Hoping To Help

Did you know in 2013-14, almost 150,000 people were admitted to hospital with poisoning in England. Most cases occurred from products found in the home ?

Did you know when you’ve got clean washing, with a noticeable fragrance, you’re breathing in pure chemical ?

Did you also know that typical air fresheners, such as aerosols and plug-in, have been shown to reduce the air quality in the home and can be carcinogenic ?

and did you know that these toxins have been linked to hormonal imbalance and infertility in women, me and children, as hormone disruptors ?

Did you know that there IS a better way ? We do not have to accept this!

I'd love to share with you how we've achieved a healthy household of five with just two sick-days in two years and the simple steps I took to rebalance my hormones and regulate my cycle.

I'm holding an online class next Monday and I'd love for you to join in.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

In this class you're going to learn about the easiest ways to reduce the toxins in your home and start creating a thriving environment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reply to this message or 'friend' me on Facebook and we can chat there.

"See" you on Monday !

Spotlight On: Purification

Purification is a blend oil. 

It includes Citronella, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Melaleuca (tea tree), Lavandin, and Myrtle oils.

As the name suggests, it is a purifying blend that helps to cleanse and disinfect the air and neutralises mildew, cigarette smoke, and disagreeable odours. It can help to disinfect and cleanse cuts, scrapes, insect bites and stings.

H O W  W E  U S E :
* 2 drops of Purification on a cotton ball placed in the ear can help with ear pain (remember NEVER drop the oils directly into your ear).

* Diffuse to clean the air. It helps neutralise those musty smells or bad food odours out of your room.

* Use 4-8 drops on cotton balls in the car (place them in the vents) to purify the air.

* Use as a natural bug repellent!

* Spray into your shoes for a natural shoe freshener! You’re welcome!

* Add 4-8 drops on a cotton ball and place in the bottom of a bin or nappy bucket to keep it smelling fresh.

* Add 1-2 drops to your laundry to freshen up stinky clothes without synthetic perfumes!
* Place a few drops onto the inside of the toilet paper roll to help purify the bathroom.

How do you use Purification?

How to get hold of this oil

If you would like to purchase a bottle at wholesale price or would like a free sample please do contact me. Alternatively, please see Wellness Toolkit for the best ways to join Young Living and the amazing Essential Families team with over 5000 members.

Spotlight On: Grapefruit

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) has a fresh, citrusy aroma that is energising and uplifting.

Rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene, it is good for skin, and like many cold-pressed citrus oils, it has unique fat-impacting characteristics.

It is mentally uplifting and can ease stress as well as anxiety.

Like all the citrus oils, Grapefruit contains d-limonene which is a powerful anti-oxidant; Grapefruit contains 88-95%.

This makes it a great choice to include in any weight management programme since it cleanses and aids detox; is well known for skin; satiety (feeling of fullness) and weight management.

H O W  T O  U S E

Topically:

The unique nature of Grapefruit makes it a fantastic choice for topical application to help reduce the appearance of cellulite and also to help get rid of unwanted body hair.

Caution: Grapefruit, like all the citrus oil are photosensitive. Do not expose skin to direct sunlight within 72 hours.

Aromatically:

 The sense of smell penetrates to the heart of the brain, to the limbic system.

This part of the brain controls emotions - ever smelt apple pie cooking and it's reminded you of your grandma? This is why.

By inhaling Grapefruit essential oil it may stave of feelings of hunger and inhibit sugar cravings.

Inhale straight from the bottle or diffuse just before mealtimes. 

If you want more information on oils and weight loss you can see this post - Losing Weight with Essential Oils.

How to get hold of this oil

If you would like to purchase a bottle at wholesale price or would like a free sample please do contact me. Alternatively, please see Wellness Toolkit for the best ways to join Young Living and the amazing Essential Families team with over 5000 members.

Losing Weight With Essential Oils

I've blogged elsewhere on my battle with PCOS and my struggles with weight-loss. However, I wanted to document it separately here since I know so many of us struggle with losing weight aside from other challenged systems. If you want to read part of my PCOS story see here.

W H Y   E S S E N T I A L  O I L S?

Essential oils can be a natural aid for weight loss and weight maintenance. They can have a very positive impact on weight loss efforts when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Essential oils may aid in your weight-loss journey by helping to melt the unwanted fat, assisting in ridding the body of toxins and maintaining overall health of all the body's systems.

Diffusing or directly inhaling essential oils can have an immediate positive impact on moods and appetites.

Olfaction (inhaling) is the only sense that has a direct effect on the limbic region of the brain.

Fragrance influences can penetrate the amygdala in the centre of the brain in such a manner that frequent inhalation of pleasing aromas can significantly reduce appetite.

