The Problem-How Can I Sanitize My Mattress? Well it's Spring and along with the sunshine and warm weather comes the deep cleaning of your home. Not long ago, I stripped the flannel sheets off the bed and washed the mattress pad. It is my routine to flip the mattress twice a year giving me the opportunity to vacuum the mattress as I do this. After we repositioned the mattress I questioned myself if the mattress was as clean as I could get it. Vacuuming is works well as it removes dust and skin cells that are lost and collected in the mattress but vacuuming doesn't sanitize the mattress. Then I had a thought..... The Solution-Essential Oils for SanitationI use EOs to kill germs either topically or by diffusing in the air, why not make a disinfectant spray that I could use on the items that can't be washed such as mattresses and carpets? After a little research I came up with a mixture that I felt would sanitize and freshen my mattress. I dropped the oils in small 4 oz spray bottle and filled it with distilled water. I sprayed both sides of the mattress with the mixture making sure to get the seams as well. I then let it sit for 30 minutes while I went on to other things. Upon returning, I took a handheld steamer and steamed the mattress (again making sure to get the seams). What I did was slowly run the steamer over the mattress, this produced a high temperature on the mattress without distributing too much water vapor to saturate the mattress. It was dry within minutes but I left the sheets off for a few hours just to make sure. The Recipe10 drops of Thieves blend EO 10 drops of Purification blend EO 10 drops of Peppermint EO 3 drops of Lavender EO Place in a 2-4 oz spray bottle and top off wit distilled water. This is a DIY antibacterial spray that can be used on most surfaces. The Results!The results were amazing! Not only did the mattress smell great but I felt very comfortable that our mattress was sanitized and fresh. Interested in the Spray?
1 Comment
Blackhead Buster! I know it seems strange to put charcoal on your face but this mask has amazing benefits for your skin. If you have read my other blogs you will know that my son has acne that we have been treating with an essential oil blend that I call Complexion Enhancement because it is not work well for acne but for most skin issues. The Complexion Enhancement works great for acne and preventing new blackheads but it did not extract the blackheads that were already there prior to us starting our treatment. So I starting researching high and low for blackhead removal therapies and let me tell you there are a lot of so called "treatments" out there. We tried many things but what I'm about to tell you works wonders for your skin and I'm so excited to be able to share this with you. As you may know, I also make soap and one of the soaps I make is for acne prone skin. I started thinking what if I could make a mask with some of the same acne fighting ingredients that are in the soap? I experimented a little and came up with a Charcoal & Bentonite Clay mask with Lavender and Tea Tree essentials oils. Well it looks strange I have to admit, it was very thick to begin with but I thinned it with Rose Water to make it more spreadable for the face. My son was very hesitant to say the least but we tested the mask on my hand for 15 minutes to prove to him that it would not discolor his face. He finally consented to the mask and 15 minutes later we washed it off. OH MY GOODNESS, to my surprise it removed a large number of the smaller blackheads and for the really stubborn blackheads it raised them more to the surface to allow for a much easier manual extraction process. He would only allow me so much "face" time so we repeated the process the next week again with amazing results. My daughter and I joined him in the masking adventure and we loved the results too. It left our skin feeling amazingly soft, so soft that I can't articulate it in written words. My Recipe
Mix ingredients well and incorporate the EOs at the end. Apply the mask with your fingers or with a brush. This is very important, do not leave the mask on longer than 15 minutes! These ingredients are very powerful and if you leave the mask on longer it could make your skin very sensitive. To remove the mask, apply a warm washcloth to a small area at a time and gently wash it away. It is very thick so this process takes a little time. Once you have it mostly removed, gently wash your face and pat dry. Do not exfoliate or wash your face vigorously for 2 days after using the mask. Use the mask no more than once a week. Why does this mask work?Both Activated Charcoal and Bentonite Clay removes toxins from your body so the mixture naturally "pulls" the blackheads to the surface. Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils are great for you skin as they have natural antibiotic properties which helps prevent blackhead/acne formation and also softens skin. How can you get this mask?You can purchase the needed ingredients and make the mask yourself or you can contact me for a custom blending of your own Activated Charcoal & Bentonite Clay mask @ holistic@marysessentials.com. For information on the Complexion Enhancement or Acne Soap follow this link www.marysessentials.com/store.
