Truly Wise Gifts

For many years, I have heard and loved the story of Christ's birth.  It is a time in history that continues to warm our hearts and inspire Christ-like love during the holidays.  Over the last few years, the part about the wise men bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh has become much richer and more meaningful to me.  I now realize that the frankincense and myrrh were actually more valuable than the gold.  These strangers from afar truly blessed this humble little family.

Here are a few things you may not have known about the oils: 

Frankincense ~ Some people refer to this oil as the King of Oils.  I am sure that it is related to the association with Jesus. It has been known to help with feelings of abandonment, spiritual darkness, and unprotected.  It is associated with a love of our Father in Heaven and feeling his divine love.

Myrrh ~  This oil has often been called the oil of Mother Earth. This oil helps establish trust, feelings of safety, and maternal connections.

I find it interesting that frankincense represents fatherly love and myrrh represents motherly love.  What wonderful gifts to assist this family in feeling connected to each other and God.  Their lives were terribly difficult.  I can imagine these gifts were seen as true blessings at a time when they needed them most.

I found the picture for the above clip at the Market Place. 

Treating a Sore Throat - Doctor Oz

I just received the January 2015 edition of the Oprah Magazine.  Dr. Oz has an article on page 42 that I found very interesting.  The title is "What's the Best way to Treat a Sore Throat? At-home cures for a common winter woe."

According to the article, "A recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that physicians prescribe antibiotics for 60 percent of the patients they see with sore throats - even though research indicates that only 5 to 15 percent of cases actually require meds."  Isn't that interesting?  I have mentioned some of my sore throat natural remedies in past posts (sore throat links).  People have been using natural remedies for thousands of years. Doctor Oz apparently uses some to.

Dr. Oz's Favorite Natural Sore Throat Remedies:

1. Spray with Sage and Echinacea 

According to the article, "In one small study, nearly two-thirds of patients reported that their sore throat symptoms were lessened by at least 50 percent after just three days of using a spray composed of sage and echinacea extracts - a response nearly equal to that found with an anesthetic spray."

2. Gargle with Licorice

The article says that licorice contains a number of ingredients with anti-inflammatory and healing properties.  It also mentioned that sipping licorice tea may help.

3. Lock In Moisture

This recommendation is for a humidifier. Dry throats are a common culprit and adding moisture to the air can help.  

4. Pop a Lozenge

Dr. Oz recommends trying a throat lozenge.  He states, "certain ingredients known as demulcents may ease the pain that comes with swallowing by coating the throat with a protective film."  He also mentions that honey is an excellent demulcent.  "And hothe anesthetic properties in menthol lozenges gently numb throat tissue."  Of course, not all lozenges are the same.  Some are full of sugar, so it is important to choose wisely.

Eyelash Enhancement

Last spring, I read a tip about adding 2 drops of lavender to mascara.  I love mascara and wondered if it would alter it in a way that I wouldn't like.  I mentioned the tip to my mom, but never tried it myself.  A week or two later, I told to her that Rosemary is great too.  About 3 months ago, she told me that she loves how her eyelashes look now.  She had added two drops each of lavender and rosemary.  I was surprised.  It seemed strange to me that putting mascara with drops of oil on eyelashes would change anything.  I decided to try it though and was glad I did.  Right away, I actually liked how the oils changed the mascara.  Within 2 weeks, my eyelashes looked healthier and a little thicker. 

If you want to take this a step further, Dr. Axe has a recipe for making your own non-toxic mascara. Here is the link: Homemade Mascara

Perking Up Your Immune System for the Holidays

Yesterday, I came across this article:

Flu Shot Effectiveness

Apparently, the flu predictions weren't very accurate this year.  Whether people chose to have the flu shot or not, we all need to enhance our immune system.  This is especially important with the holidays when we are busier than ever and want to enjoy it in full health.  We can perk up our immune system in a lot of ways.

Some things that might be hurting your immune system during the holidays include:

1.Skimping on Sleep

This is one that I am definitely guilty of quite often, even when it isn't December. I put my kids in bed and go back to work emails.  Mount Sinai School of Medicine has found that less than 7 hours of sleep causes sluggish T-cell (white cells that defend against infections).

2. Eating too Much Fat

I am not saying to cut fat out of your diet, it certainly has benefits.  However, high-fat diets make certain immune system cells more sluggish and functioning at a lower capacity.  Researchers at Tufts University studied the effects on the immune system of diets containing 38% fat (which is a typical Western diet) compared to diets with 28% fat.  People with the lower fat diet had enhanced T-cells, which is a type of white blood cells.