(Essential Oils Pocket Reference, 6th end. Life Science Publishing, 2014, p.387)

W H A T  O I L S?

Peppermint: Best For Sweet Cravings and Digestion

Peppermint essential oil has unique weight loss benefits.

It is great for reducing appetite and helps suppress cravings. As we all know, it takes twenty minutes (on average) for the stomach to tell the brain that it is full. When inhaled peppermint works on that part of the brain.

It is effective in creating serotonin in the brain that is linked with cravings for sweets.

A study on the effects of Peppermint scent on appetite control found that participants inhaling peppermint essential oil were less likely to feel hungry and had fewer cravings than the ones who didn’t inhale peppermint essential oil.

You can read more about that study here.

Peppermint oil is also great for relieving digestive issues and can sooth stomach upset.

How We Use Peppermint Essential Oil:

1. Since peppermint essential oil smells refreshing I diffuse a few drops an hour before each meal to aid in suppressing my appetite.

2. Peppermint+ tastes great and I find adding a drop to a large glass of water and consumed through the day, not only reduces my appetite but gives a much needed energy boost too.

TOP TIP: Young Living Essential Oils are the purest you will find, because of this using one drop will be more than enough for a large glass (pint) of water. This is because one drop of Peppermint oil is equivalent to 28 cups of peppermint tea!

3. To start my day right, I use my D.I.Y. shower discs to energise and again aid in appetite suppression - I add 2-3 drops to each pre-made disc. 

Grapefruit Essential Oil: Prevents Bloating, Water Retention and Dissolves Fat

Grapefruit essential oil is one of the best essential oils for weight loss due to the d-limonene found within it. It helps in releasing fatty acids into bloodstream where the body breaks them down and uses for energy.

It has long been used for its many and varying health benefits such as: metabolism stimulating, detoxing the lymphatic system and burning fat.

It is packed with Vitamin C and the powerful antioxidant Lycopene which helps detoxify and cleanse the lymphatic system.

Toxicity in the body can lead to unwanted weight gain because our body stores toxins in the excess fat when it does not know how to release it from the body.

Citrus oils like Grapefruit, Lemon and Orange essential oils help to release the toxins from our metabolic pathways.

Along with natural weight loss management properties, grapefruit is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant properties.

Grapefruit is also a major constituent of the Slique Essence oil, which I discuss further in this post.

How we use Grapefruit Essential Oil:

1. I add one to two drops to a glass of water, which is not only invigorating and refreshing but helps to flush out toxins and burn fat.*

Top Tip: If you add any citrus oil to any drink, you will need use a glass, not a plastic cup, since they break down petrochemicals. This is great for the body, not so great for the cup!
2. I  add 20 drops to a cup of coconut oil and massage in to areas affected by cellulite.

NB. Please be aware that citrus oils are photosenstive. Do not expose skin with citrus oils on for at least 24 hours.

3. Add 5 drops of Grapefruit essential oil to your (hot) bath, combining it with 5 drops of Ginger, 5 drops of Orange, 5 drops of Sandalwood and 5 drops of Lemon essential oil for an anti-cellulite bath.

Be sure to combine your oils with a cup of Epsom salts before adding to your bath, to ensure the oils disperse throughout the water and do not just sit on the top. Since Epsom salts aid in the detoxing of the body, make sure you are well hydrated, before, during and after your bath.

Lemon Essential Oil: Energy Boosting, Mood lifting, Fat Burning

Like Grapefruit essential oil, Lemon oil contains d-Limonene and is full of minerals and vitamins.

Lemon essential oil aids in weight loss by assisting with various digestive ailments, balancing your metabolism and increasing energy levels. It helps eliminate toxins which may be carried in the fat cells.

The Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Institute of Chicago found that inhaling lemon (and peppermint) essential oil scent provides an effective way to suppress the appetite in a natural, non-invasive way.

How We Use Lemon Essential Oil:

1. I often add a few drops of Lemon essential oil to my morning face-cream to help wake me up. I sometimes use it in place of Grapefruit for my cellulite massage.

2. Like Peppermint+ and Grapefruit, I often add one to two drops of Lemon+ to a glass of water. They are great for flavouring water individually, but also when combined.

3. I often diffuse a mix of the three oils before each meal to aid in appetite suppression.

Bergamot Essential Oil: Mood Uplifter, Improve Bad Cholesterol and Suppress Stress Eating

Bergamot essential oil is a new found favourite of mine.

This oil is extracted from Italian citrus fruits and it is perfect for those (like me) who eat when they are stressed.

Bergamot is great for calming, hormonal support and for lifting a bad mood.

When inhaled it can also help to relieve anxiety.

