Essential oil blend: Peace and Calming

Peace and Calming contains Tangerine (Citrus nobilis), orange (Citrus aurantium), ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) and blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum).

It is a gentle, fragrant blend that is specially designed blend that promotes relaxation, and a deep sense of peace. It helps to calm tensions and uplift spirits. I use it regularly during massage work, as it is one of the more popular aromas with clients wanting to relax.

Rub a drop or two on the soles of feet and shoulders, for peaceful sleep.
It can also be placed on temples, stomach or wrists for calming, soothing the mind and alleviating stress and anxiety.
Diffuse to help calm over active children and pets.
Place a drop or two on the soles of feet or in a bath to calm fussy babies.
Put a few drops in a bath to relax both mind and body.
Mix w/ massage oil for a relaxing massage.
Put a few drops into a spray bottle with water, and lightly mist linens and bed pillow to aid with deep peaceful sleep.


Ann
Young Living distributor # 889249
Order Peace and Calming therapeutic oil blend here.
(a distributor number is needed to place an order... having one of your own allows you to purchase at distributor cost with is lower than the listed prices... information on getting one for yourself is available here.)

Common Question: What is Hot Stone Massage?

Hot Stone massage is basically what it sounds like, it is massage w/ heated stones as tools.

Before you arrive, your therapist will heat special basalt stones, often in a covered roasting pan or crock pot. The stones vary in size and are naturally smooth as they are often polished by rivers. Basalt holds the heat better than most stones, and the smooth flat shapes are often palm size, and thus make amazing natural massage tools. An added benefit of basalt stones is their ability to draw negative energy out of the body.

During the massage, the therapist will use traditional swedish massage strokes to spread oil and prepare the area. Then your therapist will use the warmed stones to massage and "iron" the muscles. As your body draws the heat out of the stones, the therapists will exchange them with warmer ones. It is very important that you speak up if the stones feel to hot for your comfort.

This is an excellent type of massage for people who tend to feel cold, or who have difficulty maintaining their body heat.

People with uncontrolled high blood pressure should not get this type of massage, as the extra heat would be contraindicated for them.

Hot Stone massage is not an energizing form of massage. It is a warm and cozy massage. I don't recommend planning major activity after getting one, for it is likely that you may much prefer to float home to cuddle up with a good book or movie.

How to get a Young Living distributor number.

My first Young Living essential oil was a blend by the name of White Angelica.
From the first moment I put this oil on, I knew that I would buy it for myself, and then want to replace it once it was gone. But, it is a pricey oil blend with a retail price of $72.04, a preferred customer price of $63.39, and a distributor price of $54.75.

I have to admit that I have a prejudice against multi-level marketing. To date, my experience had been with companies which required a hefty purchase in order to qualify as a "distributor", which is usually what is required to get the product at the cheapest price possible.
I discovered that Young Living is different.

With Young Living, you can secure the distributor price for yourself for a mere $40.00 USD investment with the Start Living (enrollment) Kit
This kit was specifically designed to support your needs as a new Young Living Independent Distributor, the Start Living Kit contains materials designed to familiarize you with our products, services, sales aids, and training materials.

Considering that the savings on just one bottle of White Angelica at the distributor price would offer me a savings of $17.29, I realized that simply in purchasing a few of these oils for my own use, I would save more than the $40.00 investment quite quickly.

I have to admit, I didn't care about all of the paperwork or training materials. I wanted the discount, but had no intention of trying to share the oils with others until I had proven them to myself. Yet I do have to admit that I did enjoy getting the samples of several products.

Also available are several expanded kits which focus on one of the Young Living product lines:
Start Living with 5-day Nutritive Cleanse Kit  $300.00
Start Living with Everyday Oils  $150.00
Start Living with NingXia Red  $185.00
Start Living with Thieves  $150.00


Ann
Young Living distributor # 889249
Order your Start Living Kit and your distributor number here.
(a distributor number is needed to place an order... having one of your own allows you to purchase at distributor cost with is lower than the listed prices... information on getting one for yourself will be available *here* soon)

Young Living is  EarthKosher Certified

Essential oil blend: White Angelica

White Angelica is the first oil that brought me to Young Living oils. The very first time I put it on, I felt tingles everywhere. I knew it was going to be helpful for me due to my tendency to be overly empathic.

