Hippocrates knows the truth!

Aloe Lavender Moisture Spray

When winter hits, and the heater comes on, the air is so dry! Last year we installed a whole house humidifier and it is STILL dry. My skin is fair and does not hold moisture very well. In the summer I simply use coconut oil and water to moisturizer my skin, but in the winter I find myself needing to moisturize more often.

I have been reading the back of several natural moisture sprays. I own a few and they are always over $20 for just 4oz. So, I ended up mixing together a few key ingredients to try and duplicate the effects, and I am quite pleased with the results. 

You Will need:

One 4 oz spray bottle filled with water.

2tsp Now Glycerine 

10 drops Young Living Lavender

1 tsp Aloe Vera Gel

Shake to mix

The Benefits:

Glycerine is a great natural moisturizer. It actually draws moisture from thre air. It is hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic, all natural, and antibacterial.

Lavender has been used for ages for its balancing effect on skin. It calms stressed skin and emotions and is good for use on common skin irritations.

Aloe has been used successfully for psoriasis, cellular regeneration, and alleviating dry skin.

How To Apply:

For the best results use this formula right after the shower. I have diluted this spray by half and added rosemary for an anti-static hair spray.

Feel free to use other essential oils such as peppermint (for a cooling effect), Sandalwood (anti-wrinkle),  Rosemary (for hair and scalp). 

Visit my Young Living website to purchase oils, watch videos, or to join my e-mail list! 

www.DirtAndOil.MarketingScents.com

Sources:

http://www.ehow.com/about_5110695_benefits-vegetable-glycerine.html#page=2

http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/essential-oils/singles/lavender-essential-oil

http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/problems/treating/can-aloe-treat-skin-problems.htm

Essential Oils To Help Dandruff

Dandruff Control

Causes?

According to the Essential Oils Desk Reference, by my favorite oil Guru, Gary Young, Dandruff can be caused by many factors, some of which are:

• Allergies
• Chemichals
• Parasites

It seems as if many different factors can cause dandruff, and if you are a chronic sufferer, you should see a doctor. However, if you have already changed diet or moved to an organic unscented shampoo, why not try essential oils? They are as affordable as those expensive shampoos, and they are all natural. Plus, they have hundreds of other uses.

Reccomended Oils
Three of my favorite essential oils to massage into my scalp are:

Rosemary (used to treat alopecia)

Peppermint (can alleviate itching, and inflammation)
Cedarwood (a mild astringent)

You can combine all three of these oils, or chose just one! Plus any one of these oils have many other uses!

How To Apply
I love to combine my oils with healing clays such as French Green Clay, Red Clay, or Benoite Clay. See this awesome article on the many benefits of healing clays. You can also combine the essential oils with a carrier oil. Simply add two drops of your chosen oil to a "dollop" of coconut oil (or other carrier oil) and massage into scalp. Though not a healing clay, combing essential oils with Amla (Indian Gooseberry) is how many Indian women treat dandruff.

Other uses
Peppermint and Rosemary essential oils can be used for cooking.
Add peppermint to your tea, or rub on your temples for a quick "pick-me up."
A drop of Cedarwood on the roof of your mouth is one way I fight any brain fog!

Be careful, though, some oils can not be consumed, I only consume oils that are GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe).

Order Oils
If you are interested in ordering oils, feel free to contact me! I will point you in the right direction.

Sangria With Tangerine Essential Oil

A More Natural Sangria Recipe

This weekend I had my last dinner party of the summer. While I was in the store I decided that I wanted to serve Sangria! I looked for a bottle of pre-made sangria and I was not happy with the ingredients, so I decided to make my own.

Later that day, I realized I don't even have the ingredients that one would actually need to make sangria,  major hostess fail. I don't own triple sec, lemon soda, or white sugar. At that point I was thinking maybe I should have just purchased the mix. 

Fortunately I do have lots of fresh fruit and raw honey...and a few bottles of wine :)

At the last minute I was able to concoct a healthier Sangria using no refined sugar and some of my favorite essential oil! 

You'll need:

1 bottle mild Red wine (Cabernet, mail beck, or a red blend). 

4c water

1/4c fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/2c fresh squeezed orange juice

1/4c honey diluted in 1/2c warm water

1 sliced apple

10 drops liquid stevia (may be omitted).

Aaannnnddd the secret ingredient: 2 drops Tangerine Essential Oil!*

Make and enjoy! 

*not all tangerine oil may be consumed internally.

 You can order FDA approved essential oil that may be consumed internally at my website:

www.dirtandoil.marketingscents.com

Frankincense

Personal Stories:

Frankincense is another "every day oil." I always carry a small bottle with me when I travel because, without a doubt, I meet someone who needs Frankincense!

When a friend of mine was depressed after going through a devastating divorce, I sent a bottle of Frankincense to her. She is usually attracted to the more fruity popular scents, but the deep woodsy, comforting aroma of Frankincense really helped her. She called three months later to thank me and ask "where she could get more of that wonderful oil!" She had already obtained a new job and apartment and said the Frankincense had helped her when she was most depressed.

