NEW Essential Oil from the Amazon: Copaiba

2010 will be a decade milestone for me as a Young Living independent distributor. Ten years! I am more excited and passionate about Young Living and aromatherapy than when I began my journey. The more I learn about essential oils it seems the horizons open and there is yet more undiscovered territory to explore. When I was a kid, I told my parents that I wanted to be either a heart surgeon, an astronaut, or an archaeologist. My Young Living business has helped me tap into the core characteristics of those careers--the desire to help others heal, being part of a great adventure, and uncovering ancient secrets from the past. No amount of money could replace this smell of success in my life! The Young Living Essential Oils company has farms in operation around the world including Utah, Idaho, France, and now Ecuador. Gary Young and his family live and work on Finca Botanica Aromatica in Ecuador, their most recent addition to the Young Living Farms. It was no small feat to carve this farm out the rough rain forest terrain and create a lake reservoir, build a home, distillery, and irrigation system for the fields. Even a charming tropical tree house was designed for guests to enjoy!
Following his vision to distill and research new essential oils, Gary Young began learning about plants from the rain forest which were traditionally used as medicine by the native people of Ecuador. One of these exciting discoveries is Copaiba which I am spotlighting below.

Copaiba essential oil is extracted from the oleoresin of several different species of Copaifera, including multijuga, langsdorffii, and reticulata. Traditionally used in Native American recipes, today copaiba is featured in European and North American pharmacopeias.

This powerful essential oil is recognized for aiding digestion and supporting the body’s natural response to injury or irritation.

Copaiba is the only essential oil extracted through tapping, similar to how rubber and maple are obtained. Once tapped, the copaiba resin is distilled to produce a clear essential oil that has a rich, uplifting, woody smell. Only copaiba essential oil found near the Amazon rain forest basin contains the optimal natural compounds needed for a Young Living Therapeutic Grade essential oil.

Gas Chromatograph and Mass Spectrometer testing shows copaiba contains high levels of beta caryophyllene, gamma elemene, and alpha humalene, which aids the natural processes of redness and irritation of body tissue.

Primary Benefits
+ Aids in comforting common digestion
discomforts when taken internally.
+ Helps the body regulate its natural immune
responses.

How To Use
Internally: 1–3 drops up to three times daily as
needed.
Topical: 1–2 drops on desired area.

Did You Know?
+ Virtually all companies who offer copaiba or
copal sell only the tree resin, not the distilled
essential oil.

+ Copaiba resin (what is tapped from the
copaiba tree) has been used for hundreds
of years as an incense in some Central and
South American cultures. Copaiba oleoresin
and essential oil was first recorded in
European medicine journals in 1625.

+ Copaiba essential oil contains the highest
amounts of beta caryophyllene (55 percent)
of any known essential oil.

Caution
If you are nursing, pregnant, taking medication,
or have a medical condition, consult a
physician before using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Is copaiba found in any Young Living blends?
A Copaiba is a key ingredient in the Deep Relief™
and Breath Again™ Essential Oil Roll-Ons.

Q How did Young Living decide on the copaiba
from the savanna portion of the Amazon rain
forest?
A Young Living sourcing specialists have
traveled the world sampling different copaiba
essential oil samples. Each batch was put
through state-of-the-art Gas Chromatograph
and Mass Spectrometer tests. Gary Young
selected species of Copaifera from South
America to maximize levels of beta
caryophyllene, the key active ingredient in
the essential oil.

Young Living Essential Oils are available at wholesale, preferred customer, and customer prices on my website or contact me via the Ask The Aromatherapist message box on my sidebar for more information.

Yours in wellness, purpose, and abundance,
Jen

What is This Lovely Fragrance?

What Is This Lovely Fragrance Stealing?
[French traditional]

What is this lovely Fragrance stealing,

Shepherds, that fills the winter air?

Never was sweetness so appealing

Never were flowers of spring so fair

What is this lovely Fragrance stealing,

Shepherds, that fills the winter air?
What is this Light so fair, so tender

Breaking upon our wond'ring eyes

Never the Morning Star so radiant

Followed his course o'er eastern skies

What is this Light so fair, so tender

Breaking upon our wond'ring eyes
What is this Wonder all around us

Filling the air with Music light?

Shepherds! Some magic here hath found us!

Never mine ears knew such delight!

What is this Wonder all around us

Filling the air with Music light!
What is this lovely Fragrance stealing?

Shepherds! It sets my heart astir!

Never was sweetness so appealing

Never were flowers of spring so fair

What is this lovely Fragrance stealing?

Shepherds! it sets my heart astir!
A very fragrant Christmas to you and yours!

Winter Treatments For Your Tresses

Tis’ the season for holiday styles and updos—and for winter weather to wreak havoc on your hair. Did you know that the cold, dry weather can cause hair to be brittle and unhealthy? On top of that, indoor heating can dry it out even further, causing extra frizz and making it even harder to style. So to help combat bad hair days during the holidays, here a few essential oil-infused recipes to help you protect and repair weather-worn hair:

Hot Oil Treatment for Damaged Hair
Ingredients:
1/2 c. organic soybean oil or organic sunflower oil
8 drops Young Living sandalwood essential oil
8 drops Young Living lavender essential oil
8 drops Young Living geranium essential oil

Directions:
Mix all ingredients well. Warm oil to a comfortable temperature and apply the mixture to damp hair. Cover hair in a plastic wrap and apply a hot towel for 20 minutes. Shampoo.

Lavender & Rosemary Hot Oil Treatment
Ingredients:
1/2 c. organic soybean oil or organic sunflower oil
5 drops Young Living rosemary essential oil
10 drops Young Living lavender essential oil

Directions:
Mix all ingredients well. Warm oil to a comfortable temperature and apply the mixture to damp hair. Cover hair in a plastic wrap and apply a hot towel for 20 minutes. Shampoo.