What is Oil Pulling? This oral therapy is a type of Ayurvedic medicine (a traditional Indian system) that dates back 3,000 years. It involves swishing approximately 1 teaspoon - 1 tablespoon of oil in your mouth for about 20 minutes then spitting it out. You can use any edible oil, however coconut oil is preferred. Unlike some so-called natural home remedies, oil pulling is not a practice that is based on pseudo-science. Recent studies show that oil pulling helps against gingivitis, plaque and microorganisms that cause bad breath. How does this work? Most microorganisms inhibiting the mouth consist of a single cell. Cells are covered with a lipid, or fatty, membrane which is the cell's skin. When these cells come into contact with oil they naturally adhere to each other. If you do your research, you will find that oil pulling benefits your health in many ways by helping with sinus and allergy issues, along with inflammatory type disease processes. Steps in Oil Pulling
My Oil Pulling Recipe2 tablespoons of coconut oil + 5 drops Thieves Oil + 5 drops Orange Essential Oil I use the Thieves Oil because it has antibacterial properties and will help improve your immune system and also jump start the pulling process. Orange Essential Oil naturally whitens your teeth so this is a perfect time to give your teeth extra attention. Melt coconut oil and allow to cool off a bit, then mix Essential Oils until well blended. Coconut Oil solidifies at 76* F so if your house is like mine, it will not stay in its liquid form for long. Keep this mixture in a dark, class container and spoon in your bathroom for easy access. Important Oil Pulling Tips!
 Intimacy, passion, excitement, sex! Are these items only on your wish list? Are you ever fully in the mood for love these days? Life is busy let's face it. Are you just not in "the mood"? Do you have a lot of "headaches"? Are you a busy mom taking care of the family? Do you work full time? If you have kids in school there is carpooling, after school activities and homework not to mention laundry, cooking, cleaning, shopping and the list goes on and on. Does this leave time for anything but fatigue? Is there anything that can help? Read more to find out about Sensation and how it can help increase your passion and make every night special! What is Sensation Essential Oil?Sensation is a wonderfully fragrant, powerfully romantic blend that is extremely uplifting and arousing. It has an alluring scent and should definitely be used as a perfume. It is formulated to enhance the enjoyment of those special romantic moments. This intoxicating scent enhances the excitement of experiencing new heights of self-expression and awareness. This romantic blend not only has a seductive scent but is also very nourishing and hydrating for the skin and is beneficial for various skin problems. It is also available as a massage oil! Use it to energize and enhance your evening with your partner or spouse. What is in Sensation Essential Oil Blend?Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Cananga odorata) has a long history in skin and hair care products, particularly in Asia, where it is used to promote luxuriant hair. It is also used as a hormone regulator as it restores confidence and equilibrium. Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum officinale) has a wonderful aroma that relieves stress and uplifts the mind and body. It is also beneficial for the skin and supportive of women's hormones. It has been used throughout history for romance and attraction and for balancing the feminine energy of the body. Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium graveolens) helps you relax and beatify your skin. Used traditionally to support the circulatory and nervous systems, a great deal of its strength lies in its ability to revitalize body tissues. Bergamot Essential Oil (Citrus bergamia) includes soothing digestion and combating stress. The essential oil has a calming aroma which relaxes the mind and body. Coriander Essential Oil (Coriandrum sativum L) has been used since Ancient Egypt. It may support healthy digestive and circulatory system functions and has been studied for the support it may offer to a healthy pancreas. Helpful Insights What are the Documented Uses for Sensation Essential Oil? Aphrodisiac, enhancing relationships, loss, love, personal growth, romantic intimacy, promotes sexual energy (men and women), skin and wrinkles associated with aging and promotes sexual vigor and performance (emotional). What Healthy Body Systems are Supported? Nervous system and skin. What is the Aromatic Affect on the Mind? Emotionally calming and balancing. What is the Spiritual Influence? Sensation promotes the emotions of love, intimacy and confidence. It helps us release emotional blocks to love, self-love and sharing love. If we are experiencing low libido or infertility, this oil may help you unblock the physical and emotional issues preventing you from moving forward. May help with self expression and spiritual awareness. What Chakra is Affected? Opens the sacral and heart chakras. How is Sensation Used?Apply 2-3 drops directly to skin (on shoulders, pulse points or soles of feet). Add it to your favorite lotion and enjoy a massage from your sweetie. Add 2-3 mixed with a tsp of carrier oil to your bath water. Use a diffuser in your bedroom Inhale the oil directly from the bottle or wear it on an aromatherapy necklace. "This year for Valentine's Day give him the gift he really wants, the gift of YOU." 