Bergamot can be extremely effective for weight control because it contains extremely large amounts of the polyphenols (that are also found in green tea).

The high polyphenols content is great for fat oxidation (halt production of blood fat), increasing metabolism and preventing the absorption of cholesterol.

Bergamot aids in inhibiting an enzyme that is linked with blood sugar levels, being more active when sugar is high which promotes the decomposition of sugar and fats.

Bergamot Fact: Bergamot is a key ingredient in Earl Grey Tea and is what creates its distinctive flavour!

How I Use Bergamot Essential Oil:

1. I inhale this frequently when my stress levels begin to increase. I often diffuse after the afternoon school run to help calm the kids. I also leave a bottle in the kitchen next to the fridge and inhale before opening it for food.

2. I have a roll-on with this and Stress-Away, which stays in my handbag and is applied to the feet or neck frequently!

3. At the end of a long day, I often add a few drops along with Lavender to epsom salts and add to my bath.

Slique Essence: Supports Healthy Weight Management, May Reduce Sugar Cravings

Slique Essence combines the powerful essential oils of Grapefruit, Tangerine, Lemon, Spearmint, and Ocotea into a unique blend that naturally supports healthy weight-management when combined with a healthy diet and physical activity.

These ingredients work together to activate olfactory receptors and may help suppress appetite and hunger between or during meals.

Slique Essence Essential Oil helps to control sugar cravings and hunger whilst maintaining healthy blood sugars (already within normal range).

The pleasant combination of Grapefruit, Spearmint, Tangerine, and Lemon adds a flavourful and uplifting element to any day.

Ocotea essential oil adds an irresistible, cinnamon-like aroma and may help when feelings of hunger occur.

How I Use Slique Essence:

1. I dilute 1:1 and massage over my abdomen each morning.

2. Add two to four drops to water and drink throughout the day.

3. I inhale directly from the bottle (see note below) throughout the day when I feel hungry or before a meal.

Note: I do not diffuse Slique essence (in a water diffuser) since it contains Stevia Extract which can hinder diffuser performance.

A great way to kick-start weigh-tloss is to cleanse your colon and rid your body of toxins. You can find out more about that by watching the following video:

If you would like to get started with essential oils then please see this page, Wellness Toolkit, for step by step instructions on becoming a member of Young Living and benefiting from 24% off R.R.P. price. Alternatively please contact me and we can discuss adding an oil or two to my next order for you swell as other ways to get them.

Spotlight On:Frankincense

With the arrival of advent looming, what better way to start the season than than with a spotlight on Frankincense?! 

If it's good enough for the baby Jesus, than it's good enough for me!

'Frankincense is considered the 'holy anointing oil' in the Middle East and has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. "Used to treat every conceivable ill known to man," frankincense was valued more than gold during ancient times and only those with great wealth and abundance possessed it.'

('Frankincense' in Essential Oils Pocket Reference, 6th edn. U.S.: Life Science Publishing, 2014. p. 69)

Frankincense is now a common oil used during mediation both by individuals and groups to aid in spiritual connections. I diffuse during my quiet prayer/study time.

Here are some of the ways that I use Frankincense every day:

1. Apply 1 drop on wrists and temples to help relieve occasional nervous irritability.

2. Diffuse or rub 1-2 drops diluted, with a carrier oil of your choice, to help provide a comforting aroma for children at night especially when in a new environment.

3. Rub 1-2 drops diluted to comfort itchy skin.

4. Frankincense can help soothe achy joints.

5. Homemade Face-cream - Frankincense is also a valuable ingredient in Young Living’s skin care products for ageing and dry skin. The Ancient Egyptians used it in rejuvenation face masks. Here is the recipe I use for my face cream which I use each morning and every evening. 

(NB. You whip coconut oil when in it's solid form. I use an electric hand whisk.)

6. On Scars and Stretch Marks - I use the same lotion as above because I have it on hand, but you can just dilute frankincense in a carrier oil and apply directly to the affected area.

7. Warts - We recently got rid of a wart that Little Man had by applying a drop morning and night directly onto the wart, undiluted. It began shrinking after about five days and was completely gone within ten!

8. Immune Booster - Now we're heading in to winter I alternate between Frankincense and Thieves on everyone's feet at least once a day to build up immunity support and keep germs at bay.

9. To Aid Spiritual Connections - Frankincense is now a common oil used during mediation both by individuals and groups to aid in spiritual connections.  It is fantastic when diffused during a Yoga session.

I diffuse during my quiet prayer/study time.

You can read more about how not all essential oils are created equal here.

How to get hold of this oil

If you would like to purchase a bottle at wholesale price or would like a free sample please do contact me. Alternatively, please see our Wellness Toolkit page for the best ways to join Young Living and the amazing Essential Families team with over 5000 members.