Super Deep Hot Oil Treatment
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 Tbsp. almond oil
1 Tbsp. jojoba oil
1 tsp. evening primrose oil
5 drops Young Living rosemary essential oil
5 drops Young Living Roman chamomile essential oil

Directions:
Melt coconut oil in a double broiler on low temperature. Add other carrier oils and allow to cool. Add essential oils. Apply to hair and wrap in a towel for 30–45 minutes. Shampoo.
By treating your locks to these hot oil treatments, your tresses will not only survive winter, but will also be beautiful and healthy come springtime.

And if you’re looking for additional cold weather hair protection, try implementing the following tips into your daily hair care routine:

Wash your hair with lukewarm water. Hot water can strip your hair of moisture, and during the winter you need all the moisture you can get!

Use a quality conditioner. If you have dry hair to begin with you may want to look for a hair conditioner that is made for dry hair, such as Young Living’s Rosewood Moisturizing Conditioner.
Use styling tools designed to lock in moisture. Using hair tools such as ionic hairdryers and ceramic-plated straighteners will style your hair without drying it.

Don’t go outside with wet hair. If you expose wet hair to cold winter weather, you risk the possibility of your hair freezing, which leaves it prone to breaking and getting severely damaged.
Use a deep conditioner or hot oil treatment at least once a week. Your hair needs this extra attention to help repair and undo winter damage. Check out the end of this post for some essential oil-enhanced recipes for home hair treatments!

Wear a hat or wear your hair up as much as possible. Choose a hat that will not flatten your hair completely, but one that will just cover up most of your hair. Fortunately, there are lots of cute style choices that can make this attractive as well as functional. Wearing your hair back and up will also help reduce exposure to the cold. Just remember: This doesn’t have to be the typical ponytail. Experiment with cute updos or sleek chignons to help protect your hair.

Rub a fragrance-free dryer sheet on your hair brushes and combs to minimize static electricity. This might sound silly, but it works! Because most people have their heat on and their house closed up, static cling is a huge problem in winter. This simple little trick will save you that highly undesirable frizz frenzy.
—Rebecca Jarvis
Product Manager, Essential Living

Frankincense: A Gift For A King

"And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh." Matthew 2:11

In ancient times frankincense was often equal to or surpassed the value of gold and traded as a commodity. Not only was it one of the most precious gifts the Magi could give the Christ child, it also reflected their belief that He was a newborn King. Frankincense was used to anoint the newborn sons of kings and priests and an aromatic symbol of holiness and royalty.

Frankincense essential oil is distilled from the oleo-gum-resin from the trunks of the tree. It is no easy task to harvest this gum resin! Some of the world's most venomous vipers live in these trees and the harvest needs to be carted off by pack animals across the desert to the market and distilleries. This is why pure frankincense essential oil is so costly. If you are getting a bottle of Frankincense for $4.99 , I would seriously question the purity and source of that oil! You couldn't FedEx a piece of raw resin from the Middle East for that price!

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) has a sweet, warm balsamic aroma that is stimulating and elevating to the mind. It has comforting properties that help focus and center the mind while helping overcome stress and despair.

Considered the "Holy Anointing Oil" in the Middle East, frankincense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. It was also used by the ancient Chinese as a treatment for a range of ailments and today is still enjoyed worldwide for both ceremonial and medicinal use. It can be used topically, diffused, and Young Living's Frankincense Essential Oil is pure enough for a dietary supplement.

Frankincense can ease many minor aches and pains, expel congestion from the lungs, as well as calm and soothe the whole body and mind. It contains therapeutic molecules called sesquiterpines which stimulate the limbic system of the brain-the center of memory and emotions-and the hypothalamus, pineal, and pituitary glands. Other molecules called monoterpenes have been found to reprogram cellular memory and maintain normal cellular regeneration which is particularly useful for inhibiting the growth of certain cancerous tumors. A very promising discovery for breast health! Other uses include:

Headaches

Depression

Allergies

Bronchitis

Tonsillitis

Herpes

Typhoid

Warts

Brain damage from massive head injuries

Immune builder, stimulates production of white corpuscles

Frankincense is one of my personal favorite oils and truly is the perfect gift for the Christmas season. This essential oil- "God's love manifest in molecules"- is a reminder of Jesus, The Anointed One, who heals us in every way a person can be healed.

Yours in wellness, purpose, and abundance,

Jen

Which Eucalyptus Essential Oil is Best?

With such a large selection of great eucalyptus products offered by Young Living, it can be confusing to know which one is best for you. But once you understand more about the unique properties of each eucalyptus essential oil, you’ll have no problem picking one that fits your specific needs.

Let’s start with a brief history lesson: For centuries, native Australian aborigines traditionally used eucalyptus for body pains, sinus congestion, fever, and colds. It wasn’t until the mid 1800s that English doctors started experimenting with the oil and shared it with the rest of the world. Not surprisingly, most eucalyptus species are found in Australia. Have you heard of the famous “blue mists” in Australia? It happens because the eucalyptus sap exudes from the trees and wisps into the air, creating a hazy blue mist seen for miles around. Historically, it is said the blue mist keeps down fevers in nearby communities. A recent study might suggest that is wasn’t the eucalyptus that took down the fever, but inhibited the fever-carrying mosquitoes in the area.[1] Now that’s what I call an essential oil diffuser!

So what makes eucalyptus essential oil work? Each eucalyptus species has its own unique combination of naturally-occurring plant chemicals, which are what produce an effect on the body. One of the major active ingredient in most eucalyptus species is eucalyptol (also called 1,8 cineole). Scientists are only beginning to validate the many positive effects of this constituent. In one study using rats, researchers saw significant anti-inflammatory effects in the gut in rats.[2] Another laboratory experiment looked at the reduction effects of eucalyptus essential oils on specific respiratory pathogens.[3]

Of the five eucalyptus essential oils Young Living offers, the most popular are Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus radiata. These two oils smell most like traditional eucalyptus oils (kind of like the vapor rub my mom lathered on my chest when I was kid). These oils also have a high percentage of 1,8 cineole: E. globulus has up to 80 percent eucalyptol and E. radiata can contain up to 75 percent of that active ingredient.

