accompanied with migraines. If you often get headaches, keep some almond/coconut/EVOO with you, then mix the oil and rub it on your temples. This should help reduce symptoms.
Also, as a dog lover, I love when oils can be used on my pets. This can be used to help pets cope with pain or digestion issues.
Finally, peppermint oil is also great for alertness. Use it at work or at school to help keep yourself in focus.
Peppermint essential oil antiviral, anti parasitic, and anti-bacterial. This makes it great to add to cleaning sprays and to diffuse when people are sick (not to mention when someone has a cold the anti-inflammatory nature of the oil helps with stuffy noses.) It is also good for digestion (great with tea!), analgesic (dulls pain), and helps stops muscle spasms. Got back problems? Good for it. Got stomach problems? Go peppermint. Got eczema. Yup. Flu? Helpful.
Peppermint is one of those oils that is considered a "hot" oil, so you are going to want to dilute it when putting it on the skin. Also, if you are drinking it in your tea or water, trust me, less is more. The taste really complements lemon essential oil in water (1-2 drops lemon with 1 drop peppermint.)
If you have a cold a great way to use peppermint oil is to mix it with a carrier oil at a 50:50 ratio and then rub the oil on your chest. This will help clear lung and nose congestion. You can also try a peppermint essential oil steam. Take a hot bowl of water, add a few drops, and cover your head and the bowl with a towel in order to keep the steam in. Deeply inhale.
Peppermint oil has also been shown to greatly reduce the symptoms of headaches, especially the nausea accompanied with migraines. If you often get headaches, keep some almond/coconut/EVOO with you, then mix the oil and rub it on your temples. This should help reduce symptoms.
Also, as a dog lover, I love when oils can be used on my pets. This can be used to help pets cope with pain or digestion issues.
Finally, peppermint oil is also great for alertness. Use it at work or at school to help keep yourself in focus.
Thieves
Thieves is comprised of clove, lemon, eucalyptus radiata, cinnamon, and rosemary. It is great to use with the diffuser or topically, especially when you have a family bug going around. Thieves also works great as a cleaning solution. I used to have to use bleach whenever I would clean my old apartment because I lived with three men--it got messy fast--and the only thing that would cut through the cooked on food/mess/etc. was bleach. I was absolutely shocked when thieves worked and it was a big part of my buying a kit. My recipe for thieves cleaner is this (Mine is a little strong, but I use it everywhere, carpets, bathroom, kitchen, etc):
Thieves Cleaner
- one 20 oz spray bottle (adjust recipe depending on size of bottle)
- Thieves essential oil
- Peppermint essential oil
- Cleaning Vinegar
Thieves comes in the premium starter kit. It was one of the oils that lasted longest for me because I only used it to clean (luckily I did not get sick in that time.) The cleaning solution goes very, very far so it is really worth it to make. Thieves also is not that expensive to buy in a 15ml bottle. Either way it is worth it. If you are interested in checking out Thieves you can here. Keep in mind--as a retail customer you are not committing to buy anything, just checking out the catalogue! I know that can be confusing.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Free give away!
Free stuff! Yes, free stuff. You heard me. The best kind of stuff there is: free.
Looking to give away a jar of lemon-lavender essential oil sugar scrub. First ten people to make retail accounts here or comment (depends on whatever is easier for you- no purchase required) will be entered in a drawing to receive a free jar. If you are chosen you will need to supply a place for me to ship the jar to you within 24 hours or another person will be picked.
Lemon Sugar Scrub
This stuff is great!
So depending on the consistency you want you can tweak it a bit but pretty much it is:
1/4 cup white sugar
Just under 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Even it up with lemon juice
And then I use about 20 drops lemon essential oil.
You can add/reduce as much as you want but I love the way this feels on my skin. It smells good and works great.
How do you use your oils?
Want some lemon essential oil, or want to check out the entire premium starter kit? Visit here.
I Bought The Kit, Now What Do I Do?
So you have been sold. You've read the studies. You've learned that the Cleveland Clinic and 29 plus other hospitals use essential oils as part of their treatment. You want to try it out. So you got a kit. It's a pretty good deal. But now what do you do with it?
Let's start with the oils.
You can use the oils in three different ways: topically, internally, and aromatically. Each oil has certain limitations (some can only be used topically, for example, while others can only be used aromatically and topically), so it is important to look on the label of your oils. When you look at the oil you'll find this on the back.
When an oil is used topically it goes directly into your body through your largest organ- your skin! Some oils work best going to certain areas of the body. For example, Panaway works best when you apply it to wherever you are having pain, while Valor often helps people who snore when applied to their toes! Now, when oils are applied topically sometimes they can be applied neat (or all by themselves.) However, some oils need to be diluted, or used with a carrier oils.
Carrier oils can range from olive oil, coconut oil, grape seed oil, or whatever you are comfortable with. The ratio the oil needs to be diluted is on the back of the oil bottle. It is also important to keep in mind that when using oils on children it is best to dilute even gentle oils until their body gets used to the oil.
The next way to use essential oils is aromatically. This is my personal favorite way to use oils. You can do this in three ways: smell them directly, either right out of the bottle or put some on your palms and smell from there, diffuse oils in the diffuser, or pour water into a bowl, put some oils in there, and cover your head and the bowl with a towel and breathe it in. I personally use the first too methods the most. Some important things to note when using a diffuser is that you want a therapeutic grade diffuser. therapeutic grade oils that come from a reputable source that uses third party testing and does not come from a place like Amazon.