Sleep Essentials

Sleeping is one of those things that we all must do, but good sleep is one of the hardest things to achieve. Do you struggle getting off to sleep? Wake up feeling worse than before you went to bed? Well do not fear, you are not alone. Together we can learn the essentials for better sleep.

B E F O R E  B E D  R O U T I N E

This has got to be one of the hardest things to get right, but is absolutely one of the most important things.

There was a time when I had three children under three and in order to keep what was left of my sanity I had to instigate a strict bedtime routine; dinner, bath, massage, story, bed.

The same is absolutely true for adults - a consistent bedtime routine lets your body know what's coming next, which in turn allow for better relaxation because your body expects it and knows you're going to meet its needs.

1. Turn off digital devices an hour before you intend to go to bed. 

This is so difficult in the age of digital distractions; the first thing I do when waking is check my first and the last thing before the lamp off is, you guessed it, check my phone. 

The other problem with these digital devices is that we use them for our alarm clocks too. 

Tom and I made a decision at the beginning of the year that we would remove our phones not just from the bedroom, but from our house when we were together. 

We got our wedding gift radio alarm from the garage, moved the phone chargers downstairs and vowed to support each other. 

It's so sad that I'm even having to write that, but it's such a first world problem and we all need to know we're not alone. 

When we're in the house together our phones are not near us, we don't need to contact each other and if anyone important needed us then they have our landline number.

 Not only has this helped our bedtime routine but our marriage too - quality time is spent actually together instead of just sitting next to each other doing separate things.

2. Take a warm bath. 

In this busy society, where we're always on the go and always finding ways to cut down our time doing things, showers are an important part of life. 

Don't get me wrong i'm all for doing things quickly so we can get more done, but sometimes taking time over the mundane brings a whole new level of satisfaction to the task. 

I like to make time for a long, hot soak at least three times a week. I add about 6-10 drops of essential oil to one cup of epsom salts and allow to dissolve in a hot bath before I lose myself in it. 

My favourite oily combination is 7 drops of Stress-Away and 3 drops of Lavender.

 I'll sometimes take a book (non-Uni related of course!) in with me and lose myself in another world - I sleep so good after this! 

NB. Epsom salts have a detox effect on the body, ensure you are well hydrated before getting in, drink more during and after your bath too.

3. Ensure your bedroom is a relaxing space. 

I struggle with this almost daily. 

I get fed up with putting clothes away that by the time I get to mine I often can't be bothered so they're strewn over the floor, with baskets of clean washing piling up. 

Whenever I actually put them away and make our bed, I feel so much better for it. 

I really need to get in to a better routine of putting clothes away as my sleep definitely improves in a tidy room.

4. Get or Give a Massage

I remember when my eldest was a baby and we attended baby massage sessions, he would fall asleep about ten minutes in to the session. Why? Well because human touch is relaxing. 

When we were on honeymoon I remember having a massage at the same time as Tom in the same room and we both drifted off. 

Why? Because human touch is relaxing. 

I'd love to say that I'm lucky enough to have a massage each night, unfortunately i've not managed to convince Tom that this is good thing, so I do the next best thing and massage my feet. 

Not only does this help me relax, but I'm on my feet all day, so it releases so much tension from them too. 

I've posted my 'Bedtime Foot-Rub' elsewhere but here it is again in case you've missed it. 

The few times that I've persuaded Tom to give me a massage, I needed something on hand to use, otherwise he might lose interest in the idea in the time it took me to whip something up, so I purchased a great massage oil called Ortho-Ease from Young Living and it is simply sublime. 

Off topic a little but I also really like Ortho-Sport for a post work-out muscle rub. 

Since kids respond so well to human touch too, I often use the foot-rub on their backs for some mummy-child time too!

E S S E N T I A L  O I L S 

I've already mentioned four essential oils that I use in my sleep routine: Stress-Away, Cedarwood, Lavender and Peace & Calming.

However, every person is different and reacts to essential oils differently so here are a few other that you may wish to try.

• Vetiver - May help relax the nervous system and relieve over-stimulation. NB. This has amazing results when applied to the third-eye - middle of forehead.
• Valerian - Assist restlessness and relax the nervous system.
• Valor - May balance the nervous system and helps strengthen the body and mind; increases feelings of strength, courage, and self-esteem. If you struggle to sleep because your bed-sharer snores then this is AMAZING. As they are getting in to bed apply to their big toe.
• Roman Chamomile - has a warm, sweet, herbaceous scent that is relaxing and calming for both mind and body. Its gentleness makes it especially valuable for restless children.
• RutaVaLa - Promotes relaxation of the body and mind. It helps ease tension and relieve stress. This blend may help overcome negative feelings whilst encouraging a positive attitude and comfort.