White Angelica™ is a calming and soothing blend that encourages feelings of protection and security. It combines oils used during ancient times to enhance the body's aura, which brings about a sense of strength and endurance. Many people use it as protection against negative energy. White Angelica works great applied to shoulders.

Bergamot (Citru sbergamia) , geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), sandalwood (Santalum album), rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), spruce (Picea mariana), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), melissa (Melissa officinalis) and rose (Rosa damascena) in a base of almond oil.

The best way I can describe it is that it is an amazingly protective oil for those of us who are empathic, and tend to be like sponges in our awareness of the energy of those around us.

Ann
Young Living distributor # 889249
Order White Angelica therapeutic oil blend here.
(a distributor number is needed to place an order... having one of your own allows you to purchase at distributor cost with is lower than the listed prices... information on getting one for yourself is available here.)

Common question: I've never gotten a massage, what can I expect?

When you first arrive at the spa or the therapist's office, you will be asked to fill out a client information form. The purpose of this form is to help the massage therapist rule out any techniques which may be contraindicated for you, or conversely know which techniques may be of particular benefit for you.

You will be asked to get undressed and onto a massage table between sheets. The therapist will leave the room while you do this. There will often be a heating pad and/or a blanket to assure that you stay warm enough. After a few minutes, the therapists will come back to the room to start your massage.

Your therapist will work one body part at a time, only exposing the part that they are massaging. The rest of your body will stay securely covered. Common areas to have worked are the head, shoulders, arms, hands, feet, legs, back and gluts. Some therapists may also work the abdominal area depending on the available time.

It is important that you remember to keep your therapist informed. For example, do not feel shy about letting your therapist know if you would like the pressure adjusted. How much pressure someone likes is a very subjective thing, so it should not hurt your therapists feelings.

Essential oil blend: Valor

Valor is an oil blend that works on both the physical and emotional levels.
 It has been found to help the body self-correct its balance and alignment making it an excellent addition to a massage. It also works on grounding the emotional spirit body increasing feeling of strength, courage and self-esteem in the face of adversity. As it is not a flowery smelling oil, it is an oil that both genders are very comfortable with.

Valor contains:
Spruce (Picea mariana), rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum) and frankincense (Boswellia carteri) in a base of almond oil.

Young Living's suggestions:
* Massage 1–2 drops of Valor essential oil blend on your temples or neck to ward off negative energy and increase inner strength when it’s time to have a serious talk with your boss, friend, or teenager.
* Add Valor essential oil blend to your back following a massage for an uplifting experience.
* Rub Valor essential oil blend on wrists to ease anxiety and yield confidence.
*  Rub on the bottom of the feet to help align and balance the body systems.


Through my work as a massage therapist, I find that both Valor and the blend Release are effective in loosening the fascia and assisting me to get to deeper layers within the muscles.

Ann
Young Living distributor # 889249
Order Valor essential oil blend here.
(a distributor number is needed to place an order... having one of your own allows you to purchase at distributor cost with is lower than the listed prices... information on getting one for yourself is available here.)

Common question: What if I fall asleep/snore during a massage?

Your massage therapist will consider it a compliment, for it shows that you are very relaxed. 

The best analogy that I can think of is how in some cultures such as Germany and Bengalis it is considered a compliment to the chef for one to burp after eating a good meal.

Your massage will proceed as usual, and you will be gently awoken when it is time to roll over, or the massage is done.

Essential oil: Rosemary

(Rosmarinus officinalis CT cineol)

Rosemary has a history of being used medicinally both internally as well as topically.  Internally it is said to help as a digestive aid and expectorant; to reduce depression, headaches and muscles spasms; to help promote menstruation and bile production; and even provides some protection from radiation poisoning.  Externally, when the oil is part of an ointment, it has been used to clean wounds, and treat sores, bruising, and eczema.

