Thank you also for so many suggestions of specific oils and how to use them, books and websites etc. This kept me busy in every spare moment all week. It was very helpful! I went on to order Manuka Oil and several other things as a result too.
As it turned out I had a chance to really test something out. And this leads me to a good point to start.... when ordering your very first essential oils pick things that will help you with your most urgent and common needs. My first list was something to help with getting to sleep, something to keep germs at bay when bugs are going around and something for me when I get a sore throat. I get a really terrible sore throat a few times a year and I have for years. Once it starts up it sticks around. It is the type where you don't want to swallow it hurts so much. I hate it! And I have tried EVERYTHING! I mean, I have had it for years so I really have tried it all.... except essential oils!
A few days ago I felt fine but tired. In the night I woke up from the pain of a really bad throat. It had started up and was terrible. Straight away I thought about what I knew I am in for!
Even though it was the middle of the night I at least managed to remember my oregano oil which is what I had on hand especially for this and bad colds etc. I already had it in a roller ball diluted with a carrier oil. So I got up and rubbed this on my neck and a lot into the glands, you know... sort of on the side of your neck under your ears.... which were a bit tender. Then for good measure I rubbed it into my feet. I had a cup of tea... and settled down to sleep again. Andy woke up and I said I am sorry if I smell like the botanical gardens but I am trying out my oregano oil. lol
In the morning I didn't have a sore throat. At all. This has NEVER happened before. Never.
Instead of being happy I thought WHY has no one ever told me about this before! Why when I have been to the Doctor a hundred and fifty thousand times over the years didn't I get told to try this?
It makes you wonder.
Anyway I am so impressed!
This week I will share a few really basics that got me started and helped me.
I both read up and asked around about what oils I could buy to get started that would be most useful to me. There is no use buying random oils and having no clue what to do with them. And no use buying things you won't like. I know Peppermint is useful but I hate the smell. I would never use it. I went by the most pressing concerns I had and just got three oils initially.
I knew I wanted pure essential oils and this matters. After that I was slightly put off by cost. Really small bottles seems very expensive. This varies a lot depending on each oil. It might be possible to chose the less expensive of the options suggested to address your concerns.
Then I realised your small bottle consists of drops. We are talking about using droplets as this is very concentrated. Some oils are used in cooking and there are conversion charts that show the strength... i.e. one drop of lemon oil equals two whole lemons in a recipe. What you are buying is very concentrated. If you keep it in a dark cool place it is going to last a long time.
Next the oils are mainly diluted before you use them on your skin which means they go even further.
It is great to make up rollers with your own oils or blends. Whoever sells essential oils seems to sell these. They are also available on Ebay, Amazon etc.
Mine are 10ml. I have a little funnel and they are filled with a carrier oil like almond oil or coconut oil. You need the coconut oil that never sets which is called Fractionated Coconut Oil. Once again this is also going to last you ages as you are using less than 10mls (33 ounces) to fill a roller.
In your roller you put your drops of essential oil then top it up with your carrier oil and shake. It seems there are differing opinions on how many drops of essential oil to use. I used five drops but I am reading now to use ten. I still found five smells quite strong and it has been effective. So you can work that out and maybe try it and see. But this means you get a nice little container of useable oil from just a few drops of your bottle. Suddenly you start to see how far a bottle is actually going to go as the roller ball seems to last just ages!
I found writing on my bottles just rubbed off so I needed a stick on label. You can label them with the name of the oil or the purpose... like I have Sleep which is Lavender. But then I have Oregano as I can remember what it is for. As long as it helps you use them!
Last winter when the flu was everywhere I dabbed my On Guard blend on my wrists and under my nose before I went anywhere. This year I will also be diffusing it at home.
I keep my sleep blend on my bedside table and also my Oregano oil so I can grab it in the night if I need it.
So this is my start and already it has helped me!
Next is to expand to some more oils as I learn about them and what would be beneficial. And also to work through the needs of other family members.
I have a diffuser and I really don't know how to use it so this week I will be doing a lot of reading on that.
As I am including herbs, home remedies, vitamins and homeopathy in my medicine cupboard I have a lot to learn but it is really interesting. I have always used garlic, echinacea, vitamin C and then started using Olive Leaf extract. My own olive leaves are almost dry so I can start making my own.
