So.

Essential oils.

I’ve been learning slowly about the benefits and the uses of essential oils for years.  A friend of mine calls it voodoo magic and that makes me laugh.  She and I both joke about that title and we both seem to pair skepticism along with a willingness to give it a go.  That and more than a handful of occasions where the voodoo crossed into experiential fact and here I am today writing this post about essential oils.

I definitely like the smell of oils.  And at first, perhaps, my dabbling in them was primarily because I like stuff to smell nice.  And a house that is over one hundred years old often doesn’t smell nice.  Nor does a house filled with dirty diapers (once upon a time) or sweaty teenagers (the current situation).

Voodoo isn’t the right word and certainly someone somewhere will take offense to those implications.  But hey, the conversations about essential oils and their uses have the potential to be as controversial as conversations about vaccinations.  I’m not trying to make friends, converts or enemies out of this post.  Or, truthfully, from any of my posts.  I’m just doing what I do – telling you stuff from my experience and you can, like always, do whatever you want with that information.

Like I said, I’ve seen great personal success in a handful of particular essential oils on different occasions.

Peppermint oil really alleviates car sickness in both us and in Ryder.  (And trust me, I’m ALL about anything that keeps that giant old pup of ours from throwing up in our car.  Ask me how I know how awful that is.)

An anti-allergy blend has really proven to help Mosely through some seasonal allergy symptoms when the traditional medicine we tried just didn’t cut it.

Anti-bacterial and germ fighting oils have frequently benefitted in keeping us well or in shortening the span of sickness our house has suffered.

There’s a stomach one we use that is my hands down favorite.  It feels like magic actually.  We’ve been using this one for years and it feels crazy how quickly after application that a child says their stomach ache has disappeared.  This is one that stays in my bag on trips.

We’ve used oils for years to repel mosquitoes without having to spray Deet on our skin.  And if a mosquito makes it past or we haven’t remembered to use the spray, a dab of oil on the insect bite eliminates itching remarkably rapidly.

Lavender is one of my favorites for scent – but also of all around multi purpose use.  I have it in a bottle as a mist to refresh my hair and it’s a great scent to help sleep come more quickly.

Eucalyptus in the shower or a diffuser clears up sinus issues instantly and makes breathing deeply possible when you have a cold.

We have one – I think it’s called Dragon’s Blend – that’s miraculous for cramps.  (Moms of teenager girls, you want that one in your arsenal.)

This is just the beginning and I am pretty much an amateur, but you can see the uses are varied and many.  I’ve been fortunate to have a handful of friends who have been using oils for years before me and those folks have been my go-to for information and which oil might fit which situation best.

I have a talented friend and oil guru who is a great resource of knowledge and she sells Young Living and that’s the oil company where I have landed.

I’m still absolutely at the experimental stage in a lot of ways, especially in the ways of working under Young Living as a business.  But, like all topics on this blog, I’m taking you (virtually, of course) on this journey with me.

You can see a photo and link on the right sidebar.  Also – note the oils I chose for the photo.  That made me laugh too.  (If you click through that link to make your own purchases, yes – I do receive a benefit.)  If you want to learn more or jump on board in any way, I’m happy to be your person.  (More accurately and straight forward – I’m happy to direct you to my resource who will undoubtedly be helping us both ultimately.)  Because although I don’t know much yet, I sure do know someone who does.  (Her name is Bri and she’s really funny and smart and educated and super kind and just ridiculously easy to work along beside.  In fact, I wouldn’t have done this dive into Young Living without her.)

I don’t want to discuss the best or the worst oil companies or disparage particular brands that are your favorite or that you sell.  I’m confident each brand has its merits and its well-spoken pitches and promoters.  I do, however, love talking about which oil is your favorite or what you use one specific oil for or a story about how an oil works best in your house or with our family.   Do you have a go to oil and a story to share in the comments?

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