Dr. Mom To The Rescue~ Part 3: Essential Oils In The Home (and some helpful resources)

In the last few years, I've discovered the marvelous uses of essential oils in our home and in my personal life. I was first introduced to them when I started making and using homemade soaps. I discovered how lovely, pure, and natural these plant fragrances could be. I began (and continue) to prefer these natural scents over anything manufactured and imitation. (In fact, I just can't tolerate artificial perfumes these days; they make me almost sick to my stomach!)

I began to see that there was more to them than just a pretty scent. As I became familiar with them and studied in depth, I began to see how beneficial they could be not just in perfuming my soap and making things smell nice, but also to aid in the health and well being of myself and family (With all of the things I've shared in this series, I started to become more and more open minded to new ideas and methods of healing. Can you tell?). I began to understand that these oils, used anciently as the first medicines and frequently mentioned in the Bible, are the "life blood" or essence of a plant. The volatile oils distilled and concentrated into a liquid so potent, each drop endowed with a myriad of constituents for therapeutic, health giving benefits, not to mention the gift of sensory pleasure for man.

There are whole books written on essential oils. I won't go into all the scientific mumbo-jumbo (you can do that on your own), but my purpose today is to share how I use them in my home; some of my own personal experiences with these oils.

There are many sources, brands, and companies that produce and market essential oils. I've just about tried everything out there. The biggest factor in helping me choose a brand was knowing that I would need, or try to obtain, oils that were certified pure and therapeutic grade. There are a lot of oils out there that don't meet this criteria or standard. I'm not here to market a certain oil, but I've been happy purchasing Do Terra essential oils and here's why:

The company is local to me and I can pick up the oils without paying shipping. They meet the high quality that I discussed. I like the fact that they offer so many blends, whereas I don't need to buy lots different bottles of individual oils. I've seen them work wonders. I respect the leadership and philosophy of the company; the president is an acquaintance of mine and lives in my neighborhood. And he's a good man. They are a multi level company, however, (I'm not a big fan of these. I'm not into marketing and making a profit from selling.), which allows me to pay wholesale (for a yearly fee) and earn free product at the same time. After all is said and done, I think whatever source you buy from should be one that works for you.

Now, let's talk about how we use them.

Cleaning

A while ago, I blogged a post on some of the Homemade Cleaners I make. (I see that it is posted on Pinterest and is getting to be pretty popular. Gee, whiz.)

The oils make a nice addition to a spray bottle filled with distilled water; whether it's at the ironing table or sprayed on clothing, or bed linens. If Lucy (our dog) has done her business on the rug, or if the car smells stinky, I might choose to spray or spritz on a blend called Purify (Lemon, Lime, Pine, Citronella, Melaleuca, Cilantro). It not only smells "clean and fresh", but is a great deodorizer and disinfectant.

I like to use a few drops in the dish water or sprinkled on the dish cloth. Lemon oil sprinkled in the dishwasher before starting it helps the dishes sparkle and does a fine job at cutting the soap and mineral buildup- a problem with my dishwasher.

Another idea is to sprinkle on a bit of the oils onto a damp rag and tossing it into a drier.

Personal Care

I love to add the oils when making soap (it's been a while since I've made a batch.) or adding some drops to massage oil, shampoo, or unscented lotion. I love to sprinkle and stir in a few drops into bathwater for a real treat when relaxation is the goal or those times we need relief  for sore and aching muscles from overexertion or sickness. Filling a small glass spray bottle (I love those basalt blue ones you can find at the health food store) with a favorite blend or single oil and using it as a perfume or body spray just after showering or leaving the house- delightful, lovely lingering- and alluring- scent!

Cooking

It's easy to add a few drops (with care because of the concentrated nature of the oils) to flavor foods such as salad dressings, dips, frostings, candies, salsas. Citrus oils, especially lemon, are great to add to a jug of water, especially as an aid to clean up the liver first thing in the morning.

Inhalations

Having a diffuser is a wonderful way to allow the oils to infuse their wonderful aromatherapy and germ fighting properties into a fine mist, dispersing the oils in the bedrooms and main living areas. Sprinkling a few drops on a tissue or hankie to inhale is a good idea when you are stuck in a "stinky" situation.

Topical Applications

When we think of aromatherapy, most of us think of massage. I can't tell you how much it's meant to both the children and I to engage in a before bedtime talk and back rub. I know that my children seek and almost beg for this not only for the physical touch and emotional bonding they need from me, but I believe that their bodies and spirits are crying out for the unexplainable healing constituents that these plant oils provide. They instinctively seek for this. Having a small bottle of a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil helps to dilute and massage the oils in, especially on a large area like the back. I like to sprinkle a few drops of oils onto the spine  (gets right into the body's main nerve center) and work from there. Sometimes we talk and sometimes there's quiet silence. It's a healing time. Lavender or Serenity blend are used to relax and prepare for sleep. Isaac, especially, is knocked out by the time we're through. I'm not kidding. Citrus Bliss (a blend of six citrus oils with Vanilla and Bergamot) brings a sense of cheer, light, and joy. (When we mix it with Lavender, the kids can't get over how much it reminds them of "Fruity Pebbles".

Because of the number of nerve endings in the feet, I often spend time here. I especially like to use a blend called On-Guard (Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Eucalyptus) with its immune building and aid in fighting off harmful bacteria, mold, and viruses. This is a good one to diffuse in the sick room or use as a preventative.  Rubbing the oils behind and around the rim of the ears is another helpful and effective technique.

