My Flu Season Preventives

With "flu season" coming up I thought I'd share a few of my "go to" preventatives and remedies! I pretty much swear by all of these. These are all things that are actually going to help boost your immune system naturally and help keep away colds and/or help your body to fight a cold effectively and shorten it. If you do catch a cold, while these things will make you feel better, they are not drugs or medicine from the store that will instantly make you feel better by masking your symptoms. Just wanted to get that out there because I know so many people tend to give up on fighting a cold naturally because they don't see "instant" results. I have personally found though that many of these make me feel better "quickly." Instead of masking your symptoms and not giving your body what it really needs to fight a cold, these natural remedies are working with your body to help restore it to its healthy state. While sick or trying to prevent a cold it's important to eat right as well. Eating diary and/or sugars while sick is not doing your body any favors. This includes drinking "ginger ale" from the grocery store...*gasp!* Typical Ginger Ale that you buy on the soda aisle at the grocery store is loaded with sugar and guess what...has absolutely no ginger in it. It's all fake. Ginger is great for making your stomach feel better with stomach viruses though and you can find "real" ginger ale at a health food store. Making sure you stay hydrated while sick is also super important! Okay enough ranting...here we go!

Not all the items listed below are pictured above, as I have run out of a few and need to get more! :)

Olive Leaf - The moment someone in our home starts feeling a tickle in their throat or scratchiness, we start taking our Olive Leaf! It's an awesome preventative and typically if we catch it in time with this, we won't get sick. This is also something we all take if one of us is sick just to be safe. And if you don't catch it in time, this still will shorten your cold by a lot! Do some research on this leaf, it is good for many other things as well!

Activated Charcoal (in capsule form) is a great preventative for stomach bugs and if you already have a bug it will help shorten it by absorbing (bind/hold onto) whatever is causing the bug until it is out of your system. *Digize essential oil blend is also great for settling your stomach. Rub directly onto your stomach and you'll instantly feel relief. 

Elderberry Syrup is made from dried Elderberries. You can either make your own using a recipe like this one: http://wellnessmama.com/1888/elderberry-syrup/. Or you can buy it already made. I have yet to make my own, as I have to order the berries online, and I tend to only think of making it when someone gets sick and then it's too late to order. So as of right now I have an Elderberry concentrate blend from the health food store, and I love it. It's rather yummy!

Colloidal Silver - This stuff has soo many uses! It is highly effective in supporting the body's immune system. It is effective against bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. So no matter what it is that you caught, this stuff will more than likely help! 

Apple Cider Vinegar - Adding this to your water before a cold or during will help alkalinize your body. An alkaline environment helps kill bacteria and viruses. Side note: Liquid Chlorophyll has the same effect, causing an alkaline environment.

Thieves Essential Oil Blend - This is a good essential oil blend to have going in your diffuser during the flu season! It is a powerful immune system booster, aids the lungs, and gives support to the sinuses! You can also rub this oil on the bottom of your feet. Our feet have the largest pores on our body and therefore by putting oils on the bottom of our feet, it is absorbed into our systems the quickest. We also take a drop or two of this and a drop of lemon essential oil in a tsp of honey. Not only does it help you feel better, it also will numb the throat if you have a sore throat. 

Purification Essential Oil Blend - This oil can be used to purify the air by diffusing it to prevent colds. But it can also be used directly on the throat to help with a sore throat. I absolutely hate having a sore throat and the moment I feel one coming on, I will rub a drop or two on the outside of my throat. Helps soo much!

Oregano Essential Oil - We use this oil much in the same way we do Olive Leaf. I add this oil to my water (I am only referring to Young Living oils when speaking about ingesting) when I feel a cold coming on or am trying to shorten it. I'm not saying it tastes great...but it works. It has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It will boost the immune system and also help relieve a sore throat.

RC Essential Oil Blend - This blend supports healthy lung function and a healthy respiratory system. Great for breathing clearer and coughing. Diffuse or rub directly (or diluted with a carrier oil) onto the chest.

