Diluting Essential Oils

Source https://naturallivingfamily.com/diluting-essential-oils/

We love essential oils because incorporating them into our lives can help us achieve a better degree of clean living. Diluting essential oils in appropriate levels for applications is one of the basic standards of safe use, especially when applying directly to the body.
Easiest Method for Diluting Essential Oils – Carrier Oils

By far, the most simple and common way to assure that essential oil is properly diluted (and so not used at full concentration on the skin) is to use carrier oils. Carrier oils work nicely to reduce (or dilute) the concentration of essential oils because their overall chemical qualities match that of essential oils. Both are lipid-loving substances. Remember that like dissolves like? So, we are able to use carrier oil to sufficiently dilute our essential oils.
Solutions and Emulsions With Essential Oils – A Step Up in Complexity

Real life isn’t always simple, however, so sometimes we need a base beyond just a carrier oil. Sometimes we need our essential oils to mix into substances that they are not normally miscible in – meaning they don’t fully dissolve or mix into each other. When this is the case, we have two potential options. 1. We can reach for a substance that will help dissolve the essential oil into the uncooperating substance, thus creating a solution. 2. We can utilize something with that will force the essential oil to combine with something it normally wouldn’t, creating an emulsion.

Solutions: You get a solution when one substance (referred to as a solute) is dissolved into another substance (known as the solvent).

Substances that can be used to dissolve essential oils include 190 proof alcohol, perfumer’s alcohol, and 91% isopropyl alcohol. When the essential oil is first added to one of these substances, it can later gently be added to an aqueous substance like water, witch hazel, or hydrosol. Likewise, the you can add an aqueous substance directly to your solubilized mixture.

The essential oil, being dissolved into a substance that cooperates nicely with these other mentioned substances, is able to be safely incorporated (or really, diluted) into something it typically would not work well with. In other words, add your essential oils to the alcohol first, and then to your other ingredients.

Emulsions: An emulsion occurs when one liquid is dispersed through another it is typically not miscible in.

Where essential oils are concerned, an emulsion occurs through the use of something called a surfactant or another substance with surfactant properties – such as liquid soap. Surfactants work by reducing the surface tension of the substance it is to be dissolved into, allowing for a substance (in this case essential oils) to be distributed throughout another liquid, such as water. (3) One important thing to remember is that you need to add your essential oil to your surfactant first and make sure it is sufficiently mixed with it before attempting to add it to the other liquid.

So, for example, if you are wanting to safely mix essential oil into your bathwater, your best bet is to add the essential oil to some liquid soap (good options for this are unscented bubble bath or liquid castile soap), mix it in that thoroughly, and then add that mixture to your bathwater, creating an emulsion.

Another product that could be used to hold essential oil for topical applications is thickened aloe gel. These gels differ slightly from pure aloe gel in that they have a thickener like carbomer or xanthan gum added to them which offers some stability in being able to bind up the essential oil when mixed well enough.

Want to make a quick pillow or air spray? Diluting essential oils by first solubilizing them is the way to go. Add your essential oil to some 190 proof alcohol and then gently add your water to it. The solution you create from the high-proof alcohol and essential oil is able to then be diluted into the water (using at least a 1:4 ratio of alcohol to water should ensure some preservation and a longer shelf life as well!).
Substances That Don’t Properly Dilute Essential Oils

The above mentioned options are solid choices to reach for when solubilizing or diluting essential oils or otherwise create some cooperation between them and liquids they won’t normally mix in. But there are a lot of substances thought to work with essential oils like this that really do not.

Many substances promoted in aromatherapy traditions or in online DIY recipes don’t actually blend with essential oils the way people think they do, and this could potentially leave you at risk for skin irritation or sensitization.

When I first started learning about essential oils some of the information out there was misleading or incorrect. When you learn the chemical properties you learn a lot of what is out there doesn’t actually work. Here’s a list of substances that cannot dilute or be used to disperse your essential oils:

distilled water
deionized water
witch hazel
hydrosols
vodka
sea or table salt
Epsom salts
magnesium oil
baking soda
sugar
aloe vera juice
pure aloe gel
glycerin
milk
honey
peroxide

In a nutshell, the chemical properties of these substances don’t match up with that of essential oils, so without incorporating a surfactant, like discussed above, diluting essential oils into these things will not be effective.

A quick note on honey: while it is not recommended to use honey when diluting essential oils into water, it does contain enough binding properties to mix essential oils into for quick internal dosing should it be necessary.

