My PMS Experiment

Here is the post many of my girlfriends have been waiting for.

 Let me start by giving you a little history. I have been dealing with miserable periods for years now.  My worst symptom was the headaches, terrible, debilitating headaches.  My headaches would make me feel like I could not lift my head from the pillow.  I also have very negative emotions during my period.  I feel sad, lonely, and most of all impatient.  I have extremely heavy flow the first day.  I have moderate cramps.  I had tried the Panaway and it would not touch them.  I read up on it in the reference guide and learned that PMS headaches are caused by the hormones, therefore the Panaway is often ineffective.

I ordered Young Living's Oil "Dragontime."  As soon as it got here, I started applying it right behind my ankles and to my wrists.  I would do it every morning and every night.  I did forget a couple times.  My period came about a week after I started the applications.  My period normally lasts 3 days, although 5 days of the headaches and "moods."

 DAY 1: I was discouraged.  I woke up with THE HEADACHE.  I had the Dragontime next to my bed, along with the Panaway so applied it right away.  Within 20-30 minutes, the headache was gone.  I reapplied it around noon, and again at bedtime.  My period was lighter than normal that day, which was really nice!  I did have occasional head ache pain, but not as bad as the norm.  I did feel negative, down, and impatient.  I had no cramps at all.

DAY 2: I had no headache when I woke up, much lighter flow, and my mood was GREAT!   Emotionally, I did not feel like I was on period.  I did get a couple head aches throughout the day, but was able to get rid of them with Dragontime, and Panaway applied to my forehead.  Again, I had no cramps.

DAY 3:  I had no headache, very light flow, no cramps, and mood great!

DAY 4: My period was gone and life was good!

I would conclude, Dragontime was a huge success for me.  I love this stuff.  I'm not huge on the smell, but it is worth it.  The smell fades within a few minutes.  I would like to add, we all all different.  If you try Dragontime, and it does not seem to work for you, there are other oils that help with PMS symptoms.  There is one that will work for you, but I highly suggest trying Dragontime!

Don't forget~ I am here to help you!  Please don't hesitate sending my your questions and comments.  I also love testimonials!  They help us all.  If you would like to get started with Young Living Oils, I can help you.  If you are the independent type, here is my distributor number: 1451969.  You will need it!

Real People Stories

When you are newly introduced to oils there is some skepticism. I was skeptic. Some of the stories were a little hard to believe at first.  It's when you start getting text messages and phone calls from the people you have introduced to them that your faith grows - a lot!

My first real testimony was from a girl named Megan who had dealt with insomnia for years and experienced her first full nights sleep in ages. She slept soundly, without nightmares (which were a regular occurrence for her). She used Peace and Calming on her feet and heart.  I'm sure that was some much needed rest!

Then I heard from my friend Beka.

She was thrilled after using Thieves to knock out her sons cold and Purification for her allergies.  

Jessica reported she was able to protect her family from the flu after her youngest daughter came down with it.  We all know when it hits, IT HITS.  She also used the oils to help with symptoms her sick child was having.  Thieves does it again!  

And perhaps one of my favorite testimonies so far came from a mother of two adopted boys, both having issues with sleep and anxiety at bedtime.  These two little guys would bang their heads and cry at bedtime.  Often children coming from institutions use different coping mechanisms to handle their not so ideal start.  She started using oils on her boys and herself.  All three are now getting a full night of uninterrupted sleep, little if any head banging and mama is a whole lot happier, not to mention the boys.  They attribute most of the results to Peace and Calming.  She has also been using Traumalife and Valor.

My daughter Zoe has a hyped up horse, which is common for rodeo horses.  We were told by an experienced oiler and horsewomen to drop a few drops of Peace and Calming into the horses "frogs" which are under the hoof.  Worked like a charm!  He was much calmer at her last rodeo.

Zoe and I get frequent head aches.  We have not had to use any over the counter medicines to control our headaches since we got the oils.  It is an awesome feeling.

My hubby participated in some recreational softball, first game of the year.  I think he was out of shape.  He woke up the next morning quite sore.  I mean real sore.  We applied some Panaway mixed with coconut oil and his muscles soreness went away...totally...for good.  Not a coincidence.

