Category: Essential Oils

Purification Essential Oil

Published on by Christine3 Comments

The name of Purification essential oil makes its benefits pretty clear. This blend purifies, cleanses and disinfects in so many ways and can be used both around the house and for your health.  It packs a powerful aroma that well represents the power of the individual essential oils inside the bottle:

  • Citronella – anti-inflammatory and helps repel insectsPurification Essential Oil Blend
  • Lemongrass – purifying and antifungal properties
  • Rosemary – may help fight candida and infections
  • Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) – anti-inflammatory properties
  • Lavandin – antiseptic properties
  • Myrtle – may support immune function

I use this powerful blend all the time and it truly works wonders. Here’s how I use it:

  1. Odor EliminatorDiffuse for Air Purification – a couple drops of this in the diffuser (add some lemon too!) will help purify the air and any unwanted odors in your home. I use this after I cook curry or fish when the smell seems to linger.
  2. Laundry – Have a front-loader washer and hate the mustiness?  Put a couple drops of Purification in the front rubber seal every month to neutralize mildew. Forget to move your clothes from the washer to the dryer for a little too long? Add a couple drops to a dryer sheet, dryer balls or to a wet cloth and add to the dryer to make your clothes fresh again.
  3. Odor Elimination – There are SO many ways to use this oil to eliminate unwanted odors. Put a drop on a cotton ball and put in your shoes (bonus: you can reuse the cotton ball for several shoes). A drop on a cotton ball in the bottom of your trash can or in your car air vent; or a drop to some baking soda in a cup in your refrigerator or down your sink disposal. Purification also works great if you’ve hung around the campfire and can’t get the smoke smell out of clothes, blankets, etc.
  4. Blemishes – Forget to wash your face last night and breaking out? Add a drop of Purification oil to some coconut oil and apply to your face to reduce inflammation  and clear up the blemishes in just a few hours.
  5. Ear Aches – Whenever I get an ear ache and am worried about infection taking hold, I add a drop to a cotton ball and place in my ear to see relief overnight.
  6. Pet Spray – I add a couple drops Purification to a spray bottle with water and spray it on my pup before she goes outside to help repel fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Plus it helps get rid of the outside-dog smell.
  7. Cuts & Bug Bites – When I cut myself with a rose thorn and my hand swelled, Purification was the only thing that worked to help bring down the inflammation and promote healing. I’ve found the same thing with mosquito bites and wasp stings. Mix with a drop of lavender and teaspoon of coconut oil and apply to bites and cuts.

If you already have this oil, I’m sure you can try one of these uses immediately. If you don’t have this oil, it’s a must-have! See this post for more information on essential oils, or contact me directly at healthyhopefulblog(at)gmail.com.

Stress Away

Published on by Christine2 Comments

Oh, stress.  If you’re anything like me, just thinking about or trying to stop being stressed makes me stressed!  For years, I was under constant high-stress and even though I thought I was handling it well emotionally (well, for a while anyway), I had no idea the effect it was having on my body.

Our body’s natural reaction to stress is designed to help us out in a tough situation. It causes a release of hormones and increases our heart rate to get more oxygen to the brain so we can function better. That immediate response is beneficial, but when stress becomes constant or chronic, the effects turn negative. Here are just a few of the symptoms caused by constant stress:

  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Hypertension
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • High blood sugar
  • Headaches
  • Social withdrawal
  • Weight gain
  • Decreased appetite
  • Heartburn
  • Acid reflux
  • Back and/or neck pain
  • Low libido
  • Frequent illness (decreased immune function)

If you are under chronic stress, let me just say first – you must evaluate your life for stressors and remove as many as possible (job, friendship, time commitments, diet, exercise).  I know, that’s seems obvious, but seriously make a list now and do it.  It took me far too long to make changes and my body and relationships suffered.  Okay, now that you’ve done that… of course, you’ll still have stress in your life at times. I’ve got a great recommendation for how to help with that – Stress Away essential oil.Stress Away Essential Oil

I know you’re thinking “an essential oil? really?”  Hear me out…

It sounds crazy, but there’s actually science behind it. Our nose is different than any other sense in that smells pass through the emotional part of our brain first, while the other senses go straight to the rational part of the brain. It is well documented within science that smells can recall emotions better than a touch or words or pictures. And we know it… the smell of baking cookies inexplicably reminds us of grandma or a cologne or perfume scent reminds us of a certain person. The aromas of essential oils can touch our emotions in ways that cannot reach them by any other means – hence the whole practice of aromatherapy.