When speaking about eucalyptus options, I always suggest Eucalyptus polybractea as well. E. polybactea has high levels of 1,8 cineole and has the comforting medicinal scent one might expect from a eucalyptus product. It also is low in a compound called isovaleric aldehyde, which can irritate mucus membranes.

Interestingly, Eucalyptus dives has large amounts of eucalyptol and also high amounts of piperitone, which gives it a slight pepperminty and citrus scent. E. dives is excellent for use in a Young Living diffuser to purify the air. E. dives is considered the strongest of the eucalyptus species and generally should not be applied to those with skin sensitivities.

Lastly, Gary Young rediscovered a eucalyptus species in Ecuador he named Eucalyptus Blue.™ Eucalyptus Blue has significant amounts of eucalyptol plus high levels of alpha pinene. In fact, because of its levels of alpha-pinene, Eucalyptus Blue can be considered a natural R.C. blend. So, if you are looking for an R.C. alternative, Eucalyptus Blue is a great choice.
Eucalyptus Blue is my favorite eucalyptus because of its deep, warm aroma. I also like it because it doesn’t make my eyes water as much as some of the other eucalyptus oils (think of when you get peppermint close to your eyes).
As general guidelines, Eucalyptus globulus and E. dives are best applied topically or on the reflex points of the feet while Eucalyptus radiata, E. polybractea, and Eucalyptus Blue are more suitable for diffusing and inhalation.

If you still can’t decide which eucalyptus to try, a great place to start is with our Breathe Again™ Essential Oil Roll-On. This convenient product has a powerful punch of four eucalyptus essential oils (including Eucalyptus Blue)—perfect for supporting respiratory health and invigorating the senses.

Which eucalyptus essential oil is your favorite? Share how you use eucalyptus in the blog’s comments section.

—Toby Palmer Young Living Essential Oils Product Marketing

[1] James A. Klocke, Mark V. Darlington and Manuel F. Balandrin. 1,8-Cineole (Eucalyptol), a mosquito feeding and ovipositional repellent from volatile oil ofHemizonia fitchii (Asteraceae). Journal of Chemical Ecology. Volume 13, Number 12/December, 1987. 2131–2141.
[2] Juergens U R, Dethlefsen U, Steinkamp G, et al. (2003) anti-inflammatory activity of 1,8 cineole (eucalpytol) in bronchial asthma: a double blind, placebo controlled trial. Resp Med 97 250–256.
[3] Claudio Cermelli. Anna Fabio. Giuliana Fabio. Paola Quaglio. Effect of Eucalyptus Essential Oil on Respiratory Bacteria and Viruses. Current Microbiology. Volume 56, Number 1/January, 2008. 89–92.

Products available at the Oils For Wellness website or contact me to place your retail order using PayPal.

Call Jennifer at 715-381-6979 or use the Ask The Aromatherapist box on my sidebar.

Subscribe to my free E-Newsletter HERE!

Quote of the Week

"I expect that essential oils may someday prove a vital weapon in the fight against strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Lavender, thyme and tea-tree [Melaleuca] oils have been used for centuries as antiseptics; their chemical compounds appear to kill microbes on contact."
~Andrew Weil, M.D., Self-Healing Series, Oct. 1996

The Milk Maid: My Own Story Part 4

You are probably thinking "what the heck do goats have to do with aromatherapy"! Just continuing my own story once again. Yep, you know me, completely random and unpredictable. But as you will see, goats did have an important role in my growing knowledge of health care and nutrition. If you missed the first 3 parts of my story, here they are:

Healing Reepicheep: My Own Story Part 1

Awakening In The Apothecary: My Own Story Part 2

Crying Over Onions: My Own Story Part 3

Goats can be infuriating little creatures. Imagine 30 of them frolicking fancy free on six acres. Really, the destruction capabilities are quite frightening. But it was the early '80s and "goat husbandry" on small acreage was in vogue. Perhaps we obtained the bright idea to raise and milk goats from the annual Christmas subscription to The Mother Earth News gifted to our family by my Grandpa Bob. He figured we were pretty earthy people (is the term "crunchy" now?)who would appreciate a steady flow of wisdom to enhance our prowess in sustainable living. Or it was a cruel joke. Anyway, somewhere between the articles on sprouting your own seeds and making a greenhouse out of recycled tires, we discovered goat raising.

One day a rusty trailer backed up our long driveway with several tawny heads craning out between the metal slats. They were a great deal according to my dad who found a farmer nearby who was "liquidating" his stock. Along with the deal came a German shepherd mix dog named Vinnie for Vinegar. We promptly changed her name to Winnie because it turned out that she was more sweet than sour, but that is another story. The goats were unloaded and the adventure in agriculture and aggravation began. What should we feed them? How do you get the milk out? Why are they jumping on the roofs of our visitors' cars?

Because of the current popularity of goat raising at the time, it was quite easy to find books and classes held locally on the subject. My first exposure to nutrition came from a goat symposium at the University of Minnesota. As an 11 year old country bumpkin, I felt very collegiate and privileged just being in the agriculture building. I still remember my excitement of sitting in the auditorium furiously scribbling notes about the percentages of Vitamin E necessary in a goat's diet for good flavored milk and taking in a lecture about common goat diseases.