And then there is darling Oliver.  Oliver just came home from China.  After talking with his mama, we came to the conclusion, Oliver has Giardia.  This is very common of children coming home from China.  My boys both had it.  They also passed it along to two of my other kids as well as me.  It is miserable.  You don't want to eat.  You are tired.  You feel awful.  Oliver had the classic symptoms.  His mama had the oils overnighted, including Di-Gize.  After just one day of using the oils, Oliver was a different baby.  He is now on day three and his mommy describes him as "Fabu!"  I love it!  Oliver was spared the trip to the E.R.  He was spared the wait for a diagnosis.  His parents were spared the bill, and everyone is much happier.  Oliver is eating and clearly on the mends.  Yay!!!!

Keep them coming friends.  This is so exciting!!!  God is good and so is His medicine!

Grouping the 9 Everyday Oils

I think this will make using your oils and understanding them just a tad bit easier.  With the exception of Frankincense, we are going to group the oils into the following three categories:  Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, and Calming.  The awesome thing about Frankincense is it goes into all three!  

Anti-inflammatory:

Peppermint

Panaway

Frankincense

Anti-microbial:

Thieves

Lemon

Purification

Frankincense

Calming:

Peace and Calming

Lavender

Frankincense

I hope this helps!  Shoot any questions you may have to misty297@hotmail.com

Emotions and Oils

Yes, it's true, essential oils really can help with emotions.  It is one of the most healing aspects of oils.  Oils are made up of tons and tons of tiny molecules.  These molecules are so small, they actually have the ability to penetrate what is referred to as the "Blood Brain Barrier."  When you breath in an essential oil, these itty bitty molecules actually pass through your nose and go strait to the brain, in the central part, called the amygdala.  This is the headquarters of the limbic system.  What does the limbic system do?  Well, it stores and files your emotional experiences.  This part of your brain does not understand "words."  It only responds to smells.  This is why when I smell the perfume "Charlie" on someone, I immediately feel sense of comfort and peace because it is what my beloved grandmother wore.   Or perhaps, you smell cookies baking and long to be back in your mother's kitchen.

Did you know that some stored emotions can actually make you sick?  Well, they can.  When essential oils go to the amygdala, they can cause an up-stir of these emotions.  You can even store them in different parts of the body, causing ailments effecting that part of the body.  For example, if you are storing emotions in your joints, you can develop arthritis.  They can also cause cancer.  So, when an oil causes this up-stir, it can cause you to deal with the emotion you are storing, and then release them.  This is healing.  Sometimes it is immediate, and sometimes it takes time.

Purification

Purification is a purifying blend.  Imagine that.  It disinfects the air, neutralizes mildew, cigarette smoke and other icky odors.  It cleanses cuts, scrapes and bites from spiders, bees, hornets and wasps.  Some have used it on mosquito bites if it is what they have on hand, but mosquito bites are better treated with panaway.

You can dilute it with V-6 oil, you can diffuse it for up to 30 min a few times a day, drop into your both water, place on a cotton ball and put in your vents, and also apply directly to skin.

I added a few drops to a small spray bottle of water and we use it instead of Febreez.  It smells great, and neutralizes the odors in the room after a diaper change ;-)  It would be great to have in your bathroom as well.  It is also good to put a few drops on a cotton ball and add to your clothes dryer.

Purification is, well purifying!

This blend includes: Citronella, Lemongrass, Lavandin, Rosemary, Melaleuca, and Myrtle

Panaway

Used to be called Painaway, but the FDA made them change it.  This blend is a great topical "alieve"!  It reduces pain, inflammation, increases circulation, and accelerates healing.  It can be used for arthritis, sprains, muscle soreness, cramps, muscle spasms, bumps and bruises.  It is also super effective on mosquito bites, especially if you get to them right away.

I love to put it right on my forehead when I have a headache.  I also have tendonitis (undiagnosed) in my wrists and I can rub it directly on them and the pain is gone in 5-10 minutes, and at times it has been immediate.

You can use in in your diffuser, dilute it with a carrier oil, directly inhale it, add to bath water, and apply directly to the area of pain.

It's pretty strait forward- Pan (Pain) Away!

Time to throw out the Ben-Gay and use something completely natural and beneficial to your body!

This blend has the following oils in it: Helichrysum, Wintergreen, Clove and Peppermint.

Valor

Valor is pretty neat.  It is also a blend and it was created with the intention of balancing energies, instilling courage, confidence, and self-esteem.  It helps the body to self-correct it's balance and alignment. 

