Back to School - Top 5 Oils Your Family Needs

from http://thepaleomama.com/2014/07/top-5-essential-oils-back-to-school/

Top 5 Essential Oils for Back to School:

Peppermint & Wild Orange – this is a great blend to help your kids wake-up. They now have an alarm clock to wake up to, or you disturbing their slumber by turning on the light and singing, “school days, school days…good ole fashion rule days.” Put an essential oil diffuser in your kitchen and diffuse this “wake-up blend” while they are eating breakfast. Or you can put this blend in a roll-on bottle and roll it on their wrists and back of neck while you are “nicely” waking them up.

Rosemary – Did you know rosemary can make you smarter? Rosemary is known to improve brain performance and mood. I recommend adding a drop or two to your children’s shampoo and using it to wash their hair, or rubbing a drop through their hair while they are eating breakfast before heading to school. You can, also, diffusethis oil before the kids leave for school or when they come home and work on homework.

In Tune “Focus” Blend by doTERRA -
Ingredients:
Amyris Bark, Patchouli Leaf, Frankincense, Resin, Lime Peel, Ylang Ylang Flower, Hawaiian Sandalwood Wood, Roman Chamomile Flower essential oils 
– The focus blend contains oils that have been studied and used traditionally for their abilities to promote calmness, focus and a balanced state of mind. Many of these oils contain high levels of sesquiterpenes, which have been proven to pass the blood-brain barrier to reach the cells of the brain. It’s primarily used for helping symptoms of ADD/ADHD, anxiety and poor concentration. I like to apply this blend to the back of my children’s neck as they are eating breakfast. You can talk with your school about letting your children apply it during school hours.

Lemon – Lemon is known as “The Oil of Focus“. It’s citrusy aroma nourishes the mind and aids in concentration. Lemon is a wonderful aid for children who are struggling with school. It is especially helpful in cases of learning disabilities. It pairs well with Rosemary, so you can make a roller bottle with Rosemary and Lemon and apply to the back of the neck or diffuse this powerful duo before school.

Serenity “Calming” Blend by doTERRA - 

Ingredients:

Lavender Flower, Sweet Marjoram Leaf, Roman Chamomile Flower, Ylang Ylang Flower, Hawaiian Sandalwood essential oils and Vanilla Bean Absolute

-  Children who are hyperactive or have difficulty concentrating could really benefit from this blend. It contains essential oils that are often used to calm and soothe feelings of stress, excitement, and anxiety. It’s great to help wound up kids calm down and settle in for a restful sleep. I like togive my kids a detox bath at night using this blend or diffuse it in their room for an hour before bed. You can, also, apply it to the backs of their necks or feet before school (if they are very hyperactive) or at bedtime.

All of these oil suggestions are from my oil Bible, Modern Essentials, and Emotions and Essential Oils.

Please note: Products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a medical, psychological, or psychiatric problem, or a disability that requires medical attention, then you should consult your licensed medical doctor or appropriate health care provider. Always consult your medical doctor regarding your medical care. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

Cheat Sheet

Do Essential Oils Expire?

Here is a chart showing the shelf life of certain essential oils:
from http://www.aromaticsinternational.com/shelf_life

Shelf Life

Shelf Life and Storage from the time of distillation:

It is impossible to say exactly what an essential oil shelf life will be. The storage conditions will vary and make a significant difference. If the essential oil has been received directly from the distiller shortly after distillation and the glass bottle is kept dark, full, closed, and cool, we can make some generalizations. Please note these are simply Aromatics Internationals opinions based on experience and an understanding of the chemistry of each oil.

Note that if an essential oil begins to appear cloudy, thicker, or if it smells more acidic, it has likely begun to oxidize.