Then there was the wealth of health care knowledge from the 4H Farm Days. The presentation on Farm First Aid was pretty shocking. The facilitator told us to put our heads down if we were feeling queasy. A slide show with commentary about dismembered limbs caught in farm machinery was shown on an overhead screen. Little kids scribbled in "I Know First Aid" coloring books vividly depicting how to be prepared for cuts dripping with blood (color that red, I whispered to my 6 year old sister), burns, and someone in need of 911 after being run over by a tractor. We conveniently found a reason to go indoors while dad was mowing the lawn after that. You can't be too cautious on a farm.

Soon our milking operation was running smoothly and baby goats were being born, usually a pair at a time. The ten milking goats became trained to leave the main holding pen in proper order, run across the barn, and hop up on the milking stand one at a time. Each one would stand quietly with floppy ears twitching happily as she munched on feed while we emptied her bulging udder into a stainless steel pail. We thoughtfully named each mama goat and took pride in delivering the cute little kids. My sisters and I gained valuable birthing experience as doting goat doulas and "kidwives"! The baby names usually rhymed if the mamas had twins. Fawn begat Jilly and Tilly, Dolly begat Molly and Polly, Penny begat Benny and Denny etc.

Ella was the trouble maker of the herd and turned the farm into complete chaos when she got loose. Neatly stacked hay bales were torn up and strewn all over,water pails were overturned, and bark was peeled off of our fruit trees in the orchard. One summer my mom's raised strawberry beds were completely destroyed in a matter of hours. Cars were danced on and dented. If Ella got out, all the other goats came under her evil influence. So easily led astray. Maggie, Millie, and Muffin, the sheep trio, were innocently dumb and it was much easier to forgive them if they sneaked under the fences. For them the grass simply looked a little greener and they wanted some. The goats got tired of the predictable dairy life and wanted to party at our expense. We drank most of the milk ourselves and sold a few gallons to regular customers. But one year, when the goat herd started milking our budget dry, a trailer backed down the driveway and another goat-struck family got a great deal.

Digest + Cleanse To The Rescue

You know the routine: Everyone meets at Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving and that means your diet is out the window. You know that there are going to be snacks and a huge meal, and you’ve told yourself that you’re going to hold back this year. Yet, when faced with family pressure and that fresh pumpkin pie, you cave to the pressure. Does this sound familiar? I think it’s something we’re all guilty of now and then.

As we enter the holiday season we all want to enjoy the holiday cheer, but don’t want to suffer from the stomach pains that come with overindulgence. The Product Blog post from November 16, has some great tips about how to eat healthy during the holidays. However, it’s always nice to have a backup plan as well. That’s where Digest + Cleanse™ comes to the rescue!

As part of Young Living’s line of premium essential oil supplements, Digest + Cleanse soothes gastrointestinal upset and supports healthy digestion with clinically proven essential oils including peppermint, caraway, lemon, ginger, fennel, and anise. Let Digest + Cleanse be the answer to unwanted stomach discomfort during this busy season—pick up a bottle today!
—Jason Dewey
Young Living Essential Oils Product Manager, Nutrition

Quote of the Week

"Success comes by loving people enough that you are focused on their success instead of your own."

~Jeffrey Lewis, Young Living Platinum Distributor

Six Good Reasons to Avoid the Flu Shot

(NaturalNews)Monday, October 27, 2008 by: Sheryl Walters, citizen journalist

Every year it is recommended that people get a flu shot to avoid spending time feeling horrendously bad over the winter. Elderly people are especially warned that without a flu shot, their health could be in serious jeopardy. In recent years, this warning has been extended to children, and more recently even teenagers. Yet there is mounting evidence that flu shots do not guarantee a healthy winter, and in fact they cause far more harm than good.Here are 6 reasons to avoid getting a flu shot.

1. There is absolutely no evidence that flu shots actually work. The flu shot is only able to protect against certain strains of the flu, so if you come into contact with a strain that you are not protected from, then you will still get the flu. This is in fact not uncommon. In 2004, The National Vaccine Information Center reported that the vaccine given that year did not contain the flu strain that caused the majority of flu outbreaks that year. A study published in the Lancet in August revealed that there was no correlation between the flu shot and reduced risk of pneumonia. Further, a large study of 260,000 children between 23 month and 6 discovered that the flu vaccine is no more effective that a placebo. This was reported in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

2. The flu vaccines, as well as all other vaccines contain mercury, which is a seriously health compromising heavy metal. Vaccines contain Thimerosal, which is made up of mercury. The amount of mercury contained in a multi-dose flu shot is 250 times higher in mercury than what is legally classified as hazardous waste. Side affects of mercury toxicity are vast and include depression, memory loss, attention deficit disorder, anger, oral cavity disorders, digestive disorder, anxiety, cardiovascular problems, respiratory issues, thyroid and other glandular imbalances, and low immune system to name a few.

3. The flu vaccines contain antibiotics such as neomycin, polymyxin B and gentamicin which are added to eliminate stray bacteria found in the mixture. Evidence shows that antibiotics wipe out beneficial bacteria that is needed for optimum health. Antibiotics ironically lower the immune system and cause Candida overgrowth.

4. Vaccines contain Polysorbate 80 as an emulsifier. This highly toxic agent can seriously lower the immune system and cause anaphylactic shock which can kill. According to the MSDS sheet at Science lab.com, section 11, polysorbate 80 may cause reproductive effects, cancer, and may be a mutagenic, (change the genetics), in animals. According to PubMed.Gov, neonatal rats that were injected with small doses of polysorbate 80 had serious damage to their reproductive organs, often resulting in infertility. Imagine that they are recommending this for young girls! It's no wonder that the infertility rate is skyrocketing each and every year.

5. There is growing evidence that flu shots cause Alzheimer's disease due to the aluminum and formaldehyde combined with mercury since they are even more toxic together than they are alone. Some research suggests that people who received the flu vaccine each year for 3 to 5 years had 10 times greater chance of developing Alzheimer's disease than people who did not have any flu shots.