You can diffuse it, add 2-4 drops to your bath, add 4--6 drops to your wrist, chest, base of neck or bottom of feet.  When you use it, apply it first, then wait about 10 minutes to apply any other oils.  

Many of my adoption friends are using this blend on their adopted children to help them to overcome their past.  One of the babies I met in China, came home a few months later, and had been severely neglected and abused.  One of the things the nannies were doing, in an effort to help him, was tie sticks to his legs to encourage him to walk.  Needless to say, when he came home, there was some negative associations connected to walking and this little guy refused to even try.  His mama started using Valor and Peace and Calming on him and within days, he stood up on her lap.  It was a true breakthrough.  They had never seen their son bear weight.  I will explain some of the medical reasoning in a post soon to come.

Valor has many uses...and it smells pretty yummy too.

The oils in the blend are: Rosewood, Blue Tansy, Frankincense, Spruce, and Almond Oil.

Peace and Calming

Peace and Calming is an awesome blend.  It promotes relaxation and a deep sense of peace and well-being.  It helps with tension and lifts the spirits.  When massaged on the feet, it can help you to get a good night's sleep.  It helps with depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia.  It's also great to use on hyperactive children.

You can diffuse this blend of oils, as well as apply directly to your feet, back or back of your neck.  You can also place a few drops in your hands and inhale it.  It's effective when 2-4 drops are added to a bath, or to cotton balls and placed in vents.  You can add a couple drops to V-6 oil and make a massage oil and its simply amazing.

Peace and Calming smells wonderful and is a very effective sleep aid.  We apply to the bottom of our little boys feet and they are asleep in minutes.  My girlfriends daughter is severely effected by insomnia.  She also has ADD.  She called her mom this morning, super excited about the first good night's sleep she has had in ages after using this oil last night.  I'm telling you folks, it really works.

A lady from Houston called me and informed me, she and some of the other ladies down there will apply this oil to their horses frogs before a barrel race to calm them at the gate.  This is a good reminder, these oils are all safe and effective on animals also.

Peace and Calming really lives up to the name.

The oils in this blend are: Blue Tansy, Patchouli, Tangerine, Orange, and Ylang Ylang

Thieves

I have to talk about thieves today because it has just saved the boys butts.  The little men were starting to come down with a cold.  Now, when the little China men get a cold, it is rough and it lasts forever.  I whipped out my handy dandy bottle of thieves, put it on the bottoms of their feet, (all six of them) and rubbed peppermint mixed with organic coconut oil on their chests (to combat the stuffy noses).  Two days into it, and I would label this cold "mild."  I have to add, they are getting a touch of lavender during nap as well.

Thieves is awesome.  It is so awesome, Young Living has an entire "Thieves" line that includes hand sanitizer, cleaning products, toothpaste and more.  It is an amazing blend.  It is antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-infectous.  And it comes with a super cool story:

A group of the 15th century spice merchants were robbing the bodies of the dead and dying during the plague.  They had rubbed themselves down with this blend of oils that protected them, and they escaped the plague.  When apprehended, the thieves were told, if they would disclose their recipe, they would receive a more lenient punishment.  Obviously, they agreed!  And "Thieves" was born!

It smells awesome.  When diffused into the air, it has proven in a study to kill airborne micro-organisms.  You can use it to kill staph infection and warts...and it is an awesome stain zapper!  I got black frosting on my taupe sweater.  I left it laying for days, wondering what I was going to do about it.  A light came on, and I dropped a few drops of this oil on the stain and let is sit.  The next day, I ran some cold water and it disappeared before my eyes.  I have also heard it can take lipstick out of fabric.  Awesomeness.

The oils in this blend are: Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus and Rosemary

Frankincense

Frankincense is my favorite.  Frankincense was the oil given to baby Jesus when he was born.  It is considered the "holy anointing oil." It should not surprise us this oil is extremely healing, in many ways.  Frankincense is widely known for it's spiritual uses.  It has been used to enhance prayer time, worship time, and in religious ceremonies.  It is referred to numerous times in the bible.  Frankincense was known to treat "every conceivable ill known to man." It was valued more than gold in ancient times.  Only the rich possessed it.

It is an antitumoral, immunostimulant, antidepressant, and muscle relaxer.

