Why Essential Oils? There are people in my family who are on the autism spectrum. I had been hearing about the benefits of essential oils for people on the autism spectrum for years. I even purchased some essential oils from the nutrition section at Kroger. I was not impressed.
About a year ago, I started hearing about free classes on using essential oils. It was probably about six months before I actually attended a class. I was overwhelmed with information, and with success stories.
Then I looked at the prices, and I thought, “WHOA!” I decided I wanted to do a bit more research before I spent any money. If you know me, you know I like to research things. I learned that these oils are an investment. A 15ml bottle contains 250 drops. You only need 1-2 drops at a time, sometimes less if you have used a drop or two in a personal care product that you make up yourself. So per dose, the oils are very affordable, especially if you are getting them wholesale.
Everything I found about doTerra was great. . . almost too good to be true! Since we have some rather serious and life altering needs in our family, I decided to take the plunge. I bought the Family Physician Kit, which also got me signed on as a distributor, so that I could get 25% or more off all future orders. Then I started ordering a new oil (or two, or three) each month.
I purchased the book Modern Essentials from Amazon (you can also get it from www.aromatools.com. Then I started using the oils, based on what I learned from classes and the book.
NOTE: I am not a doctor. I am not trying to dispense medical advice. I am just telling you what worked for our family. Do your own research. Not all oils are to be used the same way. Oils can be used topically, aromatically, or internally. Not all can be used the same way. Some need to be diluted. Do your research.
Okay, the first thing I tried was the doTerra blend, Breathe. Breathe is a remarkable blend of CPTG® essential oils which combine to do just that, help you breathe easier. Breathe contains laurel leaf, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon and ravensara, cleanses and soothes the airways, and can easily be applied topically to the chest, back, or bottom of feet. I used it in a variety of ways. I put it in a mist diffuser before going to bed. I made up my own vapor rub using Breathe, and put it on my chest and the bottom of my feet. I put a drop in my hand, rubbed it on the back of my neck, then cupped my other hand over the hand I had put the Breathe on, and inhaled. I put a drop on my pillow before going to bed at night. (This was before I got the diffuser). You can put a drop on a cotton ball and stick it in a tissue box, so that the scent gets on the tissues. WARNING: Wash your hands before touching your eyes or going to the bathroom.
Breathe and On Guard got me through the winter and heavy pollen days. On Guard contains wild orange essential oil, combined with clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary, to offer a fragrant, natural and effective alternative to synthetic options for immune support. I made up a mouthwash with just a couple of drops of On Guard in water, to gargle with, to help support my immune system. I also recently made hand soap with On Guard. It kills germs and builds our immune systems every time we wash our hands. I have had a few sniffly days in the last 6 months, but I have not been out and out sick at all.
I have arthritis in one of my knees. I can go months without it bothering me (as long as I don’t kneel), and then all of a sudden, I get sharp pains. In the past I have taken naproxen and put arthritis rub on it. Sometimes that helps, after a day or two.
I got the sharp pain in my knee a few months ago, and wondered if I had an oil for that. Sure enough, my Family Physician Kit contained Deep Blue. Wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, blue tansy, blue chamomile, helichrysum and osmanthus work together to ease achy joints and sore muscles. ONE drop, and the result was instantaneous. Really, I would not have believed it if I had not experienced it. The pain was GONE, and it was more than a week before I felt it again. Again, one drop made it go away.
Some of you have read on my Facebook page about my 23 year old son. I hope to write more in detail about him, because really he has been sick with one thing or another for 7 years. In January 2012 he began having severe acid reflux to the point where he started losing lots of weight because he was afraid to eat. My son has always been all about the food (his first word was “cookie”) so it takes a lot to get him to not eat. After several GI tests and a diagnosis of GERD he was given prescription meds and an extremely restricted diet. He started to feel better. . . for a couple of weeks. . . and then he got severe diarrhea, including blood at times. He got down to 147 lbs. (he is 6’3”!) More tests, a diagnosis of IBS, more drugs. He also was taking a high quality probiotic. He would be fine for a few days, then it would start again. It was an endless cycle.
At one point, he really thought he was dying. He has been severely dehydrated several times.
My son does his own research. I gave him some Digestzen. Ginger, peppermint, tarragon, fennel, caraway, coriander and anise each have specific attributes which add to the overall efficacy of this potent blend. When used internally, dōTERRA®'s DigestZen brings soothing digestive relief. At first he was not comfortable with taking it internally. He applied it, diluted in coconut oil, topically to his stomach, and had some relief. However, the diarrhea kept coming back. We went back to the gastroenterologist, who changed one of his meds. That didn’t really help. For a year and a half, my son has mostly been tied to the house. He hasn’t been able to go to school, hold a job, or even go to church regularly.
Finally, he decided to go off ALL his digestive meds, and just use natural means. He decided that he would take the Digestzen internally before each meal. He also stayed on the probiotic, and takes activated charcoal once a day.
He also read up on acid vs. alkaline producing foods and adjusted his diet slightly. He is now drinking almond milk instead of soy milk, and trying to eat more greens.
On the first day off the meds, he said he felt better than he expected to. By the third day, he said he was dramatically better. Within a week he was able to help me by running errands and carrying heavy things for me. He walked to the library and back, 1.5 miles, in the summer heat of Georgia. He left the house 3 times in 2 days, which really ticked off his diva cat, Sherafina. She wants him at her disposal at all times. Today is the 10th day. He has not had diarrhea for two days, and when he had it several days ago, it was much milder than it has been for months. He is now actually able to think that planning his future is not an exercise in futility.
This is just scratching the surface. . . I will save the rest for another post!