6. With so many potential side effects, it seems clear that the flu shot is potentially dangerous while not making a difference anyway. In addition, it is also completely unnecessary. Everything that we need to enjoy amazing health is right here on planet earth. Nothing man made is ever, ever needed in order to ward off illness and live vibrantly.

Here are some powerful ways that you can ensure you don't get the flu this year without injecting yourself with the extremely toxic flu shot:

·Make sure that you get plenty of sunshine over the winter research continually indicates that the winter flu is often a result of vitamin D deficiency from lack of sun. If you live in a place without sunshine, take cod liver oil, find a place that offers sunshowers (natural tanning beds), and if it is sunny go outside as much as you possibly can no matter how cold it is. Raw, unpasteurized milk is another vitamin D abundant food.

·Exercise, exercise, exercise! When you get out and get your body moving, you are much less likely to get sick. Yoga, for example is a fabulous way to get fit, relieve stress and boost the immune system.

·Eat plenty of immune boosting foods such as garlic, vitamin C containing fruits and fresh green juices (broccoli, cabbage, cucumber and celery.) A diet rich in live foods is a sure way to stay healthy all year long.

·Cut out sugar. Sugar suppresses the immune system and causes disease. Today there are so many wonderful healthy alternatives such as agave nectar and xylitol that it is totally unnecessary to ever consume sugar.

·Deal with emotional stress. Anger and stress suppress the immune system. Yoga, meditation, counselling, natural therapies and plant medicines can transform stress and help you live with abundant health in mind and body.·Get plenty of sleep. A lack of sleep suppresses the immune system, but is a reality for millions of people. Find ways to make life less hectic so that you have more time to catch those zzzzs.

A Toast To Ningxia Red

Get a taste of the RED life! Available in liters and single serving packets at my Young Living Essential Oils website.

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Dry Eyes

"I have had dry eyes for many years and when I had Lasik surgery about 6 years ago, it was discovered that my tear glands did not work well at all. I used many, many bottles of liquid tears over the next couple years.

Then I read in a testimonial that Lavender essential oil caused the tear glands to work when it is placed on the bridge of the nose. I immediately began to do that and it is wonderful. When I put oils on my feet in the a.m. and p.m., I apply a drop of Lavender to the bridge of my nose and if I need some in the middle of the day I reapply it. It works better than anything else I have ever used. AND I'm not getting all the chemicals etc from the liquid tears." ~Grace Hays

NOTE: Essential oils are never to be dropped into the eyes, just safety FYI!

November is Eyecare Month

• did you know?
  
• According to the Vision Council of America, numerous prescription and non-prescription medications may alter the quantity or quality of vision and even pose a threat to future eye health?
  
  These medications include:
  
  
• Cardiac drugs
• Oral contraceptives
• Anti-histamines
• Antibiotics

With regular eye exams, an optometrist can detect problems early and prescribe proper treatments to delay or prevent vision loss. One in three adults over age 4o has a vision problem and once in this age group. your risk for serious eye diseases dramatically increases.

Vision threatening conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts often have no warning symptoms yet usually can be detected by an eyecare specialist such as an optometrist.
What can you do for eye wellness?

• Wear 100% UV protected sunglasses.
• Eating dark leafy green vegetables and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
• Avoid prescription medications and antibiotics
• Supplement your dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin is the key to protecting the macular pigment which defends the eye against oxidation. Recent research has determined that the pigment at the very center of the macula is over 70% zeaxanthin and 30% lutein. It is the zeaxanthin that holds the key to preserving central vision, because it provides the filtering pigment that protects the sensitive rod and cone cells of the macula.

Zeaxanthin can be very difficult to get into our diets. Most carotenoids have a higher ratio of lutein, often 10 to 15 times more than zeaxanthin. In 2002, Eurofins Scientific, an independent lab, tested dried Ningxia wolfberries for their carotenoid content. The results were stunning!

There were 278 micrograms of zeaxanthin and 2 micrograms of lutein per gram of wolfberries. This concentration of zeaxanthin was unheard of in natural foods. That amount is 17 times the zeaxanthin content of red peppers and 92 times that of raw spinach.
Weller P. Breithaupt DE, "Identification and quantification of zeaxanthin esters in plants using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry." J Agric. Food Chem., 2003 Nov.19;51 [24]:7044-9

Ningxia Red juice by Young Living Essential Oils is a convenient source of this vital nutrient in concentration. I drink at least an ounce each day and it tastes delicious! I love the fact that not only is it more nutrient rich than other "health" juices available, it can be ordered from the same company where I get my therapeutic grade essential oils! Young Living truly is a one-stop-shop for wellness.

This juice is available for purchase at my website. If you would like to learn more about the health benefits of the Ningxia wolfberry, please subscribe to my Ningxia Red newsletter.

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Abundance

"I love to use Abundance essential oil blend when I pray. When I wear it, it helps me remember to thank the Lord for the abundance in my life and for the opportunity to provide abundance in the lives of others."

~Karen Douglas

Winner of Terra Cotta Diffuser Pendant Giveaway!

Drum roll please.....out of the 13 entries for the Terra Cotta Diffuser Pendant/Ornament giveaway, Random.org chose entry #8 Charlene at Coffee With Pokie! Thanks to everyone who participated!

Quote of the Week

"And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will my son." ~Revelation 21: 5-7

Midterm Exam and Other Excuses

Sorry, I have been away from the Blog Sweet Blog for awhile. Here are my reasons:

1. Beautiful autumn weather arrived in Wisconsin at last.

2. My husband went on a 4 day business trip and my mom came to visit.

3. I had to cram my head full of anatomy and physiology facts to pass my midterm this week.

4. My almost three year old son no longer naps in the afternoon.

5. I was baking up a storm for the SAMmy's mom's ministry bake sale.

6. The laundry REALLY needed to be done.

Will be back to the blogsphere soon I promise!

