Guest Post- Valor

Valor for Anxiety & Depression

I have always been apprehensive about medications. Whether they were over-the-counter or prescribed, I just didn’t feel comfortable taking them. Being diagnosed with both anxiety (at age 12) and depression (at age 14), I had been prescribed several different medications. The few I did actually take made my body feel weird. I hated the side effects, and it didn’t make sense to me that that’s what I had to feel in order to feel better. 

Towards the end of October 2013, I began using Young Living Essential Oils. Around Thanksgiving, both my anxiety and depression began to get worse. I was actually diagnosed with major depressive disorder. They wanted to put me back on antidepressants. I hated the idea. I didn’t want to be a zombie. Thankfully my sister gave me an oil to try. I started with joy.

Joy was good, but it wasn’t for me. I couldn’t stand the smell, and though it helped… I couldn’t help but hope there might be something that would help more (not to mention would smell better)! 

I was reading my reference guide when I stumbled across valor for depression. When I researched more into it, I also found testimonies about it working for anxiety, so I thought I’d give it a try.

To me, valor is a miracle oil! I’m serious! I started out applying it three times a day over my heart. Now I just do five drops over my heart in the morning. It has helped improve my mood, and it’s calmed my nerves. I keep it in my purse at all times, and on extra stressful days I apply some on my wrist to smell when needed. 

I can honestly say that none of the medications that I have tried have ever made this big of a difference. Not to mention, the oils are natural. I don’t have to deal with any side effects, nor do I have to worry about becoming a zombie for a few weeks while my body “adjusts” to the medication. 

Love my Valor essential oil!

LR (age 23)

75 Uses of the Everyday Oils

75 Uses of the Everyday Oils

THIEVES is a highly antibacterial blend of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary. Named after 15th Century Thieves who rubbed these oils on themselves during the plague so as not to contract the disease while robbing the dead. Thieves has a 99.96% kill rate against airborne microorganisms. 

1. Cold & Flu. Diffuse Thieves Oil in room. Rub a drop on the bottom of feet. 1 drop of Thieves in a glass and drink. Repeat every 1-2 hours. 
2. Strep Throat. Drop 2-4 drops in water and gargle as needed. Dilute with carrier oil and apply to throat and back neck. 
3. Household Germs.  2-6 drops of thieves in a small spray bottle and fill with water. Can also use witch hazel to help disperse the oil throughout the water.
4. Gingivitis/Bleeding Gums.  Rub a drop of thieves all over gums, 2X day, until gone.
5. Mold.  Diffuse thieves to kill mode.
6. Bronchitis. Dilute 50/50 2-6 drops Thieves with carrier oil and rub on chest and upper back, apply warm compress. Diffuse. 
7. Cold Sores/Fever Blisters. 1 drop on cold sores or fever blisters 3X day or as needed until it's gone.
8. Fungal Skin & Toe Infections. 1 drop of thieves on the infection 2-3 times per day until gone.

PEPPERMINT is a natural analgesic (painkiller) and is traditionally used to treat symptoms of digestive disorders. *considered a “hot” oil and may cause skin irritation if not diluted.
   9. Fever. Rub several drops of Peppermint oil on the bottoms of the feet and down the   spine to reduce fever.
10. Headache. Rub peppermint on the temples and press a drop to the roof of the mouth.
11. Nausea. Massage several drops of Peppermint oil, diluted in a carrier oil, on the abdomen.
12. Working out. Inhale Peppermint oil before and during a workout to boost mood and reduce fatigue.
13. Cramps. Rub diluted Peppermint oil on abdomen to reduce cramps.
14. Food Flavoring. Add Peppermint oil to food to flavor.
15. Indigestion. Rub diluted Peppermint oil over the stomach and around the naval to
relieve indigestion.

PURIFICATION is an antiseptic blend of Citronella, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Melaleuca, Lavandin and Myrtle formulated for diffusing to purify and cleanse the air and neutralize odors, including mildew and cigarette smoke.

16. Air Purifier/ Freshener. Diffuse Purification oil to clean the air and neutralize foul or stale orders.
    
17. Air Purifier/Freshener. Put several drops of Purification on a cotton ball and place in air vents.
    
18. Insect Bites. Put a drop of Purification on insect bites to stop itching.
    
19. Skin Blemishes. Apply a drop of Purification oil on blemishes to clear skin.
    
20. Sore Throat. Rub a drop of Purification on the outside of throat at first sign of sore
    throat.
    
21. Shoe Odors. Put a drop in each shoe to combat odors.
    
22. Flu. Dilute Purification with carrier oil and swab inside nose to ward off flu.
    
23. Cat/Dog fleas. Rub Purification on palms and rub through hair.
    

LEMON has antiseptic-like properties. It should not be applied to skin that will be in direct sunlight within 72 hours.