I have Oregano and Rosemary tinctures almost ready too. I am also looking for an actual cupboard to be my Home Pharmacy all in one spot.
Wendy kindly let me know there is a free Essential Oil course coming up. We don't know what it will be like but are hopeful and we both signed up. You can find this here. Thank you Wendy.
And Patsy is thinking about spring and here is her list of medical plants she is growing... Gardening 2018 Medical Herbs/Plants. A medical garden is a wonderful idea and when essential oils are expensive we can still benefit from the medical properties of herbs and plants in other ways... i.e. teas and infusions...
I think this is like anything else... a little bit each week really adds up! And it is easier than you think at first!
What essential oils have you had success with?
Do you make up blends as so far I have only made single oils into roller balls...
Do you have tips on saving money while building up our supplies? Or on how to make supplies last as long as possible?
Last week there lots of incredibly helpful comments and really following all these up led me to so much information and so many things that are very useful to me. Thank you!
I will try to work through one subject at a time as we go along.
This week I am trying to figure out the best way to use my diffuser. Also I am going on to make some essential oil cleaning products.
I hope you are having a good week!
Somewhere I also have to fit in a craft and present cupboard post! Busy busy!
xxx
Hi Annabel,
ReplyDeleteBeing a new mum I find your posts are very useful.
Do you know and oils that can be used for a teething baby for relief?
Thanks
Sanda
There is a homeopathic medicine that mothers have used in the past for teething. My children are in their 30’s, so I don’t remember the name. Any health food store could look it up for you or gooooogle.
DeleteDebbie
Clove oil. Put three drops in one tablespoon of olive oil and use 1 drop of that on the gums every three hours. I recommend olive oil because it is anti-inflammatory too. Hopewelloils.com has an educational article on use of oils with babies and children that is very helpful. Look under Education.
DeleteThanks so much..
DeleteSanda
Thank you, Lana, for pointing us in this direction! Sanda, I'm a new mom too. We are not at the teething point yet but we had issues with colic in the beginning and sleep issues later on. I go the all natural route (even made my own gripe water) so any info in this area is helpful. Even if only to be able to use with our next child (or to help friends who might have the same experiences!), if the Lord chooses to so bless us.
DeleteLove, Kelsey
The homeopathic product is Hyland's Teething Tablets. They really work but have been pulled off the shelves in the US because they are thought to not be safe. Our grandchildren had them daily with no adverse affects but a lot of relief from teething pain.
DeleteThis information about clove oil is invaluable! Thank you so much! I need to write down these fabulous tips! Love, Bridge
DeleteYou are off to a great start! I always feel empowered when my oils work so well and quickly. I am so glad to hear about your results with your sore throat. The awesome thing is that perhaps you killed the infection that has been there and will not have a sore throat like that again. Last winter we carried the oil bottle in our left pockets to protect us against the flu and it works because you will pick up the frequency of the oil and it will protect you. We carry Plague Defense from Hopewell. We also keep it on the nightstand at night. My husband got up all congested and horrible sounding a few mornings ago so we did the drop of Plague Defense on the bottoms af his feet and put socks over to keep it warm and absorbing. In an hour he was well. Oils applied to the bottom of the fwet are carried yo tje entire body.
ReplyDeleteEmotions play such a huge part in our overall health that living in fear of the flu will really knock down your immune system. Pray and give the fear to God and then leave it there.
Another bit of general information is that pain killers shut down the lymph sustem and you must have a working lymph system to be able to heal. A few years ago I found out that my Mom was taking one Tylenol every night at bedtime for no apparent reason. She is so much healthier and has far fewer illnesses since stopping that habit.
I’ve dabbled in oils for years. But, I never used the roller ball. So, I think i’ll try that next time. I use thyme infused in honey for my sore throats. I used to get the sore throats you spoke of. (Strep) I go for goldenseal, at that point. Thankfully, they are rare these days. I love this, already learning something new!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Dear Debbie, Vicky uses Thyme a lot. I love honey and thyme in the garden so I can try this. According to Lana (above) you might have cured your tendency for these sore throats... I am hoping this can be me! They are awful. Glenda also has written about Goldenseal which will be in a post coming up. Thank you very much, Love Annabel.xxx
DeleteI only have DoTerra ClaryCalm which I sometimes use when going off to sleep. I like the smell of this blend.
