Headaches, Migraines, and Essential Oils

Many individuals that suffer from headaches and migraines are interested in finding natural solutions. A migraine is a common type of headache that may occur with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity and throbbing pain in the head.  Essential oils provide individuals with natural solutions for headaches and migraines.  

Here are some common essential oils that will assist with headaches and migraines:   Basil, Lavender, Marjoram, Peppermint, Roman Chamomile, Spearmint, Wintergreen, and Ylang Ylang.  

Essential Oils are most effective if they are applied when symptoms first begin.  It may take time to determine which oils work for you, but once you do it will be a sweet victory.  I suggest that you apply essential oils diluted on the neck, shoulders, and temples (avoid the eyes), to address the muscle tension.  Top oils to help with muscle tension are Basil, Marjoram, Peppermint, Spearmint, and Wintergreen.  I also suggest that you apply Lavender, Roman Chamomile or Ylang Ylang to the back of the neck and shoulders to help calm emotions and release stress.  If you are using an essential oil that indicates that it is safe for ingestion, I would also suggest that you put Frankincense on the roof of your mouth and rub a drop on your temples and the back of your neck.    

For nausea you can use Ginger, Peppermint, Fennel or Roman Chamomile. Ginger is my top choice.  You can apply it to your chest and abdomen diluted.  If you are using an essential oil that can be taken internally, you can put 2 drops in a veggie capsule and swallow it.  Always check your labels and do your research before your ingest essential oils.  

Here are some recipes below:   
 

Essential Oils for Focus

I have been doing research into different oils that help improve focus and concentration. I have children that really seems to struggle with this issue and it makes doing homework very challenging.  

Back to school is upon us and it is time for this mamma to get serious about helping my children. The problem I am running into is that the best oils for focus and concentration are oils that my children will not use, because they cannot stand the smell.  The top oils that improve concentration are Vetiver and Basil.  Many people like the scents of these oils, but my children will not use them.   

So, I have been on a journey to find oils that my children will use, enjoy the smell, and by default improve school work.  Here is the list of oils that I have discovered assist with focus.  

The best thing to do is smell the oils and determine which ones improve your concentration or focus.  Once you have determined the oils that work best for you then you apply those oils to the bottom of your feet twice a day or diffuse them.  

I plan to put the blend into a roller bottle, so that my kids can reapply it at school, as needed.  They may end up wearing it as a perfume or cologne if the fragrance is nice enough.  I fully intend to start diffusing the blend at least 15 minutes before we start studying to help provide a conducive environment.   

Wising you all success in finding the best blend!   Happy Oiling!   

  

Marjoram Essential Oil

Marjoram essential oil is a wonderful oil.  It is steam distilled from the leaf.   It's top properties are antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, digestive stimulant, and a sedative.  

Marjoram essential oil can be used aromatically, internally, and topically. Please verify the use of the oil on the bottle that you purchased.  If it is a lower quality oil, it will not be safe for internal use.  

Marjoram essential oil is a versatile oil.  It can be used for digestive issues, muscular issues, respiratory issues, fungal issues and more.  

Common uses for Marjoram essential oil are boils, bronchitis, carpal tunnel, cold sores, colic, constipation, croup, headaches, high blood pressure, migraines, muscle aches & pains, muscular fatigue, muscular spasms, pancreatitis, and ringworm.   

For topical applications, I strongly recommend that you dilute with a carrier oil to increase the area of application, reduce evaporation of the essential oil, and to protect your skin from sensitivity. If it is for a muscular issue, I suggest using a heating pad on the area after you apply the diluted essential oil. It helps penetrate the oils into your muscles.  I like to use Marjoram, Lemongrass and Cinnamon together for muscular issues.  Cinnamon is a hot oil, so you must dilute heavily.    

For internal use, please verify that the essential oil you purchased is safe for ingesting.  To ingest you would put a few drops in a veggie cap. If you are using marjoram to reduce your high blood pressure, I suggest using a veggie cap with 2 drops marjoram and 2 drops lemongrass.   

Safety Precautions:  I strongly recommend diluting marjoram with a carrier oil, particularly for sensitive skin.  If you are pregnant, please consult your physician before using.    

As always, please do your own research!  Please ensure that you are purchasing your oils from a reputable company that does extensive testing to verify the quality and purity of the essential oils.     

