My Essential Oil Fail

Most of you know that I am a bit crazy about my essential oils. I try to use them for everything! I always spread the word about the fantastic things I use these oils for. I also spread the news when I have success. But this time, I'm admitting failure.

Recently I have had an issue with our new puppy Piper. When we got her we were unable to really house-train her because we are all gone from the home all day. She has NOT done a good job of becoming house-trained. We have not done a good job of training her. Thus we clean up a LOT of dog poop in the house these days. One specific problem was my bookshelf in the living room. I found that she was getting on the bottom shelf and taking a poo. I was constantly finding poo on the bookshelf. I started thinking about how I could use my essential oils to keep Piper from going poo on the bookshelf. I came up with a genius idea. I found a small metal bucket that was meant for potpourri. I added some Epsom salts to this small bucket. Next I added some essential oils. I used oils that I thought would deter the dog. It ended up smelling roughly like Icy Hot. The bigger dog walked immediately over and sniffed the bucket. It was new, she had to check it out. It was obvious by the way she sneezed and snorted that she did not like it. She ran away quickly. I just knew this idea was a stroke of genius!

I tried my very best. We left the dogs in the house because it was supposed to storm all day. We prepared! I even covered the couch with a sheet to try and keep it clean. See below for an image of what the living room looked like when I got home from work.

As you can see, they were very bad dogs! The mess you see is mostly just a magazine chewed up and shredded all over the place. What you can't see is my essential oil failure.

After cleaning up this entire mess, I was still a bit happy because I hadn't found any poo in the house....until I checked my little salt bucket. Piper had pooped right INSIDE the bucket! Yes, somehow she got her rump on that bucket. I couldn't believe it! I guess she showed me what she thought of my genius idea!

If anyone else has an idea of how to keep her from pooping on the bookshelf, please be sure and share that with me. Short of keeping her in a kennel all day, I'm out of ideas. Note that I did try putting her in the kennel. She pooped all over it and threw up every time I tried. It was a bigger mess!

~Kymber

Fibromyalgia/Chronic Pain Protocol

Several folks have asked for help with Fibromyalgia and Arthritis lately. I have recommended a three step protocol for anyone who wants to try essential oils. This is, of course, not to take the place of any advice from a medical professional. But if you want to try essential oils, this is a good protocol that may help.

Calm Down Mama - Calming blend for anxiety, mood, stress, frustration. This blend has a very soothing and earthy aroma. Try applying to chest and wrists throughout the day. In moments of high stress, anxiety or panic try applying to hands and deeply inhaling for a few minutes. This blend contains Patchouli, Cedarwood, Sweet Orange, Vetiver, and Ylang Ylang. I make this in a glass roller bottle, with a carrier oil.

Sleep Quiet - Blend can help breathing at night, promotes restful sleep and may relieve snoring. This blend allows for easier breathing, can help relieve congestion, open airways and promote a quiet night of sleep. Try applying to bottoms of feet, on chest, and behind ears right at bedtime. For snoring, also apply to the big toe on the right foot. This blend contains Lemon, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lavender and Thyme oils. I make this in a glass roller bottle with a carrier oil.

No Pain Plus – This blend helps alleviate aches and pains from headaches to muscle aches and joint/nerve pain. Roll some of this oil on painful areas and massage into the skin. Additionally, you can rub a drop on back of neck, and temples to alleviate headache pain. This blend contains Peppermint, Wintergreen, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Marjoram, Sweet Basil and Helichrysum. The added ingredients in this blend make it great for muscle cramps, restless legs, and deeper/chronic pain. Note: Care is necessary with this blend. Do not get into the eyes. Wash hands well after use. Do not digest as this does contain Wintergreen oil which can be toxic if taken orally. I make this in a small glass jar as a balm/rub.

Lastly, please note the fine print. I do not recommend orally taking essential oils. There are some companies out there who try to say "theirs" only are okay to ingest. After a great deal of research and several aromatherapy courses, I do not believe this to be true. Also, holistic protocols should not take the place of regular advisement of a medical professional. Never stop taking any medicines prescribed without speaking with your doctor. I do aromatherapy but I am NOT a licensed medical professional. Always do a skin test when applying new essential oils. I recommend always using a blend with carrier oil rather than applying pure oils straight to the skin.

