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.