​#31 drops of oil – October 31

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We’ve covered a lot of information this month, yes?  My goal was to teach you a little each day so you’d feel confident in using your oils for all sorts of issues and in all kinds of situations.  I hope you’ve enjoyed my little mini-course!

We’re wrapping all this up today so here’s my parting wisdom …

1 – Give it some time to sink in …

It’s an instant world these days, right?  We want fast, easy instant answers. But short-cuts are not always the best way to get where you really want to go. The slow food movement is a realization that fast food is not healthy food.  Same thing with a natural approach to self-care. Sometimes the relief is moments away – literally.  But sometimes you have to work it a little. 

I had something of a big and immediate “Ah ha!” moment soon after my introduction to essential oils.  

BUT the bigger lesson is this:  It took about three months of using essential oils to really appreciate their power.  When I say “using”, I mean daily – at least twice daily.  It was a slow dawning of “Whoa, I feel better – even with all that’s going on (it's been a bit of a stressful year and did I mention that I'm in the middle of moving?!?) – less discomfort, sleeping better, no side-effects, better and faster results – and it’s not a one-time fluke.  Here it is 10 months into this experiment and I’m still amazed at how well they work!”

• Can I simply say that the way I care for myself and my family has radically changed?

​

• And that ... I’ve faced some very challenging times physically and emotionally over the past year and I can’t imagine my life without essential oils?​

• Okay, let me put it like this:  If my house caught on fire and I had Shelby and the pets out safely, the first thing I’d grab is my big box of oils.  This is absolutely true.

 
2 – Give yourself some time to learn and grow while you actually USE your essential oils.

As we talked about in one of the earlier lessons, you need some good resources – books, websites (I hope mine) and support (again, I hope you’ll use me as this resource as well).  And you need time to learn, grow confident with your oils and break some bad habits. 

Essential oils, however, are not going to leap into your hands.  Guess what?  YOU have to OPEN THE BOTTLE ... and experiment with different oils, different applications, and different combinations.

You also have to be consistent over time.  You can’t use them once and say, “Oh this didn’t work for me.”  They will work.  Given persistent use and time and patience, they will help address whatever concern you have.  

Simply put -- Essential oils contain biologically active, therapeutic and powerful compounds. They work from the inside out, supporting your body.

Look at the warning labels on whatever you have on hand and tell me that giving natural alternatives isn’t worth a good solid try.
 
3 -- Purity and potency matters.  Trust is super important.

You choose your friends wisely. People you trust, right?  When you cook, you choose the best ingredients you can – pure and clean.  Organic as often as possible. 

When choosing essential oils – oils that you will depend on for therapeutic value and that you perhaps may even ingest – you really have to have both of those qualities. 

You need a source for the oils that you trust.  And you want the highest quality possible – essential oils that are the most pure and potent. 

I only trust doTERRA to fulfill the promises they make to us.  I’ve done enough research and talked to enough people to know there is a difference between essential oil brands.  doTERRA has the highest standards in the industry.  It begins with the best growers, rigorously trained to our standards for growing, harvesting and distilling.  Every batch of oil is third-party tested multiple times for both purity (no fillers, no pesticides, etc.) and potency (specific chemical components at specific levels).  No one does this as well or as thoroughly.

Please - don’t waste your money on inferior essential oils!

Plus -- as part of my team of doTERRA customers, you have another FREE bonus ... ME!  I'm your personal doTERRA coach.  I'm here for you.
 
4 – Reach for your oils, first!

Keep at it.  Keep trying different ways to use your oils.  Break some bad habits and simply keep reaching for nature’s little oily miracles. 

And know this:  There really is no wrong way to do this.  I’m here to help if you need it but honestly this is not hard.  Go back and read the posts if you missed some, plus there’s tons of other useful, practical information in my blog.
 
Tip #31:  Use the knowledge you’ve gained over the past 31 days to use your oils safely and effectively!

#31 drops of oil – October 30

Halloween is tomorrow and your kids are excited, but the dogs, maybe not so much.
Did you know that many doTERRA essential oils can be effectively and safely used on pets? One of my favorite uses is to drop 1 – 2 drops of lavender into the palm of my hand and then add 4 - 6 drops of FCO.  Mix and apply this mixture to the ear flaps and pads of your pet’s paws when he needs calming.

Monsters knocking at your door or thunderstorms … sometimes we all need a bit of calming comfort that lavender brings.

Tip #30 – Apply Lavender to your pet’s ears and paw pads when anxious.  Learn how to use essential oils on your pets by reading this blog post!

Get caught up here on 31 drops of oil! 

​***
If you are wondering how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off, click here.

***
​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

***
Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

Show my blog a little love and share the health by liking and sharing using the buttons below!  I really appreciate it!!  

#31 drops of oil – October 29

You may love essential oils … but bugs?  Not so much!  Here’s another way to de-toxify your house (and save money!) by getting rid of bugs in a safe, natural, non-toxic way!