3. Stress Overload

This one, of course, is difficult to avoid. Bruce McEwan, PhD from Rockefeller University said "ongoing stress suppresses circulation of immune cells, as well as inhibiting the activation of the immune response, which is key to clearing viruses and bacteria."

4. Repressing Feelings

Quite a few people complain about spending time with their dysfunctional families.  I think family time is great.  I never get enough of it.  If family time is stressful for you, remember that repressing your feelings isn't healthy either. "Writing or talking about an unresolved trauma helps you put the event into perspective, organize it, and ultimately get through it" according to the author of The Secret Life of Pronouns: What Our Words Say About Us.  If discussing it with the person that you have the issue with doesn't help, talk to someone else or even write it down in your journal.  The author also said, "Afterwards, people sleep better, feel and think better, and have richer social lives."

5. Drinking too much alcohol

I don't happen to drink at all, so "too much" isn't a problem for me.  If you do, you might want to consider cutting back.  Besides the fact that it is never bad advice for down-playing your drinking at company holiday parties, there are also health benefits for not over-doing it.  According to the University of Massachusetts Medical School who reviewed studies from 2000 - 2008, "Too much alcohol can leave you vulnerable to infections, poor wound healing, and heart, liver, and pancreatic diseases."

In addition to avoiding the five things listed above, there are some proactive measure we can take using essential oils.  The Top 5 Oils I am using are:

1. Protective Blend

This oil blend contains wild orange, clove bud, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus radiata, and rosemary.  These oils have been studied for their abilities to combat bacteria, mold and viruses.  It is commonly used to support bladder function, cleansing, colds, coughs, gum issues, halitosis, mold, and more.

2. Respiratory Blend

This oil blend contains laurel leaf, peppermint, eucalyptus, melaleuca, lemon, and ravensara. These oils have been known to soothe the tissues of the respiratory system.  It is commonly used to support anxiety, congestion, cough, respiratory system, sinus issues, and more.

3. Holiday Blend

This blend includes wild orange, nutmeg, pine, cassia, cinnamon bark, and vanilla absolute.  It lifts your mood, which is good for your whole body.

4. Melaleuca 

This oil is more commonly called Tea Tree Oil.  It is commonly used for pimples, colds and flu, gum problems, skin disorders, and more.

One of the ways that I like to use it is for throat tickles. Just a drop in your mouth does wonders.  It tastes awful for a little over 60 seconds, but the taste quickly disappears. Every time we feel a little tickle in our throats in the evening, we put a drop in our mouths. When we wake up in the morning, there is no sign of a problem.  Despite the taste, my kids ask for it when their throats are scratchy.  

5. Grounding Blend

This is known as the grounding blend. It contains spruce, rosewood, blue tansy, frankincense, and fractionated coconut oil. This is primarily used for anxiety, attention deficit, hyperactivity, nervousness, and balancing hormones. Balance is definitely what we all need more of during the holidays!

Christmas Clips by AromaTools

One of our favorite resources for oil accessories (AromaTools) has 2 cute little Christmas clips:

Santa Clause:

Scrooge

 

I don't make money from AromaTools. I just like their products.

Roller Ball Recipes

Once someone really gets excited about oils, they usually like to try to make their own roller ball blends using 10 ml roller bottles, various oils, and topping it off with fractionated coconut oil (FCO).  I found different recipes and put them into this arrangement to share.  

Happy Thanksgiving 2014!

Dry Brushing & Essential Oils

Dry brushing is an amazing way to rejuvenate your skin. I found this great demonstration video online and thought I'd share it with you.  She even ends it with an oil blend to apply to your skin.

Invite to Cinco Ranch Ladies Club Craft Fair

Guess where several of us will be tonight.... The Cinco Ranch Ladies Club Craft Fair.  We'll have our oils there along with lots of neck wraps.  If you are around, stop by to ask questions, pick up a few sample oils, or just say "Hi!"  

Ginger Root and Ginger Essential Oil

When I was a child, if my grandmother heard that we had a scratchy throat, she would go to the kitchen and cut a piece off of her fresh ginger.  She would make us chew it up until we felt better.  I can tell you that I thought this was torturous.  Yuck!  It helped though.  

For decades, I have heard that people drink ginger ale or eat ginger snaps when they have motion or sea sickness.  According to Wikipedia, "Ginger or ginger root is the rhizome of the plant zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice."  

It should be no surprise that ginger oil is great too.  The best ginger essential oils come from Sri Lanka.  It known for being warming, accelerating, and stimulating. It is a wonderful oil to have in your collection.  

