Testimonial Tuesday!

Today's testimonial comes from Phil. He had suffered from severe allergies. His wife Nikki and he decided to try essential oils to treat the problem. Here is their story.

"My husband has suffered from seasonal Spring allergies ever since we moved here in 2006.  Each Spring he would go to CVS and stock up on all the usual antihistamines, and Benedryl.  The would sometimes work, but would also cause him drowsiness and dizziness.  

This year, I had heard about using Lavender, Young Living oils internally and in our nasal rinses.  At the first sign of allergies we put 5 drops of oil in a gel capsule he bought at Atkins.  He took it in the evening as well as put Lavender on his feet and diffused in the bedroom.   The next morning, he said it worked fairly well, but that he wasn't quite sold and that he might take his allergy meds just to get him though the work day.  I asked him to give it 24 more hours.  So he took another Lavender pill and went to work.  That day he said he could feel the sinus pressure going away and was feeling much better.  That night he took another capsule before bed and did a sinus rinse with a drop of lavender oils as well.  I also put Peppermint oil on the back of his neck and along his spine and on his feet.  The next morning, he said he slept though the whole night and was able to breathe through his nose with NO CONGESTION!  The rest of the week, he just took one capsule with only 3 drops every other day.  That was two weeks ago and he has only had to take one capsule this week.  We still diffuse lavender in our bedroom every night and vacuum our carpets almost every day just to get allergies out.  We also take off our shoes when we get in the house.  

We are sold on Young Living oils for our family!"

It is so great to see and hear about how oils are working in the lives of those around me!

Until next time ...


Heather

Fennel and Breastmilk: Take 2!

As you all know I ordered the Fennel oil last month and tried it out by applying some externally to the area for an increase in supply. I did notice just a small difference.

You can read more about increasing your milk supply here.

My baby girl just hit the 6 month mark last week. We are full on in our 6 month growth spurt. At this point I have lost almost all my pregnancy weight by just feeding her (and that was a lot). I am just beginning to run out of my extra fat reserves, so with her appetite in full force as well, I decided it was a sound decision for me to try out this oil internally.

Usually I would get engorged daily. That has NOT been the case these days. I still make plenty but don't have just lots of extra. So I also had the room so to speak for this trial.

I decided to take 2 drops with a spoon of honey every 2 hours. I started in the afternoon. I took it at 2:30, at 4:30, at 6:30, and at 8:30. This was in the evening when I really don't have tons of extra fullness.

The Results

By 8:00 when I went to feed baby girl, I was so full that I was engorged!! It actually surprised me when I went to feed her and felt what had happened. That is awesome! So, I stopped taking it at 8:30 because I was afraid I would get way too engorged.

I am so excited to have this little trick in my back pocket in case I ever feel like I need it some day. But in full disclosure I do know somebody who tried this and did not notice a large difference. If you try it I would love to know your results.

Happy feeding!

Until next time ...


Heather

Focus Friday: Valor

Each Friday will now be "Focus Friday" where I will focus on one oil to discuss. Today I am choosing Valor.

Valor is a blend of oils. The Essential Oils Pocket Reference (EOPR) describes it. "This blend was formulated to balance energies and instill courage, confidence, and self-esteem. It helps the body self-correct its balance and alignment." It is also "renowned for its strengthening qualities" and how it "enhances an individual's internal resources".

A great thing is that it also comes in a roll-on. This makes a very convenient option for when you are out on the go. It is available as a single purchase and also comes in the Everyday Oils Kit.

Here are some times when I found it helpful to use Valor.

1) When I go for a walk or exercise to help give me the boost of confidence to push myself harder.
2) When I am heading into social situations. It helps me feel more comfortable and outgoing.
3) When I need to let go of stress and release anxiety.

Some other times it would be useful include during the hardest part of labor (giving birth) for mom to have the courage to keep going and release her fear (and for dad to do the same!). If my child has a big event for school, is going into somebody else's care, or feels scared I use it on her also.

Go into your weekend strong with Valor!

Until next time ...


Heather

Easter Experience

I just wanted to share how using oils enhanced my Easter experience last weekend.

Our church has a walk through event with 8 physical stations set up to experience and learn of the things that led up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. It is awesome. This year as I went through it ... it took on something much more real. One of the stations mentioned the oils and gifts such as in John 12:3 "Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." I got to touch and smell a bowl filled with frankincense, another with spikenard, another with hyssop. Then I continued on my journey learning and thanking Jesus for all he has done.