Approximately 1-2 years from distillation:

Grapefruit - Citrus paradisi
Lemon - Citrus limon
Lime- Citrus aurantifolia
Mandarin - Citurs reticulata
Mastic - Pistacia lentiscus
Nutmeg - Myristica fragrans
Orange - Citrus sinensis 
Palo Santo - Bursera graveolens

Approximately 2-3 years from distillation:

Balsam Fir - Abies balsamea
Common Spruce - Picea Communis
Conifer Blend - Abies alba, Pinus nigra, Pinus wallichiana
Cypress - Cupressus sempervirens
Douglas Pine - Pseudotsuga menzies
Engleman Spruce - Picea engelmanii
Eucalyptus citriodora - Eucalyptus citriodora
Eucalyptus globulus - Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus radiata - Eucalyptus radiata
Frankincense - Boswellia carterii
Galbanum - Ferula galbanum
Helichrysum - Helichrysum gymnocephalum
Helichrysum - Helichrysum Odoritissimum
Honey Myrtle - Melaleuca teretifolia
Juniper berry - Juniperus communis
Juniper (Utah) - Juniperus osteoperma
Larch - Pinus resinosa
Laurel - Laurus nobilis
Lemongrass (West Indian) - Cymbopogon citratus
May Chang - Litsea cubeba
Melissa - Melissa officinalis 
Myrtle - Myrtus communis
Niaouli 1,8 cineole - Melaleuca Quinquenervia
Norway Pine - Pinus resinosa
Oregano - Origanum vulgare
Pinion Pine - Pinus redulis
Plai - Zingiber Cassumunar
Ponderosa Pine - Pinus ponderosa
Rhododendron - Rhododredron Anthopogon
Rock Rose- Cistus ladaniferus
Saro - Cinnamosma fragrans
Scotch Pine - Pinus sylvestris
Silver Fir - Abies alba
Thyme ct thymol - Thymus vulgarus ct thymol
White Fir - Abies concolor
White Pine - Pinus strobus

Approximately 3-4 years from distillation:

Black Pepper - Piper nigrum 
Black Spruce - Picea mariana
Bergamot - Citrus bergamia
Citronella Java - Cymbopogon winterianus
Clove-Eugenia caryophyllata
Coriander - Coriandrum sativum
Elemi - Canarium luzonicum
Fragonia - Agonis fragrans
Eucalyptus - Eucalyptus dives
Fingerroot - Boesenbergia pandurata
Gingergrass - Cymbopogon martinii var sofia
Helichrysum - Helichrysum bracteiferum
Hemlock - Tsuga caneaensis
Lemongrass Rhodinol - Cymbopogon citratus ct rhodinol
Neroli - Citrus aurantium var amara 
Opopanax - Commiphora guidotti
Ravintsara - Cinnamomun camphora
Rosalina - Melaleuca ericifolia
Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis ct camphor/verbenone
Siberian Fir- Abies siberica 
Sitka Spruce - Picea sitchensis
Suganda Kokila  - Cinnamomum glaucescens
Sweet Marjoram - Origanum marjorana 
Tamala ct linalol - Cinnamomum tamala
Tea Tree - Melaleuca alternifolia
Turmeric - Curcuma longa
Vanilla - Vanilla planifolia
White Spruce - Picea glauca
Yarrow - Achillea millefolium

Approximately 4-5 years from distillation:

Bergamot Mint - Mentha citrata
Cardamom CO2 - Elettaria cardamomumBasil - Osimum basilicum ct linalool
Clary Sage - Salvia sclarea
Geranium - Pelargonium x asperum
German Chamomile - Matricaria recutita 
Ghandi Root - Homalomena aromatica
Ginger - Zingiber officinale
Helichrysum - Helichrysum italicum
Ho wood - Cinnamomun  camphora ct linalol
Jasmine Absolute - Jasminum grandiflorum 
Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia 
Linalol berry - Bursera delpechiana 
Neroli/Petitgrain Co-distill - Citrus aurantium var amara 
Palmarosa - Cymbopogon martini 
Peppermint - Mentha x piperita 
Petitgrain - Citrus aurantium 
Roman Chamomile - Chamaemelum nobile 
Rose/Geranium co-distill - Rosa damascena/Pelargouium
Rose Otto/Absolute - Rosa damacena 
Rosewood - Aniba rosaeodora 
Spike Lavender - Lavandula latifolia 
Thyme (Benchmark) - Thymus zygis loefl l. 
Thyme ct linalol - Thymus vulgarus ct linalol
Wild Mint - Wild Mint
Xanthoxylum - Zanthoxylum armatum
Ylang Ylang - Cananga odorata