I found this info graphic from Fit Life TV that has even more suggestions for ginger root:

Sourcing Lemongrass Oil

When buying essential oils, I prefer ones that are from the indigenous area. Part of my reasoning has to do with quality and the other has to do with the world economy. This means that I am helping to build an economy often in areas that are struggling. Lemongrass Oil is a great example of this. It comes from Southern India.

Not surprisingly, lemongrass oil has a lemony scent, but you can also detect grass and a slightly bitter essence. Historically, the plant has been used for infectious illnesses, fevers, and as an insecticide. It is very cleansing/detoxifying. I like to add 2 or 3 drops to my bathwater when I want to take a soak.  

Love Your Body

Learning to love your body is definitely not an easy thing. I certainly have a LONG way to go. I can't tell you how many times I think about the things I'd like to change about me. This definitely happens several times a day. I know that I am a lot harder on myself than I would ever be on anyone else. When I watch videos likes the one above, I realize how sad this way of thinking makes me. I am sure that a lot of it has to do with gaining a better perspective.

Have you seen this picture below from a magazine?  Apparently, the average weight of women in Australia is 150 lbs. Every woman in the picture weighs 150. I look at them and think they look cute/fine. Life is amazing because we are all so different and we need to learn to love ourselves for who we are and for whatever stage of life we are in.

One of my new year's resolutions will be to work on loving my body. My health and my looks are definitely something that I take for granted. These things could change at any time. You never know how great you have it until you lose it and then you just wish for what you once criticized. I want to learn to love my body now. It will never be "perfect," but it is perfect for me.

If you are wondering if oils will be part of this post, I'll just add a quick tip about grapefruit. Grapefruit essential oil can help with anxiety over appearance, hate for the body, and eating disorders. It can aid someone in their goal of changing the way they feel about themselves. I like to add a drop or two to my water because it simply makes it taste so much better. It is also a good oil to diffuse when you are feeling self-conscious. Taking care of your body is a great way to start proving your love. Hopefully, that will lead to more acceptance and love.

Article on ADHD

The NY Times published an interesting article about ADHD a few days ago.  It starts off like this:

ATTENTION deficit hyperactivity disorder is now the most prevalent psychiatric illness of young people in America, affecting 11 percent of them at some point between the ages of 4 and 17. The rates of both diagnosis and treatment have increased so much in the past decade that you may wonder whether something that affects so many people can really be a disease.

LINK:  A Natural Fix for ADHD

The main point of the article is that "people with A.D.H.D. are actually hard-wired for novelty-seeking."  It says that life style changes, strategic career planning, and other things can help them function or excel in life, especially as adults.  I truly believe that there are advantages to having these behaviors that are considered difficult, but I also understand that not everyone can afford to send their children to a school with small classrooms that focus mainly on hands-on-experience and allows for movement.  

The Puzzle of Wellness - Lyme Disease

I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease (chronic) four years ago.  In all of the reading I have done in books, on websites, and with others' personal experiences of this misunderstood and complex immune system dysfunction, it can be rather disheartening fighting it.  It isn't just one thing or a few things that will result in any significant amount of change.  I have found this to be true for myself, as well.  My own efforts to improve my immune system make me feel like I am putting the pieces together in a very challenging puzzle.  When I first began my efforts to strengthen my broken immune system, I was discouraged.  My mom (my biggest cheerleader) encouraged me not to just make one effort...but to look at and incorporate multiple immune system building practices into my efforts (not such a good thing if you are a scientist and trying to test variables, but a very good thing if you are interested in being proactive, taking control of your own health, and wanting to just plain feel better). So, I have done just this.  My health and wellness is like a beautiful picture that I want to reclaim.  Some of the pieces are out of place, so I make an effort each day to put them back in place and keep others from getting displaced.  It doesn't happen overnight.  I am perfectly fine with that, because I feel encouragement and enthusiasm in the tremendous progress I have made so far.  My list of immune system efforts has grown since the time I begun working at it.  But, I have picked one thing at a time to incorporate into my health until it has become habitual and a part of my daily life.

Before I had a diagnosis, I learned from micro-nutrient testing I had completed, that I had a very deficient level of glutathione.  Glutathione is produced by the body to fight the free radicals roaming our bodies, which cause oxidative stress.  However, a body burdened with too much of a toxic load cannot produce the necessary glutathione to "keep up", thus resulting in chronic illness or disease. To boost glutathione, certain foods are encouraged as building blocks to the body making the necessary components of this master antioxidant.  I also learned I needed to avoid chemicals...to use natural cleaning products for home and body, natural make-up, etc., and to reduce exposure to harmful environmental chemicals.  So, the first piece in my puzzle led me to research essential oils, as these gifts of the earth are a very beneficial solution for toxicity, for restoring health, or for maintaining continued wellness. At this time, I also met with a doctor who planted the first seeds of essential oil usage.  Thus began my family's connection and relationship with essential oils.