Copaiba Oil Eases Physical Discomforts Copaiba Oil is one of my favorite EOs. Hmmm, (I'm pretty sure that I have said that about all of the EOs I have written about) but seriously, I use this oil everyday. If you go back and read my blog on arthritis you will understand why. Copaiba is a wonderful essential oil that reduces the body's natural response to injury or irritation and supports healthy digestion. It also will minimize discomfort related to occasional muscle stiffness. From the oleoresin of the Copaiba Tree, it is harvested similarly to how we collect maple syrup! It is taken right from the tree through a pipe drilled into the tree! The essential oil is then produced by steam distilling the copal (oleoresin collected from the tree). Did you know that copaiba oil known to have some of the highest levels of beta-caryophyllene in the world? Yes it has been documented to contain 50 percent beta-caryophyllene. What is Beta-Caryophyllene?Beta-caryophyllene has been extensively studied for its ability to modulate the body's response to irritation. The significance is that it is approved by the FDA as a dietary cannabinoid (substance that naturally occurs in the nervous and immune systems).
How can Copaiba Oil be used?Use diluted - 50:50 dilution (one part essential oil: one part of carrier oil). Then,
Featured Product- Muscle and Joint Pain Be Gone! I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this cream. If you have any kind of arthritis, muscle or sciatica pain you have to try this.
Copaiba does not have a strong scent, I would say that it is very light and when I mix it with a carrier oil, I usually can only obtain the scent of the carrier. Copaiba is one of the main ingredient EOs that I use in the Muscle & Joint Pain Be Gone. I like the cream because it is very light and spreads easily, the base is designed to melt right into your skin. I not only use Copaiba in the cream form but also just mixed with a carrier oil and applied to the soles of my feet every morning to help with joint stiffness. This is hands down my best seller and I need to start a testimonial page so that other people can tell you how this oil has helped them (putting that on my to-do list now). I have not ingested this oil yet but I plan to, I've read testimonials from others that have had wonderful results with arthritis pain. I'm also in the process of testing a new product for pain that includes Copaiba, it is much more concentrated than the cream and hopefully if testing goes well, it will be released soon. It is a mixture that will be used for more severe or acute pain. Oh as an FYI, I apply the cream directly to the area where I have pain but as a preventive you can apply Copaiba to the soles of your heat. Also remember when applying cream or mixtures for pain that the origin of pain may not be where the pain is felt. For example, your wrist my be hurting but the origin of your pain may be generating from higher up on your arm. So when you apply cream make sure to cover the area that is giving you pain and also the surrounding area. I will keep you updated and please post a reply and let's keep the conversation going. This blend has endless options Thieves Oil is great! If you could only have one oil in your collection, Thieves would be a great place to start. Thieves Oil is a mixture of 5 different EOs that are mostly used for their antibacterial and antiviral properties. Thieves Oil comes premixed for your convinenience or you can blend your own. I have personally used this to ward off the flu in our house this year. Every night I put a drop or two on the soles of my kids feet before bed, this acts as an immune booster. Whenever someone gets congested or starts to get a little cough, I have them drink hot tea with 2-3 drops of thieves added. This seems to help them quickly get over whatever little germ they contracted. I have used this mixture on the outside of my neck when I have a sore throat which usually takes care of the soreness by the next morning. Also, I've used this