If you would like to order from me, you can buy these products on my ETSY site:

KyGypsy Etsy Shop 

~ Kymber 

Smelly Salts

This week I decided to make Smelly Salts. I've been researching these for a few weeks. I wanted to make some out of salt, and others out of unscented aroma beads. I've ordered some beads but haven't made those yet. THESE salts are made out of a rock salt/sea salt mix, with added essential oils. I also added a bit of oil-soluble coloring but it's not necessary.These are pretty simple to make at home, and have some great uses. I put them into small organza bags and they seem to work great. I'll be interested to see how long they last before needing more oils. I really loved the one for sinuses! A friend came over and needed it so I sent it home with him! LOL I'll be making more this week.

When the smell runs out, I can add new oils to refresh them. You can also throw the salts into a hot bath when the smell is running out. This is a great way to get a therapeutic bath! To use, you simply hold the small bag in your hands and deeply inhale for about 3-5 minutes. These are very strong. Do not press them against your face – but hold in front of the nose/mouth and just breathe deeply.

Headache – Contains Peppermint, Rosemary and Tea Tree essential oils.

Sinus – Contains Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Clary Sage, and Sweet Basil essential oils.

Stress – Contains Lavender, Chamomile, Patchouli and Cedarwood essential oils.

Sleep – Contains Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Sweet Orange, and Sandalwood.

If you aren't up to making them yourself, many of these items are available on my ETSY site located at KYGypsyMama. If you are local, just order directly through me. The ETSY site does charge shipping which is necessary when I ship these to other areas. If you can pick-up locally, I do not charge shipping. The ETSY site does allow you to pay with PayPal.

Perhaps you've seen something like this at a drug store or online? You can buy a similar product called "inhalation beads" for headaches online through Amazon. I researched the ingredients thoroughly before making my all natural product.  Using the salts is a great alternative and keeps it all natural. Also, I kind of like that I could just empty these into the bath as well!

I'll post soon about the actual aroma beads once I make those! I'll also be posting about my all natural, therapeutic bath salts very soon. Stay tuned!

Blessings,

~Kymber

Vetiver - Oil of the Week

Vetiver is our Oil of the Week! I truly love talking about this oil and all it's wonderful uses. It comes from the roots of a grassy plant. The aroma of this oil is very earthy and it is known to be centering, calming and grounding. This oil is often a major ingredient in blends used for children with ADD, ADHD, Sensory Processing, Autism Spec, and also for general stress and anxiety. Actually, it is often called the "Oil of Tranquility". It is used across the world in many perfumes and skin care products.

It is also great for any type of muscle or joint pain and arthritis. This oils is often used for nerve issues, convulsions, frustration, anger, emotional issues, seizures and panic attacks, as well as general nervous disorders and restless legs!

It sedates nervous irritations, afflictions, convulsions and emotional outbursts such as anger, anxiety, epileptic and hysteric attacks, restlessness, and nervousness. 

Vetiver oil is anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, and a relaxant. It can be used for insomnia, anxiety, and depression.  It can be used for muscle and menstrual cramps, acne, and it has many skin car uses. As an anti-inflammatory oil it can be used to soothe and cool inflamed muscles, joints and nerves. It can be used on all types of cuts and scrapes as it is antiseptic. It helps with tissue regeneration and is used as a scar fading substance.

Now how can you use this wonderful oil? Below you will find a few useful ideas for Vetiver essential oil. A quick Google search will probably give you hundreds of ideas!

• You can blend this with a carrier oil at a 5-1 ratio and use it topically on your skin.
• Purchase or make an oil blend (using other oils such as Lavendar, Ylang Ylang, Benzoin, Cedarwood, or Sandalwood) to use for emotional issues, stress relief, ADD, ADHD, etc. There are blends on the market for just that. My blend sells on my Etsy site and you can find it HERE.
• Use it for headaches and body aches in a blended rub.
• Put two drops on a cotton ball. Carry it in your pocket. Deeply inhale from that at different times throughout the day for calming and anxiety relief.
•  Use blended with coconut oil for skin issues, bug bites, cuts and scrapes or acne.
• Blend in a 2-1 ratio with olive oil and use on scars.

Now you want to purchase Vetiver oil right? If so, I highly recommend that you look for it at  The Organic Witch. I buy most of my essential oils there. I do not sell for or represent their company in any way. However, they have quality oils, knowledgeable staff, and great prices. Additionally, they are a small KY based company and a Green Business Certified company!

Now the fine print: I do not recommend using essential oils straight (undiluted) on the skin or taking orally unless under the care of a qualified medical professional. Please do not take this information as a diagnosis or treatment plan! See your medical professional if you have any medical issues.