This is why I love Young Living's Seed to Seal AND the fact that Young Living uses zero pesticides or weed killers at their farms--only essential oils! If you are going to use oils internally you can either use them in a capsule that you can find either on Young Living's site or in a health food store OR you can add them to your water/food/milk/etc. I often add peppermint or lemon to my water. These oils are therapeutic grade and therefore can break down plastic that is not therapeutic grade. Also, you want a diffuser that does not use heat. If it uses heat it can break down the parts that are good in the oil. The next way to use oils is to use them internally. Now this is where I stress that you use oils that are therapeutic grade from a reputable source.
You do not want to put oils you bought from Amazon in your body. I wouldn't trust any oils from a health food store because I don't know what possible fillers could be in the oil. Not only does Young Living use Seed to Seal, which means that they farm all the plants that go into their oils (and they do not use pesticides or weed killer, only essential oils) and distill and package them, but they also do extensive purity testing while also doing third party testing. This means their oils are verified by an outside company. Now, if you are going to use your oils internally there a lot of ways to do this. You can put them in a capsule. Capsules are easy to find either on Young Living's website or at your local health food store. Many people who do the weight loss trio (lemon, grapefruit, and peppermint) do it this way. Another way to internally take oils is to put them in your water/milk/etc. I often put lemon or peppermint in my water. Just make sure you follow the proper dilution instructions and do not take too much. You can also cook with essential oils.
If you have not bought your kit yet you can get what here. If you want to know more feel free to email me and stick around for more posts.
Let's start with the oils.
You can use the oils in three different ways: topically, internally, and aromatically. Each oil has certain limitations (some can only be used topically, for example, while others can only be used aromatically and topically), so it is important to look on the label of your oils. When you look at the oil you'll find this on the back.
When an oil is used topically it goes directly into your body through your largest organ- your skin! Some oils work best going to certain areas of the body. For example, Panaway works best when you apply it to wherever you are having pain, while Valor often helps people who snore when applied to their toes! Now, when oils are applied topically sometimes they can be applied neat (or all by themselves.) However, some oils need to be diluted, or used with a carrier oils.
The next way to use essential oils is aromatically. This is my personal favorite way to use oils. You can do this in three ways: smell them directly, either right out of the bottle or put some on your palms and smell from there, diffuse oils in the diffuser, or pour water into a bowl, put some oils in there, and cover your head and the bowl with a towel and breathe it in. I personally use the first too methods the most. Some important things to note when using a diffuser is that you want a therapeutic grade diffuser. therapeutic grade oils that come from a reputable source that uses third party testing and does not come from a place like Amazon.
Lemon, Lavender, Rosemary
Hey Oilers!
Today I got a package from Young Living filled with Lemon EO, Lavender EO, and Rosemary EO. Many of you may be wondering what are all of these oils good for? Why should I purchase them?
First, here is why I personally like each oil: Lemon is a key ingredient in a wonderful face scrub. It helps clear up acne but does not dry out the skin. Lemon is also great to add to water. It helps with bloating. Also, I get a lot of UTIs due to medication I am on and when I feel one coming on if I start drinking lemon EO water it clears right up. Mixed with Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils it is part of the Allergy Trio. I cannot take most allergy medicines and this works wonderfully, especially diffused in the house. Plus, it smells great!
Lavender is soothing. I like to diffuse it at night, when I am stressed, and basically all the time. I add it to the flea spray we make for our dogs (and it makes them smell great!) I also have it added to home-made astringent I use on my face. Lavender is also good for soothing my anxious dogs. Finally, along with Rosemary I use it in my hair.
With Rosemary it is great to diffuse to feel wide awake. If you need motivation Rosemary is the way to go! But, one reason I like Rosemary is I add a drop to my shampoo to help with hair growth. Then I follow with a drop of lavender in my conditioner.
Now these are just the things I personally do. Here is what the professionals say:
Today I got a package from Young Living filled with Lemon EO, Lavender EO, and Rosemary EO. Many of you may be wondering what are all of these oils good for? Why should I purchase them?
First, here is why I personally like each oil: Lemon is a key ingredient in a wonderful face scrub. It helps clear up acne but does not dry out the skin. Lemon is also great to add to water. It helps with bloating. Also, I get a lot of UTIs due to medication I am on and when I feel one coming on if I start drinking lemon EO water it clears right up. Mixed with Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils it is part of the Allergy Trio. I cannot take most allergy medicines and this works wonderfully, especially diffused in the house. Plus, it smells great!
Lavender is soothing. I like to diffuse it at night, when I am stressed, and basically all the time. I add it to the flea spray we make for our dogs (and it makes them smell great!) I also have it added to home-made astringent I use on my face. Lavender is also good for soothing my anxious dogs. Finally, along with Rosemary I use it in my hair.
With Rosemary it is great to diffuse to feel wide awake. If you need motivation Rosemary is the way to go! But, one reason I like Rosemary is I add a drop to my shampoo to help with hair growth. Then I follow with a drop of lavender in my conditioner.
Now these are just the things I personally do. Here is what the professionals say:
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