Thieves Hand Sanitizer - A hand sanitizer without all the chemicals. Love this stuff.

Is there anything you guys would add to this list? Any natural remedies that you swear by?

Where to buy: You can typically get all these items at Whole Foods or any health food store. 

The Thieves, Purification, and R.C. oils are blends made by Young Living and are available separately but they also come in the Premium Starter Kit which also includes other everyday oils that you can use to help prevent/shorten colds. Because Young Living oils are completely pure, you are able to ingest specific oils. Do not try this with any other oils unless it is stated on the bottle that you are able to do so. Many oil brands will say they are 100% pure but then tell you not to ingest certain oils that should be ingest-able....If you've been thinking about purchasing a Premium Starter Kit it really is the perfect time as we are heading into the Fall and Winter months. Not a bad idea for a Christmas present either... :). These oils really do work and can help with just about anything you can think of! Ask me! I wouldn't stand with a company/product that didn't work.  From now until December 1st, when you buy the Premium Starter Kit through me, you will also receive a diffuser necklace!

Disclaimer: The above remedies are not meant to cure, treat, or prevent disease.

Upcoming Posts

I am so proud of this cabinet! I've been wanting to make one for awhile now. I had been storing my oils in our bathroom closet but wanted something more organized and something that would be out of reach for my little one. It took a friend, my husband, and my dad, all at separate times helping me, but it's done and looking oh so lovely on the wall!

Okay..on to upcoming posts! Do you guys know anything about frequency and essential oils? If you are using oils than it is something you really should know about! I'm still learning too and am planning on writing a blog post all about this subject. And as the holiday season approaches, I'll also be blogging on the Healing Oils of the Bible and a few other fun, holiday subjects! Stay tuned!

My Young Living Labor and Delivery Kit

As many of you know, we are expecting our second child in December! Even though I have about half way to go, I'm already starting to feel the pressures of getting everything ready in time...could partially be nesting too :). 

I was first introduced to Young Living oils with my first child. My doula used some oils with me during my labor and delivery, and I loved it! I have since learned a lot more about them and have come to absolutely love my oils! So this time around, I really want to be able to implement more oils into the whole process! 

I have been working on putting a list together to give Luke and my doula during the birth. There are still about 5 items that I don't currently own. But plan on having everything by the time of the birth. Unfortunately, there are a few of these products that are currently out of stock...so I'm also trying to be patient and wait for those to come back. Below I have listed all the different oils and products with their uses that I plan on using beforehand and bringing with me for the labor and delivery as well as their uses. Enjoy! 

You should use some caution with certain oils during pregnancy. I strongly suggest the book listed below for any mom or mom to be that is using or planning on using Young Living essential oils. It is a great tool! There is also a Basic, Expanded, and Comprehensive Labor and Delivery Kit list listed in the book similar to mine. I think my kit would fall under the Expanded Labor and Delivery kit. So if you are looking for something a little more basic, please check into this book.

Labor and Delivery Kit List:

Dewdrop Diffuser

Diffusing essential oils is one of my favorite ways to use them. I've put this at the top of my list, as I plan on diffusing different oils during the labor and after the labor. 

Claraderm Spray

 

I am just waiting for this spray to come back in stock! This spray can be used to prepare the perineum weeks before birth and aid in healing after the birth, ie tearing...one of the lovely parts of giving birth sometimes. If there is something out there that may help this...I'm all for it!

Purification

This is also another one of my favorite oils. It leaves a clean scent and purifies the air. This is one of the first things you can diffuse when you get to the hospital or birthing center to purify the air. This oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. If you have the Premium Starter kit, you can also use Thieves for this same purpose (added bonus to using Thieves...it smells like Christmas ;) )


Clary Sage & Fennel

Once labor has begun, these oils can help keep things moving along. They can be applied to the inner ankle, little toe, lower abdomen and back. Mix the two oils with a carrier oil for this.
 Clary Sage is also known for balancing hormones.
I also plan on using fennel after the birth for lactation. Fennel has been known to increase milk supply. You can ingest two drops of fennel in a teaspoon of honey every two hours. Follow with a cup of water. You can also apply this around breast after feeding (avoid nipple). 