24. Detox. Add 1-2 drops lemon to a glass of water to detox cells.
    
25. Prolong Life of Fresh Fruit. To clean and increase shelf life of fresh fruit, fill a bowl
    with cool water and 2-3 drops of lemon oil. Drop fruit in water and stir.
    
26. Sticky Labels. Use 1-2 drops Lemon to remove sticky labels.
    
27. Fever. Dilute Lemon oil and apply to spine to reduce fever in children.
    
28. Colds/Sore Throat/Cough. Add 1-2 drops of Lemon oil to a glass of water to boost
    immune system and soothe sore throats and coughs.
    

FRANKINCENSE was considered more valuable than gold in ancient times and used to treat every known illness to man. It’s known for its antitumoral, immunostimulant, antidepressant & muscle relaxing benefits.

29. Concentration. Use 1-2 drops Frankincense oil on temples and back of neck to improve concentration.
    
30. Immune System. Apply 1-3 drops Frankincense oil on each foot to strengthen immune system.
    
31. Blisters. Dilute Frankincense oil 50/50 with carrier oil and apply to a blistered area 3-5 times daily.
    
32. Depression. Diffuse or inhale from the bottle to help elevate mood.
    
33. Stretch Marks. Rub a few drops on stretch marks 2 times a day.
    
34. Cysts. Apply 1-2 drops on cyst 2 times until it disappears.
    
35. Skin Health. Apply 1-2 drops on sun damaged skin 2 times a day.
    
36. Warts. Put 2 drops on wart 2 times a day until it disappears.
    
37. Breast health. Rub 2-3 drops on breasts and lower abdomen everyday.
38. Health Maintenance. Dilute 1 drop Frankincense in 1tsp honey or in a capsule and ingest daily for health maintenance.

Lavender is the most versatile of all essential oils. Therapeutic-grade lavender has been highly regarded for the skin. Lavender has been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects. When in doubt, use Lavender!

39. Calming. Rub Lavender on the feet for a calming effect on the body.
    
40. Sleep Aid. Rub a drop of Lavender on your palms and smooth on your pillow to help
    sleep.
    
41. Insect Bite. Put a drop of Lavender on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching and
    reduce swelling.
    
42. Minor Burn. Put 2-3 drops Lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain.
    
43. Cuts. Drop Lavender oil on cut to stop bleeding, clean wound, and kill bacteria.
    
44. Eczema/Dermatitis. Mix Several drops of Lavender oil with carrier oil and apply
    topically.
    
45. Unblock Tear Ducts. Rub a drop of Lavender over the bridge of the nose to
    unblock tear ducts,
    
46. Dry/Chapped Skin/Lips. Rub Lavender oil on chapped or dry skin/lips.
    
47. Hay Fever. Rub a drop of Lavender oil between palms and inhale to help alleviate
    symptoms of hay fever.
    
48. Dandruff. Rub several drops of Lavender into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff.
    
49. Cold Sores. Put a drop of Lavender oil on a cold sore.
    
50. Allergies. Diffuse Lavender oil to alleviate the symptoms of allergies. Apply to
    bridge of nose, over sinus cavities and swab inside nasal cavity for allergy relief.
    
51. Sunburn. Mix with coconut oil and rub on sunburn to decrease pain and speed
    healing.
    
52. Rashes. Apply 2-3 drops Lavender oil to a rash to stop the itching and heal the skin.
    

Peace & Calming is a gentle, fragrant blend of Tangerine, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy. It promotes relaxation and a deep sense of peace, helping to calm tensions and uplift spirits.

53. Sleep. Rub 1-2 drops of P&C oil on the bottom of the feet and on the shoulders before bedtime to get sleep.
    
54. Overactive children. Diffuse P&C oil in the room to calm overactive or hard to manage children.
    
55. Dogs. Put behind ears to calm.
    
56. Coughs. Dilute and apply to feet, chest, throat and back for coughs

PanAway is a pain relief blend of Wintergreen, Clove, Peppermint and Helichrysum. *PanAway is suggested to always use with a carrier oil.

57. Inflammation/Bruising. Apply PanAway oil topically on an injured area to reduce inflammation and bruising.
    
58. Sore Muscles. Apply PanAway oil topically to sore muscles after exercising.
    
59. Headache. Rub a drop of PanAway oil on the temples, forehead and back of neck
    to relieve a headache.
    
60. Growing Pains. Mix PanAway with a massage oil and massage on location to stop
    growing pains.
    
61. Arthritis Pain. Rub 1-2 drops of PanAway oil on arthritic hands to lessen pain.
    
62. Sciatic Pain. Rub 2-3 drops of PanAway oil at the base of the spine to relieve
    sciatic pain.
    

Valor is an energy balancing blend of Rosewood, Blue Tansy, Frankincense and Spruce in a base of pure almond oil. Valor works with bodies electrical and nervous system bringing alignment and balance. Known as “chiropractor in a bottle.”