Tip #29 -- Make bug repellents with essential oils.​

These oils are well-known insect repellents:

• lemongrass
• peppermint
• lavender
• geranium
• patchouli
• cedarwood
• cilantro
• clove
• cinnamon
• TerraShield

You can make up a spray bottle by combining one or more of the above oils with distilled water and witch hazel in a spray bottle.  In a four ounce bottle, fill mostly with water, add about 2 tablespoons of witch hazel and a total of 6 - 20 drops of oil.  Start with a weaker dilution and increase if needed.  Safe to apply as needed (every hour while outside is fine).  Keep out of eyes.

​Get caught up here on the rest of 31 drops of oil! 

​***
If you are wondering how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off, click here.

***
​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

***
Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

Show my blog a little love and share the health by liking and sharing using the buttons below!  I really appreciate it!!  

#31 drops of oil – October 28

Whether the holiday season (or life...) overwhelms you occasionally, or leaves you feeling blah, essential oils can uplift your mood – centering, calming, elevating – when you need it.

Life is full of ups and downs.  "Seasons" people like to call them.  That's a nice way of remembering that nothing lasts forever.  Good follows bad follows good. Essential oils don't make the bad times disappear of course, but they are a healing, positive coping mechanism.  And much healthier than tucking in to that half gallon of ice cream! 

Our new Emotions Aromatherapy Kit is amazing -- love Every. Single. One. I diffuse them, add them to an unscented lotion, wear on pulse points as perfume and add a drop to my aromatherapy necklace -- the aroma for each is wildly different, very rich and complex. 

They remind me to stay in the moment, pray and ponder one of my go-to's like "God is working in this situation."
​
Aroma is a powerful emotional trigger. Use that power for the good and positive!

Tip # 28 – Find your favorite diffusing mix and an affirmation to say when times are tough.  

​(And who doesn't love a little Stuart Smalley??)

#31 drops of oil -- October 27

And yes, once again – Company’s coming!  Dinner parties, get-togethers, shopping outings, pot-lucks … don’t get overwhelmed by the festivities (or depressed by lack of them). 

Some of us are are busy, busy, busy this time of year.  For some, this can be a lonely time of year. Either extreme can result in poor dining choices.

Adding doTERRA Grapefruit Oil to your water – just 1 – 3 drops – is proven to cut cravings and curb appetite. Remember to use a glass, metal or ceramic container for your oil-enriched water.   ONLY doTERRA oils with a Supplement Facts label are safe to use internally.

Tip #27 – Reach for Grapefruit oil, not another slice of Pumpkin Pie!

#31 drops of oil – October 26

Company’s coming!

What a great way to welcome friends and family to your home! Instantly wrap them in one of these comforting, homey aromas of fall.

And guess what?  Yes, they smell great and evoke positive feelings (maybe grumpy Uncle Rodger won’t be so grumpy this year!) … but doTERRA oils are supportive to your immune and respiratory systems and cleansing to the environment!  No toxins, no synthetic chemicals -- just pure, healthy essential oils.

Tip #26 – Welcome friends and family to your home throughout the holiday season with safe, non-toxic, all-natural and health-giving essential oils in your diffuser.

#31 drops of oil – October 25

Back to school.  You love it.  You hate it.  One thing for sure – if you have kids, you know that ...

• schools are not the cleanest places
• getting up in the mornings for school can be hard
• sitting still and studying is difficult for little wriggle worms
• and calming down in the evenings is necessary for a good day tomorrow.

Essential Oils to the rescue once again!

Tip #25—Use essential oils with your children to prepare and protect!

#31 drops of oil – October 24

When in doubt, use Frankincense!  doTERRA Frankincense is a must-have oil and is one I use every single day.  It’s great for the skin, for overall cellular health and more.

FRANKINCENSE -- Most Versatile
Frankincense can be used all three ways – aromatically, topically and internally.  It is a mild oil that can be diluted 1:1 with a carrier oil.

DAILY USE

• Take 2 drops daily under your tongue or in a capsule to support healthy cellular function (this is waaaay more important than it sounds!) and immune function -- ONLY do this with doTERRA
• Dilute and apply to bottoms of feet to promote feelings of relaxation and to balance mood (with or without Lavender and Peppermint)
• Add to face cream for beautiful, radiant skin.  Good for blemishes and rejuvenating.
• WHEN IN DOUBT -- USE FRANKINCENSE!

TARGETED WELLNESS SUPPORT

• After a day of gardening or outdoor activity, dilute and apply to hands and feet for warming and soothing effect
• Soothing and supportive to irritated skin, cuts and scrapes
• Reduces the appearance of stretch marks
• Deep Blue (tingling, cooling) + Frankincense (warming) has a wonderful aroma and is a favorite for massage.

Tip #24 – make your own eye-makeup remover with Frankincense
In a 10ml rollerball bottle add: 8 Drops each Frankincense, Lavender and Cypress.  Fill the rest of the way with Jojoba Oil.  So wonderful for your skin and this has never irritated my eyes.