En-R-Gee & Peppermint

En-R-Gee and Peppermint oil can be used topically or aromatically (diffuser). I plan on using En-R-Gee on the bottom of my feet during transition/pushing for extra energy and alertness. I have a feeling this oil will also come in handy in the many months following the birth...lol. 

Peppermint oil can also be used for a boost during labor when you're feeling exhausted. It's also a great oil to use if you are dealing with nausea and/or headaches during labor and transition. For these purposes, you can inhale it from the bottle to help ease your stomach or headache.

Note: Peppermint is an oil that you want to avoid after labor and delivery if you are planning on breastfeeding, as it could dry up your milk supply.

 Lavender & Peace & Calming

Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils, it can be used for calming fears during labor, promoting peaceful atmosphere, and sleep for both mom and baby. Lavender can also be diluted with a carrier oil and used if baby has cradle cap. Peace and Calming also has the same calming effect as lavender. I think PC has to go down as my absolute favorite oil of all times! Either one can be used topically or aromatically during labor, directly in the birthing tub, and after delivery. You can also use on bottom of feet (our feet have the largest pores on our body, and therefore when oils are applied there they are quickly absorbed into our body) during labor to promote relaxation so that contractions continue to come strong. A friend of mine also had heard the idea of placing a few drops of lavender oil in cold/warm water and soaking washcloths in the water and placing on back of neck or forehead during labor. Sounds wonderful! You can also use Peace and Calming for this. 
Note: Peace and Calming is out of stock due to supply restrains. Young Living has come out with a Peace and Calming II that is currently in stock and is very similar.

Gentle Baby

Another favorite of mine! Helps promote relaxation, prenatal and postnatal bonding, and rest for mom and baby. This oil is also wonderful for preventing and healing stretch marks! I'm currently using this oil to help prevent them!

Frankincense & Myrrh

Both Frankincense and/or Myrrh (diluted with carrier oil 1:10) can be used on the perineum during labor to help prevent tearing. They also promotes healing for the umbilical cord on baby, help with stretch marks, and supports the immune system. These holy oils were the two Biblical oils that were given to the Christ child after his birth. Our doula placed diluted Frankincense on Maylea's forehead shortly after birth and prayed over her. Both help to boost the immune system and promote brain development. For all of these uses you will want to dilute the oil 1:10 with a carrier oil.

Myrrh has been on my "to buy" list for awhile now and I am so excited to have it in time for Christmas as well this year!

Joy

Can be applied on wrists, back of neck, or behind ears to uplift and encourage labor. Also, good for bonding with baby.

Valor & Panaway

Valor is known as the "chiropractor in a bottle," as it helps align the body, physically and emotionally. As well as aiding in relaxation of the central nervous system. I love the smell of this oil! Panaway is similar in that it helps ease pain caused from sore muscles and body aches. You can use these oils together or separately on bottom of feet, lower spine, back, and neck to help ease pain and intensity of contractions. Both are good for back pain as well during pregnancy.

 Place on the back of the neck and/or spine to help with pain during transition and pushing. I have a feeling my roller bottle tops will be on these two oils for easy application.

Valor can also be used in the weeks following delivery to help re-align the body after birth!

Lavaderm Cooling Mist

The use of this spray is similar to the Claraderm spray. It can be used after the birth to aid in healing from tearing.

There really are so many different uses for each of these oils. I have only briefly gone over how to use them and mostly have listed how I plan on using them. I cannot tell you how much more information and different subjects are covered in the Gentle Baby book for pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding, etc. 

If you are looking to get started with essential oils or have any questions about this list, please feel free to leave a comment or contact me with any questions you may have. Just as an FYI if you've been looking into purchasing the Premium Starter kit, it does come with quite a few oils on this list, including Lavender, Purification, Panaway, Frankincense, and the diffuser. The Premium Starter Kit is also $10 off until August 13th.