Since Jane broke her back last summer, she often seeks me for a massage on the days when her pain flairs up. I like to use a blend called Deep Blue (Wintergreen, Peppermint, Blue Tansy, Chamomile, Helichrysum, Osmanthus), Wintergreen or Birch oils on her, often with a bit of Dr. Christopher's Cayenne ointment  or Peppermint oil to drive it in. This therapy I've given for Jane has been a blessing in her healing recovery.

Other modalities of healing

When someone is suffering from congestion, sinus trouble, or coughing fits, we turn to single oils like Peppermint, Eucalyptus or another favorite one called Breathe (a combination of these plus Melaleuca, Laurel leaf, Ravensara, and Lemon oils). I like to dilute this with a carrier oil and rub it on the chest, back, nose and sinus areas. When Sam had swine flu a few years ago (yes, I took him to the doctor and he was diagnosed) we started this treatment- massage on spine, feet, chest, diffusing in the room. In two days he was back to school to the amazement of his teachers and classmates.

Melaleuca or tea tree oil (it's one in the same) is one of the most used oils in our house. It is the first thing I put on a wound to prevent infection. Whenever I feel a cold sore developing, I put a dab on and it stops it from progressing. It will kill Athlete's Foot. Gargling with a few drops in water helps heal mouth sores or sore throats. I've knocked out a brewing sore throat with this plus On-Guard and Oregano. It gets really hot, but it kills the germs. In fact combining a few drops of Melaleuca, Oregano, On-Guard, Peppermint, and Lemon in an empty veggie capsule is a sure fire "bomb" when a bad cold or the flu hits.

I don't know what I'd do without my friend Lavender. I've used this so much whenever there's a burn. Like when I've touched my arm to the iron or stove, or the times the kids have grabbed onto the hot dog/marshmallow roasters. The heat calms down, the red goes away, and the blisters don't form or either ease down. No need to dilute this one; it is the all time best skin healer. It takes the sting and itch out of insect bites, (I gave some to a friend and she and her husband couldn't believe the difference it made.), eases skin irritations and sores, helps relieve a headache (along with Peppermint), and is famous for relaxing tension and/or preparing the body for a restful, peaceful sleep.

Another one we can't do without is a blend called Digest-Zen (Ginger, Peppermint, Tarragon, Fennel, Caraway, Coriander, Anise). This is what we reach for in times of stomach crisis. I like to rub it on my stomach when I feel bloated or gassy. I remember the time Sam got really car sick when we were at Mount Rushmore this summer. I put a few drops under his tongue (drinking a bit in a glass of water is also a good way to get it in) and he rubbed some on his abdomen and to our amazement (mostly his), he felt as good as new. It has this same effect every time someone has a tummy ache, is feeling nauseous, or feeling a general yuck.

This comprehensive guide book has been extremely helpful in helping me understand all the possible ailments and situations each essential oil can be of use. I've never seen a book on essential oils that is so thorough and detailed. I can't recommend this book enough.

In Conclusion

In my quest to become educated in natural healing and in the caring for my family's health, I have read anything and everything I can get my hands on. In recent years, with the growing interest in alternative health care, resources abound on the Internet and in the bookstores. In spite of all the eternal influx of information, I think our most important resource boils down to our own common sense and good judgement, our intuition, and most importantly, I've found, the guidence and inspiration found through the quiet whisperings of a Higher Power. There's a lot of confusing and conflicting information out there with regards to health and wellness. There will be times when we need to call on this power of prayer and Divine guidance to know how to care for and which direction to take for ourselves and our loved ones. This is and has been key to me. From my own experience, I know I have been led to find answers. Answers from world of professional, allopathic physicians and from the world of natropathic, wholistic health care. Led to know, through things I read, people I'm led to learn from who have come into my life, and inspiration and thoughts (sometimes when I least expect it--often in the middle of the night or those early quiet morning hours between sleep and full wakefulness.) that come into my mind and heart. It's a journey. As parents to these precious ones, it's my belief that we are entitled to this gift from a loving and all knowing God.

With that said, here are just a few of the resources and materials I've found most helpful and informative:

On the web:

~ Christopher Websites  a variety of links to An Herbal Legacy (a treasure trove of helpful and interesting articles for those interested in natural healing and herbs), Herbal Legacy Newsletter, A Healthier You radio re-broadcasts, Dr. Christopher's Herb Shop

~ LearningHerbs.com is another wonderful website full of free stuff, including an e-book, e-course, videos, virtual herb walk, resources, etc.

~Mountain Rose Herbs is a great place to get information, order teas and organic herbs, plus links to conferences and informative You Tube how-to videos.

~ an e-book that I recently downloaded and have found to be very exciting in taking on herbs in a hands -on fun, project-crafty kind of way is blogger Michele Augur's (of Frugal Granola)  Herbal Nurturing: A Family Healing and Learning Guide

Books:

Dr. Mom's Healthy Living by Sandra K. Livingston M.H.

Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar

How To Raise A Healthy Child In Spite Of Your Doctor by Robert S. Mendelsohn M.D.

Herbal Home Health Care by Dr. John R. Christopher

Every Woman's Herbal by Dr. John R. Christopher and Cathy Gileadi

Herbs to the Rescue: An Herbal First Aid Handbook by Kurt King M.H.

Today's Herbal Health: An Essential Reference Guide by Loise Tenney M.H.