#31 drops of oil – October 23

My friend, Dawn, makes these wonderful lotion bars and has been kind enough to give me a couple of them!  They are wonderful.  So neat that you can use whatever essential oils you want to make your own customized bars.
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Tip # 23 – Save money and customize with your favorite scents of essential oils by making Lotion Bars. And they make wonderful gifts!

Lotion Bars
Ingredients

• Beeswax
• Shea butter or cocoa butter
• Coconut oil
• 2 Tbsp. Jojoba oil
• 2 tsp Vitamin E
• Essential oils  (Peppermint + Wild Orange, Lavender, Serenity, any of our new Aromatherapy blends, Ylang Ylang, etc.  Men might like Sandalwood, Cedarwood, or Balance).

 
A silicone mold is helpful, but not a requirement.  You can use a muffin tin and paper muffin liner/cups as“molds”.   You can use a double boiler, but if you don’t have a double boiler, you can take a Pyrex glass measuring cup with the handle on the outside of the pot and set it inside of a sauce pan of simmering water (about 2 - 3 inches of water). 
 
Directions:

• Start by melting the beeswax first in a double boiler. 
• After it is almost melted, add the shea or cocoa butter and coconut oil – they will melt quickly.
• Once just melted, add the jojoba oil and liquid vitamin E. 
• Finally add your essential oils – somewhere around 20+ drops. Try adding about 15 drops, then do a sniff test and then add oils as needed. 
• Note: If you are using cocoa butter, peppermint and/or orange is a great compliment.
• Pour in to molds and let them sit.  I usually make this in the evening and let them sit overnight.

#31 drops of oil – October 22

Exercise is so important to maintain (or begin!) through this upcoming holiday season that might be stressful, busy, and emotional … and might involve greater food intake!

Essential oils can provide vital support for your body before, during and after your workout or athletic events.

I am not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination, but I participated in a really awesome webinar taught by coaches and experienced runners and triathletes -- and I learned a lot! 

Tip # 22:  Use essential oils before, during and after your workout or athletic event!

Here are the top recommendations I found …

Pre-Workout or Event:  Respiratory & Immune Health 
You don’t want to get start feeling under the weather or have seasonal reactions just prior or during your event/workout.

• Apply Peppermint  or Breathe (dilute first) to the chest to open up airways and aid in alertness, boost your mood and reduce fatigue
• Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint – if seasonal issues are a concern
• OnGuard – boost your immune system

• Apply Basil to large muscles in your legs to protect those muscles from strain.
• Hydrate with Lemon water (4 drops of Lemon in at least 16 oz water) – pre- and post-workout!

 
During Workout or Event:  Energy & Focus 
Using these will help motivate you and extend your stamina.

• Wild Orange + Peppermint
• Mito2Max Energy & Stamina Complex
• Supplements:  Daily Nutrient or LifeLong Vitality

Post Workout or Event:  Rest & Recovery
These oils are great to use after exercise.  Dilute with FCO and rub on muscles and joints, paying careful attention to sore or tense areas. You can try these one at a time or layer one on top of the other for better effect. Also using a warm compress after applying the oils helps.

• AromaTouch Massage Blend
• Peppermint
• Deep Blue Soothing Blend -- oil or Rub
• Lemongrass
• Frankincense
• Douglas or White   Fir
• Wintergreen
• Lavender
• Marjoram

• Lavender
• Serenity Calming Blend
• Balance Grounding Blend
• Helichrysum
• Deep Blue Polyphenol Complex
• PastTense Tension Blend
• Melaleuca

For runners and others to prepare the night before an event – a good night’s sleep is so important! Find a sleeping blend that works for you.  Vetiver, Serenity Calming Blend and Lavender were highly recommended.

To support leg muscles:

• Lemongrass, Cypress and Basil (10 – 20 drops each) diluted in a rollerball bottle
• AromaTouch Massage Blend
• Deep Blue Soothing Blend

For head or muscle tension:

• Peppermint
• PastTense Tension Blend
• AromaTouch Massage Blend

If using shared equipment in a gym or shower/changing room facilities

• OnGuard Protective Blend + Melaleuca -- Use to sanitize gym/workout equipment. Add oils to spray bottle with water and witch hazel.  Spray down equipment and your hands after handling shared equipment.  Also spray on your feet after showering. 

Healing Bath: 4 drops Lavender, 2 drops Marjoram, 4 drops Lemongrass in one cup of Epsom salts.

Soothe Achy Muscles: to 1 teaspoon of Coconut oil add 4 drops Marjoram, 4 drops Lavender, 4 drops Thyme, 4 drops Wintergreen. 

Missed a day (or three)?  Get caught up here on 31 drops of oil! 

***
If you are wondering how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off, click here.

​
***
​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

***
Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

Show my blog a little love and share the health by liking and sharing using the buttons below!  I really appreciate it!!