ReplyDelete"doTERRA's ClaryCalm is a proprietary blend of essential oils that provides a soothing and calming effect during a woman’s menstrual cycle. A topical blend of Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Fennel, Carrot Seed, Palmarosa, and Vitex, ClaryCalm provide a cooling effect to the skin and help balance emotions."
Dear Joolz, I am really liking the sound of this. I have Clary Sage but not the blend. I would like to get this as most of those things I know I like. Yang Ylang is gorgeous and Geranium is very soothing to me! I need soothing! Thank you for this! Love Annabel.xxx
DeleteBe careful with both Clary Sage and Geranium as they have huge effects on hormones and can bring on or jump start a stalled labor. For example they would not be suitable to diffuse in around males or pregnant women. You can use the Hopewell Oils site to research any oil.
DeleteLovely post Annabel,
DeleteI use peppermint oil sparingly for migraines. Kristi can't stand the smell. That is wonderful about your sore throat. I have a caution about the diffuser and pets a woman accidentally poisoned he cat using eucalyptus oil in her diffuser. Lemon and orange oil are not good for cats either. They use orange oil to kill termites. So please check with your vet before using oils in the diffuser. There are so many wonderful oils.☺ I am excited to learn the many uses. I used to put a garlic clove in olive oil heat slightly let cool and use for earaches. There was no info about this when my daughter was small. We had an older woman that lived down the street that had a lot of old time cures. Lana I have no idea if this is something they use now for ear pain. We ended up finding
out she had a milk allergy. The woman thought she might
We had her tested at the allergist and sure enough she was right. I wish I would have learned more from her. Much love,
Patti
Patti, We use Basil EO behind the ear for earaches. Put a drop right above the knobby bone on the head behind the ear. It relaxes the tubes in the ear so they can drain. It is amazingly quick.
DeleteLana, Thank you so much! This is wonderful information. Much love,
DeletePatti
Thanks heaps for doing this post on oils Annabel! Ive been jotting notes down ,I just need to remember where there are. I have as mentioned before that I have a lovely cabinet that my oils and books are in .After reading that you were going to focus on learnign about them I had a look at what I have ,and many of my oils have been bought over the last 20 years or more.
ReplyDeleteOne caution I have read about is that one has to be careful about combining Homepathic with essentail oils, Im pretty sure its written in one of my books , which I will try and find and report back. Although someone reading here may be able to confirm this.
I found in my bedside table I had a number of sleep aids ticked away that havent been used much, and one is an oil blend I bought a few years ago ,called Tranquil Sleep, from Health2000, and the brand is Dolphin Clinic.So you prompted me to try it again and Im happy to say Ive been able to get off to sleep each night for almost a week now. As you you know IM a nightowl and have trouble sleeping , and have had a few weeks feelign that I couldnt get on top of it ie if I get the odd nights good sleep and sleep later I can recover .Anyhow this blend is made up of Bergamot, Lavender, Neroli and Clary Sage.
Warning:Not to be used during pregnancy.It pays to check before using oils one is not familiar with becaues some are not good eg if one has high blood pressure or heart conditions , and there are various other cautions dependign on the oil to be used.
I read recently that Peppermint teabags (after use) can be an insect deterrent, I dont much like myself as Ive tried it several times over the years and just about barfed excuse me sayign that .At the time Id read it could help with nausea and motion sickness which I had . Ive had several all day car trips that have started with a migraine and it hasnt been pleasant.
Yestedray I spotted several ants on the kitchen windowbox so I put peppermint oil in the oil burner I keep by the sink. WE had a preal problme with them for a couple of years and in the end Hubby convinced me to let him use some ant goo mixed with honey on small squares of paper on the window box , one each side. IM a tad worried with the much warmere weather we've had since November thats got them goign again...argh!
Ive not seen the roller oil bottles round here will have alook online , thanks once again for this info and to all others contributing, with love Maria xxx
Dear Maria, Your cabinet sounds so lovely. I want something just for remedies to keep them dark and in one place so I can keep track of things.