It is used to treat cancer, depression, respiratory infections, inflammation and immune stimulating.  You can inhale it, diffuse it, put in a capsule and use as a dietary supplement, or simply put it directly on your skin.  (It is great on wrinkles and used in many skin care products, including Young Living's, ART).

When you diffuse it into the air, it can improve spiritual awareness, and lift your spirits.  Why?  Frankincense contains sesquiterpenes, which stimulate the limbic system of the brain (the center of memory and emotions) and the hypothalamus, pineal, and pituitary glands.

The hypothalamus is the master gland of the human body, producing many vital hormones including thyroid and growth hormone.

Now, there is Frankincense, and there is Sacred Frankincense.  And yes, they are different.  Sacred Frankincense will be explained in the next post.

Frankincense is also known as "olibanum."

Lemon

Besides the fact it smells nice, lemon is wonderful.  It is an antitumoral, antiseptic, improves microcirculation, and an immune stimulant (increases white blood cells) improves memory, and relaxation.  It also has the ability to combat tumor growth.  It is used for circulatory problems, arteriosclerosis, obesity, parasites, urinary tract infections, varicose veins, anxiety, hypertension, digestion, and acne.

Young Living's lemon oil can be added to a glass of water or tea and it can substitute in a recipe calling for lemon zest.  In a study of college students lemon proved to improve memory.  Students that studied in a room where lemon was being diffused, and then inhaled the oil again before the test the following day had much higher test scores, 50% higher as a matter of fact.

Lemon is also great for the skin.  It kills acne and bacteria causing acne.  It is a great facial cleanser and has been used in skin care lines to combat wrinkles.  In a study in 1995, lemon was shown to have antidepressant effects.   Lemon will be a great oil to diffuse into the home.

You can inhale, diffuse, and take as a dietary supplement.

Although, if you are going to be in the sun, best not to put on areas that will be exposed to the sun.

Lavender

Love my lavender!  Also known as the "swiss army knife" of oils.  It has a TON of uses.

It is an antiseptic, antifungal, analgesic, antitumoral, anticonvulsant, vasodilating, relaxant, anti-inflammatory.  It also reduces cholesterol and combats excessive sebum on the skin.

It is used for respiratory infections, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, PMS, hair loss, insomnia and nervous tension.  Lavender also is great for the skin.  You can apply it to acne, eczema, psoriasis, scarring and stretch marks.  It is very effective on burns. (I know people that keep in by the stove.)

You can apply lavender directly to the skin or you can mix it with a carrier oil and apply.  You can diffuse it, inhale it, and take it as a dietary supplement inside capsules.

We love to use it mixed with coconut oil and rubbed on a sunburn.  It does some major work on my little guys dry rosy cheeks as well.  You can also mix it with a carrier oil and rub right along the area you get menstrual cramps.  I'm not telling how I know this but...if you have been crying and you place it under your eyes and along your forehead, it helps to "cover" the evidence.  ;-)

When in doubt~bust it out!

Peppermint

Peppermint is an anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antiparasitic (worms), antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, gallbladder/digestive stimulant, pain reliever, and appetite controller.

Peppermint is very strong and invigorating.  If you are stuffy, put a couple drops in your hands, rub them together and then close your eyes, cup your nose and inhale!  You will immediately be clear and more awake.  It is simply wonderful.

Beat the summer heat!  Rub a few drops of peppermint in your hands and then apply to the back of your neck.  You can even make a little mixture of peppermint and water in bottle and spritz on yourself to cool down.

Your child has a fever?  Apply some peppermint to the bottoms of their feet and the back of their neck. It can be "hot" especially for kids, so you may want to mix it with a carrier oil, such as organic olive oil, v-6 oil, or coconut oil.  Massage them with it.  It will bring the fever down quicker than tylenol could have!

Need to shed a few pounds?  Drop some peppermint in a glass of water before you eat...you will feel full much faster.

Peppermint is scientifically proven to increase mental accuracy by 28%!

 And here is my favorite: peppermint is very effective when mixed with a carrier oil and rubbed on your forehead and temples to rid your head ache.  You can also inhale it to rid yourself of nausea.  I have heard of women using it to completely overcome morning sickness during pregnancy.

Oh and last but not least~make yourself a nice little rub to massage into sore muscles.

So ya see~ peppermint rocks!