Out of a very significant trial in my life has come a tremendous blessing for myself and my family...and those I have the courage to share with.  While I work on my own puzzle of wellness, I daily try to teach my own children and extended family members how to preserve or improve their own picture of health.  It is my long term goal to reach out to all I can and to share what I have learned in putting our "puzzles of wellness" back together.                                                      

Frankincense, A Biblical Oil

We are all familiar with the story in the Bible of the wise men bringing a gift of Frankincense and Myrrh to the baby Jesus, but we may not understand the real value of their gift until we begin to understand the power of essential oils. Perhaps the most precious of the ancient oils was Frankincense. Frankincense, Sandalwood, Myrrh, and Cinnamon were considered very valuable cargo along caravan trade routes and were often valued more than gold. The natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers and other parts of plants are fifty to seventy times more potent than herbs. For instance one drop of Peppermint essential oil is more powerful than twenty-eight cups of peppermint tea. Throughout history essential oils have been known for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits.

Frankincense has been proven to be effective when used topically, internally, and aromatically.

1.  Some ways to use it:

• Combine frankincense with Soothing Blend or Marjoram to help reduce muscle, joint, and bone pain. Massage two drops of each with fractionated coconut oil into the large joints like the knee and the shoulder. Half the dose for smaller joints. Reapply as needed.

• Place one to two drops of Frankincense under the tongue 1 to 2x daily for overall health.

• Oil pulling with Frankincense will help reduce gum disease and slow gum recession. Add one drop each of Frankincense and Protective Blend or Melaleuca to 1 to 2 tablespoons of fractionated coconut oil. Swish for 20 minutes, spit into garbage, and brush teeth!

• Minimize the pain of headaches by placing one drop of Frankincense on the pad of the thumb, pressing the oil on the roof of the mouth for several seconds.

• For restless legs, apply two drops of Frankincense with carrier oil to the bottom of each foot and massage.

2.  Frankincense is beneficial for various skin conditions including the lessening of wrinkles and the reduction of age spots.

• Apply Frankincense neat (undiluted) to help uneven skin tone.

• Add a drop of Frankincense to your moisturizer.

• Apply undiluted to acne or breakouts.

• Apply with a little fractionated coconut oil to wounds to reduce scarring.  It is also great for stretch marks while pregnant!

3.  Frankincense helps on a daily basis.

• Apply to the temples for stress relief.

• Apply to the brain stem and neck 2x daily to help lift your mood.

• Add Frankincense along with the respiratory blend and massage on chest and throat respiratory support.

Add Frankincense to any essential oil to enhance that oil's properties.  Think of it as "the kicking it up a notch" essential oil.

A Guide to Fall Food

Like many of us, I ♥LOVE♥ Info Graphics.  I am planning to share health related ones on this blog.  I will probably even create a few of my own to share.  Here is one I found today about Fall Food:

This makes me want to buy a bunch of colorful and healthy fall produce.   

5 Tips to Getting Started

Often when people get interested in essential oils, they are not quite sure where to begin.  There are numerous oils and countless ways to use them.  Fortunately, Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils are safe so diving right in and figuring out as you go works well.  That is what I did along with many of my friends.  However, it would have been nice to have a little more guidance at the beginning.  Here is a simple list of tips that I wish I would have had:

1.  Less More Often

One of the common sayings that essential oil users like repeating is "Less More Often."  Perhaps this saying should be used when it comes to many aspects of your health. If you are training for a marathon, would you run 20 miles one day in the month and sit on the coach the rest of the month? - No. Would you swallow a whole bottle of vitamins in one day? - No.

I find that a drop or two of lemon oil in my water everyday does wonders for me. If I feel a scratchy throat or something coming on, I might blast it with a drop of oil (Melalueca, Clove, or Lemongrass) every 15 minutes or half hour for a few hours and then back off to a couple of times a day. I certainly would not empty an entire bottle in a few minutes.

2.Carrier Oils 

Carrier oils are useful when working with essential oils because most of the time oils should be diluted. Essential oils are quite powerful/potent. Some are even considered "hot" like oregano or tingly like peppermint. If you ever apply an oil and feel like it is too strong, quickly slather a carrier oil on top. Do not try to wash it off with water. Oil and water don't mix, right? Carrier oils do not lessen the effects of the essential oils. They actually assist in the absorption of the therapeutic properties and diminish evaporation of the essential oils.

