Travelling with Essential Oils

The season of travel is upon us, so here's a sneak peek at my season essentials.

1. The first thing in my bag is Thieves. A blend consisting of Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Lemon, Rosemary and Eucalyptus oils; because of the Cinnamon and Clove, Thieves is considered a “hot” oil & should be diluted with a carrier such as coconut, olive oil, v-6, grapes, etc. Proven to kill 99.96% of airborne bacteria this will be diffused as soon as I get to my destination. 

I'll also be applying to my feet before travelling and daily to protect myself from any germy fellow travellers. Along with the essential oil blend, I'm also packing a bottle (or two) of the thieves hand purifier. A bottle of Thieves spray is also accompanying me for similar reasons!

2. Peppermint is a must-have even when not travelling, so it's coming with me to Spain too. I use it for headaches and to help invigorate me for the day ahead. Peppermint can also help relieve anxiety and alleviate fatigue. In terms of traveling, Peppermint is essential for any queasy travellers. You could add a drop to mug of warm water and consume before travelling. It is also a great idea to dilute this oil in a liquid carrier and put in to a roller so it can be used easily on the go. If you have space then ginger is also great for tummy issues. Digize is a blend containing both longer and peppermint (amongst others) so is good to have on hand too. I will also be adding a drop or two to the bottom of the shower tray to help wake me up, since getting up at silly o'clock is going to be a reality more than once! Traveller's cold is also commonplace in the first few days of travelling, so if possible taking some of my D.I.Y. shower discs would be amazing. Unfortunately I can't so peppermint in the shower is the next best thing.

  

3. Lavender is, as we know, the swiss army knife of essential oils; used to help a multitude of ailments. Like Peppermint, Lavender normally comes every where with me, so taking it whilst travelling is a no-brainer. Lavender essential oil can be used to alleviate swollen feet and ankles, so it is a must for any long-haul flights. if possible add three to five drops to a damp pieces of cotton, store in a small plastic bag and apply as necessary to feet/ankles in an upwards motion for 

a few minutes. Lavender may also help you get a more restful sleep and assist with seasonal discomforts. Getting sunburn is the unpleasant bit of travelling. You can make a sunscreen with essential oils (which i'll post shortly). However, if you find yourself with sunburn at the end of the day then Lavender oil is the most effective treatment. The most important thing is to reduce the heat in the skin. You could try filling a sink or bath with cold water and immerse the affected part for at least ten minutes. Then apply three to four drops of Lavender essential oil directly to the affected area. Note: Water and oil do not mix, so add some salt (preferably epsom salts) to give the oil something to cling to and disperse.

4. Purification is a blend oil. It includes citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, Melaleuca (tea tree), lavandin, and myrtle oils. This has made my travelling shortlist, because 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. This is a must in hotel rooms which often have poor quality air. I am taking a small travel diffuser with me, but unfortunately have not yet found one that is suitable for citrus oil (since they eat petrochemicals in plastics) so instead will be doing a few drops to some tissue and placing strategically around the room. It may also help to disinfect and cleanse cuts, scrapes, insect bites and stings, so great to have on hand just in case. Bugs are not prevalent at this time of year where i'm going, but because it contains citronella is great for travelling with.

E x t r a s If you are travelling with kids then I would make sure you pack Peace and Calming. It is a gentle fragrant blend oil of: Blue Tansy, Patchouli, Tangerine, Orange and Ylang Ylang. Use during long trips in confined spaces to help with the “ants in the pants” syndrome. I added a roller-fitment to the top of P&C and leave in the car, pass it around the car and hey presto - calm space!

If you or any of travelling companions are nervous about flying or indeed travelling, then a mix of the four below, make a great anti-anxiety combo. \

Young Living have also recently introduced a great Travel Pack, 'Bon Voyage Travel Pack'.

Bon Voyage offers ten Young Living personal-care products inside an attractive, custom-designed Young Living bag:

• 1. Thieves® AromaBright Toothpaste, 60ml.
• 2. Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier, 29.5ml.
• 3. Thieves Dental Floss
• 4. Thieves Fresh Essence Plus Mouthwash, 60ml.
• 5. Young Living branded Toothbrush
• 6. Lavender Shampoo, 60ml.
• 7. Lavender Conditioner, 60ml.
• 8. Cinnamint Lip Balm
• 9. Morning Start™ Bath & Shower Gel, 60ml.
• 10. Genesis™ Hand & Body Lotion, 60ml.
• 11. A.R.T™ Light Moisturizing Cream, 10g.

What are your favourites for travelling?


If you would like to find out more about these amazing oils and how they have helped my family, you can browse this site and check out the post, 'Wellness Toolkit', to see how you can get these oils with 24% off R.R.P. Alternatively please do contact me and I will be more than happy to discuss oils with you.

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.

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?

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.