Squeaky Clean Teeth

So....I've been reading lots about brushing teeth with essential oils and decided to give it a go yesterday!  

Some people make their own paste (I may try that some day) but for now, I am just adding EO's to my store-bought toothpaste.
Yesterday morning I tried 2 drops of spearmint.  

Yes....it is now as clear to me as it is to you that I need a new toothbrush!!  

I couldn't believe how insanely clean my entire mouth felt afterward!  Cheeks, tongue, squeaky clean teeth!  In love with this!!

So later in the day I decided that rather than 2 drops of spearmint, I'd try one drop spearmint and one drop cloves.

I have read many good things lately about clove oil and oral health.  It's antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, the list goes on and on!  It is also said to soothe a toothache.  

Well....let me tell you, cloves in most certainly as potent as it smells!  Although it was not painful, it did have some bite, made my eyes water a little, and tingled the gums, cheeks and tongue!!

So.....last attempt of the day, and tied for first place with my love of spearmint.  A simple blend of cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon and rosemary.  I blended this in a 2ml amber vial, and only used 2 drops of the blend in my toothpaste.  The strong clove is blended nicely with the other 4 oils and was quite refreshing.  

Give it a try!  Don't use too much.  

**I don't recommend this be used in toothpaste for children, due to the fact that they have a tendency to swallow at least some, and the EO's would then be ingested.  

Happy Brushing!!

Natural Head Lice Prevention

Well….we are into our fifth year of elementary school, had preschool before that (and still do), and daycare before that (and still do), and never have we been unfortunate enough to have to treat head lice (knock, knock)

Why?  Maybe we’re lucky, or maybe because when that unnerving letter comes home that says, “we have confirmed cases of head lice at your elementary school...or preschool...or daycare” I have always begun applying an essential oil lice deterrent to my kids’ hair, sometimes as simple as just tea tree oil.  Just a couple drops is all it takes. 

If a louse has to choose between a kid with essential oils or not, it’ll choose the kid without.  Insects don’t tend to like the smell, or other properties of essential oils.  Perfect!!

The next time you are faced with that dreaded letter, try this!

In a 2ml amber vial combine:

25 drops tea tree

10 drops eucalyptus

10 drops lemon

10 drops lavender

5 drops rosemary

**to make this in a larger size, simply multiply to increase- 10ml vial = drops above X5 

Shake/roll the vial lightly to blend the synergy.

Shake 2-3 drops of the blend into the palm of your hand, rub hands together, and then run hands through hair.  That’s it!  Easy!!  Remember to wash your hands afterward!!

If you want, you can add to shampoo or conditioner too. 

This can be used once or twice per day while the “threat” is present. 

This is a preventative measure only.  If you already have lice, please contact me and I will be happy to provide you with suggestions to kill off the little buggers naturally with some home treatments.

Photo discovered at: herewegrowagain.blogspot.com   

Essential Oil Notes- Top, Middle, Base

After making the comment that lemon was a “top note”, I thought perhaps I should share a little more on what these “notes” mean!!

Top notes are the most volatile.  Their scent lasts the least amount of time.  They are uplifting and stimulating.  Some examples are: bergamot, eucalyptus, lemon, mandarin.

Middle notes help bring the body into balance.  The scent of these oils tend to be a bit more powerful than top notes, and their scent lasts longer.  Some examples are: geranium, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, ylang ylang.

Base notes are very grounding.  Their scents are more dominant, and will be present the longest in a blend.  I find it is better to use only a few drops of base notes in a blend, or the entire mixture will be overpowered by this oil.  Examples are: benzoin, cinnamon, frankincense, patchouli, pine, sandalwood.

Photo discovered at: safealternativemedicine.co.uk

The smell of fresh squeezed lemons - MMMMM

I am diffusing Lemon oil in the kitchen today.  It is so fresh and uplifting!  Close to the diffuser, it is quite powerful, but being a top note, the scent is evaporated and lost quicker than most oils I am used to diffusing.  It is one to enjoy quickly and closely!!    

Phototoxicity and Essential Oils

Did you know that some essential oils can cause phototoxicity?  Sun sensitivity, which can lead to burns and damaged skin more easily.  

Exposure to sunlight, and any other UV light should be avoided after being exposed to phototoxic oils.  It is suggested that a minimum of 12 hours should pass after a massage with phototoxic oils before UV exposure. 

Some phototoxic oils are: 

Bergamot

Bitter Orange

Grapefruit

Lemon

Lime

Mandarin 

Orange 

Tangerine 

Carrier VS Essential Oil

Did you know that sweet almond oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and macadamia oil, just to name a few are NOT essential oils?  

If your essential oil synergy lists any of these oils, it is not pure, and has been diluted with a carrier.  

This means the shelf life of your product will be reduced significantly, and the strength of your essential oil will be weaker than that of a full strength, pure essential oil synergy.

Stay tuned for a simple test you can do at home to test the purity of your oils!!

Photo discovered at  allthingshealing.com

When Life Gives You Lemons...