DeleteI am now off to look up this sleep remedy you mention. You know how I am too... last night was a bad night actually. The roller bottles are easy to get online and not expensive. I use a funnel for perfume or something small like that. I really like these a lot. Also I have a post coming up I think you will like re an essential oil necklace. Thanks so much, with love Annabel.xxx
Hi Annabel,
ReplyDeleteWith all the talk of elderberry, I thought I'd do a bit of research to find out what it was and what it did as I hadn't a clue. I found this website very useful especially as it's Australian, plus they sell the plant, though out of stock at the moment. As I said, I came across it doing some research so other than that I don't know the company.
The website is http://www.herbcottage.com.au/elder-flower.html
Interesting, I remember Mum using oil of clove on us if we had a toothache - seems "everything old is new again".
Enjoy your week, everyone
Janine
Dear Janine, Well I am the same. Glenda grows it in great qualities and it is beautiful but I had no idea how it would be used. Now I am hearing so much about it. Thank you for this website.
DeleteI know clove oil works! We have had that! You cant feel a thing where clove oil is dabbed. Many thanks, with love Annabel.xxx
Hi Annabel, one thing i always have growing is an Aloe Vera plant. The gel inside is brilliant for soothing burns, sunburn and small skin irritations, my husband is a paramedic and they have aloe infused wet bandages for burns patients. They are also a very easy plant to grow and very hardy. I have also read accounts of the body removers during the plague who had to collect the diseased and amazed everyone never getting ill by drinking an infusion of crushed raw garlic in red wine. Also read of monks using mustard foot baths and poultices for colds and various ailments for centuries particularly in France and Europe. I had an amazing book years ago called God's Pharmacy that had wonderful advice about natural remedies, although I lent it to a friend and it was never returned. It may be available from the library though.
ReplyDeleteLove Lisa x
Dear Lisa,
DeleteI really should get some Aloe Vera growing. I have had it previously at other houses. That is very interesting about the paramedics! Also what an asset to have a husband with this kind of knowledge.
Thanks for the book recommendation also. With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteIt is good to hear of your success in healing your throat issues. That is wonderful. And I have never seen such pretty rollerballs :)
I have a collection of oils and mostly use them for scenting cleaning products and hand scrubs, but I would love to learn to use them as medicine.
We have used our diffuser a few times. Colton gets a sinus infection every year but for the past two years he has run the diffuser beside his bed at night and in the car on his way to work at the onset of an infection and it clears right up. No more expensive trips to the doctor and pharmacy.
I ran lemon oil in the diffuser to TRY to help with morning sickness but after about three days, the smell of lemon made me sick and I couldn't handle it until well after John was born (which is crazy because everybody says lemon everything to help with sickness.) So I am wondering if anybody has any idea what to do about the morning sickness that lasts 24/7 for me! I tried ginger, peppermint, and the aforementioned lemon but there was no relief. The constant nausea/vomitting was the hardest physical thing I have ever been through (more difficult for me even than my unmedicated labor!) and if I could find something that could give me even five minutes of relief day or night the next time around, that would be amazing.
Also, I have a good friend who has suffered with nose polyps for about ten years and has tried so many things, and while a few have helped a little, they are still a problem to the point that she can very seldom breathe through her nose. Sorry for all the questions, but I know some of you are very knowledgeable in this field!
Annabel, I will definitely be following along and learning right along with you! I'm so glad you chose this as a topic. I think it can help so many people.
Love, Kelsey
Some of my clients suffered from morning sickness. I suggested that they eat a high protein snack before bedtime. It worked well for them.
DeleteGinger small amount to taste in hot water, let it cool a little, add raw honey. Mix. Drink. No morning sickness in 5 min.
DeleteI am so sorry you have that horrible morning sickness. I suffered the same with 4 out of 5 of mine for 5 months every time. I never found anything to help me. I hope someone can help.
DeleteFor the nose polyps, I would suggest ordering a bottle of Bacteria Top Gun from hopewelloils.com. Dilute it 10 drops in a teaspoon of olive oil and swab it on with a Q tip 3 times a day. I had the same and healed them this way. Such a huge relief!
Kelsey, I do have some things to help you with morning sickness and for your friend'S nose. It is too much to go into here so would you email me at lanavdixon@yahoo.com and we can talk about it better.