Rosemary can be an irritant, so it is important not to over use it, as well to dilute it when you do.

It is available guaranteed to be therapeutic grade both as a single oil, as well as in blends such as Young Living's Thieves oil..
 It is important to make sure that you get therapeutic grade, as all essential oils are not created equally.

Young Living recommends:
When using Rosemary oil as a supplement, dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid such as soy or rice milk.

Possible skin sensitivity. If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician. Dilution recommended for both topical and internal use. Dilute before using on sensitive areas such as the face, neck, genital area, etc. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use on children under 4 years of age.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis CT cineol) has a fresh, herbaceous, sweet, slightly medicinal aroma. An energizing oil, it may be beneficial for helping to restore mental alertness when experiencing fatigue.* It is also a popular ingredient in skin and hair care products. This oil should be diluted before use and is recommended for adult use only. Rosemary may also be used to enhance the flavor of foods while cooking. Rosemary has an approximate ORAC of 3,309 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter.

Ann
Young Living distributor # 889249
Order Rosemary therapeutic grade oil here.
(a distributor number is needed to place an order... having one of your own allows you to purchase at distributor cost with is lower than the listed prices... information on getting one for yourself is available here.)

Common question: Is it possible to be too old to get bodywork?

The simple answer is 'no'.
We are never too old to benefit from touch.
As we age our skin loses collagen and thins. Some of the techniques which are rougher on the skin, such as friction, might be contraindicated, yet there are still many techniques which are of great benefit.

A contraindication is a condition, factor, or reason to withhold a certain treatment or technique; whether that treatment or therapy is drug, surgical, or alternative.
Age, in and of itself, is not a contraindication for massage.

In fact, just the opposite. Massage can help reduce many of the aches and pains we develop as we age.

Shortly after graduating from massage school, the "Nana" of a good friend developed sciatic pain which rapidly halted her usually very active lifestyle at age 89. Despite numerous tests, the doctors couldn't figure out the source of her pain. It reached a point that the doctors were recommending exploratory surgery to try to figure out the source of her pain.

Though it could easily inspire a rant from me, I'm not going to address all of the reasons that I consider the suggestion of 'exploratory' surgery on a person at age 89 irresponsible, from the perspective of the Hippocratic oath to "do no harm".

My friend suggested to his Nana that she try me first, and she did.
We chose a one month plan of her having 2 appointments per week.
Each appointment was a 1 hour full body massage including some passive stretches for the hip area.

She knew by the end of the second week that she wouldn't be needing the surgery.
We did two appointments that following week, but then reduced frequency to one appointment per week for the next month. The next month we reduced the appointments to bi-weekly, and from then on to once a month.

I was blessed to get to work on her right up until her passing. It was a gift for me to get to know someone who gave everyone around them a wonderful example of staying active, loving, and living life to its fullest.

Essential oil blend: Thieves

Thieves oil is a must have blend for its strong anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties, and broad range of uses. Thieves® was created based on research about four thieves in France who covered themselves with cloves, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing plague victims. This proprietary essential oil blend was university tested for its cleansing abilities. It is highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health.

It contains:
Clove† (Syzygium aromaticum), lemon† (Citrus limon), cinnamon† (Cinnamomum verum), Eucalyptus radiata† and rosemary† (Rosmarinus officinalis CT 1,8 cineol)


Some of the recommended uses include:
* Put a few drops of Thieves essential oil blend in a capsule and swallow with water to support your immune system
* Put in a few drops of Thieves essential oil blend in your dishwater or dishwasher to thoroughly clean dishes and eliminate odor
* Diffuse Thieves essential oil blend for 15–30 minutes in your home or office to help eliminate airborne bacteria

With the current concern about radiation, and all of the questions surrounding the health issues of using potassium iodine (it can only be used once, it will only offer protection for about 2 weeks, and it cannot be used by people with hypo-thyroid, such as myself). Needless to say, I found it very interesting to learn that rosemary offers protection against radiation.
If faced w/ the fear of radiation poisoning, I plan to take a capsule of Thieves 2 or 3 times per day, as well as eat miso soup once per day.