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Respiratory Congestion

"My husband has always struggled with congestion, so we use R.C Essential Oil Blend. He says it helps him breathe easier and relieves stress in his chest. In fact, he says using R.C has helped him feel better than he has in ten years!" ~Kristina Jones, CMT

*One of the best ways to utilize this EO blend is by consistantly diffusing in the home so the microfine mist can be inhaled and absorbed into the lungs.

Song of the Week: While I'm Waiting

Dedicated to all of those I know who are waiting right now-

for healing, for reconciliation, for peace, for love.

Transform Indoor Air With A Home Diffuser

Diffusing essential oils is one of the easiest and most effective ways to utilize the powerful germ-fighting, deodorizing, and uplifting qualities of therapeutic essential oils. This beautiful fountain style diffuser was just launched at Young Living Convention last month and I love the sleek new look! It has whisper-quiet ultrasonic technology and user friendly features. You can see how easy it is to operate in the video below.

This diffuser wholesales for $85 and during the holiday season includes a small bottle each of Christmas Spirit Essential Oil blend and Orange Essential Oil. Diffusers are available for 50% OFF with a coupon included in a Start Living kit like the Start Living With Everyday Oils kit which also opens a wholesale account with Young Living for future savings.


Some of Young Living Essential Oils most popular oils for diffusing:

Thieves®: University tested for its cleansing abilities.
Abundance™: Believed to attract positive energy.
Purification®: Excellent for cleansing the air of impurities.
Peppermint: Diffuse or apply topically for an energy boost.
Lemon: Revitalizing and uplifting, this essential oil is high in antioxidants.
Orange: Good for relaxation, this oil brings peace and happiness to the mind.
Grapefruit: Has a great citrus aroma that is refreshing and uplifting.
Citrus Fresh™: A relaxing, calming blend—great for adults and children.
Joy™: Diffuse this oil for a refreshing, uplifting effect.
Lavender: The most versatile of all essential oils, lavender oil is good for quieting the mind before bed.
Peace & Calming®: Helps calm tensions and uplift the spirit.

Quote of the Week

"Humility is a gift that will allow us to be useful, because when we are willing to approach Him, fully aware of our weakness, that is when we can get out of our own way and let Him fill us with all we need to do great things for His kingdom and be really powerful-because we become energized with His power!"
~ Pennie Bixler, from Kingdom Stories

Over The Top Award : OilGirl in 35 Words!

I was blessed with this award by my dear SAMmy's sister Pennie at Mom Thoughts! My mission is to answer the following questions with just one word. I thought this would be a fun opportunity for you all to get to know the OilGirl a little better. Thanks, Pennie!
1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your hair? Wispy
3. Your mother? Alone
4. Your father? Missing
5. Your favorite food? BBQ
6. Your dream last night? Hmmm...
7. Your favorite drink? NingxiaRed
8. Your dream/goal? Travel
9. What room are you in? Basement
10. Your hobby? Writing
11. Your fear? Mediocrity
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Debt-free
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something you aren't? Extrovert
15. Muffins? Breakfast
16. Wish list item? Clothes
17. Where did you grow up? Minnesota
18. Last thing you did? Blogged
19. What are you wearing? Pajamas
20. Your tv? Unknown
21. Your pets? Hairy
22. Friends? Blessings
23. Your life? Unique
24. Your mood? Introspective
25. Missing someone? Aunt
26. Vehicle? Worn
27. Something you're not wearing? Sandals
28. Your favorite store? TraderJoes (I know, not one word)
29. Your favorite color? Green
30. When was the last time you laughed? Recently
31. Last time you cried? Previously
32. Your best friend? Jesus
33. One place I go to over and over? SAMmy's
34. One person who emails me regularly? Shelly
35. Favorite place to eat? Out

The nominees for this award are:
Hayley at Food for the Body, Mind, and Soul
Brenda at Split Rock Ranch
Ashley at Forever and Always
Carla at Four By 4o.

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Freshening Laundry

Mary Lou Jacobsen submitted the following tip:


“I left a batch of towels in the washer on a hot day and when I returned home they had gone sour. Even after rewashing them, I was not happy with the way they smelled. So I added a few drops of Purification® essential oil blend to the batch and rewashed them. I loved they way they smelled. Now, I keep a bottle of Purification above my washer and add a few drops every time I wash my
towels.”

Want to learn more about using therapeutic essential oils?
Subscribe to my e-newsletter here!

Enter Terra Cotta Diffuser Pendant Giveaway!

Click on the banner link below and leave a comment
telling me which pendant (excluding bracelets) you would like to win.

Extra entries:

Twitter giveaway-comment with link

Blog about giveaway-comment with link

Follow Oils For Wellness blog

Become a Facebook page fan

Follow on Twitter-leave ID

Post my button and link-comment with link

Winner randomly drawn on November 15th!

Shop Early and Give the Gift Of Wellness!

A healthy holiday is a happy holiday! Discover unique and fragrant gifts for everyone on your list by browsing Young Living Essential Oils Seasonal Essentials Virtual Catalog. Orders can be placed by clicking the Shop For Oils button. Want to save 24% on your purchases? Ask me about becoming a Young Living wholesale buyer!

Crying Over Onions: My Own Story Part 3

In case you are new to Oils For Wellness, this is the third installment of my own life story. I write whenever the inspiration hits me. There could be 10 parts, maybe 20, who knows! Eventually they may find their way into a book someday. I'm just flowing with how things take shape. These posts are short vignettes of my journey so far, not really a consecutive chronicle of events. You won't need to "catch up" for the story to make sense. If you haven't read them yet, you might like to check out Part 1 and Part 2.

Healing Reepicheep

Awakening in the Apothecary

My dad was a part time photographer. He shot weddings on weekends for several years during my childhood. I remember him in his suit and tie, the bulky camera bag over his shoulder, his late return on Saturday nights, and boxes of leftover wedding cake in the fridge from the reception of a newlywed couple I had never met. My father loved capturing memories on film. Sentimental would be too benign a word.

