Self-Care in Grief...soothing essential oils

"The Leaf",(1897/1898) by Elizabeth Forbes

When someone dear to us dies, friends often encourage us to take care of ourselves, to be gentle with ourselves. I have given this advice to many people over the years but now I am the recipient of this sympathetic support. You see, my mother passed away the day after Christmas. Mama had lived with us for the previous two years as she fought against ovarian cancer, first detected six years before. She was briefly hospitalized at the beginning of December and then came back home to us under Hospice support. She achieved her two goals, celebrating her ninety-third birthday on December 16th, and seeing her great-grandchildren on Christmas Day. Those accomplished, she gently slipped away with my husband, my brother, my sister-in-law, and me, by her side.

Even when expected, even at the end of a very long life, losing someone so loved and integral to our lives is hard. Really, really hard. So how do I follow my own advice of self-care? I should remember to eat healthy food and stay hydrated, even when I don't think I can swallow it down. I should take walks even though I just want to sit here in my chair with Mama's blanket over my lap. I should allow myself to cry when

the tears well up and allow myself to laugh when humor gently nudges my funny bone.

What other things can I do? When a caring neighbor gave me some hand lotion that smells just like sugar cookies, I noticed how comforting it was each time I smoothed it on. Although I liked the feel of the lotion, I realized it was the scent that was soothing to my spirit. Of course. It was a form of aromatherapy. So I've done a bit of research and found some essential oils that are especially helpful for the kind of self-care I need at this time. (I discovered these in a blog post by Marika Fleri on the School of Aromatic Studies website.)

"Fresh Cut Lavender Flowers" by Lexipexi via Wikimedia Commons

Use these combinations in a bath, diffuser, or aromatherapy inhaler:

3 drops Sandalwood
2 drops Melissa
2 drops Frankincense

or

3 drops Mandarin
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Clary Sage

or

"Mama and Me" photo by William Ahearn, the author's husband

3 drops Lavender
2 drops Roman Chamomile
2 drops Jasmine

Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now.  
Kate

Olympian sized muscle pain?...try these essential oils

"Sgt Hillary Bor Runs 3000m Steeplechase" by US Army via Wikimedia Commons

Watching the 2016 Summer Olympics, I am continually amazed at the stress these athletes heap upon
their muscles. Sometimes it shows on their faces. Sometimes it shows by their use of wraps and kinesio tape. This is definitely the year of The Tape-- sometimes boldly apparent, sometimes subtle, blending with the athlete's skin tones. Are there essential oils suitable for soothing muscle pain? You betcha! Take a gander at the ones, below. Massage them in with your carrier oil or lotion of choice. Soak them in through full body and foot baths. They are a wonderful, natural means of soothing overworked muscles, whether from running a 10km marathon or pulling weeds in the garden.

Essential Oils of:

-Lavender- (what an herbal workhorse, this is!) Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, circulation aid

"Freshly Cut Lavender Flowers" by Lexipexi via Wikimedia Commons

-Black Pepper- (and, no, you can't just shake it from a box) Warming, pain relieving, circulation aid

-Rosemary-Analgesic

-Ginger-Warming, antispasmodic

-Eucalyptus- Analgesic, anti-inflammatory

-Marjoram-Warming, antispasmodic, circulation aid

"Eucalyptus" by Toby Hudson via Wikimedia Commons

-Cypress-Antispasmodic

-Thyme- Warming, pain relieving, circulation aid

-Peppermint-Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic

So, next time you need some blessed relief from aching muscles, try reaching for an essential oil instead of just popping a pill. Fragrant oils have a way of lifting your spirits as they ease your pain.

Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now! (Go Team!)
Kate

(As always: this post is for information only for adult use and does not replace medical advice. Тest out an oil first by placing a small diluted amount on your arm as a patch test. In particular, those who are or could be pregnant should always refer to their physicians before using any essential oils.)

Going Buggy...essential oil insect repellants

Ahhh, Summer is straining at its seasonal leash and ready to burst full blown onto the

"Asian Tiger Mosquito" By James Gathany, CDC [Public domain],
 via Wikimedia Commons

scene. For many of us, summer weather has already descended, regardless of the calendar date, along with those most unwelcome of guests: biting flies, gnats, and mosquitoes. My research into essential oils as natural insect repellants unearthed a treasure trove of possibilities. If you try any of these, I'd love your comments!

For horse flies:
Lavender
Lemongrass
Cedarwood
Rosemary

"Freshly cut Lavender Flowers" by Lexipexi via Wikimedia Commons

Peppermint 
Lemon
Tansey*
Thyme (Vulgaris)
Tea Tree

For gnats:
Rose Geranium*
Spearmint
Peppermint
Globulus
Eucalyptus*

For mosquitoes:
Lavender
Lemongrass
Peppermint 
Lemon
Tansey
Thyme (Vulgaris)

"Lemongrass" via Wikimedia Commons

Clove
Cinnamon
Globulus
Blue Cypress
Sage
Eucalyptus

(* also good against ticks)

You can mix several drops of the oils of your choice into your favorite unscented body lotion or make into a spritzer spray:

Into a 2 oz spray bottle mix:

• 4 tablespoons of distilled water
• 2 teaspoons of vodka
• 5-6 drops of your favorite essential oil or try a combination such as sage, rosemary, thyme, lavender, and mint.