DeleteDear Annabel,
ReplyDeleteEssential oils can be very beneficial for a variety of health issues. They can, also, be used for cleaning and disinfecting household surfaces. A good use, around the house, is to mix them in distilled water, then spray a cloth and wipe down light switches, door handles, and cabinet handles.
You are very wise to make sure the oils meet an excellent quality control standard and are pure oils. Some companies sell oils that are less expensive. Cheap oils are usually not put through any type of quality control testing and/or cut with inferior ingredients. We use a different brand, but there are several excellent sources for pure essential oils.
One caution I would add is to be very careful using essential oils around babies, pregnant women, and small children. Many E.O.'s are safe, but some can cause serious damage to specific individuals.
Love and hugs,
Glenda
Dear Glenda, I am starting on the cleaning options as I think of all the germs we pick up when someone has an infection, the flu etc. and how to slow down the spread of things. This is so interesting and obviously nasty chemicals aren't needed.
DeleteI am going to ask you for your list of brands and sources as you will know which are 100% pure oils. This would be a great help.
Thanks for so much help. With love Annabel.xxx
Very interesting and informative post. Do you know of anything to help with "restless leg syndrome"? It is terrible when you can't relax because of it. Any help would be appreciated. Blessings, Sharon D.
ReplyDeleteDear Sharon, Well oh my goodness yes! I suffered this for years. I know how terrible it is. Usually it was in bed but then one time I was on a long plane trip and it started up and I couldnt move around much and I wont ever forget how bad that trip was! I started on magnesium tablets. I need to take two a day. This completely cures it for me. Now and then I forget my tablets and it will ever so gently start up again and I will remember to take my magnesium. Again this is something I went to the doctor over and got absolutely no where. Then someone told me try magnesium... and it seemed all my years of this were completely unnecessary! So I really hope this will work for you too. I have an idea calcium also helps but try magnesium first! Let me know how you go! With love Annabel.xxx
DeletePlease remember not to use Clary Sage if you are, or might be pregnant as it can be harmful.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Post Annabel. I always use lavender on burns and arnica for bruising or before& after surgery or dental extraction,
Dear Kim, Thank you I will tel the girls this and remember it. Also I often get bruises and I do have arnica cream so I should just use it more! Thank you! Love Annabel.xxx
DeleteSome of our favorites are Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Lavender blend.Mix equal amounts with just enough carrier oil to rub on forehead, temples and back of the neck. Place a cool damp washcloth on the forehead for headaches. Works wonders. Manuka for all bug bites and diffuse for Upper Respiratory Infections in a small room. Tea Tree oil for athletes foot and ringworm are great. Both my son-in-laws are dairy farmers. One of them got a huge ringworm from the cattle. Over the counter spray didn’t do anything. I gave him a band aid soaked in Tea Tree oil almost completely gone in two days. My sister had a pulled tendon in her foot and used Marjoram oil massaged into area followed by Lavender oil. Really helped with the soreness . I personally only use essential oils like medication, not on a daily basis. I have a friend that believes you can build up an immunity to them and they are less effective.
ReplyDeleteDear Lynn, This is so interesting. I will note this down. Contact with animals can bring on ringworms and they are yuk! It well may be true that like a lot of things the effect becomes less as we get used to them. I am hoping that my relaxing type oils are different ones to my more medical use ones but I will get advice on this very good point. Thank you! Love Annabel.xxx
DeleteAnnabel,
ReplyDeleteHello! I know that you do no care for peppermint oil, but others may wish to know it works amazingly well in reducing or eliminating headaches. I put a dab on each side at the temple area and then at the back of my neck at the base of the skull. Usually withing 15 -20 minutes I am much improved.
I am not sure if I have noted anyone mention this but one of the reasons Essential Oils are so effective is due to their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Which many medicinals are not able to do.
As to the Homeopathics...I have seen remarkable results when the correct remedies are given. Here's a short story about my oldest son (now 28 years old) Andrew. When he was just about 18 months old he was having some kind of severe topical skin allergy reaction. At the time he had just stopped nursing, I knew he was unable to tolerate dairy so gave him soy milk. Well in an effort to get to the problem I took him to Luc Chaltin a Classical Homeopath (now deceased)(also the founder of Newton Laboratories). Luc took one look at Andrew and he knew what was troubling my poor baby. Turned out he also had a soy allergy and some other troubles. Luc compounded a special mix of remedies just for Andrew. Within one week he was 75% better, the alligator skin rashes were almost gone, mood and temperment and stomach troubles all remarkably improved. So finding a skilled Homeopath is a valuable asset to good health. We are now in the need of a new one. Hopefully I will find one soon!