DIY Essential Oil Mixing Cheat Sheet

Here’s a brief list of products often made in the home done just a little bit better using the principles for diluting essential oils mentioned above. For DIY products containing aqueous ingredients, such as water and witch hazel, be sure to make small batches to use up within a week since home DIY products have short shelf lives!

Witch hazel facial toner: Add 6 drops of your favorite essential oil for supporting a healthy complexion to 1 ½ teaspoons of 190 proof alcohol. Stir and gently add this mixture to a 1oz bottle, slowly filling the bottle the rest of the way with witch hazel.

Shot glass bath: Add 10-20 drops total of your favorite essential oils (don’t use hot oils!) to a shot glass and fill the rest of the way with liquid castile soap, diluting essential oils properly. Stir thoroughly until the soap takes on a smooth, milky appearance (this let’s you know the essential oils have been adequately mixed in), and then add to your bathwater. Running water will help the mixture blend into the tub. If you add it after the water has finished running, be sure to swish it around with your hand to incorporate it into the water.

Quick countertop cleaner: Add 36 drops of your favorite antimicrobial essential oil to 2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap in an 8oz spray bottle. Mix thoroughly and fill the rest of the way with distilled water.

Sunburn relief gel: Add a total of 48 drops of your favorite combination of cooling, anti-inflammatory and analgesic essential oils to 4oz of thickened aloe gel. Mix well until the aloe gel becomes milky in appearance. For children, reduce the number of drops to 24. Be sure to store this in the refrigerator as a chilled gel helps bring even more relief to skin suffering too much sun exposure!

Sleepy-time pillow spray: Add 60 drops of your preferred relaxing and sedative essential oils to 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of 190 proof alcohol. Stir and add to a 2oz spray bottle, filling the rest with distilled water.

Antifungal Essential Oils: Your Top 10 Choices for Fungal Infections

source https://naturallivingfamily.com/antifungal-essential-oils/

There’s definitely nothing fun about fungal infections, and the sad thing is that more people are getting them than ever before. What’s the #1 culprit? Candida! As more research is being done to find the solution, antifungal essential oils top the list and are one of the most promising alternatives.

Acidic, processed foods that are rich in sugar along with the overuse of antibiotics are the primary cause of fungal infections in the body today. The problem many people face is that the fungi being treated are resistant to most of the drugs on the market! Antifungal essential oils to the rescue.
Fungal Infection Causes and Symptoms

More than just a cause of jock itch and vaginal yeast infections, it’s important to keep in mind that not all men and women present fungal overgrowth in the same way. Here are some of the more common symptoms:

ADHD
Body odor
Fatigue
Insomnia
Leaky gut
Low sex drive
Sugar cravings
Seasonal allergies

Unfortunately, most people don’t see these symptoms as fungal-related and usually don’t go to their doctor unless they get a yeast infection or jock itch. It is important to visit your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms and you cannot explain why.

Fungal Infection Risk Factors

There are a number of reasons why people suffer from candida and other fungal infections and these top the list:

Antibiotic use
Being immune-compromised (HIV and cancer patients)
Diabetes
High acidic, sugar diet
Unprotected sex

In most cases, the infection is caused by fungi (like candida) that co-exist in your body. The problem is when your immune system gets compromised or the environment in your body changes to favor fungal growth.
The Problem with Antibiotics & Antifungals

Multidrug-resistant fungal strains are on the rise because antifungal drugs of choice have been overused. Not to mention, they are dangerous! Even the FDA recognizes this; they issued a warning against using these drugs for “uncomplicated infections” recently!

Antibiotics enter the mix because they are usually broad-spectrum and kill the healthy microorganisms that help keep fungus in check, particularly candida. Hence, the reason why so many women with urinary track infections come down with yeast infections after taking antibiotics.

This is where choosing the right health care provider is key. You should be able to work with your doctor to manage simple infections naturally first. Then, if you don’t get the results that you’re looking for, consider more aggressive measures like drugs.

Antifungal Essential Oils: The Top 10 Essential Oils for Fungal Infections

Tea tree essential oils is one of the most well-known essential oils for fungal issues and is typically a safe option for treatment. It’s exceptionally gentle, widely used, and even highly diluted tea tree soaked tampons have been said by clinical aromatherapists to stop candida infections in just 3 days in some cases!

This is not to say that other antifungal essential oils can’t kill candida. No, not in the least. But tea tree is often the first choice for many, and for good reasons.

