Essential Oils

When skin is exposed directly to dry heat you can be certain that it will let you know. Burns are one of the most common injuries sustained in the household . . .

Anyone who has experienced a migraine understands the desire for something, anything to make the pain decrease or vanish. The sharp needles shooting underneath your skin, the dull throbbing in . . .

The world of essential oils is growing. More and more people are realizing the amazing benefits of oils, from helping give more energy to helping deal with asthma symptoms. There . . .

Summertime is a time of relaxation, fun, and enjoyment of the warm sensation of sunshine…until you are unfortunate enough to suffer from a sunburn. It’s hard to savor . . .

Are you finding a good night’s sleep more and more elusive?

Many factors in our lives can cause us to struggle drifting off into restful slumber. Maybe the stress . . .

Water filtration is one of the most if not the most important part of any survival plan. You can do for a while without a lot of things but water . . .

“Carrier oil” is a phrase commonly tossed about in the world of essential oils. Carrier oils are an important part of essential oil use, so it is important to understand . . .

Are you exhausted? Maybe you wake up in the morning a fog, turning to stimulants like coffee to boost your focus. Maybe you hit an afternoon slump at work, finding . . .

Getting diagnosed with asthma was a complete shock to me.
I wasn’t the picture perfect image of asthma Hollywood portrays: a little kid with glasses wheezing to keep up . . .

The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and with it comes the dreaded allergies. A few minutes spent outside stirs up uncomfortable symptoms like watery eyes and sneezing. No . . .

Suffering from a sore throat is a terrible experience. Each swallow feels like a golf ball pushing down your throat. Just laying on the coach is exhausting because of the . . .

Linking survival and preparedness with essential oils may seem odd but the more you use them, the more you recognize their value in preparing for times when traditional first aid and wellness solutions may be difficult to come by.

For years, the Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy has been the definitive source of information about essential oils. Recently updated, read an exclusive interview with the author, Valerie Worwood, and learn what she recommends as a budget-friend “Basic Care Kit”. Plus, enter the giveaway to win a copy of her newly updated book for free!

Using a diffuser to dispense the healing qualities of essential oils is one of the easiest ways to become accustomed to their use. Say, for example, someone in your home is sick with a cold or flu. Adding 5 or 6 drops of an anti-microbial essential oil to a diffuser will allow the healing qualities of the oil to disperse and circulate around the room, benefiting all if its occupants.

Likewise, if you are having problems breathing, a few drops of an essential oil running in a diffuser can clear the nasal passages and allow you to breathe more easily, especially at night. If this sounds familiar to the old fashioned vaporizer our mother’s put in our rooms as kids, you are correct. The concept is the same but instead of breathing in a chemical cocktail invented by the OTC drug industry, you are breathing something plant based that is actually good for you.

In this article, I share with you some of the benefits of using an essential oil diffuser along with alternatives for those times when a diffuser is not available. I also suggest specific oils and blends to get you started. (Part 1 of a 2 part series).

A sinus infection is miserable. Technically called sinusitis, this is a common ailment that first appears to be symptomatic of a common cold but in reality, is the result of swollen and inflamed nasal cavities. It is often caused by a virus which means treating with antibiotics is useless. That is just one reason why it makes sense to know how to treat the symptoms of a sinus infection without running to the drugstore for an armload of drugs that either will not work or will make you drowsy and incidentally raise your blood pressure.

Over the past couple of months, a number of people around me have suffered from sinus congestion. Like a mad scientist on a mission, I started experimenting with essential oils and with the help of Valerie Worwood’s fantastic book on essential oils, came up with a formula that works. If you have sinus problems, here is a DIY remedy using budget-friendly essential oils along with three different ways to use the blend: topically, in a diffuser, and by simple inhalation.

Hand sanitizers have their place in our lives, especially in the sick room where alcohol-based sanitizers rule. On the other hand, many hand sanitizers currently on the market deliver a chemical brew that results in a sticky, nasty mess along with ingredients such as triclosan and other anti-bacterial ingredients that are now suspected to contribute to the creation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Given that plant-based essential oils are some of the strongest antibacterial and anti-microbial substances around, I have chosen to make my own day-to-day hand sanitizer. I use this hand sanitizer to supplement good old fashioned hand washing with plenty of soap and water. This recipe uses 100% organic, cold-pressed Aloe Vera gel, organic coconut oil, and a mix and match blend of essential oils.

As much as I like to try new things when it comes essential oils, I tend to go back to the same oils, day in and day out. This is surprising since my EO drawer is overflowing with over fifty different oils. I consider this good news since, as a prepper, there is only so much I can afford to put away for long term emergency purposes. It is much easier to stockpile and learn the effective use of a handful of oils than the dozens that are out there, just waiting to be put through our personal trial and error cycle. Today I share eight oils for your first aid kit that are tried and true.

When it comes to using essential oils topically, most recipes will simply say “add to carrier oil and apply”. That sounds simple enough but the reality is that measuring the proper number of drops can be hit or miss. Instead create a salve, body butter, or lotion bar using the healing combination of lavender, rosemary, and peppermint essential oils.

Have you wondered about the hoopla surrounding body butters? A body butter is like a salve except it does not include beeswax and has a creamy, silky feeling when applied to the skin. Here is my version, including instructions for making a body butter version of “miracle healing salve”. You are going to love it!

Who said spring and summer colds don’t happen? Here are two ways to create a cold and flu bomb salve on the fly as well as a technique for creating your own custom salves.

Is is safe to ingest essential oils? That is a frequent question among new users of essential oils and one that should be taken seriously. In the article, learn why I make a case NOT to take essential oils internally. At the end of the day, you be the judge.

I am frequently asked whether I would be willing to sell some of my salves. Alas, the answer is always no, I am not set up to do that. For that reason I am thrilled that Spark Naturals is now selling salves, including a “Base Foundation Salve” that is similar to my own “Simple Salve”. In this article I describe each of the new salves plus tell you how you can create your own custom healing salves. Not only that, Spark Naturals is sponsoring a giveaway to win a set of all six of their salves. This is the giveaway you have been waiting for!

Everyone dreads cleaning toilets and using toxic chemicals does not make the process any more pleasant. In a quest for self-sufficiency, I have learned to make natural, chemical free toilet bombs using simple, inexpensive ingredients. I won’t say that cleaning toilets is now fun, but it sure is a lot easier. Give these DIY Toilet Bombs a try – you will not be disappointed!

Making your own foaming hand soap is so easy and the results are so good that I can’t believe I have not done this before now. In this article, learn how to make your own DIY Foaming Hand Soap for $1.12 for a full, 12 ounce bottle. I love saving money this way, don’t you?

When it comes to skincare products, the sky is the limit cost-wise. Why not make your own using pure, natural ingredients with names you can pronounce. Whether you make them for yourself or for gift giving, here are 4 amazing skincare products to make using essential oils.

What are the best essential oils to store for the long term? Learn about the 9 best essential oils for your survival kit and the top 4 ways to use them.

Mitigating the pain and suffering from a toothache is just one of the many ways to benefit from clove essential oil. Here are 20 ways to use clove oil some of which may surprise you.

Lately it seems that I can not get through the day without banging my shins against something, getting bit by an insect, burning myself while reaching into the oven, or . . .

Anyone who has used essential oils for a period of time will find that they reach for the same tried and true oils over and over again.  In my case . . .

One day, a few years ago, I happened to notice that my husband Shelly was wearing a long-sleeved shirt on a hot summer day.  When I questioned him, he . . .

Learn how to make an awesome cayenne salve for pain relief. Easy to make and inexpensive. Why spend money when you can make it yourself?