Okay, now that I have written on and on...
Have a blessed day ladies!
Kath
Dear Kath, Thank you for sharing your experience! I have had amazing results in other areas with homeopathy. I also need to find one as the one I went to retired. But she was amazing. When everyone else threw their hands in the air she just worked things out. I hope you have success finding someone else just as good. Thank you so much, with love Annabel.xxx
DeleteThankyou for the link to the free essential oil class...I'm excited! We see a wonderful MD here in the states who is also a homeopath (and teaches other MDs how to use homeopathy). We have seen wonderful results with it. One of my sons had loose bowels for 3 months (didn't tell mom) and when we went to the doctor, his energy scan and bloodwork came up with Lyme disease. He put him on a homeopathic series for Lyme and his stomach pain was gone in 2 weeks, bowels normal in 6 weeks. Thank goodness we didn't go to a regular doctor, the Lyme would have just gotten gradually worse. This is just one example of many that I have experienced in our familly! I will dose at home with homeopathic oscillococcinum for flu and found that it helps with fevers (especially tends to take away the chills) and can sometimes either lessen the flu and even stop it from progressing.
ReplyDeleteWith taking homeopathic and essential oils, it is my understanding that essential oils can make homeopathics ineffective and you want to space your use of the two different medicines by at least 30 minutes. (When my boys have a cold or flu, I rotate between giving them essential oils, wait at least 30 minutes, then I will give them homeopathic and herbal meds.
Karen in Wisconsin
I'm very interested in all things natural medicine and am very thankful for your website Annabel! My next project will be to learn more about growing medicinal herbs and making my own tinctures.
Thank you so much! Also for this info on spacing between essential oils and homeopathy.
DeleteYou have given me a lot of useful information and it is great hearing success stories! I have a post coming up on tinctures and have been on a steep learning curve here! With love Annabel.xxx
Dear Annabel, my Mum was mad crazy for essential oils and botanical pharmaceuticals. She was talking about Aromatherapy before it was a thing...lol. She sold the Le Reve essential oils when she was alive and they are good quality too. They're an Australian family company, so I like supporting them. My favourites have always been Clary Sage, Lemongrass (used a lot in Day Spas), Lavender, Jasmine and Rose (both very expensive but you only need the tiniest amount), and Rose Geranium. I've found Wintergreen is the scent used in muscle balms, and a few drops of Wintergreen with Scotch Pine and Eucalyptus, combined with Vaseline, makes a beautiful, soothing chest rub for colds and flus.I've primarily used the herbals and florals in candles and skin care products and things like Vanilla, West Indies Lime, and Neroli (a favourite), are beautiful scents in soaps. I've heard about using the doTerra oils in place of cooking ingredients but I've never tried it. There is actually a shop in a local market that holds regular cooking classes using essential oils. I must try to book in for a couple! If you can lay your hands on one, my Mum passed on a book to me, called The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood, that is a wonderful resource for beginners and experienced folk alike. Some of the language is a little dated in my copy (silly things like 'handicapped' instead of 'disabled', but nothing awful...just not PC...lol!), but the information is excellent, and it's a great little home encyclopaedia for making your own blends for just about any ailment. Love, Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteDear Mimi, Your Mum was ahead of her time! I love hearing what oils you like. Thank you for the book suggestion too. I am going to look up Le Reve now, thanks so much! With love Annabel.xxx
Deleteoils are great but be careful if you have pets; they can be allergic to many & some are life threatening to them.
ReplyDeleteuse your oils sparingly, they are potent.
when i was young i used to suffer tonsillitis every year, drove me nuts; one year it was acute; had me in emergency, the doc gave me the strongest penicillin i had ever had in my life! in capsules mind you, had to break them open & take with honey to just swallow it. 2 weeks later nothing, haven't had it since & i still have my tonsils.
great post
thanx for sharing