Stress Away has become my very favorite blend of essential oils. It brings peace and tranquility, taking the stress of the day away.  When I’m not able to control my cortisol response and my heart is racing, this helps like nothing else ever has.

A “blend” means that it contains several different individual plant oils in one bottle:

  • Copaiba – helps soothe, can provide pain relief
  • Lime – stimulates a tired mind and renews your spirit
  • Cedarwood – clears the mind, stabilizing and grounding
  • Vanilla – who doesn’t love that wonderful, sweet fragrance!?
  • Ocotea  – creates a peaceful environment
  • Lavender – calming, improves concentration

I use Stress Away all the time… here are 10 different ways you can try it too:

  1. When you feel overwhelmed and need instant relief, smell it straight from the bottle.Stress Away Epsom Salt Bath
  2. Mix 5 drops with 2 cups epsom salts and add to your bath to relax after a tough day.
  3. For a calming perfume that will last for hours, add a drop directly to your wrists, neck or temples.
  4. To create a peaceful environment at home, add it to your diffuser. I love adding with another citrus oil for freshening the air (see my favorite diffuser combinations here).
  5. When you’re driving in traffic (or with kids maybe?), put a couple drops on a cotton ball and put that in your air vent to fill the car with a refreshing aroma.Stress Away Driving
  6. Add to a travel diffuser in your office at work to relieve the stress of the day.
  7. Have a stressed pet during travel, storms or fireworks?  Dilute with coconut oil and apply to the front paw. It won’t hurt if they lick it!
  8. If you have a headache, rub on the back of your neck and temples for some relief. Not only is it calming, but the copaiba also has pain relieving effects.
  9. Clench or grind your teeth at night? Try a drop on your jaw joints to reduce tension.
  10. At bedtime, add lavender, stress away and cedarwood to your diffuser to promote both relaxation and the natural release of melatonin to help you fall and stay asleep.

If you are interested in learning more about essential oils or how to purchase, visit this page or you write a comment with your email address and I can reach out to you directly!

Thieves Essential Oil

Published on by Christine7 Comments

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to write about one of my all-time favorite essential oils: Thieves.  This oil is incredible at supporting the immune system to help fight illness.

So what’s with the name?  This blend of oils is based on a formula that allegedly kept 4 thieves from getting the bubonic plague as they robbed the dead and dying.  When questioned by authorities, legend has it that they revealed the secret blend they wore in masks to protect themselves in exchange for a lesser punishment.

What’s in it?  Whether the legend is true or not, Thieves is a blend of 5 really powerful essential oils:

  • Clove has been used since ancient times by Healers to aid the body in fighting infection. Interesting historical tidbit: When the Dutch conquered the island of Ternate in 16th century, they destroyed the many clove trees on the island. Until that time, many generations were protected from epidemics because of cloves in their diet; afterwards, nearly the entire indigenous population died from disease.
  • Lemon contains properties that amplify immunity and promotes circulation and lymphatic function.
  • Cinnamon Bark is mentioned throughout the Bible and is valuable for helping your body fight infection.
  • Eucalyptus Radiata was a treasured ingredient in folk medicine; it’s great for supporting the respiratory and sinus system.
  • Rosemary was burned as incense to help protect against infection by cultures for many centuries. This herb is supports immune function and improves mental clarity.

How do I use it? I put a drop of Thieves on the bottom of my feet every day as a regular immune system boost.  I use extra when I’m sick and put it in my diffuser to disinfect the air as well. Whenever I fly somewhere, I put a couple of drops on a scarf and wear it on the airplane to help disinfect the air I breathe.

IMG_6806I also clean my house with it. Thieves Household Cleaner is the best all-purpose cleaner I’ve ever used. And the best part – it’s completely non-toxic.  I use it for all my kitchen and bathroom surfaces, as a de-greaser and for cleaning my windows and mirrors. I recently, finally threw away all the chemical cleaners in my house and replaced them with this safe option. The good news is that it’s also cheaper than all the other products I was buying!

For more information about essential oils, you can reach out to me personally or visit this page.