Approximately 6-8 years or longer:

Balsam Capaiba - Copaifera officinalis
Balsam Poplar - Populus balsamifera
Blue Cypress - Callitris intratropica
Carrot seed Daucus carota
Cedarwood - Cedrus atlantica 
Cedarwood - Juniperus virginiana 
Myrrh - Commiphora myrrha 
Patchouli - Pogostemom cablin 
Sandalwood - Santalum album
Spikenard - Nardostachys jatamansi
Vetiver - Vetiveria zizanoides

General shelf life from a chemical family perspective:

About 1-3 years – Monoterpene rich oils, Monoterpene/Oxide (cineole) rich oils, Monoterpene/ Aldehyde rich oils, Monoterpene/Monoterpenol rich oils.

About 3-5 years – Monoterpenol rich oils, Monoterpenol/Ester rich oils, Ketone
and Phenol rich oils (Phenols are closer to 3 years).

About 6-8 years, or longer – Sesquiterpene rich oils, Sesquiterpenol rich oils.

I am loving my Oregano this week!

My 5 year old started kindergarten this month. He has Down syndrome, and was born with a congenital heart defect. This combo means when he gets a little cold, it's a BIG deal. It hits him harder and lasts much longer than any of the rest of us in the family. He's been hospitalized a few times for respiratory illnesses.

So I cringed when we showed up for the first day of school and saw that a fellow classmate had a really bad snotty nose. Ugh. I should have started the OnGuard, but I didn't.

Sure enough, he came home from school last Friday with a runny nose. I immediately rubbed a drop of diluted Oregano oil on the bottom of his feet. I did it again before before bed. And twice again Saturday and Sunday. His nose was still a little runny, but it hadn't turned into a cold. I sent him to school Monday and told them to let me know if it got worse. By the time I picked him up from school, it was fine! I'm going to finish out the week with a daily application, just to be safe, but HOORAY for Oregano. It stopped his cold dead in its tracks!

Essential Oils for Constipation

From http://www.essentiallyhealing.blogspot.com/2013/05/miracle-poop-fairy-oil-blend.html

Miracle Poop Fairy oil blend

yes, I really did call this post "Miracle Poop Fairy" oil blend.   Hippie oils, woo-woo oils, magic oils.  Whatever you want to call it! One of my friends dubbed this blend with its appropriate name and it has stuck.  It works, and has helped many who have dealt with this unpleasantness for long stretches in their lives.  It is another one of the things I get texts, emails, FB requests and calls for.  So, when another request for this came in today - I thought, "WHY haven't you put that up on the blog?"

This blend is based on one put out there by Dr Susan Lawton, who I greatly respect and admire.  She freely shares her information on builddoterra.com under the "education" section.  Go listen to her and download the pdfs on oils - she is amazing.

Miracle Poop Fairy oil recipe

(constipation) 

4 oz fractionated coconut oil, 

5 drops coriander, 

7 drops wild orange, 

4 drops lemon, 

2 drops Ginger, 

4 drops DigestZen

apply clockwise around the belly. 

Vetiver for Calming (ADHD)

From http://yoursacredcalling.com/commonscentsmom/quieting-the-mind-with-vetiver/

The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem
For that sweet odour which doth in it live. - Shakespeare’s Sonnet 54

A few years ago, I started using therapeutic grade vetiver essential oil on one of my daughters who often struggles with sensory issues. She loves it, and it smells so nice. I use it now, too, but I’ll get to that in a minute. When we first opened the bottle, we weren’t sure what we thought; but, once we applied it, we were captivated by the mysterious scent, and found that we really loved it!

Vetiver is a very thick, dark and syrupy essential oil. The aroma is earthy, sweet, and full of life. It reminds me of an early morning walk through a lush green forest filled with damp grasses and wild herbs. Like myrrh, vetiver oil has excellent fixative properties; therefore, it is often used in perfumes.

Vetiver has a calming and soothing effect on the central nervous system and is a wonderful oil to help quiet an overactive, exhausted, or stressed mind.  It is also said to be a good choice in helping to control anger, irritability, or neurotic behavior, as well as helping with insomnia.