Clove - Oil of the Week

The Oil of the Week is Clove Oil. It has so many uses one could likely write a book. Many people know that clove oil is widely used to help relieve toothache pain. Clove oil is anti-infectious, antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. Clove oil has been shown to kill many strains of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even Candida. Clove oil is one of the primary ingredients in Thieves/Protect oil blend which can kill 99% of bacteria in the air within less than 15 minutes. Clove is also the highest antioxidant of all essential oils.

Clove oil has many uses including: Numbing pain, dental pain, anti-aging, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, skin infections, flu, bacteria, viruses, fungus, hepatitis, parasites, digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, ulcers, insomnia, memory loss, inflammation, lice, poison ivy/oak, skin acne, wound care, cuts/scrapes, bug bites, bee stings, skin cancer, warts, asthma, headaches, stress, and is very useful to help stop smoking! Clove oil has Eugenol which is a compound used in dentistry. You can use clove oil for many tooth, mouth and throat issues. You can gargle with it to relieve mouth/throat pain and inflammation. As an added bonus it also relieves bad breath! Clove oil is great for boosting the immune system as well. Lastly, clove oil is known as a powerful but natural aphrodisiac. I could go on and on, but I'll leave you to do a little research on your own!

Having said all that, how can you use clove oil? There are many, many ways to use it at home! Below you will find a few, but a quick search online will turn up a multitude of additional uses. Once you read this you'll want to run out and buy some clove oil, right? I've got you covered there too. I buy my oils from a small company based in Kentucky. Check them out here for a great quality organic clove oil. This oil comes from Sri Lanka, and they provide GCMS information on every oil they sell. I highly recommend trying their 100% organic essential oils if you are in the market! Additionally, if you want to try diffusing a Thieves type blend in your home, you can check out their Antibacterial Blend at great prices.

• Use it in Thieves/Protect blend to diffuse throughout your house. Used in this blend, it can kill airborne bacteria and help keep your air clean and your family healthy.
• Mix with water in a spray bottle. Spray air, doorknobs, light switches, etc. to kill germs and stop the spread of illness. Use as a spray on hands to sanitize and kill germs.
• Dilute properly with a carrier oil (olive oil, etc.) and roll on skin to alleviate skin issues mentioned above (acne, cuts, stings, etc.)
• Apply just on warts daily to rid your skin of them.
• Mix one drop of clove oil into a shot glass of water. Gargle with this twice daily during cold and flu season especially. Use this gargle for mouth, tooth, or throat pain and irritation
• Use clove oil in all of your DIY lotions, creams and soaps. It is great for your skin.
• Add to baby shampoo to help alleviate lice in child's hair.
• Put one drop on adult tooth to relieve ache.
• Diluted with carrier oil or mixed with salt - rub on forehead and back of neck to alleviate headaches.
• Diluted with carrier oil - rub on wrists and chest daily to relive stress symptoms, help with memory, and stimulate mind.
• Use diluted with carrier oil or add to lotions/creams to rub on sore, inflamed muscles.
• Diffuse in home/bedrooms to alleviate asthma, congestion, or other breathing issues - especially useful during flu season.
• Diluted with sesame oil it can help alleviate earaches.
• Diffuse and inhale to reduce nausea and morning sickness. Try adding a drop to a cotton ball and putting in your pillow.
• Use in creams and lotions to rub on skin helping blood circulation.
• Mix with water or witch hazel to spray on and repel bugs.
• Put a dab on your finger, and touch it to the roof of your mouth to help stop smoking.

Now, of course we need the FINE print! Clove oil - like all essential oils - is very strong and powerful. A little goes a long way. I suggest always diluting clove oil. Never use straight essential oils on your skin or orally without advice from a certified medical profession. Ask your doctor before ingesting any essential oils! Remember, clove oil contains Eugenol and some people have had allergic reactions to this when used in dentistry. Always start with very small amounts of an essential oil that you have not used before. Clove oil has been shown to lower blood sugar when used correctly under the advice of a medical profession. Be careful if you are diabetic as it could cause sugar to drop if you are not using it correctly. Nursing/pregnant women should not use clove oil as it may pass to breast milk. Always seek medical advice to diagnose any medical issue. As with any change to diet or nutritional supplement, it is best to consult a doctor before administering or adding to your daily or weekly regimen. Lastly - there are those who suggest taking oils orally and putting undiluted on the skin. Please ask your medical professional before using essential oils in this manner.


Blessings,

Kymber

Boo Boo Oil

I've been using a new recipe lately. It's summer. Sassy falls down a lot. I mean a LOT. We get bug bites, scratches, and scrapes almost daily at our house. Sassy is pretty good about getting up and shrugging it off. But sometimes she needs a little something on her BOO BOO. I searched around online and found a few different recipes. Then, as usual, I ended up using the basics but changing up some of the ingredients. It's pretty simple to make yourself.