 

Source: Essential Oils Pocket Reference

My Favorite Diffusing Combos

Published on by Christine1 Comment

One of the ways I use essential oils every day is through aromatherapy. I almost always have some essential oils in my diffuser at home and on my desk at work. Research has shown that the fragrance of essential oils can have a profound impact on the limbic system (our emotions), the hypothalamus (our hormones), and on the oxygenation & function of the brain.  Today, I’m sharing some of my go-to essential oil blends to diffuse when I’m sick, stressed, or just want to clear the air:

EO Allergy BlendSeasonal Allergy Blend:

  • Lavender (4 drops) – Lavender is an incredible natural antihistamine and helps reduce inflammation in the sinuses.
  • Peppermint (2 drops) – The minty freshness of peppermint opens up the airways, helping you breathe and easing congestion.
  • Lemon (2 drops) – Lemon is another natural antihistamine that helps reduce inflammatory response and mucus.
  • If you have a sinus headache, add 3 drops of Copaiba – it’s a super strong anti-inflammatory that helps with pain relief.
  • *I used this same blend mixed with coconut oil to calm my skin and relieve itching when I had an allergic reaction that caused a rash.

Odor EliminatorOdor Eliminator:

  • Purification (3 drops) – This stuff is magical – it disinfects the air and neutralizes bad odors, including those from mildew and smoke. It’s a blend of citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, tea tree, lavandin, and myrtle.
  • Lemon (4 drops) – Lemon helps to cleanse and disinfect the air while adding an invigorating, clean aroma.
  • This blend is also fantastic for getting rid of that mustiness in your washing machine or added to carpet spray used on pet accidents.

BreatheBreathe

  • RC (5 drops) – aka “Respiratory Congestion,” this incredible blend of oils provides significant relief from colds, sore throats and sinus issues. It contains many oils that help open up airways: Myrtle, (3 kinds of) Eucalyptus, Marjoram, Pine, Cypress, Spruce, and Peppermint
  • Lemon (2 drops) – Lemon helps to reduce excess mucus and to open up lymph pathways for proper drainage.

Immune BoosterImmune Booster

  • Thieves (4 drops ) – With powerful ingredients like clove, cinnamon, lemon, eucalyptus and rosemary, this oil has proven through research and history to boost the immune system and disinfect the air of germs.
  • Lemon (2 drops) – Lemon helps to cleanse the body of toxins and opens up your lymphatic system.
  • Tea Tree (2 drops) – Promotes cleansing and purity, helping fight infection.

RelaxRelax

  • Lime (2 drop)  – Stimulates a tired mind and renews your spirit.
  • Lavender (2 drops) – Calming & relaxing.
  • Stress Away (4 drops) – My favorite blend… it truly does help take the stress of the day away.  It contains Copaiba (to help soothe), Lime, Cedarwood, Vanilla (because who doesn’t love that wonderful fragrance!?), Ocotea (creates peaceful environment) and Lavender.

Happy BrightHappy & Bright – My very favorite everyday combo!

  • Joy (4 drops) – A delightful blend of beautiful oils that brings positive energy to the household. It promotes romance and harmony. It’s a mix of bergamot (relieves stress and tension), ylang ylang (to balance crazy hormones), geranium, lemon, coriander, tangerine (calming), jasmine (promotes feelings of love and support), roman chamomile, palmarosa, and rose (creates a romantic, magnetic energy).
  • Lemon (4 drops) – Purifies and provides a bright, uplifting fragrance.

Bedtime BlendBedtime Blend:

  • Lavender (4 drops) – Lavender is calming to the body, both mentally and physically. A University of Miami study found that inhalation of lavender increase beta waves in the brain, leading to heightened relaxation; and an Osaka Kyoiku University study found that it reduced mental stress.
    • Since lavender is one of the most commonly adulterated oils (chemical fragrances are added), you have to be careful where you buy it. I once bought a bottle from the grocery store when I ran out and, while it (mostly) smelled the same, it had zero effect on inducing relaxation like my Young Living bottle did!
  • Stress Away (3 drops) – The perfect blend to help you wind down for the day.  It contains Copaiba, Lime, Cedarwood (to release melatonin), Vanilla, Ocotea and Lavender.
  • Variation: If you have them, add a couple drops of each of the following to the Lavender instead of Stress Away: Cedarwood – stimulates the pineal gland to release melatonin, and  Ylang Ylang – Restores peace and balances hormones (can help reduce cortisol spikes that inhibit sleepiness).

Oh Happy DayOh Happy Day!

  • Peace & Calming (4-5 drops) – I think the name says it all… this blend truly does bring emotional peace. It’s a blend of tangerine (combats nervousness), orange (sedating and calming), ylang ylang, patchouli (clarifies thoughts and promotes grounding), and blue tansy.
  • Frankincense (2 drops) – Increases spiritual awareness and improves attitude. This oil was used throughout the Bible to enhance connection to God through worship and prayer.

What are your favorite blends to add to the diffuser? Let me know how you like these!

