My Blog, My Soap Boxes and Diffused Oils

Thanks to those who have been following my recipe blog!  I hear questions and comments now and then about the recipes.  I hope you are still enjoying them! I am having a different spin for a few posts.  I don't post very often any more (life is just that way), but I do possibly have some things to offer about the health and the usage of oils. Most of you know about my Foot Zoning hobby (Reflexology).  In the last couple of years, my family and I have benefited for the usage of essential oils.  I am dedicating a few posts to this topic and other health stuff I find useful in my home.

Yes, I do have some soap boxes like my dislike for MLM companies.  We can be friends, and you can belong to an MLM that is just fine, but I consider you a solicitor when you come to my car in Costco and hand me business cards out of the blue. If I want to buy something I will go a store or ask you.  Please don't pressure me. No, you making money is not a crime, and I don't begrudge you that.  And, I will absolutely stink as your bubble/triangle/networking person. I promise!  It's best to just get that out there. 

And, I do have health soap boxes, like I am absolutely committed to my kids not eating things they are allergic to. It's too risky....stabbing an  epipen into my kids does not sound pretty.  I want them to heal and they are best served by not eating the things they are allergic to so they can heal their guts. 

 I also have been in so many nutrition classes from my doctor's office I am on the sugar  hell isn't good for anyone soap box. To quote a friend, "Why do we teach young girls that when a group of women get together, they eat junk food?"  I would say why do we teach our kids when a group of people get together they eat junk food?......Yes, my blog, my soap boxes.  

Ok.  Moving along. 

I am a mommy bear, not an MD so don't sue me if things go south. Use your own common sense and see a doctor for pity sake if you need to.

I like using my essential oil diffuser.  I use it when my kids get sick. I put it in their rooms at night.  I also like to diffuse oils like Uplift in the winter, or Christmas around Christmas-time like an air freshener.  I don't use it all the time though.  I handle essential oils all the time, and diffusing them can be overwhelming to me now. It's also easy to over dose kids on oils with a diffuser. Yes, an oil overdose is possible.  And I have seen, only once,  a child have an allergic reaction to lavender. It was on his skin, and I'm glad it wasn't being diffused.  So, use caution with kids and watch them. That being said my kids, who are allergic to the planet, have never had an allergic reaction to an oil. 

My friends who own an oil business (no not an MLM), told me they have the same experience.  They said if you diffuse the same oils over and over, you can start developing headaches and other reactions. They said that the best thing to do, if you are going to diffuse oils, is to find a couple of oils you like for whatever you need them for and alternate the days you use them.  

For example diffusing for winter use: Protection (On Guard) one day, frankincense another, and bring purify, lemon, and lavender in the mix for other days.  Only diffuse one oil up to twice a day. Try not to exceed the twice a day thing. This is advice from the oil companies themselves, as well as other seasoned veteran oil users.

For croup and nose colds: I diffuse breathe at night.

For disinfecting rooms: I diffuse lavender, lemon or purify.

For calming: I diffuse lavender.

For winter blues and holiday stress: I diffuse uplift or Christmas.

For strep or something really nasty: I diffuse thyme oil with caution.  Thyme can be a hot oil to some.  It is sort of a medium hot oil to me. Some people could react to it by breathing it in.  I just keep it in the corner of the room, and I know my family is fine with it.  I want the nasties to go away quickly, so it is worth it.

I personally would say to not diffuse the following oils: Wintergreen, Peppermint, Eucalyptus strait (unless in a blend like breathe), Oregano or Lemongrass. 

If you want to use oils everyday, another route is to use coconut oil and apply the oil on the bottom of the feet. So, for instance, put protection on your kids' feet every morning in the winter.

I use balance, rose or frankincense as a body lotion with coconut oil every day. That is fun for everyday oil usage.

If you don't want to diffuse, you can also put a couple (one to two drops) of oil in a bath for someone. I do this for my hubby when he is sick. It is also good for rashes to cover the whole body with oil and cool water.

Go essential oils!