63. Emotional Strength. Rub a few drops of Valor oil over the heart, neck, wrists and on the bottom of each foot to relieve feelings of fear and anxiety.
    
64. Back Pain/Injury. Apply Valor to bottoms of feet and spine to help alignment.
    
65. Joint Pain/Injury. Add a few drops of valor to a carrier oil and apply to the joints.
    
66. TMJ. Rub valor on the jaw before bed and in the morning until pain is relieved.
    
67. Sciatica. Add 2 drops of Valor to the heels of the feet using pressure.
    
68. Anxiety. Rub a few drops on feet neck, and chest.
    
69. Sleep Apnea. Apply valor to the bottoms of feet before bed.
    
70. Stiff Neck. Use 2 drops of Valor on neck and massage.
    

Joy is a blend of Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Rosewood, Lemon, Mandarin, Jasmine, Roman Chamomile, Palmarosa and Rose that creates magnetic energy and brings joy to the heart.

71. Bath. Use 3-4 drops in a bath to boost mood.
    
72. Mood Swings. Rub a drop of Joy over heart and on the bottom of each foot to
    relieve anxiety, depression and prevent mood swings.
    
73. Circulation. Rub 1-2 drops over areas of poor circulation.
    
74. Lift Spirits. Diffuse Joy in the home to lift everyone’s spirits.
    
75. Uplift Mood. Put a drop of Joy oil on the tip of the nose to uplift your mood. 
    

Carrier what?

So you may have noticed by now that the essential oil world has it's own lingo.  You hear words tossed around like "carrier oil" "neat" and "layering" and think "say what?!"

Let's talk carrier oils.  What is a carrier oil?  What is the purpose of using a carrier oil? How the heck do I choose one?

What is a carrier oil?
By definition, a carrier oil is a vegetable or nut oil used to dilute essential oils before they are applied to the skin.

What is the purpose of using a carrier oil?
A carrier oil helps "carry the essential oil to the skin. (make sense now?!).  Essential oils are, in fact, not oily at all and do evaporate.  Using a carrier oil will help prevent the EO from evaporating, therefore you will need less oil to do the same job!  Carrier oils also help spread the oils over the skin easier.  Some oils are "hot" and need the carrier oil to keep from causing skin reactions!  

How the heck do you choose one?
Carrier oils have their own benefits and you can choose your carrier oil based on your individual needs. 
Common carrier oils:
Almond (sweet) oil:  Skin moisturizer, anti aging, strengthens hair 
Coconut oil: Antibacterial, anti fungal
Jojoba oil: great for acne prone skin
Grapeseed oil: nourishing for skin

Coconut oil is my go-to carrier oil.  Well, coconut oil is my go-to for everything.  Seriously, if you don't have coconut oil in your house, you are not truly living. Stop reading and go order some right now. (I have no amazon affiliation and that is not necessarily the coconut oil I would order, just giving you a starting point).  When looking for coconut oil, you want cold-pressed, unrefined/virgin, and organic.  Also, coconut oil is solid below 76 degrees.  It is a very stable oil, so it can melt and solidify over and over with no concern.  You can melt it by running under hot water or sitting in a bowl of hot water (just please don't microwave it.)

For roller bottles, I use either grapeseed, avocado or almond oil.  I do have fractionated coconut oil (stays liquid) coming soon, however, so that is what I will be using!


Here is a great post on carrier oils.

Guest Post!

I asked some of my "oily" friends if they would want to share a little about their oil experiences.  This is from one of my best friends who I'm pretty sure thought I was crazy when she first met me 18 months ago!  Now we are just crazy and oily together!

How Young Living Essential Oils Have Worked For My Family

My family of five (my husband CH, Me, BNH (5), twins BMH and BJH (3)) started using YLEO (Young LIving Essential Oils) in August 2013.  I started with two oils, Thieves and R.C.  

ALLERGIES

CH and all 3 girls have pretty bad allergies, so I thought R.C. would be a good start.  We are all usually congested with inflamed sinuses every time the weather changes (which in L.A. - lower Alabama- is every single day).  CH has been tested for allergies and started allergy shots (2 shots, twice a week) about 6 years ago.  He has since had 3 allergic reactions to his allergy shots, one resulting in a trip to the ER.  He has had 2 sinus surgeries and suffers basically everyday.  He quit taking the shots after the third reaction and hasn’t been on them for about a year and a half.  He started using Allegra and Flonase more often and it helped enough.  After I expanded my YLEO collection, he discovered Lavender.  He uses a glass roller ball with grapeseed oil and Lavender every night over this nose and frontal sinuses above his eyes.  He does not use the Flonase anymore and has only had 1 Allegra since he started this (the day we took the Christmas tree down).  I started using Lavender on the girls’ feet to help them sleep better.  They used to get up several times a night -- still at age 3!  It worked!!  We were all sleeping better.  (I also apply R.C. on their feet at night the same way.) This past week, CH had the roller ball in the bathroom so he would remember to use it before bed so I haven’t been putting it on the girls’ feet.  For the past few days, I’ve noticed that they are more congested and inflamed.  I thought it might be the weather because we have had a 70 degree temperature change over the past 5 days.  Then tonight I realized that I haven’t been using Lavender on their feet at night and they have been suffering ever since.  I am convinced the Lavender is working on their allergies and have started using it again tonight.  