Source: Essential Oils Pocket Reference

For more information on essential oils and why I chose the Young Living brand, visit this page.

P.S. It’s important to be careful how you diffuse essential oils into the air because when you heat them, it destroys the healing compounds. I use a cool air diffuser that uses ultrasonic technology to mix the oil with water and disperse into the air. This atomizer activates the healing effects of the oils and allows the aromas to stay in the air for longer.  Plus, it’s also a humidifier so is great to put by your bed when you’re sick.  When you order a starter kit from Young Living, it comes with an amazing diffuser – read here for how to get started.

Seasonal Diffusing Blends

Published on by Christine5 Comments

Pumpkins on the porch, mums planted and the house smells like apple cider and cinnamon.  No more candles for me… I’m now diffusing essential oils to fill my home with fragrance AND get some added health benefits.

One of my favorite ways to use essential oils is through aromatherapy. Research has shown that the fragrance of essential oils can have a profound impact on the limbic system (our emotions), the hypothalamus (our hormones), and on the oxygenation & function of the brain.  Today, I’m sharing my favorite essential oil blends to put in my diffuser each season (but, of course, you can use them anytime!)

Fall BlendFall:

  • Citrus Fresh (3-4 drops) – This refreshing blend combines Orange, Tangerine, Grapefruit, Lemon, Mandarin, and Spearmint oils. It is purifying to the air and helps with focus and energy.  *If you don’t have the Citrus Fresh blend, orange or tangerine will work too.
  • Cinnamon Bark (3-4 drops) – This is a powerful oil for boosting the immune system and is perfect for the sniffles that Autumn brings.  For a variation, sub a couple of drops of Thieves blend for cinnamon as an additional immune boosting & disinfectant, with the added notes of clove and rosemary.

Winter BlendWinter:

  • Peppermint (2 drops) – Peppermint stimulates the mind, helping you focus. It is also great for the respiratory system and to soothe digestion.
  • Lemon (2 drops) – Lemon is an invigorating and warming fragrance. It helps to cleanse the air, to boost immunity and promote relaxation.
  • Valor (2 drops) – The Valor blend originated with Roman soldiers who put it on to promote courage before going into battle. It instills great confidence and promotes alignment of the spine. This blend contains Spruce, Rosewood, Blue Tansy and Frankincense.
  • Joy (2 drops) – One of my favorite blends for the wintertime blues, Joy promotes positivity and hope.  It eases tension and brings harmony to the household for those days everyone is stuck inside. Joy contains a blend of some amazing oils: Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Lemon, Coriander, Tangerine, Jasmine, Roman Chamomile, Palmarosa and Rose. If you’re looking for a new perfume this Christmas, I’d highly suggest this fragrance!

Spring BlendSpring:

  • Ylang Ylang (2 drops) – This romantic oil promotes hormonal balance and confidence.
  • Clary Sage (2 drop) – Clary Sage has notes of blooms in a spring garden and is very calming.
  • Lemon (2 drops) – Adding this will be perfect to help with and complement your spring cleaning!
  • Stress Away (2 drops) – Absolutely could not live without this one… it brings peace and tranquility, taking the stress away. This has been a saving grace for my adrenal issues!  It contains a soothing blend of copaiba, lime, cedarwood, vanilla, ocotea and lavender.
  • Variation: If you add lavender and remove lemon from this blend, it is perfect for bedtime relaxation anytime!

Summer BlendSummer:

  • Peace and Calming (2-3 drops) – This blend is amazing at uplifting spirits and creating emotional peace.  I also hear it’s great for crazy children home from school for the Summer! It contains Tangerine, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli and Blue Tansy.
  • Lemon (2 drops)
  • Tangerine (1 drop) – Promotes happiness and relaxation, helping with nervousness (maybe about putting that swimsuit on?)
  • Lime (1 drop) – Reminds me of sipping a margarita by the pool, this oil is great for clearing the respiratory system.

Source: Essential Oils Pocket Reference

For more information on essential oils and why I chose the Young Living brand, visit this page.

P.S. It’s important to be careful how you diffuse essential oils into the air because when you heat them, it destroys the healing compounds. I use a cool air diffuser that uses ultrasonic technology to mix the oil with water and disperse into the air. This atomizer activates the healing effects of the oils and allows the aromas to stay in the air for longer.  Plus, it’s also a humidifier so is great to put by your bed when you’re sick.  When you order a starter kit from Young Living, it comes with an amazing diffuser – read here for how to get started.

Diffusing Seasons