W A Y S  T O  U S E

I've already touched upon the ways that I use essential oils for sleep; massage would come under the section of 'topical' usage. You may also wish to try some of the options below as well. Alternating topical and inhalation methods is rumoured to help as well.

1. The easiest way to receive the benefits of essential oils is through diffusing them. I use a variety of diffusers from Young Living; If you purchase a Basic or Premium Starter Kit then you will receive the new Dew Drop Diffuser (effective as at March 2015). This is a specially designed cold-air diffuser that disperses the essential oils molecules into the air and allows you to inhale them.  The molecules of the essential oils are so small that they easily enter the olfactory nerves inside of your nose and into the limbic system, which is the seat of emotions in the body.  Diffuse oils 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
2. If you do not have a diffuser yet, you can place a one or two drop of essential oil in to the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, cup them around your nose and inhale deeply.  Do this for several minutes.  I have found this an effective way to use many of my sleep oils. You can, of course inhale directly from the bottle.
3. Just like in the Bedtime Foot-Rub recipe above you can make your own sleep time mix to apply to the bottoms of your feet, shoulders,  back of your neck or stomach. Just add a few drops to a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba to allow for easier application.
4. As mentioned above, taking a bath with essential oils is a great way of getting the benefits of essential oils, both through inhalation and topical application. Add your essential oil to salts before adding to the water so that the oil disperses in to the water.

O T H E R  P R O D U C T S

Sleep Essence -  This supplement contains four powerful Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ essential oils that have unique sleep-enhancing properties in a softgel vegetarian capsule for easy ingestion. Combining lavender, vetiver, valerian, and Ruta graveolens essential oils with the hormone melatonin—a well-known sleep aid—SleepEssence is a natural way to enable a full night's rest.

NingXia Red - This is my favourite non-oil product that Young Living sell. You might find it odd that I am suggesting taking this drink for sleep, when I also promote it for energy. However, it is full of naturally occurring Melatonin.

This is synthetically re-produced as the main ingredient in common sleeping tablets. When in its natural form melatonin aids in drifting off to ‘good’ sleep but is also important for staying energised throughout the day.

What other things do you do to help you get to sleep?

Promoting Healthy Hair

Since brushing my dreadlocks out at the beginning of January (2015), I've been looking for ways to help repair my damaged hair, assist in making it grow since I had to cut off so much and also not only make it look healthy but actually be healthy.

It's important to note first though that how our hair looks, feels and grows is affected by varying factors. These include

• What we eat and drink (what is good for body will be good for hair)
• What we do (swimming in chlorinated pools and the sea, using hair dryer, etc)
• Quality of our shower water (You can use a shower filter for the best way to remove fluoride, chlorine, iron oxides ("rust water"), reduce harmful VOCs and other contaminants.)
• Genetics
• How much sleep we have nightly
• Our stress level
• Thyroid function
• and lastly, what we put on it (synthetic shampoos, conditioners, gel, etc)

It is commonly known that even with our access to clean, fresh drinking water very few of us actually drink enough of it.

Are you in this category with me?

Whilst looking at the list above think about what things you may need to do to give your hair it's best chance. It may be quite simply to drink more water, it may be something bigger like a complete diet overhaul, whatever it is take control today and do it!

Whilst we need to be concerned with what goes in, we also need to consciously think about what goes on to.

Did you know that the body's largest organ is the skin? 

This means that what goes on, also goes in!

In January we made the decision to try and not put anything on our skin that we wouldn't also eat and I can honestly say I feel so much better for it, even though we haven't managed it 100%.

Did you know that most shampoos, hair and skincare products on the market contain synthetic materials that exasperate and even create many of our hair, scalp and skin challenges?

Here are a few examples -

• Propylene Glycol - may causes dry skin and skin irritation.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Laureth Sulfate - surfactant that may corrode hair follicles
• Oleyl betaine – may cause dry hair and scalp.
• Mineral oils - petroleum products clog your pores since the molecule is too big to be absorbed my the skin. With clogged pores your body cannot release it's vital nutrients and oils!

Go and check your labels!

If your shampoo has a pH between 4 and 6 and doesn't have synthetic compounds then you can be sure that it is supportive to healthy hair growth (and okay for the skin to absorb too!)

If you find that your shampoo contains some or all of the no-no's above, then you may want to do some research to find natural hair products.

The first thing to say about this is that thankfully the internet has made researching this so simple.

There are great natural hair products on the market that contain essential oils including the shampoo that Young Living make - Bath & Body Products.

I now only use these products since I know the company is ethical and I can trust the ingredients in it - you can read more about Young Living's unique 'Seed to Seal' guarantee here.