* Safety Notes concerning antifungal essential oils:

Be very careful when treating topical fungal infections by ensuring that you always heavily dilute (1% – 5% max depending on the area of the body).
Use gentler oils on sensitive area like the underarms and genitals and never more than 1% unless otherwise advised by a trained health care professional.
Essential oils can be consumed to treat fungal infections, and you’d do well to work with a trained health care professional to ensure safety and efficacy.
Culinary use of essential oils, 1-2 drops per recipe is also a safe way to use some of the more aggressive oils like cinnamon, clove and thyme.

With that said, here is the list of the top 10 antifungal essential oils to use after you try tea tree.

1. Lavender – There is a reason lavender essential oil is so popular. It’s a popular essential oil for skin care, headaches, sleep issues, stress, anxiety, and is widely used in many blends. A distant second to tea tree for balancing safety with effectiveness, it’s the next best oil in my opinion.

A study in the journal Scientifica, compared the use of Lavandula angustifolia to the antifungal drug clotrimazole on vaginal candidiasis. Interestingly, researchers uncovered that in the first 48 hours of infection, clotrimazole had more effect than the lavender essential oil, but after 48 hours, there was no difference between the effects. What this tells us is that lavender essential oil has a positive effect on fungal infections if given the proper time to work. Remember, natural therapies aren’t usually the fastest remedy, but it’s slow and steady that wins the race!

2. Thyme – Useful in aromatherapy to promote blood circulation, thyme essential oil – especially thymol chemotype – is known to heal the gut and battle antibiotic resistant bacteria. Thymus vulgaris is such an effective antimicrobial against bacteria and fungus that more studies are investigating its effects at reducing or eliminating both bacteria and fungus in food. Able to combat several different fungal strains in particular, thyme has shown to be a natural antiseptic with applications in the pharmaceutical and food industry, which may interest those of you homesteaders out there.

3. Peppermint – One of the most recognizable oils with long list of uses, peppermint essential oil is well known to help ease upset stomachs, headaches and as an aid to boost mental focus. Mentha piperita was tested in a clinical setting along with nine other essential oils against 22 strains of bacteria and 12 strains of fungi. The study showed that peppermint oil had a positive effect against 11 of the 12 fungus strains tested.

4. Geranium – A highly sought after tool for promoting healthy skin, geranium essential oil also can play a key role in helping people balance hormonal levels, and for menopausal women; it may help relieve the symptoms associated with menopause. The Microbios Journal and the U.S. National Library of Medicine listed geranium essential oil, Pelargonium graveolens, as one of seven tested oils that was able to inhibit the growth of all 12 fungus strains tested. The conclusion is that geranium essential oil is, in fact, a powerful antifungal agent

5. Black Pepper – Containing several medicinal properties, we usually recognize black pepper as a condiment. It is best known as a support oil for antioxidant effectiveness, to boost our circulatory system and to calm the hunger pangs of addiction. It can also be used to help reduce anxiety and as an aid for digestion. A study in the journal Natural Product Communications aimed at isolating the chemical components of Piper divaricatum oil (different than the usual Piper nigrum), and verifying its effectiveness as an antioxidant and antifungal agent. The study showed that the essential oil was sufficient as an antifungal agent; even at low doses fungal colonies were impacted.

6. Cinnamon bark – An ancient spice with a long history as a medicinal aid, cinnamon works well as an antiparasitic and antiviral treatment. Cinnamon essential oil is helpful as a tool to stimulate the immune system. The Evidenced Based Complementary Alternative Medicine Journal has provided an overview of Cinnamomum Zeylanicum oil, which confirms what we have known for years: cinnamon is multifaceted with a long history of use as an antifungal and antimicrobial.

7. Citronella – Citronella essential oil is commonly known as an insect repellent. However, it has many uses including the reduction of free radicals which are known to cause aging, and also a bactericide and an aid for respiratory infections. A study in Microbios Journal discusses ten essential oils that were tested against 22 strains of bacteria and 11 strains of fungi. It was found that Cymbopogon nardus was effective against all seven strains of fungi making this a powerful antifungal essential oil.

8. Clove – A very familiar spice with amazing medicinal qualities, clove oil is used to treat acne, and is an effective means of killing parasites. As a dental treatment, it helps to reduce gum disease and works as a wonderful anti-inflammatory agent. Research from the Journal of Medical Microbiology tested the power of Syzygium aromaticu oil against candida strains and the result was that clove essential oil reduced the fungi to near zero levels! The study concluded that clove essential oil has considerable antifungal properties.

9. Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus essential oil is well known and very pungent and has helped people with asthma and lung conditions including pneumonia for many years. Its strong antimicrobial properties make is perfect for treatment against the common cold and flu as well. A recent study shows us that Eucalyptus globulus oil is highly effective as an antifungal and antibacterial agent in several in vitro tests performed against 22 types of bacteria and 12 strains of fungi, making it another broad-spectrum approach.

These antifungal essential oils have many other useful benefits. Some are capable of helping with common health issues such as colds and flu, while others help to reduce the devastating effects of emotional conditions such as depression. Learning to use them will give you a great health advantage. Here’s to your good health!

Is CBD Effective In Helping With Chronic Pain Management?

From Young Living:

A number of researches, with a lot of letters behind their name, have concluded that CBD may indeed hold promise regarding chronic pain management.
Conditions considered, among others, include migraines and fibromyalgia.
Google the research done by Ethan B. Russo.

Basil Vitality & Copaiba Vitality

Dr. Peter Minke: Since absorption of essential oils into the blood is very fast and noticeable, I consider them ideal supplements for the #CardiovascularSystem.

#EssentialOils as supplements can be potent. With ‘sharper’ oils, penetration into the tissue and blood stream can be felt immediately in the mouth.

This month we experience taking Basil Vitality and Copaiba Vitality mixed together in a capsule.

Use of Basil and Copaiba date back to ancient times and are heralded as having many healthy properties.

Basil oil is up to 70% methyl chavicol and Copaiba oil is up to 70% beta-caryophyllene.

The combination of these two amazing oils needs to be experienced.

Secrets to Inner Peace

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without alcohol,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs…

She knows inner peace

Then You Are Probably The Family Dog!

And you thought I was going to get all spiritual …

Handle every Stressful situation like a dog.

If you can’t eat it or play with it, pee on it and walk away

Essential oil help for allergies

Cat Ebling and Dr. Josh Axe have put together some helpful advice on using essential oils to combat allergies.

1. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is at the top of the list when it comes to one of the most effective essential oils. Peppermint is a very effective alternative treatment that can help to clear congestion, open airways, unclog the sinuses, and help relieve a scratchy throat. Peppermint is also valuable for coughs, asthma, sinusitis, and bronchitis.

This study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology investigated the effects of peppermint oil on the trachea and the conclusion was that peppermint oil acts as an antispasmodic, making it extremely effective at calming a cough—without the harmful side effects of over the counter cough medicine. And this study shows the anti-inflammatory effects of peppermint oil, helping to stop the chronic inflammation of seasonal allergies and asthma.

Peppermint oil can be used topically, diffused in the air, or ingested in small amounts. Use about 5 drops of peppermint oil at home to diffuse in the air to help unclog sinuses and open airways. 1-2 drops of peppermint oil can be taken internally to help reduce inflammation in the body. You can also add a couple drops of oil to water, coffee, tea, etc.

Diffuse five drops of peppermint essential oil at home to unclog sinuses and treat a scratchy throat. This will also help to relax the nasal muscles, enabling the body to clear out mucus and allergens like pollen. To reduce inflammation, take 1–2 drops of pure peppermint essential oil internally once a day. To relieve a headache, rub a drop of peppermint oil on the temples, forehead, over the sinuses (stay away from the eyes) and on the back of the neck. To open up and unclog the nose and sinuses, you can also rub a small amount under the nose. I like to mix 10-12 drops of peppermint oil into a few tablespoons of coconut oil and put it in a tiny tupperware container, and then rub the coconut oil and peppermint oil mixture beneath my nostrils each day.

Peppermint is also a mood lifter and helps to make one feel more energetic and alert, and has even been shown to increase and improve your fitness workouts.

2. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has a variety of uses, and is a great oil to keep on hand for many different ailments. Lavender oil is excellent for seasonal allergies because it contains natural antihistamines which help to tone down your body’s reactions to pollen, dust, animal dander and other airborne allergens. Lavender oil is also an effective antibacterial cleaner in the home and can be used to disinfect many surfaces safely without creating the super bacteria that many toxic household cleaners do.

Rubbing a small amount on the palms and inhaling it periodically helps to clear your sinuses and reduce inflammation. It also smells great! One idea is to carry a few cotton balls with lavender oil in a container during allergy season, so you can use it as needed. Or try dabbing a bit on the forehead, cheeks and chest.

This oil is mild and will not irritate the skin. Lavender oil is also especially soothing for allergic reactions like rashes, blisters, insect bites, etc. You can rub directly on the affected area or add a few drops to a cool compress. Lavender is also very calming and relaxing and works well at nighttime near your bed. Use a diffuser for its anti-inflammatory, soothing properties and to help you sleep better. You can also try several drops of lavender oil in your hot tub or in a hot bath at night to help relax you before bed. Add some epsoms salt with your lavender in a night time bath for the extra benefits of magnesium for relaxation and muscle recovery.