Recently, while researching essential oils commonly used for treating ADD/ADHD and Autism, vetiver kept coming up. Many people feel very strongly that vetiver oil (along with several other choice oils) is making a huge difference in the lives of children with such disorders.

In the following study conducted in 2001 by Dr. Terry Friedman, several essential oils were used to treat ADD and ADHD. Vetiver was found to be the most effective in observations and brain wave scans – showing improvements in 100% of subjects! Cedarwood essential oil was 83% effective, and lavender 53%.

CASE STUDY DR. TERRY FRIEDMAN, M.D. This case study was conducted for two years, from 1999-2001. Using Children between the ages of 6 to 12 years. Twenty subjects not diagnosed with ADD/ADHD were used as the control group.

Twenty subjects with a confirmed diagnoses of ADD/ADHD were used as the study group. Each group was pre-tested using a baseline evaluation with real time EEG and The T.O.V.A. Scale. The essential oils chosen for the case study were Lavender, Vetiver, Cedarwood and Brain Power (a blend of Frankincense, Sandalwood, Melissa, Cedarwood, Blue Cypress, Lavender and Helichrysum.) The oils were administered in this fashion: one of the oils were administered by inhalation 3 times a day for 30 days.

An inhalation device was also used at night to administer a continuous inhalation of oil. The subject then inhaled when needed, about 3 times during the day when they began to feel “scattered”. The inhalation of the oils proved to settle the brainwaves back into normal patterns and improved their scholastic performance and behavioral patterns.

Each subject was tested on each oil for 30 days and then reevaluated by testing. Then another oil was used for 30 days and reevaluated, until each of the oils had been tested. Lastly, oil combinations were used, each for a 30 day period. (Brain Power with Lavender, with Cedarwood, and Vetiver.) The final results were: Lavender increased performance by 53%, Cedarwood increased performance by 83% and Vetiver increased performance by 100%. This study was published in the American Medical Association Journal.

Vetiver encourages stimulation of the circulatory system and can help relieve stiffness from arthritis and muscle cramping.  Treat yourself by massaging Vetiver into overworked muscles. It is also said to help heal minor cuts and scrapes more effectively and with less scarring.

Some people add it to their face creams and lotions to revitalize mature, aging skin and rejuvenate wrinkly, irregular skin textures. Others may find it helpful in helping deal with acne or skin blemishes. Vetiver is among the oils highest in sesquiterpenes. Along with helping children control their behavior, it may also help anyone cope with stress, anxiety, or and in recovering from emotional trauma and shock.

Tourette’s Syndrome “I tried the Vetiver for a tic that was bothering my son. I massaged it behind his ears and the tic stopped. I am not sure if you are familiar with Tourette’s, but this is amazing!! He still has his pesky regular ones, but the major annoying body jerking, and the fake hiccup tic that was making him become very upset, was instantly gone within a few seconds of this oil.

“I now want to know everything possible about essential oils!! I have signed up to be a distributor because as soon as I become knowledgeable enough to help my own family, I cannot wait to help others. This is truly a gift from God. “I am so excited to have been introduced to the essential oils as an alternative. I cannot thank you enough for suggesting Vetiver for my son. I never would have imagined something so simple could have helped, and without side effects, FINALLY! Thank you.” – Amanda B.

Why I use Vetiver

Remember the old “Calgon, take me away” commercial in the 70′s? That lady didn’t need a bubble bath; she needed vetiver! Maybe it’s because I’m a bit of an introvert, but I can go on overload when I’m around crowds for too long. I also have the same reaction to loud or chaotic music or noise.

So, when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed, or one of my children is having a tough time focusing or is feeling overstimulated by his/her surroundings, we apply a little vetiver to the bottoms of our feet and ankles (undiluted). Then we inhale what remains on our hands. I love the relaxing result!

How to Use: Since vetiver is so thick, and because I only use it topically, I go ahead and dilute it with olive or sweet almond oil and put a roller ball on the end to make it easy to apply. You could also purchase individual roller bottles. Then I apply it to the back of my neck and the bottoms of my feet. I also rub some in my palms, add a little Body Lotion, rub together, cup my hands over my nose and inhale deeply. Mmmmm…..