for years on any little bumps or cuts to keep them from getting infected, especially with MRSA being such an issue these days. The Blend The recipe for this blend is believed to have originated from thieves during the 15th century. According to popular theory, the concoction was created by a group of four thieves and grave robbers to protect themselves from contracting the plague while robbing the bodies of the gravely ill and deceased. When apprehended, the thieves admitted to using the formula and disclosed the recipe in order to receive a less severe punishment for their crimes. This is a classic recipe, but you can customize it by adjusting the quantities or adding other antibacterial essential oils such as Tea Tree, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Ravensara, Lavender, Juniper Berry, Hyssop, Bay Laurel, or Scotch Pine. Ingredients:
CLOVE oil, nature’s richest source of eugenol, is the highest-scoring single ingredient tested for its antioxidant capacity on the ORAC scale. Clove is also known for its immune-enhancing properties. With 68% d-limonene, LEMON oil is a powerful antioxidant known for its ability to act as a natural solvent and cleanser. High in antioxidants, CINNAMON BARK has a reputation for relieving discomfort during the winter season and supporting the digestive system. As one of the most versatile of the eucalyptus oils, EUCALYPTUS RADIATA has many health-promoting properties. This powerful essential oil contains eucalyptol as one if its major elements, which in laboratory tests has been reported as being effective against bacteria in topical applications. ROSEMARY oil is naturally energizing and may be beneficial for helping restore mental alertness when experiencing fatigue. Featured Product
50 Ways To Use Thieves Essential Oil
 Detox your body, mind and spirit Well the Holidays are over and everyone is preparing for the new year. For many of us, we have made new year resolutions, made our to-do lists and reflected on this past year. For some of us 2014 was a great year, for others it was not so great. One thing is for certain, life is life and we all experience the bad with the good. We all deserve to start the new year right by getting rid of the "toxins" that are in our systems left from 2014. I'm not just speaking of detoxing our bodies (that is easy), but to include our minds and spirits in this detox process. Adding a detoxifying cleanse to your annual routine can help increase your energy flow and help with your overall well-being. Forgiveness is Critical to Detoxifying your mind and spirit which will benefit your body.
Find YOUR Mountaintop! Most of us have probably not climbed a mountain but I'm sure we all have been at a higher elevation where you look down and realize the smallness of the world. In that moment you are not trying to make everyone happy or multitasking your life away, YOU are just simply enjoying the view from "your mountaintop" happy and content with life. Why does it take a mountaintop experience to make us set back and just be in the moment? Let's all try to find our mountaintop (regardless of what that is) in 2015 and spend as much time there as we can, just living in the moment being happy and content. Detox with Essential OilsIf you are interested in removing the toxins from yourself and starting out 2015 with a fresh start please read about what these EOs can do. Using EOs to help with detox is a safe and natural way to achieve your detox goals. I personally drink water with 2 drops each of lemon and grapefruit EOs added every morning. I feel that this energizes and prepares me for my day. I do stress that if you ingest any EOs please make sure that they are truly graded as therapeutic. I researched long and hard before going with a company that I felt comfortable with. I use Young Living EOs but there are a few more companies that provide therapeutic grade EOs, just do your research first if you plan to take EOs internally. If you have questions please post them here, or you can contact me. 
1. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil can be used in the bath, can be consumed, and can be applied topically. If you want to drink it, you only need a few drops of it for it to be effective. You can add it to a detox smoothie or simply add it to water. Peppermint oil can also help you regain or maintain your concentration, and can soothe the digestive system. Peppermint oil is taken from the peppermint plant, which itself has been used medicinally for thousands of years. You’ll often find peppermint oil mixed with other essential oils in a detoxifying blend. 2. Juniper Oil Juniper oil comes from juniper berries, Juniper berries themselves are good for the body thanks to their antioxidants. They can also be used to aid in the digestive system, and can be used as a diuretic. When you use essential oils you are capturing the essence of their source without actually having to use the source plant itself. Juniper oil can help relax the mind and get you to stop stressing out, and can help alleviate pain. As a diuretic it can help flush out toxins and excess water weight, including excessive amounts of sodium. 3. Grapefruit Oil Perhaps you’re used to eating grapefruit, but didn’t know that an oil can be extracted from it that can help the body in numerous ways, not least of which is detoxing? It may be one of the most helpful oils you’re not using, and you don’t have to limit its use to a one-off detox program, you can use it daily to help keep yourself as healthy as can be. It’s been noted for helping to kill viruses within the body, as well as microbes within the body that can cause problems. It is also a diuretic, helping the body flush out waste and toxins. 4. Rosemary Oil Rosemary may be in your herb collection in the kitchen, but the oil derived from this plant can help in your detox efforts, as well as your overall health and wellbeing. By taking the properties of rosemary and putting into an essential oil you’re able to get benefits like improved digestion, improved circulation, anti-inflammatory benefits, and diuretic properties. It can even make you feel better, and has been shown to be a way to ward off cancer and memory loss. You can inhale the oil as a form of aromatherapy, or take a bath with it, or even use it in combination with a massage oil during a massage. 5. Laurel Oil Laurel oil comes from laurel leaves, which have been shown to have large amount of antioxidants that will help the body in numerous ways. Rather than trying to consume or use laurel leaves you can use the essential oil instead, and still derive the benefits. The number one aspect of any detox process is getting the digestive system to function at its best. Laurel essential oil can improve digestion, and only a small amount is needed to get this benefit. You can also use it in a diffuser which helps it to enter the body through respiration. 6. Mandarin Oil Mandarin oil is derived from mandarin oranges and has been shown to help with relaxing the nervous system, one of the best things you can do to get the body into a better state and prepare it for detoxification. It can also help to purify the blood and improve the circulatory system. Because it comes from mandarin oranges it has a nice citrusy aroma to it as well, and using it as part of an aromatherapy program. It helps the liver function, and the liver is the most important organ when it comes to detoxing the body. A liver that is not performing at its best has a domino effect on the rest of the body, and should get top priority with any detox plan. 7. Lemon Oil Lemons have long been known as having astringent properties, and there is even the Master Cleanse which relies on a sort of lemonade concoction that is designed to clear out the body. You’ll often see lemon oil added to cleaning products for the fresh scent it provides and the feeling of clean it produces. Some of the purported benefits of using lemon oil are that it can prevent cancer, free up the lymphatic system and respiratory system, and can be used to reduce inflammation in the body. You can start using lemon oil in baths or using it in a detox shake to add this to your lifestyle. 8. Patchouli Oil Patchouli oil comes from the patchouli plant which has been shown to help improve the mood, and can even improve your sex drive. It’s one of the essential oils that doesn’t get put into the spotlight too often, but has great benefits to it nonetheless. You can use it to detoxify both the body and the mind by taking a bath that has drops of patchouli oil added to it. If you want to benefit from its diuretic properties you’ll need to ingest it, which is easy enough by drinking a few drops in water or making a tea from it. 9. Hyssop Oil Hyssop oil is a lesser-known essential oil but one that will likely grow in popularity as its benefits become clear. It is often given to help treat digestive issues, and an improved digestion is what we’re going for when we start to detox the body. The digestive system is the most important part of the process because that’s what helps to eliminate the most toxins. If it grows sluggish then the body is at risk for many different diseases and conditions. Using an oil like hyssop oil to gently and gradually improve the digestion is a great way to take a step forward towards improved health. 