It is also available in various home and personal care products, including Young Living's Thieves® Household Cleaner, Thieves® Spray, Thieves® Wipes, Thieves® Lozenges, Thieves® Dentarome Plus™ and Thieves® Dentarome Ultra™ toothpastes, and Thieves® Fresh Essence Plus™ Mouthwash.

Personal testimonial:
To date, I have used the oil for several years, and over the past year have also included using the Dentarome Ultra.

Before I started using essential oils, I was very prone to winter illnesses in particular. Fall and Winter are the seasons that have always been hardest on my energy levels, and development of hypothyroidism (21 years ago) certainly hints to a compromised immune system.

When ever anyone living in or visiting my home has a cold or flu,  I simply put a few drops of Thieves into a gel capsule and take it internally.  In the last 6 years, I can only think of twice that I have even gotten slightly sick with a cold or flu in the winter, and both times I was down for half the time as those around me who still refuse to try my oils.

One drop of therapeutic essential oil has many times the healing agents of a dried version of the spice or plant.  I am the first to admit that Thieves oil is strong with "heat" if you take it orally without the capsule, and it might be too strong for some to handle this way.  That being said, I have found that it is very effective for oral care.
 
Thieves oil contains clove oil which is most effective for mouth (especially tooth) pain.
The use of it even appears in the movie 'the Marathon Man' starring Dustin Hoffman and Sir Laurence Olivier.  The clove oil is used by Olivier's character when he tortures Hoffman's character causing dental pain, and then demonstrates his "power" by removing that pain immediately, simply by applying some oil.  I have also found personally, that direct application w/ a q-tip w/ Thieves oil can reduce and prevent development of oral abscesses without taking antibiotics due to the other oils in the blend.

Last year, I was told during a dental exam that I was developing the early stages of periodontal issues on a couple of my teeth, and they wanted me to schedule a special "deep" cleaning for them, so I did.
I also immediately started using the Dentarome Ultra toothpaste.
When I went for the scheduled appointment a couple months later, the dental hygienist couldn't understand why the procedure had been ordered. The signs of early periodontal issues were gone, and the extra deep cleaning was no longer needed.  I just happened to have a tube of the toothpaste in my purse, so I showed it to her and told her that it was the only change that I had made in my dental regime.  She validated that every oil on the list was beneficial, and also got very excited about the inclusion of xylitol, for she had done a research paper on it while in school and considers it excellent. Her only concern was that it doesn't contain any fluoride.  Having been designed by a naturopathic doctor, I'm not surprised that fluoride was omitted, since fluoride is seen as questionable by some.
I chose to listen to the hygienist, and have added a mouthwash containing fluoride to my oral care regime.

Ann
Young Living distributor # 889249
Order Thieves therapeutic oil blend here
Order Thieves Dentrarome Ultra here
(a distributor number is needed to place an order... having one of your own allows you to purchase at distributor cost with is lower than the listed prices... information on getting one for yourself is available here.)

Salem's Story: Thoughts on Therapeutic Touch

As a Licensed Massage Therapist, I would like to share some thoughts and an experience that happened prior to any of my formal training. I share this hoping to encourage everyone to trust their instincts and positive loving intentions.

We are not meant to live in isolation, even if at times we may wish to. We are as interconnected as the parts of the body or as the leaves on a single tree. Physics refers to "the Butterfly Effect" to demonstrate and explain the vast potential of ripple effects due to this absolute interconnectedness of everything.