Carrier Oils include coconut oil as well as fractionated coconut oil (liquid coconut oil), grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, and safflower oil.  These can be picked up at a local grocery store.  I would have to recommend coconut oil (solid and/or liquid).  This oil is mild enough to use around your eyes.  Plus, it has many beneficial properties by itself and has a long shelf life.  A few of the other oils on the list can go rancid.

3. Information Resources 

There are many resources to learn about oils.  Besides this blog (of course), I recommend:

Dr. Axe
Healing Our Homes
Little Blog Cabin

Those sites are great to get you started.  In the future, you'll probably want to purchase the Modern Essentials Book, Emotions and Essential Oils Book, the Essential Life, and possibly the app (Android or Apple).

4. Additional Supplies 

When you get started, you hear about making cleaning supplies, roller-bottles, health sprays, lip balms, and just about anything. You also see little sample bottles with stickers on top. It is fun to share oils, but you might not know where to get these supplies. For your first time trying something, you might want to head to a store like Sprouts. You can get individual roller bottles and spray bottles there.  If you like making the blends and happen to find millions of recipes on Pinterest and all over the internet, then you'll want a cheaper place that sells them in a pack.  Here are a few websites you can order from:

AromaTools
My Oil Business
Wholesale Supplies Plus
Amazon Supplies

5. Avoid Plastic

Because essential oils are very powerful, they tend to disintegrate synthetic materials like plastic and especially Styrofoam. Unless you are doing a science experiment, you should keep oils away from these materials. That includes drinking a drop of lemon or wild orange in a plastic water bottle or cup.  Glass or stainless steel work much better with essential oils. I added links to the ones at AromaTools, but I have seen similar ones at Target or various other stores around town.    

I hope this list helps you as much as I am sure it would have helped me. Please feel free to email me if you have any other questions: frecklefacegirl01@hotmail.com.

Day at Pick-A-Dilly Craft Fair

We had an amazing day at the Pick-A-Dilly Craft Fair.  We were so honored to have Stephanie B. come from Corpus Christi to provide some priceless tips.  It was an amazing experience to meet so many different people and discuss health and essential oils.  

We talked to people with all different levels of essential oil experience. There were people who came to the booth that had never heard of essential oils. Some people had heard or read positive things and wanted to expand their knowledge. Others had tried a few different oils like lavender or peppermint and were excited to add others to their collection. We had a few people asking if we could host a class at their house for their friends and family, which we are especially excited about. Some people came who were seasoned oil users and just wanted a few new health tips.  Every conversation was fascinating.  

Stephanie (aka Freckle Face Girl), Tiffany, Linda and Sarah

We offered sample bottles including lemon, lavender, wild orange, peppermint, and others.

Top Quality Essential Oils

A few days ago, I was at the mall and went into an incense/hippie type shop.  I like going into different places just to look around.  When I got to the back of the store, I saw the oil display above.  I couldn't help but smile (and of course take a picture).

Before discovering the difference in the quality of oils, I purchased a few oils from various places. I think the first one was tea tree oil.  Lice was going around the school and I heard that rubbing a drop on the back of kids' necks will keep them away.  I bought a bottle at our local health food grocery store.  It is a common brand that only costs about $7. I thought it smelled awful, but I consistently applied it every morning until the lice talk died down.  I even told 2 of my neighbors about it and they bought bottles from the store to do the same thing.  None of our kids got lice, so we were all thrilled.  When it was over, I put it away in my bathroom cabinet and decided I'd use it again for the next outbreak.

One of the first oils I bought from a top quality company was Melaleuca (aka tea tree) oil.  I still had the other bottle in my bathroom, but my friend had me compare it to hers.  Her oil was completely different.  It smelled better and I noticed that I was just drawn to it more.  After comparing them, I noticed that the one from the store smelled like it had rubbing alcohol in it.  I put a drop of each on my skin and was just as surprised by the differences.  I never looked back.

Several months later, my mom told me that she had a tickle in her throat.  I told her that a drop of Melaleuca under the tongue had done wonders for my kids and me. After talking, she decided that she wanted to test it out. She went down to the drug store and bought a bottle of whatever brand they had there. The next morning, she called me and told me that the second the drop hit her mouth she gagged and ended up puking.  She couldn't believe that the kids or I had done it.  I explained that this can only be done with high quality oils with a label listing it is for dietary use. She looked on her bottle and it said "not for consumption."  Since then, she has grown to love high quality oils too.      

These stories are important to tell because oils are not created equally.

Diffusing Autumn

This morning, I went to Costco and the whole store smelled like pumpkin pie.  That is one of my favorite desserts.  I found myself wandering around to see where the smell originated.  Of course, it was back in the bakery area.  I had no desire to buy a gigantic pie, so I was thrilled to see that they were offering samples.  It really put me in the mood for changing leaves and cooler weather, which doesn't happen in my town for at least a few more weeks.  I'm actually out of luck as far as the leaves go.