Another wonderful experience that I have had with Frankincense oil was on a trip to my Godchild's baptism. A friend there was telling me about a grade school teacher that I had (a wonderful and devout nun) who was dying of old age. I sent a mini bottle with my friend and she was able to anoint my grade school teacher before her death. What a true miracle! 

Find Out More:

Please Join my website: www.DirtandOil.Marketingscents.com to send me an e-mail, watch professional videos about Frankincense, or to order this wonderful oil! Do you have a story to share about Frankincense? I will post it up on the blog. Just visit my website and send me an email!

Essential Oils for Fall

To order any of these essential oils, or to sign up for educational videos and emails, visit my website: www.DirtandOil.Marketingscents.com

Scenting Your Seasons...

Young Living Electric Frankincense Burner

Don't you just love how scents can bring back memories? I experimented with scenting my seasons last Christmas. From December through January, I burned pure frankincense resin in my living room. Of course I used an electric burner, so none of our gifts caught on fire! However, when I burned my frankincense this July, I started to think of Christmas! It seems as if frankincense resin is now my official scent for Christmas.  

This autumn, however, I plan on starting early with my holiday scents. The popular smells moving out of Summer and more towards Christmas are always cinnamon, clove, vanilla, orange, and  pine. You will notice all the brand name body stores advertising these scents. 

Inhaling Chemicals

Purchasing these brand name scents smells pretty good, but these scents can be synthetic, chemically diluted, or mixed with preservitives. If there is actually any true oil inside the scented candles, oils, lotions, and soaps, the oils are probably not therapeutic grade. After using essential oils for so long in my home, I will actually get a headache when I am around to many of these synthetic scents.

Health Benefits of Therapeutic Essential Oils
If you are new to the study of essential oils, there is one major motivator for you to make the switch from box store scents to essential oils. Essential oils, in their full form, can have a myriad of different therapeutic uses. Differentiating an adulterated essential oil from an unadulterated essential oils is pretty easy. If the bottle says you can not take the oil internally, I would recommend finding a new oil distributor. There are some other factors in choosing your oil, so feel free to email me.

Clove Oil

Clove oil has the highest ORAC score of any oil. The ORAC score simply states the amount of antioxidants that are in the oil. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals within the body, potentially decreasing the likelihood of cancer. 

Orange Oil

All of the citrus oils are rich in d-limonine, a component that is anti-carcinogenic, antibacterial, and antiviral.

Diffusing clove and orange oil in your home will not only make your home smell great, but could even help you combat airborne viruses, so keep diffusing those Autumn Scents! 

Diy Vintage Rose Body Powder

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Remember the vintage powders of yesteryear? I remember my mom and Grandmother powdering their underarms and also remember being powdered as a baby. I have hardly ever used powder in my own kids after the "talk" scare. Plus most powders you can find are scented like a bathroom air-freshener!  I feel like powder just isn't as popular as it used to be.

However, I feel that a proper powdering can be ladylike AND great for your skin. Whatever you use on yourself, of course, should be safe enough for a child.Here is my shot at recreating the wonderful vintage powders of yesteryear with safer ingredients that can promote great skin with the benefits of essential oils and healing clays:

Vintage-Inspired Rose Powder 

Mason jar or small apothecary jar

1/4 cup Kaolin clay
1/4 cup arrowroot, baking soda, or cornstarch 

2 drops rose oil

Combine all ingredients to an apothecary jar with a lid, and shake vigorously until you feel that the oil has been evenly distributed.

Use a cotton ball to apply or, if you can find one, an old-fashioned powder pouf!

The Benefits
Kaolin clay is a beautiful white powder that combines well with the other white powders above.

Kaolin, like most healing clays, will draw out impurities without robbing the skin of its natural oils. There is loads of research on the antibacterial properties of healing clays- even on skin diseases that are resistant to other treatments.  I chose the Kaolin clay for this recipe because of its color, and its antibacterial properties. When applied topically it will help eliminate odor and I even use it in place of chemical antiperspirant which I have not worn in seven years.

Benefits of Rose Oil

I used Rose for this recipe because of its "vintage" feel. Rose is the highest vibrating oil, thought to increase mood and used in skincare products for centuries. It has also been known as an aphrodesiac.

Rose is a gentle oil and can calm stressed skin. Rose oil does not need to be diluted but I always dilute mine by half with V6 to make it last longer! Pure rose oil is not cheap, and if your 5oz bottle is under $100.00 you are not buying pure rose oil. Feel free to sub in other oils, but if you intend on using this recipe under your arms, don't use the citrus oils if you will be going out into the sun.

Lavender Rosemary Balancing Masque

Lavander Rosemary Balancing Hair Masque

It's almost the end if summer, and my hair has had lots of exposure to the sun. Though I don't get my hair wet in the chlorinated pool much, our town seems to up their chlorine towards the end of August every year. The result for me, like many of us, is thirsty hair that is both dry and oily!