The range that Young Living have is really good, particularly the Lavender & Mint shampoo and conditioner. However, if you really want to make the most of using essential oils for promoting healthy hair then the very best thing to do is to use a base shampoo or conditioner and add the oils that are right for your hair type. I usually add a total of twenty drops to the bottle directly.

W H A T  I S  M Y  H A I R  T Y P E  A N D  W H A T  O I L S  A R E

B E S T ?

The list below contains information for all the hair types and the corresponding oils. Remember that your hair type can change over time. This may be because of environmental factors like some of the ones at the beginning of this post but pregnancy and ageing will inevitably change your hair type.

N O R M A L  H A I R

Normal hair is neither greasy nor dry; it has not been permed, coloured or damaged; it holds its style and is usually shiny. This is the optimum hair type. The oils in this section will promote growth and help to maintain shine.

These oils are best for normal hair:

• Lavender Essential Oil
• Rosemary Essential Oil
• Lemon Essential Oil
• Geranium Essential Oil
• Cedarwood Essential Oil
• Thyme Essential Oil
• Clary Sage Essential Oil

As with any essential oil combination it is best to try one or two at a time to see if they work for you. Essential oils work differently for different people so make sure you keep a note in your oily journal of what works and what doesn't work for you.

D R Y  H A I R

Dry hair looks dull, tangles easily and can become easily split at the ends. Using essential oils that stimulate the sebaceous glands so that more natural oils are secreted is important for this hair type.

Use these oils:

• Lavender Essential Oil
• Rosemary Essential Oil
• Sandalwood Essential Oil
• Geranium Essential Oil

O I L S  F O R  O I L Y  H A I R

Oily hair is caused by over production of sebum by the sebaceous glands, this makes the air appear greasy. The essential oils needed for this hair type will help normalise and balance the glands and as a result the hair.

Try these oils:

• Lavender Essential Oil
• Rosemary Essential Oil
• Lemon Essential Oil
• Peppermint Essential Oil
• Cypress Essential Oil

C L E A N S I N G  T H E  H A I R

Cleansing the hair and scalp is a great way to kick-start your journey to healthier hair. If you currently have 'normal' type hair then skip straight to step 6.

Remember though that your hair type can change and so you ma need to do a cleanse in the future.

1. Use a base shampoo without essential oils. Wash the hair only ONCE; wash, rinse, repeat is not necessary! Using this will help to remove the buildup of chlorine, grease, chemicals and other secretions on and in your hair and scalp.
2. Pick several essential oils from your hair type category to use for shampooing. REMEMBER: You may need to experiment with several oils until you find what you like. It is better for this beginning phase to add the base shampoo and oils to a small pot instead of putting them straight in to the bottle.
3. Continue to use until you feel there is improvement. You do not need to wash your every day. If your hair is used to this then you may feel it needs it, this is because when using synthetic shampoos the hair and scalp are stripped so the body works harder to produce more oils, this then leads to you wanting to wash it more. Two to three times is the optimal recommended times. If you are a prolific hair washer work your way slowly to this optimal recommendation by starting with every other day.
4. Brushing is an important part of promoting healthy hair. Brushing helps to take the oils produced from the scalp to the very ends of the hair. A natural bristle brush is the best type of brush to use - my personal favourite is a boar hair brush.
5. Keep this routine going even after you see improvement.
6. Now you can add oils to promote hair growth - these are the oils in the 'normal' category. I do this with a D.I.Y. leave-in conditioner. Here's my recipe:

F L A K Y  S C A L P ?

As we know essential oils are useful for so many ailments so it is no surprise that may be very effective in minimising occasional flakiness.

It is best to add these to the leave-in conditioner above and ensure you massage them well in to the scalp. This can be repeated daily until the flakiness disappears. To maintain a flake-free scalp add the oils that work best for you to your leave-in conditioner for promoting healthy hair growth - you may notice that some of them appear in both categories...

• Basil
• Cedarwood
• Cypress
• Lemon
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
• Melaleuca Alternifolia - A.K.A. Tea Tree

Don't forget to go on over to the Facebook Page and let me know how you get on with these.

Do you have any tips or tricks for using essential oils to promote healthy hair growth?

If you are interested in starting your oily then check out WELLNESS TOOLKIT and CONTACT ME with any questions.

You can also see the new hair growth I have had from using essential oils in this video (Please subscribe to the All in a Drop channel to see new content uploaded)

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK2hE-T3vGw[/embed]

Spotlight On: Lavender

Today most of the Lavender Oil sold in the UK is made from a hybrid called lavandin, which is cut with synthetic linalyl acetate to improve the fragrance. Then propylene glycol, DEP or DOP (odorless solvents used to increase the volume) are added, and it is sold as Lavender oil. More Lavender Essential Oil is sold in the US than is naturally grown in the world. How? Through the production of synthetic, man-made oil, and through addition of chemical fillers! This is why it's important to know about the ethos of the company you purchase essential oils from.