On the way home, I remembered the Autumn Diffuser clip above.  I couldn't wait to come home and fill my house with the smell of Fall.  Diffusing is even better than a pie because there are no calories to ingest, it is cheaper, and there are numerous health benefits.

Kids Being Adventurous Eaters

One of the struggles that most moms deal with is getting their kids to try new foods.  Sometimes, we get stuck in a rut.  ...or more likely - get tired of using all of our compelling skills to pull our kids out of an eating rut.  I saw this article in the International New York Times and decided to share it.  Hopefully, it gives us new inspiration for encouraging our kids to try different kinds of healthy food:

Rise and Shine

Benefits of Melissa (Lemon Balm)

One of my favorite plants in my herb garden is Melissa. My daughter suggested that we pick and clean some of the leaves and put them in a pitcher with our drinking water. I have not made it into a tea as described below, only used it in the water we drink. I also sometimes add Lemon Oil or cut up some fresh lemons and add them. The water tastes wonderful.

Lemon Balm/Melissa (Melissa Offiinalis)

Lemon Balm was dedicated to the goddess Diana, and used medicinally by the Greeks some 2,000 years ago. In the Middles Ages lemon balm was used to soothe tension, to dress wounds, and as a cure for toothache, skin eruptions, mad dog bites, crooked necks, and sickness during pregnancy. It was even said to prevent baldness. As a medicinal plant, lemon balm has traditionally been employed against bronchial inflammation, earache, fever, flatulence, headaches, high blood pressure, influenza, mood disorders, palpitations, toothache and vomiting. A tea made from Lemon balm leaves is said to soothe menstrual cramps and helps relieve PMS.

The herb is often used for nervous agitation, sleeping problems, functional gastrointestinal complaints, menstrual cramps and urinary spasms.

It is thought that the lemon balm plant contains chemicals that relax muscles, particularly in the bladder, stomach, and uterus, thereby relieving cramps, gas, and nausea.

ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative On Phytotherapy) lists its internal use for tenseness, restlessness, irritability, and symptomatic treatment of digestive disorders, such as minor spasms; externally, for herpes labialis (ESCOP, 1997).

Recent studies suggest that lemon balm has a depressant or sedative action on the central nervous systems of laboratory mice. The German Standard License for lemon balm tea approves it for nervous disorders of sleep and of the gastrointestinal tract, and to stimulate the appetite (Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).

Grave's Disease

Lemon balm may block some of the activity of thyroid hormone in the body.  Therefore, it has been used in the past to treat Grave's disease, and auto-immune condition in which the thyroid gland produces excess thyroid hormone.  Although laboratory and animal studies show that lemon balm may help decrease thyroid in the body, no human studies have yet been conducted for this possible use.

Mental Clarity, Concentration and Relaxation

Lemon balm is widely used to treat anxiety and insomnia in Europe. It reduces anxiety and stress and eases sleep disorders. Recently it produced an unexpected result in a research study: it greatly increased the ability to concentrate and perform word and picture tasks.

Helpful for Homework?

In a study of lemon balm at Northumbria University in England, students were tested for weeks while using either Lemon balm or a placebo. The students did significantly better on the tests after taking Lemon balm and continued to post improved scores for up to six hours after taking the herb. The students taking Lemon balm were noted to be calmer and less stressed during the tests. (From Prevention Magazine Sept. 2004)

Herpes and Anti-viral Properties

Research has shown that the plant contains polyphenols, it can help significantly in the treatment of cold sores and combat the herpes simplex virus, shingles as well as other viral afflictions. Studies have shown a significant reduction in the duration and severity of herpes. Researchers also noted a "tremendous reduction" in the frequency of recurrence.
When applied to cold sores or genital sores caused by the herpes simplex virus, creams or ointments containing lemon balm have speeded healing. The infections did not spread as much and individuals using topical lemon balm also reported more relief from symptoms such as itching and redness. At least part of this effect is due to antiviral properties of caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid, which are contained in lemon balm.
In one study on 115 patients, a proprietary preparation of lemon balm extract in a lip balm showed efficacy in treating lip sores associated with the herpes simplex virus (Wöbling and Leonhardt, 1994).

Insomnia/Anxiety

Several studies have used Lemon balm, and Lemon balm/Valerian combinations to treat stress, anxiety and insomnia. The studies have shown improved sleep patterns and reduced stress and anxiety. In one study a Lemon balm/Valerian combination was found to be as effective as the prescription drug Halcion.