THIEVES

Last year our family was basically sick for about 4 months.  It started in October, we passed a stomach virus around for about 3 months, then I woke up with the flu on Christmas Eve.  It was then spread to CH and BJH, thus putting the whole family on Tamiflu, plus some on antibiotics, steroids and/or cough medicine.  That one illness cost us about $500.00, with insurance coverage.  We were determined to keep the family well this year and I am convinced Thieves has helped us achieve that!  I apply it in a roller ball with grapeseed oil on their feet every night before bed.  We have only had one week of sickness since August.  That’s 6 months!!!  We are truly amazed by these small miracle drops of oils and blessed beyond measure with a happy, healthy family. 

~RH

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Vita Flex

Vita Flex means "vitality through the reflexes".  This is an easy way to apply Young Living essential oils to the bottom of the foot!

Some oils,  like thieves, I apply it all over the bottom.  For specific things, like bladder or ears, I apply directly to the vita flex point!

"the gateway oil"

When I recently asked in my Facebook oil group "what made you interested in essential oils"  the overall majority quickly answered "THIEVES!"  I jokingly started calling it "the gateway oil".  Thieves is also where I got started with essential oils.

The story of thieves oil is quite interesting…

Young Living Thieves is a blend of clove (antibacterial, anti fungal, anti-infectious, antiparisitic, antiseptic, antiviral, and an immune stimulant), Lemon (promotes health, healing, physical energy, and purification), Cinnamon Bark (powerful purifier, powerful oxygenator, enhances the other oils), Eucalyptus radiata (antiviral, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, and antiseptic), and Rosemary cineol (antiseptic and anti-infectious).

Young Living’s Thieves Oil has been scientifically proven to kill deadly germs. Research from Weber State University in Utah has shown that it has a 99.96 percent kill rate against airborne bacteria. It was proven to be highly anti-infectious, antiviral, antibacterial, and antiseptic. Research shows that Young Livings Thieves Oil effectively interrupts the life cycle of bacteria and also interferes with the ability of viruses to replicate. Studies also confirmed that most viruses and bacteria cannot live in the presence of many essential oils, including two of the oils found in the Thieves Essential Oil Blend, cinnamon and clove.

I use thieves almost everyday! 

Here are ways I personally use thieves:

• I mix thieves with grapeseed oil in a roller bottle and put it on my children's feet every day before school.  
• I swipe it on the inside of my cheek or put it under my tongue if I feel anything coming on.  
• Gargle with 1 drop of thieves in a little water for a sore throat.
• Add 1-2 drops thieves to a glass and top with water.  This is my husbands preferred way of taking it!
• 10 drops mixed with distilled water in a small stainless steel spray bottle makes a great disinfectant!
• In a pinch, I use it as hand sanitizer

There are many more ways to use it as well!  I also love Young Living's Thieves Cleaner, toothpaste, and hand sanitizer.

If you are even thinking about essential oils, Thieves is an excellent oil to start with!!

New Start in the New Year!

Most people start the new year with resolutions to be a healthier version of themselves.  Well I have 3 oils that can get you started on the right foot!  I started taking them myself about a month ago, so that I would be able to speak personally on them. And now I can honestly say I. LOVE. THEM.  

Here's a little about each:

Lemon:
*detoxes the body *boosts immune system *increases energy *soothes sore throat *fever reducer *removes gum/stickers from surfaces *etc, etc, etc.

Peppermint:
*regulates digestion *appetite suppressant *soothes headache *fever reducer *increases energy *etc, etc, etc.

Grapefruit:
*boosts metabolism *reduces appearance of cellulite *antidepressant *etc, etc, etc.

How I use them:
I started with 2 drop each peppermint/lemon in an empty capsule twice a day. I have since increased to 2 drops of each twice a day.  I drink 2 drops of grapefruit in a glass of water twice a day (tastes SO good.)

Results:
I lost 7 pounds in 4 weeks!  And now post-holidays, I'm planning on losing those 3 I gained.  But the weight loss isn't what made me love these oils (not that it hurt!).  I FEEL better using them.  I have more energy, I am happier and my body feels healthier.  I have digestive issues every once in a while but haven't had any since starting this trio!  

Bottom Line:
GET THESE OILS.  you won't regret it!