Check out this mouthwatering picture of Young Living lavender fields, I'm totally taking advantage of their open farm policy one day!

THE TRUTH ABOUT LAVENDER 

An Excerpt from 'French Aromatherapy', written by Jen O'Sullivan

Most people do not have the sensitivity to fragrances that I do, but I trust my sense of smell above anyone or any label telling me a product is pure. My body will tell me much faster than a label—I can tell within seconds if there are synthetic fragrance fillers in the essential oil. I get a major frontal lobe headache within seconds of smelling synthetic fragrances. Lavender is the number one offender on this point. According to the Lavender Growers Association, there is 100 times more pure therapeutic grade Lavender essential oil exported from France each year than is actually grown there, which begs the question, “What exactly are they exporting?” It’s not fully pure essential oil, that’s for sure. It is most likely Lavandin spiked with synthetic linalool.

An interesting quote from an article written by Dr. Ernest Guenther back in the 1950s states, “Oil of lavender, once produced to the extent of 150,000 kilograms annually in France from true lavender, has decreased to about 50,000 kilograms annually, having given way to a 300,000 kilogram production of Lavandin from hybrids of true lavender and spike lavender.” Lavandin is easier to grow and will yield far greater amounts of essential oil per batch, up to 5–6 times more; therefore it’s quite a bit more profitable to grow. What exactly is Lavandin? It’s a hybrid between true Lavender and Spike Lavender, which has three flower spikes per stalk as opposed to only one. The constituents on Lavandin are not the same, nor do they work as therapeutically as the true French or English Lavender.

Often you will see companies clearly state that an oil is Lavandin and not Lavender, however this is sometimes not the case. Lavandin and Lavender have different constituent markers. A simple alteration of Lavandin is achieved by adding synthetic linalool which will bring the constituents to within passable Lavender range. Aura Cacia states, “A label with the word ‘lavender’ doesn’t necessarily mean a product is a high quality true lavender essential oil, or that it will offer the aromatherapy benefits of true lavender. Over the past several years, demand for lavender oil has skyrocketed, creating a supply shortage that has led to mislabeled lavender products making their way into the marketplace. Some common adulteration practices include spiking lavender and leavening oils with synthetic fragrances such as synthetic linalool and linalyl acetate to make it smell more like lavender, or stretching true lavender oil with solvents such as dipropylene glycol.” This is shocking!

D. Gary Young is known to have a love affair with Lavender and is said to be the champion of bringing true French Lavender into production in the United States. He says, “While I was visiting one of the distilleries in France, I watched the synthetic solution being put into the extracted oil that was poured into the barrels. I was very surprised when I saw the export tags on the barrels showing they were going to a new company in Utah. I even took a photo of the tag. I’m sure the people in Utah had no idea what they were getting, which is typical of most buyers.” The sad reality is, unless the company you buy your essential oils from has control over the production of the oils from the seed selection stage through the final bottling stage, it’s impossible to know for certain if you’re getting the real deal. Why, then, would this be an issue? The very reason most of us use essential oils is to eliminate, to the best of our ability, the synthetic chemicals in our life.

There are few Lavender essential oils that do not give me a raging headache. I used to vehemently hate Lavender for that reason alone… that is until I met Young Living’s Lavender. I use it every day and it’s changed my breathing for the better. No other Lavender I’ve tried, to date, even comes close. When Lavender is pure, without any synthetic chemicals, it may smell nice to me, but its potency in therapeutic action is what I want. The smell is a happy afterthought for me. If you are not sensitive to smells, you’ll want to take a look at the other areas that may shed light on your current company to know for sure if they’re a good fit for your needs.

There are several questions you will want to ask the essential oil company that are covered in my books. If you’re using essential oils just to make a room smell pleasant, by all means choose one whose scent you like. If, however, you’re looking for therapeutic value and action, and especially if you’d like to consider consuming an essential oil, these questions are paramount. Do not take this lightly. There’s really no clear standard on essential oils, and terms such as certified, therapeutic, organic, and now even medicinal grade, technically mean nothing. These words are marketing jargon that have no real weight. Most people are figuring that out by now, but if you’re new to the essential oil world, you may not have ever known. So where does that leave you? Confused I bet, which is why I decided to become a louder voice in this beautiful aromatherapy industry.
Cheers!

[Excerpt from the book French Aromatherapy ©2016 Jen O'Sullivan]

Lavender is considered the "Swiss Army Knife" of the oils!