Lemon balm is approved for "nervous sleeping disorders" and "functional gastrointestinal complaints" by Commission E of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. Commission E is the German governmental agency that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of herbal products. The United States does not have a comparable agency to evaluate herbal products.

Thyroid and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Lemon balm is used in Europe for treating thyroid problems and has shown an ability to regulate thyroid hormone production. This ability, along with the herbs anti-viral characteristics have made the herb useful in the treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Alzheimer's and Dementia

Lemon balm contains volatile (essential) oils ,including citronellal and citrals A and B, which are known to have sedative properties. In both animal and human studies, lemon balm taken by mouth has had calming effects. In larger doses, it may promote sleep. In one study, researchers found that using lemon balm also improved memory and lengthened attention span in individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease. This effect may be due to its content of antioxidants, which are thought to protect body cells from damage caused by a chemical process called oxidation.

Another small but interesting study used lemon balm aromatherapeutically to calm overexcited individuals suffering from dementia.  Dementia is an increasing deficiency in thought processes caused by brain damage such as from a stroke or disease like Alzheimer's disease.

Read more about it:

WebMD: Lemon Balm

Wikipedia: Melissa

University of Maryland: Lemon Balm

HerbWisdom: Lemon Balm

Why the Holistic Quest?

Five years ago my daughter, Tiffany, began having unexplained pain in her joints as well as suffering with incredible fatigue.  This began shortly after the birth of her fourth baby.  She could no longer run or exercise and was frustrated with her inability to "keep up."  In a search for answers we began a journey of trying to discover, through the medical profession what might be wrong.  We visited various medical specialists, including a Gynecologist, an Orthopedist, a Rheumatologist, and an Oncologists; none of whom had an answer for her.  For two years, we went from doctor to doctor, but no one could identify her problem.

Finally, we found a doctor who was an amazing diagnostician.  She did blood work that had never been addressed before and ultimately came up with a diagnosis of Lyme Disease.  She prescribed antibiotics, including six weeks of infusions three times a week.  After a year of antibiotic therapy, there was no change for the better in her blood work.  During this year Tiffany did lots of reading and began to make dietary changes and to identify issues associated with depletion of good gut bacteria.  She believed her crucial good bacteria was being destroyed by antibiotics.

We decided she would quit the antibiotics and we would look for another answer. I found a medical doctor who had a more holistic approach for us to consider.  He spoke about a combination of supplements, lifestyle changes, balancing hormones, nutrition deficiency correction, and dietary changes.  He happened to also mention essential oils, explaining that in ten years he felt the use of essential oils would greatly surpass that of western medicine.  He went on to explain why he believed what he had just said.  It was at that moment I believed we had an answer to prayer and something we could do to take the place of the antibiotic therapy that had thus far yielded nothing positive.

It was at this time we began researching essential oils and the companies that sold them.  We were the most excited about what we saw in one brand, and then our real journey began taking us to where we are today.  Tiffany's blood work has continued to improve and her symptoms are diminishing.  As we experiment with alternative solutions for other conditions, we continue to be amazed at their effectiveness.

We have done lots of research into many health promoting practices that strengthen our immune systems. We hope to use this blog to share the things we're learning on this journey towards wellness.

ADHD - "Not a Real Disease"

This article was published today:

ADHD Not a Real Disease, Says Leading Neuroscientist

The first few lines are my favorite: "One of the world’s leading pediatric neuroscientists, Dr. Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D, recently stated publicly that Attention Deficit/Hyper-Activity Disorder (ADHD) is not ‘a real disease,’ and warned of the dangers of giving psycho-stimulant medications to children."  Like the article states, I believe it really is just a description of a wide range of symptoms that we all exhibit at times not a "disease."  Perhaps, most people who get diagnosed just have more of the symptoms or more intense.  It doesn't mean that ADHD doesn't exist or that medications will not improve behaviors.

Oil Pulling for Beautiful Teeth

My friend, Tiffany, who introduced me to essential oils, is a huge fan of oil pulling and loves to get other people to try it. You might have heard about oil pulling before. It seems to be popping up everywhere, like here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNnOqbUSViA
WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oil-pulling
PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18408265

There are plenty of more places like blogs, fashion magazines, and holistic websites, but I thought I'd link some of the more mainstream websites. I have read quite a few articles about it. The most positive sites claim that oil pulling can rebuild cavities or completely improve your overall health.  The PubMed site refers to a study saying that oil pulling reduces Streptococcus mutans, which causes cavities and is linked to heart disease.  