3. Basil Oil

Basil has very powerful antioxidant capabilities, along with its anti-inflammatory properties. Basil also helps to not only strengthen the immune system, but it also has the ability to reduce the inflammation from allergies. Basil oil helps to balance and support the adrenal glands, which has much to do with lowering stress response, and balancing other hormones in the body.

Basil is also a scientifically proven, highly effective antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory substance. Basil is also very effective at fighting yeasts and molds and can help ward off an asthma attack or other illnesses such as colds and flu.

Dr. Josh Axe recommends one drop of basil oil taken internally by adding it to foods such as soups, drinks, salad dressings, etc. For the respiratory system, add 2-3 drops basil oil to a couple drops of coconut oil and apply topically to chest, back and temples.

4. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is that refreshing, slightly medicinal, menthol smell that helps to open up the sinuses and bronchial tubes. That cold, slightly numbing feel it produces in the nose actually helps to improve breathing.

Citronellal, one of the primary ingredients in eucalyptus, helps to treat and prevent respiratory infections as well as helping reduce the inflammation from allergies, according to a 2011 study in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Patients who were treated with eucalyptus spray reported an improvement in the severity of their most debilitating respiratory tract infection symptoms compared to participants in the placebo group.

Diffuse 5 or so drops of eucalyptus at home in your diffuser or apply it topically to the chest, back or temples. You can also try adding a couple drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl or boiling water, and place a large towel over your head to keep the steam in, inhaling deeply for 5-10 minutes. This helps to treat any respiratory issues and any inflammation from allergies.

5. Lemon Oil

Lemon oil’s fresh, sunny smell will help to drain the lymph system (part of the immune system that cleans toxins and pathogens out of the body), and sooth respiratory issues. Lemon essential oil also fights bacteria, molds and viruses, all the while boosting your immune function. Lemon oil is especially effective, when diffused, at killing bacteria, molds and other allergens that are airborne.

Lemon water is also a great detox aid, stimulating the immune function by increasing white blood cell production. On the other hand, it helps to detox the liver, which helps to calm down the immune system and protect against overreaction to allergens. You can also add a couple of drops of lemon oil to water to help balance the body’s pH. Generally, when the body becomes too acidic, you become more prone to illnesses, so it’s a good idea to keep the pH in balance.

Lemon oil, with its fresh, clean, yummy smell also helps to kill germs and mold around the home, which are often allergic triggers as well. It works as well as bleach, without any harmful side effects. Add lemon oil to your laundry, or dilute with water for cleaning.

6. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil should be on hand in everyone’s medicine cabinet. It has an amazing variety of uses from antibacterial to antifungal and everything in between. Tea tree oil is not to be ingested, but is safe for use on the skin without dilution. Tea tree oil works well for skin irritation, such as redness, inflammation, and even swelling from poison ivy or allergic rashes, insect bites and other allergic reactions.

Tea tree oil has the ability to destroy bacteria, molds and viruses that are airborne. A 2000 study conducted in Germany found that tea tree oil exhibits antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria, yeasts and fungi. These microbes lead to inflammation and force our immune system to work on overdrive.

Use tea tree oil on rashes and hives, or use as a household cleaner to eliminate bacteria and mold—common triggers for allergies. While tea tree oil can be used directly on skin, if you are sensitive, as many allergic people are, you can dilute with a carrier oil first.

Other effective uses for essential oils include taking 1-2 drops of lemon or peppermint oil internally to calm down an allergic reaction from foods; tea tree oil or basil oil work well on rashes, as well as lavender oil.

Use lemon oil and tea tree oil for cleaning around the house by adding about 40 drops of lemon oil, and 20 drops of tea tree oil to water and a small amount of vinegar. This kills bacteria, molds, dust mites, viruses and also catches any animal dander or pollen that may be floating around or sitting on the surfaces of your home.

And lastly, combining 2 or 3 drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender oil together with coconut oil, makes a great massage oil, especially on the temples, back, chest and bottoms of the feet for allergies.

Essential oils are powerful aids in fighting off the effects of seasonal and other allergies, but combined with a clean healthy diet that eliminates all processed starchy foods, grains, sugars, and chemical preservatives, and is high in fresh, organic, antioxidant filled veggies goes a long way towards calming allergic reactions.