So bring it on, Summer. Give it all you've got and we'll be ready for your blood sucking posse!

Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now! (And yes I know, despite my post title, bugs are not insects but "going insecty" just doesn't work somehow!)

(As always: this post is for information only for adult use and does not replace medical advice. Тest out an oil first by placing a small diluted amount on your arm as a patch test. In particular, those who are or could be pregnant should always refer to their physicians before using any essential oils.) 

Going to the Dogs...essential oils for canine comfort

"Sophie Selfie" photograph by KL Wood

Exciting news around our house! We have recently adopted a rescued seven month old female, wirehaired terrier mix. Nine pounds of love, joy, and some emotional baggage. She was brought to the Humane Society by an Animal Cruelty Officer from a home in which another dog had died of starvation while bound to a short rope. Heartbreaking. We have named her Sophie and are amazed at her intelligence and rapid adjustment to our family. She does, of course, have some fears that we are working through together so I thought I'd check on essential oil use for canine anxiety. 

It is important to remember that dogs react, physically and emotionally, differently to some oils than do we. So what's good for the goose isn't necessarily good for the gander...or what's good for Kate isn't necessarily good for Sophie! And the information here is only for dogs. Not for cats. Felines respond differently than canines and can have fatal reactions to things that are just fine for dogs. Instead of listing oils that are not safe for dogs, I am going to give you some recipes that are helpful for them. (If you're like me, you might remember the good and the bad but not recall which was which!)

With all of these recipes: Never spray near eyes, nose, or mouth and if your dog doesn't like it, don't use it! The good thing about all of these mixtures is that they all smell lovely and have similar

"Sophie with her New Grandma" photograph by KL Wood

therapeutic properties for us humans.

For General Anxiety:
Mix these essential oils-
5-10 drops of Lavender and
5-10 drops of Roman Chamomile into
10 ounces of purified water
Pour into a spray bottle and lightly mist over your dog's coat.

For Hyper Sound Sensitivity:
Add any of these essential oils to your home diffuser-
Lavender 
Melissa 
Neroli

For Separation Anxiety:
Add these essential oils to your home diffuser-

"Happy Tail Wagging" photograph by KL Wood

8-10 drops of Sweet Orange and
4-5 drops of Lavender and
4-6 drops of Ylang Ylang

For YOU! For Odiferous Dogs:
Mix these essential oils-
10 drops of Lavender and
 6 drops of Sweet Orange and
 6 drops of Peppermint and
 3 drops of Eucalyptus into
 8 ounces of purified water
Pour into spray bottle and lightly mist over your dog's coat.

When buying essential oils, always buy the highest quality. You really do get what you pay for and you don't want to use oils that may be diluted with products unsafe for use with your dear pups. (Speaking of pups, wait until your puppy is older than 10 weeks to use the oils.)

"All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small..." are deserving of our love and care.

Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now! 

Kate (and Sophie Rose)

       

Spring Allergies...essential oils to the rescue

To quote Nanki Poo in Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado:

"Pink Azaleas" photo by KL Wood

"Fresh Cut Lavender Flowers" by Lexipexi via Wikimedia Commons

"Lemons" by By Zeynel Cebeci  via Wikimedia Commons

"The flowers that bloom in the spring,
Tra la,
Breathe promise of merry sunshine..."

But for some of us, the flowers that bloom in the spring (tra la) breathe promise of runny noses, itchy eyes, and headaches. There are several essential oils that can bring relief to these less-than-welcome signs of spring. Three of the most popular and effective are:

Lavender- 
A natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. It also has the added bonus of cleansing the air and relaxing mind and body.

Lemon-
A natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. Helps relieve excess mucus and its fresh, citrus scent is uplifting. (Lemon can add to photosensitivity so go sparingly if you are going out into the sunlight.)

Peppermint-
An anti-inflammatory that helps open breathing passages. Its fragrance is energizing.

"Peppermint Plant" by By Gürkan Sengün  via Wikimedia Commons

These three are great individually and fantastic when combined with each other. Diffuse them in a home essential oil diffuser, mix them with a carrier oil of your choice (such as jojoba) or lotion and massage into your skin, add a few drops to your soaking bath, place drops on a cotton ball and inhale, mix with carrier oil in a roller ball bottle and apply to temples, back of neck, and pulse points.

So go out, breathe in Spring, (and carry an essential oil roller ball with you!)

Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now! (Tra la!)

Kate

(As always: this post is for information only for adult use and does not replace medical advice. Тest out an oil first by placing a small diluted amount on your arm as a patch test. In particular, those who are or could be pregnant should always refer to their physicians before using any essential oils.)