I remember the day I was held hostage in front of the camera with that crate of yellow onions. Must have been 3 or 4 years old at the time. My dad noticed that as I was helping Mom peel onions in the kitchen for chili, my eyes started to water. Well, it was show time and the director thought it would be the cutest darn thing to shoot the leading lady crying over a crate of onions. Don't ask me why.

I was a pretty good natured child and had already figured out that it was pointless to protest once my dad came up with an idea for the perfect portrait. It was best just to smile and get it over with. First, there was the selection of the paring knife prop. My mom shuddered. The scene began to unfold in the kitchen. Should the crate be on the counter with me sitting next to it or on the floor? Due to optimal lighting opportunities, the onion crate accompanied by a weeping girl in pigtails was moved outdoors onto the redwood deck that encircled the front of the house.

Kneel there, prop the crate up like that, hold the knife a little more to the left, and on it went for what seemed like hours. Burn, burn, burn! My eyes were flooding as I peeled off several layers of onion for full theatrical effect. Take the picture already! Dad laughed and laughed, he thought this was so hilarious. Mom was fuming about the whole situation and I was crying, really crying now. My eyes stung so bad and I was still being coaxed to look at the camera. The words my dad said next stuck with me ever since. "Oh, it's not hurting her, that is just the onions making her cry." I didn't say a word. I hoped the pictures turned out. No one could tell if those were real tears or not anyway. That was the day I decided it was best to just keep the truth to myself.

Be Clean and Green! New Thieves Household Cleaner Formula

If you have been reading my blog for very long, you know how crazy I am about the yummy cinnamon scent and powerful germ fighting Thieves line of products by Young Living Essential Oils. Wish you could scratch and sniff your screen, but sorry, you will just have to get some for yourselves!

Experience the wonder of Thieves® Household Cleaner, as tough stains and problem areas in your home become simple and easy to clean without using harsh or abrasive chemicals. While bacteria can be dangerous, some industrial cleaners on the market pose an even larger threat to your health. Thieves Household Cleaner is a natural all-purpose concentrate that can be used in every room in your home, without the harsh chemicals. Dilute in a spray bottle or bucket, or use straight for extra strength.

Want to learn more ways to use therapeutic essential oils in your home?

Subscribe to my e-newsletter!

MckLinky Blog Hop: The Squirrel Spa

This weeks MckLinky theme is "Anything That Feels Good". Well, since I am a massage and aromatherapy practitioner, you can guess why I posted this photo!

Quote of the Week

I don't know what your destiny will be,

but one thing I know: the only ones among you

who will be really happy are those who will have

sought and found how to serve.

Albert Schweitzer

Young Living Essential Oils Reviewed by Forever and Always

I met Ashley at Forever and Aways a few months ago when she contacted me about reviewing some of Young Living's essential oils and products. Her busy little blog is nonstop giveaways and great reviews, lots of fun!

Just in time for cold and flu season ,I sent Ashley an ultrasonic diffuser and Thieves Essential Oil Blend and RC Essential Oil Blend for her to sample for a review. Click over for a visit and be sure to let her know you are a reader/follower of Oils For Wellness!

Spotlight on Terra Cotta Diffuser Pendants & Giveaway

I discovered Lori from Terra Cotta Diffuser Pendants a few years after I became an aromatherapy consultant. Back then they only had a small selection of plain and handpainted designs. Now there is a huge selection of not only pendants, tree ornaments, and car diffusers but also lovely stone diffuser bracelets. These unique pieces of jewelry have been a great conversation starter about essential oils and an excellent addition to my business. They are high quality, inexpensive gifts for clients and friends that I enjoy giving as a bonus gift with orders or for any occasion. I always include a sample vial of one of my favorite Young Living EO blends like Peace and Calming, Highest Potential, Abundance, or Believe.

Terra Cotta Pendants is a family business born in the summer of 2003. How did a Calligrapher, an Artist/Jack-of-all-Trades and their two teenage children come to be making wearable essential oil diffusers? Here's their story!

It started with a question: how could they put the children through university and at the same time provide them with work so they could earn the money themselves! The answer was right under Lori's nose :-) for quite some time before she saw it. It came from an experience she had while teaching Essential Oil Workshops.

At the Workshops she taught about the many ways to use essential oils. When she outlined the benefits of diffusing and inhaling the oils, she showed the piece of clay she had tied around her neck with a piece of leather cord. She explained how, with this wearable diffuser, they could have their oils diffusing into their breathing space wherever they went, throughout the day. They were entranced! As a body they leaned forward, asking where they could get one. This happened again and again at the workshops. She realized pendant diffusers were the perfect accessory to essential oils as they gave people an inexpensive and effective way to begin using essential oils right away!

It was early in June 2003 when they decided they would make wearable clay diffusers.

Alex made the first web site that summer. He was fourteen at the time. He has been improving, updating and maintaining the site since then! He is in his third year at University, and has remained (thankfully!) the remote webmaster!

Natasha designed three of the popular Terra Cotta Pendant designs: Blessed, Moon Goddess and WWJD. She graduated from her first university degree in May of this year!

Auguste is the artist / clay man/ creator of the pendants. He is meticulous in his handling of the clay and has developed trade-secret methods of creating the pendants, minimizing waste and improving output! Every clay piece is care-fully, crafted by his hands.

Lori is the one you talk to when you call! She still does calligraphy - you'll see it on your packages! She loves meeting people, connecting with customer/friends all over the world! Terra Cotta Pendants is an experience that became much more than it was ever conceived to be!
In 2008 Lori discovered gemstones and fell in love. She started playing with them, finding she could string them on elastic jewelry thread with the modified clay piece from our Terra Cotta Pendants to make a bracelet. What an idea! Imagine; an Aromatherapy bracelet to diffuse essential oils!