I recommend using small or large glass roller bottles for this. However, you can also make it in a small spray bottle and make it into a Boo Boo spray if you like. If you aren't sure what a roller bottle is, I'm adding a picture below.

You'll add 10 drops each of tea tree oil, lavender oil and frankincense oil to the bottle. Then top off with witch hazel. If you are using a larger bottle, just double it.  Note that there are a few other oils that would work if frankincense is hard for you to find. Some others to use instead would be Bergomot, cedarwood, rosemary, patchouli, and ylang ylang.

I put this into a small glass roller bottle and put on any cuts, scrapes, bug bites, etc. It seems soothing and works great. If you don't have a roller bottle, make a spray. Add all the oils to a small spray bottle and fill up with witch hazel. This makes a great spray for skinned knees!

Many of my custom blends and hand made products are available at my ETSY shop. Click HERE.

New Face Scrub

Last night before my shower, I wanted a facial scrub. It just hit me suddenly that I needed a facial scrub. Yes - I needed it! I've had a few breakouts lately and I really needed a good scrub. I had facial cleaner but not a scrub. It was 9pm and I wasn't running out to the store to buy it. I started thinking I could make it myself. I hopped online and started looking at recipes. I quickly realized that I didn't have a few of the main ingredients in many of the recipes. However, I thought I could figure out my own simple recipe. I hit the kitchen and pulled together some simple ingredients. I mixed together just enough to for one use. I scrubbed my face with it in a warm shower. I was simply AMAZED at the results. When I got out of the shower, I felt that I'd just had a microdermabrasion! My skin was so smooth that I was certain I had scrubbed off the top layer. I followed this up by slathering on some of my homemade skin balm to help overnight. You can find that recipe in this old blog post. I'll provide the recipe for this facial scrub below, as well as info on each ingredient, and some suggested replacement ingredients.

Here is what I used to make my facial scrub. Note that my measurements are approximate. I don't think you need to be too specific with this product. This makes enough for ONE use.

Facial Scrub Recipe
Baking Soda - 1 tablespoon
Honey - 1 teaspoon
Lavender Oil - 5 drops
Tea Tree Oil - 10 drops
Vitamin E Oil - 1 teaspoon (+,-)

I mixed the ingredients  together in a small cup and added the Vitamin E oil last. This oil was mostly just to get it to the right consistency. It may take a bit more or less. You'll want this to be thick enough to pour in your hand or on a washcloth. In the shower I wet my face, poured it on a wet wash cloth and scrubbed my face, neck and chest in a circular motion. I then rinsed with warm water. Now, here is why I used each ingredient:

Baking Soda - First this is an amazing exfoliate for the skin. It's coarse texture works to scrub away dead skin but it is not too coarse as to be irritating for most people. It is also good for acne prone skin, and for cleaning out pores and blackheads.
Honey - This is a gentle face cleaning agent, and will not strip oil from the skin. It is antibacterial and a humectant, meaning it helps the skin hold moisture.
Lavender Oil - This is very soothing to the skin, and is anti-inflammatory.
Tea Tree Oil - This oil is perfect for skin with break-outs. It is also antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and can help with any histamine-induced inflammation (think allergies!)
Vitamin E Oil - Quite simply this is good for your skin. It is an natural antioxidant. Also, you need an oil for this recipe to hold it all together.

Now that you know why I used each ingredient, you should also know that you can replace some of them with other ingredients. Should you not have Vitamin E Oil on hand, simply swap that out in the recipe with some pure olive oil or FCO. Also, if you are not prone to break-outs you may not need lavender and tea tree oil. If perhaps you are over 40, you may prefer to use Patchouli and/or Ylang Ylang oils in your facial scrub.  Here's why:

Patchouli oil is anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and astringent. It can be used to treat several skin issues such as eczema, acne, scars and stretch marks, wrinkles, sagging, and dermatitis. This oil can be used for tissue regeneration so it works wonders on scars and marks.

Ylang Ylang – is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-spasmodic. It can be used for skin issues such as acne, wrinkles, sagging, and blemishes. It has the power to stimulate new cell growth so is great as an anti-aging oil.

Obviously there are hundreds of essential oils that you could choose for this recipe. Lastly, you could make a larger batch of this and store in an air tight container. However, remember that Vitamin E oil is a natural preservative. So if you decided to make a larger batch, I recommend that you DO use Vitamin E oil instead of an olive oil.

If you decide to make some for yourself, do let me know how it works out.

Until next time...

~Kymber