Black Pepper Essential Oil

Lets talk about Black Pepper Essential Oil tonight.

It is Steam Distilled from the Berries - Egypt, India, Madagascar

Historically it was used for malaria, cholera, and digestive problems.

It was used in the embalming process in Egypt. At one time it was considered so valuable, that people would trade Gold to get Black Pepper Oil.

Black Pepper Oil may cause skin sensitization, so always dilute with a carrier oil.

Properties: Analgesic, Anticatarrhal, Anti-Inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, aphrodisiac, expectorant, laxative, rubefacient, stimulant, vasodilator, warming

Blends well with Cardamom, Clove, Cumin, Fennel, Frankincense, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Marjoram, Rosemary, Sandalwood

Emotionally Black Pepper dissolves spiritual exhaustion, breaks through self doubt, fuels motivation and gives the strength to act; high energy and hastens the healing process

Physically Black Pepper is good for arthritis, circulatory issues, constipation, diarrhea, gas, muscle aches and spasms, and rheumatism.  Black Pepper also provides immune system support during a cold or flu.  It has also assisted people with smoking cessation, by curbing cravings and anxiety.   

As always, do your research and purchase from a reputable company that provides information on their testing process.

Spotlight on Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is steam distilled from the flowers.  Lavender Essential Oil can be used Aromatically, Internally, or Topically.  It is safe for everyone to use from babies to the elderly.  As with any oil, I always suggest that you dilute it, so that your body never develops a sensitivity to the oil. However, many people use Lavender essential oil "neat" on the skin. Always do a spot test.  Lavender essential oil blends well with Black Pepper, Cirus Oils, Clary Sage, Marjoram, Thyme, and Vetiver. Lavender is one of the oils that I carry in my purse for life's little emergencies.  

I have used Lavender essential oil to stop my daughter's nose bleeds, by applying the oil on the outside of her nose.  Lavender essential oil is also great for skin irritations from cuts and scrapes to bug bites and poison ivy. It is a wonderfully soothing oil, so it is perfect to use at bedtime.  Here are a few other great ways to use Lavender.    

Please do your research before you purchase or use essential oils. Make sure you are purchasing high quality oils from a company that is reputable and explains in full detail how they test the oils and what test they use to determine quality and purity.    

Spotlight: Arborvitae Essential Oil

I thought it might be fun to start doing a spotlight on different essential oils.  

Today I am going to focus on Arborvitae.   

Arborvitae is steam distilled from the wood, needles, twigs.  
Country of Origin:  Typically Canada

It is also referred to as Western Red Cedar or the "Tree of Life" . You will see oil companies refer to it as Arborvitae, Thuja, Thuja Plicata, or Western Red Cedar.

Arborvitae has a very woodsy, earthy scent. It is know for repelling insects, so it is a great essential oil to put in your homemade bug sprays.  It is also a wonderful oil to put on bug bites. It helps reduce the itching and swelling.  

Summer is here and so are the BUGS

Summer has finally arrived and I am thrilled to see sunshine and warm weather.  Summer brings camping, swimming, family trips and more.  It is the time of year that sunscreen and bug spray seem to be out on my kitchen table and ready for use every day.  This year we are utilizing more natural products to assist us during these warmer months.  I have created my own bug spray with essential oils. Since our skin is our front line defense against disease and harsh chemicals, I am glad to know that I am making strides at reducing the number of toxins that my skin absorbs everyday.  

Did you know that different essential oils naturally repel certain types of bugs?  Mosquitoes hate cinnamon, lavender, lemongrass and vetiver essential oil, spiders hate peppermint essential oil, gnats hate patchouli and ticks don't like eucalyptus essential oil. Depending on what type of bug you need to repel will determine what essential oils you will use in your bug spray.  I like to start my bug spray with a repellent blend, because it has citronella, cedarwood, eucalyptus, fir needle, and other beneficial essential oils.   

Here is my Bug Spray Recipe:  

4 oz spray bottle 

10 drops Repellent Blend 
10 drops Lemongrass
4 drops Peppermint 
1/4 cup Witch Hazel

Add all of the essential oils and Witch Hazel to the spray bottle. Top off with water.  Shake well before each use.    

If you want or need your bug spray to be stronger, you can use up to 35 drops of essential oil in your spray bottle.  

Happy Oiling!