Impulse and Aggression “A miracle? I bought a bottle of vetiver, last year, and used it with my 5-year-old son who has impulse and aggression control problems. It didn’t seem to help, noticeably, so it sat in a drawer, unused. This summer has been TOUGH and I have been at my wits end.

This afternoon, I walked into the kitchen and it smelled like a vetiver factory! My son had gotten into the oil and boy was he aromatic! BUT we had the sweetest evening I can remember in over a year! He volunteered to take his bath, got out and dried off with no fuss, crawled in my lap and we snuggled while watching a show (of my choosing!). He happily went to bed and fell asleep after just one story!

Was it the vetiver factory or a fluke? Well, I guarantee Mr. Vetiver will join us tomorrow again!! I wonder if I just didn’t use enough least year, and it didn’t help noticeably?” - Susie Y.

Even if you don’t think you need vetiver yourself, it’s a good oil to have on hand when friends come to visit! You never know who you may wind up helping! And what a great gift idea for an overwhelmed mom (thanks, Amy Maus and Tonya Patterson)! Spread the love!

By the way, I am not a doctor – just a mom who uses essential oils in her own family. Please know that any information provided on The Common Scents Mom is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and address any health or medical needs you may have with your physician. Please seek professional help when needed.

Essential Oils for Dogs

From http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/essential-oils-for-dogs.html

Safe Essential Oils for Dogs

Essential Oils	Properties & Uses
Bergamot	Antifungal, soothing. Excellent for ear infections caused by yeast or bacterial overgrowth. Caution: Can cause photosensitization. Avoid the sun after use.
Carrot Seed	Anti-inflammatory, tonic, with moderate antibacterial effects. Good for dry, flaky, sensitive skin which is prone to infection. Can rejuvenate and stimulate tissue regeneration, thus effective for scar healing.
Cedarwood	Antiseptic, tonifying, circulation-stimulating. Good for skin and coat conditioning and dermatitis of all types. Flea-repelling.
Chamomile, German	Anti-inflammatory, non-toxic, gentle and safe to use. Good for skin irritations, allergic reactions, burns.
Chamomile, Roman	Antispasmodic, analgesic, nerve-calming. Good for soothing the central nervous system. Effective for relief of muscle pains, cramps, teething pain. A "must-have" oil for dogs!
Clary Sage	Nerve-calming, gentle when used in small amounts and properly diluted. Sedates the central nervous system.
Eucalyptus Radiata	Antiviral, anti-inflammatory, an expectorant. Good for relief of chest congestion. Effective in repelling flea.
Geranium	Gentle and safe, antifungal. Good for skin irritations, fungal ear infections. Effective in repelling ticks.
Ginger	Non-toxic, non-irritating and safe to use in small amounts, properly diluted. Good for motion sickness, aids digestion. Effective for pain relief caused by arthritis, dysplasia, strains and sprains.
Helichrysum	Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, regenerative effects; extremely therapeutic. Excellent for skin conditions and irritations (e.g. eczema). Effective for healing of scars and bruises. Effective for pain relief.
Lavender	Very safe and gentle, antibacterial, anti-itch, nerve-calming. Good for many common animal ailments, e.g. skin irritations, first aid. A "must-have" oil for your dog!
Marjoram, Sweet	Strong antibacterial, calming, a muscle relaxant. Good for bacterial skin infections, wound care, insect repelling.
Niaouli	Antihistaminic, powerful antibacterial properties, yet less likely to cause irritation than Tea Tree. Good for ear infections and skin problems caused by allergies. A "must-have" for dogs!
Peppermint	Antispamodic, stimulates circulation, insect-repelling. Good for arthritis, dysplasia, sprains and strains. Works well with ginger to treat motion sickness. Another "must-have" for dogs!
Sweet Orange	Calming, deodorizing, flea-repelling. Caution: Can cause photosensitization. Avoid the sun after use.
Valerian	Nerve-calming. Good for treating dog anxiety such as separation and noise anxiety.