If you are not sure what to use...then use Lavender!

It is gentle enough to put on little ones too.

This oil is pretty amazing.

 It has a fresh, sweet, floral aroma that is both soothing and refreshing. Because it is the most versatile of oils no home should be without it.

It is hugely regarded for both skin and beauty.

Some Uses for Lavender

1. Soothe Minor Skin Irritations - mix 1tbsp of raw coconut oil with 3-5 drops of lavender and apply topically to the area.

2. Ease a Sting or Bite - Apply neat to the area. I always keep lavender in my handbag, just in case!

3. Seasonal Discomforts or Environmental Reactions? - Apply neat to the inside of the cheek, behind the ears and around the rims of the nostrils.

4. Need Peaceful Sleep? - Diffuse before bedtime and try our bedtime foot-rub.

5. Help Soothe Minor Cuts and Bruises - We put 1-2 drops with a drop of carrier oil and rub onto the area to help soothe.

6. Aid Relaxation - Add to epsom salts and dissolve in a warm bath. Lavender is also great for an after bath massage to help relaxation on little and big ones alike. It's so gentle that it would be great for any baby massage too.

7. Super Mascara - Why have normal mascara when you can have SUPER mascara? I love this little tip - not only does it benefit your lashes but can lengthen the life of your mascara too - no more gloop!

You can read more about how not all essential oils are created equal here.

How to get hold of this oil

If you would like to purchase a bottle at wholesale price or would like a free sample please do contact me. Alternatively, please see Wellness Toolkit for the best ways to join Young Living and the amazing Essential Families team with over 5000 members.

Spotlight On: Progessence Plus

Progessence Plus, or as I affectionately call it, Pro+, is my most favourite oil because of all the benefits I have received from it.

My essential oil journey started because I wanted to battle my PCOS naturally and this oil certainly came through for me. You can read more about how I use it specifically for PCOS and hormone balancing in these two posts: Battling PCOS and (More) Natural Ways to Battle PCOS.

However, I have decided to feature Progessence Plus as Oil of the Week because it is truly amazing stuff.

Progessence Plus Serum Natural Progesterone Supplement is an all natural hormone replacement made with essential oils and a wild yam extract with no adverse side-effects documented.

Some of the benefits of wild yam (progesterone) include: a decrease in symptoms of menopause and PMS; a reduced risk of heart attack or stroke; normalising blood sugar levels; improving bone density; assisting unwanted weight gain; reducing hormonal headaches and hair loss and so much more.

This serum was specifically designed for women by D. Gary Young and Dr. Dan Purser, MD, to reduce the prevalence of oestrogen by increasing progesterone levels. Unlike other progesterone creams and treatments, Progessence Plus does not require rotation of skin sites due to it's special formula. 

Progessence Plus can be used by all menstruating women, including young teens, to help naturally regulate hormone cycles. It may also promote relaxation and aid in sleeping.

NB. If you are a pre or post menopausal woman then you may wish to look at oils and serums including Mister and PD80-20.

W H A T  I S  I N  I T ?

Alongside the aforementioned wild yam extract, Pro+ also contains seven essential oils: Copaiba; Frankincense; Cedarwood; Bergamot; Peppermint; Rosewood and Clove.

W H A T  T O  U S E  I T  F O R ?

As I've said, this is one of my favorite products for balancing my hormones.

Hormones are a vital part of our health, particularly as they provide essential protection to our bones.

As one ages, hormones become even more essential since they help to prevent age decline and other age-related symptoms, it is therefore of paramount importance that they are present for as long as possible.

Replacing them naturally, using essential oils, is a great way to battle hormone related issues; whether that be infertility, PCOS and even the menopause.

H O W  T O  U S E ?

Two to four drops applied topically morning and evening.

You can apply to the forearms, outer ankles and even the back of the neck.

I decided to add an aroma glide fitment to my bottle for easier application - see how to fit one to your bottles here:

 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9htfvPmLEHM[/embed]

O T H E R  O I L S  T O  C O M P L I M E N T?

As already discussed hormones are an important factor in overall body health, Pro+ is great for women with Oestrogen dominance. I also use SclarEssence, Geranium and Endoflex to assist my hormone production.

For men wanting to boost their testosterone levels, then Shutran, along with Idaho Balsam Fir, is a great place to start. 

Have you got a great oily testimony? Share it over on our Facebook page.

How to get hold of this oil

If you would like to purchase a bottle at wholesale price or would like a free sample please do contact me. Alternatively, please see Wellness Toolkit for the best ways to join Young Living and the amazing Essential Families team with over 5000 members and to start building your toolkit for Whole Body Wellness today.