I am pretty sure Tiffany does it almost every day and she feels it is worth it. My mom has a friend who lives near us that swears by it too. Over a year ago, she was visiting her daughter overseas when she suddenly experienced a horrible toothache. Not wanting to find a dentist there, her daughter googled holistic remedies. Oil pulling came up and she gave it a try.  Her toothache stopped being painful and she has been hooked ever since. She told us that it has helped her in many ways including giving her amazing relief of her horrible dry mouth. Her problem sounded quite severe.

When I've done it on a regular basis I had random people compliment me on my white teeth.  How often does that happen? Apparently more when you are oil pulling.

Trying oil pulling is rather simple, you don't need anything special just one of these oils:

sunfloweroil
sesame oil
coconut oil

I happen to prefer coconut oil even though in the cooler months it has to melt in your mouth before you can swish. I also like to add a drop of essential oils mostly for taste enhancement, but they have therapeutic benefits as well.  I like peppermint and Protective Blend. After swishing for 10 to 20 minutes, I spit it into a paper cup and throw it away. Next, I brush my teeth and that's it.  My friend often does her oil pulling in the shower to knock it out while she is busy doing something else.  20 minutes of oil pulling does seem long if you aren't distracted.

Natural Toothpaste

I have recently become a huge fan of natural toothpastes. Several months ago, I bought one for my son. Besides being healthier, I liked that it has a big cap that is stuck to the tube. That means it will not disappear or fall down the drain and clog up the sink, which he has managed to do before. A few days ago, a report came out about regular toothpastes that has convinced me that my daughter and I need to be using natural toothpastes too.  I've tried his and it tastes great. 

Check this out:
Polyethylene in Crest

I also found this:
Best Selling Toothpaste Contains Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical

Essential Oils for Pregnancy

Essential oils can be a wonderful tool to use during pregnancy.  I have been asked by several different women what oils I would recommend. Sadly, this is not a topic I can share my personal experiences with. It has only been a year and a half since I first started using essential oils and my baby is 6 1/2 years old.  Picking an oil or several oils really depends on the exact issue someone wants to address.

Here is a quick breakdown of these oils:

1. Geranium - This is a powerful floral oil. It supports several systems in the body including the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, and kidneys. It has been known to help with emotions, hormones, and oil on skin and hair.

2. Ylang Ylang (I love the way this one smells) - It is commonly used as an aid with hormones, libido, mental fatigue, anxiety, frustration, stress, stomach issues, oily skin, and emotional balance.

3. Lavender - The top uses for this oil are sleep issues, stress, anxiety, teeth grinding, focus, concentration, pains, headaches, and emotional balance. It also promotes skin healing.

4. Grapefruit - This oil is cold pressed from the rind of grapefruits. It is often used to aid with weight loss and cellulite, sugar cravings, oily skin and acne, detoxification, lymphatic and kidney systems, breast and uterine health, hormones, gallbladder support, and emotional well being.

 5. Roman Chamomile - This oil is steam distilled from flowers. It has been known to assist with stress and shock, dry skin and sore nipples, sleeplessness, cramps, anger and irritability, and emotional balance.    

While I have no intention of getting pregnant again (I'm 41 years old), I wish I had been using essential oils back when I was pregnant.  I can see that Ginger (aids with nausea), Peppermint (relieves digestive upset) and wild orange (energizes and lifts mood) could be on the top of the list too. Here is a picture of me when I was pregnant:

I still remember being horribly uncomfortable and exhausted. I made a decision to avoid caffeine, soda, and pain killers, which means I would have LOVED using essential oils for little pick-me-ups. Oh well, live & learn, right?

Hidden Freckles

It is no secret that I have freckles. In fact, there are many people at my family reunions with freckles. I have gotten use to them over the years and have even grown to appreciate them. I realize, however, that it is a visual sign of sun damage. The video above shows that people often have sun damage that they aren't even aware of. Sun block is great for preventing future damage, but what about what has already occurred? I'm sure it is no surprise to anyone who is learning about oils, that there are oils to support healthy skin! Here are the a few of main oils that seem to make a difference for me:

Geranium
Lavender
Frankincense

A Steaming Mug for Sinus Relief

Many of us like to try different things when we are stuffed up. I sometimes drink hot
lemon water. Another thing I like to do is get a mug of water with boiling water and add 1 to 2
drops of these oils:
Oregano
Lemon
Melaleuca
Peppermint
I put my face over steaming mug and breathe the vapors in deeply. It is nice to have a little support when you are miserable.

Homemade Hummus

I lived in the Middle East for a while and learned to love the food.  One of my favorite things to eat is hummus.  I am happy to see it is gaining more and more popularity here in the US.  When I saw this clip, I knew I had to share it.