10. Helichrysum Oil You’d probably have a hard time trying to figure out how to get more helichrysum into your daily life, which is what it’s a good thing that you can simply buy helichrysum oil. Helichrysum is made up of the sunflower family, and it has plenty of benefits. Many of these benefits are for the skin, and since the skin is the largest organ of the body it only makes sense to help it out and keep it as healthy as possible. It can help lower the amount of inflammation in the body, and can even help regenerate cells. Comedogenic Ratings The term "comedogenic" is almost always paired with the term "noncomedogenic." This pair of words is used to discuss the degree to which a substance may block the pores. Blocked pores can result in an increase of acne in certain people, and for this reason, people may look for ingredients in skin treatments that are noncomedogenic and less likely to occlude the pores. Those who don’t have acne can usually safely pick products that may occasionally block the pores. The order of ingredients can tell people a lot about how much of a comedogen is in a product. If the last ingredient on a list of ingredients can block pores, this means that the ingredient is present in the lowest percentage of all ingredients in a product. Of course, it is also possible for products to contain more than one such product. For those people who need to strictly avoid these ingredients, most cosmetics and other skincare treatments will usually labeled as noncomedogenic if they don't include pore-blocking ingredients. Looking for the noncomedogenic label is a way of avoiding skin products that might result in more skin breakouts. Levels of comedogenicity are rated on a scale of 0 - 5, 0 being noncomedogenic, 5 being highly comedogenic. Green is good
The search for the perfect acne mixture continues
As we discussed the situation he told me that he really didn't like the way the oils felt on his face (remember that the EOs need to be mixed with a carrier oil). In my first attempt I used Hemp Oil and Jojoba Oil as the base and added the EOs to that mixture. This made for an all liquid mixture and I loved the way it felt on my skin but regardless, if he doesn't like it he will not use it. So onto round 2 and I believe we may have a winner! I incorporated Shea Butter into the equation of Hemp and Jojoba and was able to form a thick compound that once you begin spreading it on your face, it spreads easily. He LOVES the new mixture because it quickly absorbs and doesn't leave an oily residue. All of the base oils I use are noncomedogenic which is one less thing to worry about. Now don't let the green of the Hemp Seed Oil scare you, it will not turn your skin green! Actually, mixed with the Shea Butter, the mixture is more of a light beige color. Hemp Oil is one of my favorite of the carrier oils I would use on my face because it acts as a natural sunscreen. I will update this blog and let you know how the Complexion Enhancer (as I call it) is working.
 A carrier oil is a vegetable oil derived from the fatty portion of a plant, usually the seeds, kernels or the nuts. Carrier oils are useful when working with essential oils because it is sometimes necessary to dilute an essential oil. One example is when applying to the skin. Powerful, highly concentrated essential oils may cause skin irritations. Another use for carrier oils blended with essential oils is that they are often applied during massage, acting as a needed lubricating agent when working larger areas and muscles. One advantage of carrier oils is that they do not evaporate like essential oils that tend to evaporate quicker when applied neat. Carrier oils actually aid in absorption. Essential oils can be added to carrier oils or a carrier oil can be applied first to an area, followed by an essential oil, this process is referred to as dilution. It is usually specified in terms of either a percentage or a number of drops to be added to an amount of carrier oil. Listed below are some examples of carrier oils. My youngest daughter has a peanut allergy so I don't use Peanut Oil in any of our mixtures. Almond, Sweet Oil Evening Primrose Oil Pecan Oil Apricot Kernel Oil Grapeseed Oil Rose Hip Oil Avocado Oil Hazelnut Oil Sesame Oil Borage Oil Jojoba Oil Shea Butter Calendula Oil Macadamia Nut Oil Sunflower Oil Cocoa Butter Olive Oil Walnut Oil Coconut Oil Peanut Oil Wheatgerm Oil Carrier oils are available in two different forms, liquid and solid. My favorite solids are Coconut Oil and Shea Butter. I use these two along with different liquid carrier oils to form the bases for most of our products. I will use other blog forums to discuss different essential oils and carrier oils in detail, this post is to give you a generalized understanding of what carrier oils are. Let's keep the conversation going, let me know your thoughts...
|
Author
|
RSS Feed