I wanted to hang on to that moment. So when I got home I pulled out my Egyptian Gold blend.

It contains the same oils I had experienced in the walk through. I was able to continue to wear it through the whole weekend and through the main service to keep my mind focused and remembering of the great sacrifice made for me ... the great promise that was fulfilled.

I will surely be using this during each Easter to come!

Until next time ...


Heather

Tantrums

I will admit that I have a VERY strong willed 4 year old daughter. I mean this girl once threw a fit for an hour and a half just because she did not want to throw away a banana peel (that she threw on the floor). I had heard about using the Peace and Calming blend to help with tantrums. I read about putting a drop in the middle upper part of the stomach so it reaches where the emotions seem to originate. I though "sure, okay". I had no expectations. Now that my child is 4, we don't have near as many tantrums. But when she gets angry it is hard for her to express emotion so it will last a good hour or two.

A few weeks back she had one of these episodes. I remembered about the oil and thought I would put it to the test. She was on the couch not even able to communicate because she was so angry. I rubbed the oil in the upper middle part of her tummy. Within 5 minutes she had calmed down!!! No lie. This has never happened in my home when she has already reached the point she was at. But, like I said she calmed right down, expressed what she was angry about and went on about her business. It blew my mind. Seriously!

I am so excited to try this on my baby as she grows into being a toddler and deals with the same things that all toddlers deal with. I will not be using this as a "cure all" or expect my child to never be upset. I believe children need to experience emotion and know it is okay. But, I am happy and thankful to have this little trick in my back pocket for a really rough day.

Until next time ...


Heather

Testimonial Tuesday!

I am going to try and do something I am calling Testimonial Tuesday. I love sharing what oils are doing with my health, but I think you all would enjoy hearing what they are doing for others as well. So here we go!

Today's testimony is from a friend of mine named Whitney. I have let her borrow some oils to see if they are something she would be interested in for herself and her family. Whitney is a busy mom and suffered from daily headaches. Poor thing! She was having to take Advil or Tylenol about everyday to keep it under control. Here is what she said after trying oils:

"I get a tension headache almost every day and have to take something for it. I used the peppermint and lavender around my hairline and down my neck and my headache was gone in about 10 minutes! I have also used it when I feel one starting and it has kept it from getting bad! It's amazing!"

I am sure Whitney's liver is pretty happy with her too since she gets to take less medication now!

Do you ever lend out your oils? I do. I know it will be the way for others to get to experience how awesome it can be to have them work to better there health.

Until next time ...


Heather

Baby's Cold #4

My baby comes to work with me in a child care setting. So it is almost a certainty that we will be dealing with illness. I use the Thieves blend to prevent getting sick. I love feeling like I am armed and ready walking into work each day! But, right now my baby is on her fourth cold.

We have dealt with this before and I have had definite improvement in treating her with oils. But, as my supply of oils grows, I am getting more options and feel like I have found our perfect blend to treat this! She woke up with (TMI) REALLY thick yellow/green mucus. So much that I could not even suction it out without adding liquid to her nose.

When I am "treating" her for an illness, I choose to apply oils every two hours or so to stay on top of things. Here is what we have been doing for about 2 days.

We are applying the R.C. blend to her chest and bottoms of her feet.

Then I am layering. This means I am applying more than one oil on top of another. So next I layered Eucalyptus Globulus over her chest and bottoms of feet as well. This oil helps with respiratory infections.

Next I am layering on the bottoms of her feet ONLY the Thieves blend. This one is a hot oil so it can cause skin sensitivity. That is why I choose to only put it on her feet. I feel it is not needed and too irritating for her chest. 

*One thing I learned with oils and babies this week. Watch putting oils on their feet because they love to chew on their toes! So when I put the oils on her feet I make sure I hold them out of her mouth and then cover them with socks afterward. 

I am also alternating my diffuser with the 3 oils as well. 

What we have noticed with this treatment: She has not had to sleep inclined because she does not have much mucus left!! She has a little when she wakes up, and that is it. No coughing this time. No running nose. Sleeping normally. I am praying that this continues to work and we can be done with it soon. I could not be more thrilled with our results!

Until next time ...

Heather