Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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










Friday, December 25, 2009

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!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

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












Monday, December 21, 2009

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


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

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!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

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

Friday, December 4, 2009

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:
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.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

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

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

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

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

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.