She wanted the Diffuser Bracelets to feel as good as they looked so she chose only natural elements to complement the terra cotta and gemstone; beads made with nut, seed, melon, coconut, shell, bamboo, wood, and glass. Finally, after hours of research, planning, trial and error, and 60+ hours creating the new pages the Gift Gallery could officially be opened!
That's our story. We hope you enjoy your Terra Cotta Pendants. We love to hear your suggestions and comments. We deeply appreciate your feedback, support and the blessings that you send.
Auguste, Lori, Natasha and Alex

To Enter Terra Cotta Diffuser Pendant Giveaway:

Click on the banner link below and leave a comment

telling me which pendant (excluding bracelets) you would like to win.

Extra entries: Twitter giveaway-comment with link

Blog about giveaway-comment with link

Follow Oils For Wellness blog

Become a Facebook page fan

Follow on Twitter-leave ID

Post my button and link-comment with link

Winner randomly drawn on November 15th!

Song of the Week : From The Inside Out

A thousand times I've failed

Still your mercy remains

And should I stumble again

Still I'm caught in your grace

Get Free Thieves® Essential Oil Blend and Thieves Fresh Essence Plus Mouthwash!

I know there are several oil lovers among my readers and followers who have expressed interest in joining Young Living as a wholesale buyer (you are not obligated to start a business BTW), but haven't taken the next step yet. Now is the PERFECT time to stock up on essential oils for getting your family through the cold and flu season naturally. By purchasing a Start Living kit, you will also have some great green gifts to give this holiday season!

Protect yourself and your loved ones from seasonal sniffles with an extra bonus from Young Living Essential Oils! From October 1 to October 31, 2009, place a single order of 165 PV or more, and get a 15 ml bottle of Thieves® essential oil blend and 8-ounce bottle of Thieves Fresh Essence Plus Mouthwash—free. That’s a $54.94 retail value!

The Young Living Thieves line combines pure Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ clove, cinnamon bark, rosemary, lemon, and Eucalyptus radiata essential oils. This proprietary blend not only smells great, but is proven effective against airborne bacteria,* making Thieves one of the best ways to stay healthy in the coming season!

Getting started is as simple as 1, 2, 3!

Call me at 715-381-6979 and we can walk through the steps together if you like.

1. Go to the Oils For Wellness website. Click Get Started Now. Click Independent Distributor. Enter your shipping information.

2. Choose a Start Living kit. I recommend the Start Living with EveryDay Oils or Start Living with Thieves kit (shown above) so you have good variety to start using. These kits contain a coupon for 50% off any diffuser to start filling the indoor air in your environment with safe and natural oils that kill bacteria, virus, and mold.

3. When you order one of the large kits, you just need to add a few more products to equal 165PV to qualify for your free items. Before you check out, take note of the PV column total to be sure you have the correct amount to qualify. Again please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Thieves Hand Purifier

" I am unable to tolerate the chemicals and perfumes in the soaps in public restrooms, so I am glad to have Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier in a size so convenient for purses. One day while I was eating lunch, I spilled on my pastel cotton top. I thought of the Thieves purifier I had in my purse, dabbed some on, rubbed a little with my finger, and left it. The next day I did the laundry and my top came out with the stain gone. Thank you for a great product!"
Stephanie Cohen

Clueless Mama Reviews Young Living's Aromatherapy Roll Ons!

I am excited to introduce you to Laurie, aka Clueless Mama, who has a fabulous blog called Guessing All The Way.

She recently reviewed Young Living's Tranquil and Deep Relief Roll Ons, so check out her personal experience with these amazing healing oil blends!

Quote of the Week

"My dream is to be able to just sit around

and play with my oils all day long.”

Annette Qeyquep

Young Living Executive Distributor

NEW Aromatherapy Roll On: Stress Away

Hark, all ye vanilla lovers! Young Living just launched a new essential oil blend that contains pure vanilla. Oh, yes, I am tickled to pieces because many people in the past have asked me if Young Living has anything with a vanilla scent!

Introducing Stress Away™ Essential Oil Roll-On—the perfect on-the-go solution for everyday stress relief!The new Stress Away™ Roll-On is the first product to feature the relaxing combination of Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ (YLTG) lime essential oil and vanilla absolute! With an invigorating scent, Stress Away’s unique aroma includes lavender and copaiba essential oils to reduce mental rigidity and restore equilibrium, while key naturally-occurring constituents cedrol and eugenol reduce nervous tension*. A splash of Ocotea essential oil—Young Living’s newest oil from Ecuador—adds an exotic touch.

Did You Know?
The take-anywhere portability of the Stress Away Roll-On allows you to manage stress even when on the go*.
The vanilla in Stress Away doesn't contain water, like most absolutes on the market.
Regular lime oil, like most citrus oils, contains coumarins that are potentially photosensitizing and damaging to the skin. YLTG lime essential oil is coumarin-free to minimize skin sensitivity, especially when in the sun! Pick up Stress Away for a natural solution to everyday stress!

Teach Our Children Well!

The Mcklinky theme this week is Three Things Every Parent Should Teach Their Kids.

1. Everything in the universe was created for God's glory and our joy.
2. Believe in miracles by participating in the power of prayer.
3. Become educated to take responsibility for personal health and wellness while developing compassion for others.


Special thanks to Purell Hand Sanitizer for sponsoring this blog hop.

A Beautiful Goal : Young Living's Silver Club!

With God's strength and your support I am going to be here in 2010!!

Momma 'Tudes Reviews Young Living Peace and Calming Essential Oil Blend!

Thanks goes out to Karrie at Momma 'Tudes for her wonderful review of Young Living's Peace and Calming Essential Oil Blend. Check it out, be sure to leave some comment love and tell her that you visit/follow Oils For Wellness!