On an interpersonal level, we each have an energetic field often called an aura, which surrounds us. We impact upon and influence one another whenever these fields come into contact. When interactions are taken to the level of physical contact, the influences go to great depths including but, not limited to, energy, muscles, thoughts and moods. Safe, non-sexual, physical contact is so critical to our total health that I would add it to the list of survival necessities along with food, water and air. Consider both, stories of orphaned Chinese infants who died in large numbers from "failure to thrive" due to lack of touch and the common experience of keeping vigil over a dying loved one only to have them pass when you are briefly out of the room. We find ourselves in a culture which keeps us feeling isolated and disconnected, even within a sea of people. It is an extension of or societal and in turn individual disconnection with nature, our mother. Eastern Philosophy teaches that we have both Mother Earth and Father Heaven, Our bodies being the fullest expression of their union. Disconnected from both touch and the Spiritual, with not even a moment of silence honoring the concept of meditation allowed in most schools, it is little wonder that drug companies are getting away with "pushing" drugs such as anti-depressants with cute cartoon advertisements on the television.

Each one of us does have the power to make changes and be an influence through our daily interactions. It is as simple as being kind and considerate in small ways. We can trust the universe and leave it to "the Butterfly Effect" to carry the ripples of our small actions on to precipitate greater change.

One month prior to my entering Massage Therapy School, I met an eight week old, black manx kitten who had been stepped on by a three hundred pound man on his tenth day of life. His injury was to the neck and shoulder area. Though he didn't move for weeks, his mother fed him and he had survived to this point. The home he was born at was considering having him put down due to nobody wanting to adopt him. He was very challenged. His neck was locked at a ninety degree angle to the left and rotated forward. He could not jump off of, or onto anything, and was one half the size of his siblings. My daughter already had two cats in an apartment that allowed one, so, I found a friend that would take him after I "fixed" him. With this in order, I took him on as a "pet project." I felt a moral obligation to try to help him if I was going to consider myself a candidate to become a massage therapist, thinking I could "learn" any touch healing for my bread and butter. I do have children counting on me! I worked on Salem, as my children dubbed him, three times daily, each session lasting only ten to twenty minutes with very gentle massage and stretching. One must never forget the clear self determination and attitude of a cat and that one will not remain present and relaxed if you cause them pain let alone irritation. By the time Salem was four months old, we had full range of motion back in his neck. I had not yet completed even my introductory classes in Massage Therapy School.

A great deal of massage is instinctual if you listen to both yourself and the individual you are working on, and for this reason, everyone has access to it without actual training. The primary function of training is to bring these instincts up to the level of conscious comprehension and understanding. So please, allow me to encourage you, especially if you have a loved one who could benefit from the touch. Trust your touch and your instincts when done with honest, caring and positive intentions. Intent is so important that I could write of it alone. By all means, do consult with your personal health care provider and massage therapist for any suggestions or any possible reasons not to do certain things based on a particular illness or condition. ("contraindications")

I should also add that I was unable to give Salem away since we had bonded so deeply through the process of the massage work. This was a good thing for both of us since due to what I learned is called muscle memory, he continued to need regular maintenance work at intervals throughout his life. I am a better therapist from knowing him. So, I thank him and honor his memory as both my teacher and my friend.

Essential oil blend: M-Grain

M-Grain blend is on my must have list of medicinal oils. As the name suggests, it is very effective in offering relief to most headache suffers.

It contains: Basil (Ocimum basilicum), marjoram (Origanum majorana), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), peppermint (Mentha piperita), Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) and helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum).

This is the oil that changed my oldest son's mind about "mom's oils".  Prior to him opening up and discovering first hand that it could work, this son was the loudest of my doubting "peanut gallery".

I had been using the oils myself for around two years, when Adam woke me up one night around 2 a.m. with a headache that had inspired him to curl up on the floor in the bathroom.

 "Mom, if one of your oils will help me, I'm willing to try it"

I got my M-Grain oil and a pot to put next to his bed so he would feel secure going back to bed.
I put the oil on his temples, along the very top of his forehead by the hairline, and generously on the back of his neck. He was asleep in under 10 minutes.

The next morning he told me that he would never speak negatively about my oils again, and he hasn't. In fact, he has discovered others that he also uses regularly.

Ann
Young Living distributor # 889249
Order M-Grain therapeutic oil blend here.
(a distributor number is needed to place an order... having one of your own allows you to purchase at distributor cost with is lower than the listed prices... information on getting one for yourself is available here.)