I developed this "balancing" hair masque for the hair that is both oily and dry towards the end of summer. It will leave your hair full of body while feeling clean but not dry.

You'll need:

4tableapoons French Green Clay

*2 drops Lavender 

*2 drops Rosemary

4 tablespoons kaolin clay

Optional

*2 tablespoons bentonite clay if your hair is oily or 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar if your hair is dry.

Directions:

Add ingredients to a mixing bowl that is not metal. Add water by spoonfuls until your mix is as thick as yoghurt and stir vigorously. Add your balancing oils, it will smell wonderful!! Use a brush or your fingers to apply the mixture as close to the scalp as possible. Let the mixture sit until it starts to dry (at lease 20 minutes)

Result:

These healing clays will, literally, drink the oil from your hair while exfoliating the scalp and stimulating new hair growth.

Rosemary has been known to alleviate alopecia, and Lavender is the perfect balancing oil for both skin and hair! Lavender even combats excess sebum in skin without over drying.

Emotional benefits:

Rosemary oil has been known to boost alertness, and ease anxiety while lavender oil increases the presence of beta waves in the brain indicating heightened relaxation!**
*Visit my website at www.DirtAndOil.MarketingScents.com and get the chance to save 25% on all Young Living oils, or e-mail me and I will help you get started on your path to wellness!

**Please see the Essential Oils Desk Reference for more information on studies and facts supporting Lavender and Rosemary oil.

Essential Oils for Sinus Relief

Calvin the pig sticks his... by rikkis_refuge

 

Sinus Relief Using Essential Oils

It's how I got started with my passion for oils. True story: One night during my nightly prayers, I prayed for an answer to heal my sinuses. I have a deviated septum and had been on a nasal steroid for about six years. I promptly remembered the verse (James 5:14) about elders praying and anointing with oil for healing a sick person.

I immediately went to Amazon and, after reviewing a few choices, ordered the book Healing Oils of the Bible by David Stewart. In two days I was reading about Myrtle oil and its uses for sinuses, so I ordered the Healing Oils of the Bible set. Not only have I not had to use my nasal steroid for 18 months, my husband, who was about to schedule sinus surgery, also started inhaling Myrtle oil. Not only did he never have to schedule a surgery, he does not have to use his nasal steroid either. I still have to use my oils nightly, if I do not, I do get a sinus infection within three days. However, I consider it a true miracle that I no longer have to use a nasal steroid.

Here are some essential oil techniques that I use to continuously keep my sinuses free and clear:

1. Myrtle Oil inhaled from a warm cup of water, nightly
2. Two Drops of Eucaliptus Oil in a steamy shower
3. One drop Clove three drops carrier oil and purified water inside a nosespray bottle (for sinus headachs) **warning, this stings a little**
4. 2 drops RC Blend with a TSP of coconut or other oil rubbed on feet or chest (great for a child!) 
5. Lavender oil in a gel cap when around known allergens

Please note, that I only use oils that can be taken internally. Most oils that are derived from a steam distillation should be FDA approved. I get all of my oils from Young Living. If you would like more information about essential oils, training videos, or to order with a 25% discount e-mail me or visit my website: DirtandOil.MarketingScents.com

Improving Public Restrooms With Essential Oils

Public Safety by TerryJohnston

While I was at dinner with a group of moms the subject of "that smell" came up. You know "the smell." Its the smell behind the smell of toilet bowl cleaner and air freshener inside a public bathroom. For lack of a better term, it's the smell of "gross."

I was never phased by this smell as a young woman, but once my first child started potty training I was able to truly identify the smell of "gross" in a bathroom, and it kinda freaked me out. I'm NOT a germaphobe by any means. My kids have been known to eat dirt, share cups, and eat directly off of my floor. Sigh. But the smell, oh, the smell.

I hate carrying a separate potty, and I am not one to drape the toilet seats in TP. So, instead I travel with my miniature viles of either Thieves Oil or Purification Blend.
You could also use Thieves Spray, but I just always have the oil on hand for other purposes.

When we are using a public potty I just drop a few drops on the toilet seat and wipe them around with TP to: 

a) make the bathroom smell better and 

b) disinfect the seats.

I know that I could write on and on about the antibacterial properties of essential oils, but I like to quote other sources because I am not a doctor, scientist, or researcher. I'm just a mom with a thing for oils. So, Check out this article by the NY Times on how Cinnamon oil (also found in Theves oil) even works against the spread of MRSA!

I am pretty sure my kids wont get MRSA in the public toilet, but it will help me sleep better knowing someones butt germs were shielded from my daughters butt germs.

Have questions about oils? Order thieves oil here, or contact me directly and find out how to save 25% on essential oils! Learn more about essential oils and sign up for free e-mail training at my website: www.DirtandOil.MarketingScents.com

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, just a mom. All the information on this blog is strictly experience or testimony, not advice.