Product Spotlight

November 11, 2019

Black Spruce Essential Oil – A Strong and diverse oil from Canada!

Doterra Black Spruce essential oil is harvested in the far northern parts of the Boreal Forest in Canada. If you closed your eyes and smelled Black Spruce, you would think you were outdoors at a Canadian National Park. I honestly feel like I am walking in the forest when I inhale Black Spruce. And I love the effect of this oil. Black Spruce brings me into the present moment. Black Spruce being a tree oil is centering and grounding. It is one of the oils in 2 popular doterra blends: forgive and balance. It is wonderful to have as a single oil to use on it’s own or in combination with other oils for targeted physical relief. Black Spruce is used aromatically and topically

8 Uses of Black Spruce

Diffuse and/or apply to the back of your neck, lower back and the bottom of your feet before yoga
Use alone or combine Black Spruce with Laurel Leaf, Breathe (Easy Air in Canada), or Cardamon for respiratory support.
Use to boost confidence
Use to reduce feelings of anxiousness
In a topical application dilute and use alone or with mint or spice oils for joint health / after exercise to support muscles.
Add to your morning moisturizer to brighten your skin
Use aromatically and topically when feeling stuck. It will help you move forward

November 6, 2019

The Brand New Adaptiv Line for Reducing Anxiety, and Supporting Sleep and Focus

Doterra essential oils and products have proven to be particularly supportive for anxiousness and emotional well being. This past September, DoTERRA introduced a brand new line that is extremely calming, centering and soothing. The Adaptiv line has 3 products: an undiluted 15 ml essential oil blend called “Adaptiv”, “Adaptiv Touch”which is the same blend prediluted in a 10 ml roller bottle, and Adaptiv capsules.

Adaptiv 15 ml blend and Adaptiv Touch

This blend is made up of lavender, magnolia, neroli, sweet gum, wild orange, spearmint, copaiba and rosemary. It reduces feelings of anxiousness and tension. Use Adaptiv blend at night to shut down an overactive brain. Use adaptiv through the day to complement effective work and study; and at times when you need to boost your mood and feel uplifted. The 15 ml blend is for diffusing and topical application. The 10 ml roller bottle blend can be carried with you for convenient rolling on – on the go.

Adaptiv Calming Capsules

Adaptiv calming capsules are unique as they have a plant based omega 3 fat that is helpful to our brain which is made up of mostly fats. The omega 3 content of the adaptiv capsule helps the brain stay balanced and will support healthy cognitive function and mood. It is particularly supportive when getting used to new surroundings and adapting to stressful situations. Adaptiv capsules encourage relaxation, positive feelings and mental well being.

How do Essential Oils Effect Mood and Emotions?

Essential oils are effective in altering our mood because the olfactory nerves and bulb (for smelling) are directly beside the limbic part of the brain which accounts for emotions and memories. Essential oils are natural volatile compounds meaning that they go from liquid to gas. This makes it very easy for them to enter the brain through the olfactory nerves creating small chemical changes within the neighbouring limbic area. Essential oils are a form of energy medicine having a high vibration. A healthy state of mind and a healthy body have a high vibration. In energy medicine we try to raise an individuals energy (or vibration) to obtain better physical and emotional health. As the energy of the oil raises the vibration within our brain and body, we feel better. As we use the oils consistently, we consistently have a higher vibration and things begin to fall into place; we make better choices and experience prolonged well being. When memory is snuggled in the limbic area as well, memory, emotion and aroma can all 3 trigger each other! This means that over time, the smell of an oil will trigger the sense of well being that it has provided in previous applications! We can enhance this process by deliberately creating a desired state of mind each time we smell an oil. For example, deliberately calm thyself and breathe deeply as you enjoy the smell of Adaptiv. This will fast track the association in the brain and make the aroma that much more effective in achieving calmness and focus. Another method is to grab for your oil each time you are feeling well and balanced. Smell or apply the oil while appreciating your current sense of wellbeing. This anchors the association between the oil and your wellbeing and makes the desired result easier to obtain in future applications. Isn’t is cool that we can harness this interplay for our benefit?!!

November 1, 2019

5 Uses of Doterra’s Tamer – a Childrens Digestive Blend

After the kid’s kit was released last year, it didn’t take long for doterra advocates to realize it was missing something for digestion. Tamer could be thought of as a mild “digest zen” essential oil blend. It was designed to promote healthy digestion in kids but could be a welcome alternative for adults who don’t like the smell of digest zen. Tamer is a combination of spearmint, Japanese peppermint, ginger root, black pepper and parsley seed oil combined with fractionated coconut oil in a 10 ml roller bottle. It smells most like spearmint. Tamer is safe for babies! Use topically. Roll over the abdomen for digestive issues. For food challenges, motion sickness and emotional support, roll over abdomen, diffuse, and swipe under the nose.

5 Uses of Tamer

Use when there is any type of digestive upset such as cramps, gas, boating, diarrhea or constipation.
Use when there are known food challenges
Use tamer to combat motion sickness
Tamer helps to process emotions when life is happening quickly and we don’t have time to digest our feelings
Tamer can be helpful in addressing sickness induced by stress.

October 27, 2019

Peppermint Soft Gels: Another Stellar Digestive Product

The doTERRA Peppermint Softgels encapsulate Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade CPTG^® Peppermint essential oil in an enteric coated softgel to provide digestive relief to the lower intestines thereby improving overall digestive health . One can expect relief from gastro discomfort, after meal discomfort, gas and bloating. Peppermint soft gels will help sluggish motility and indigestion thereby supporting whole body wellness.*

Description

The peppermint plant is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint and has a long history of use in traditional herbal preparations. Peppermint essential oil is one of the most versatile oils doTERRA offers and the testimonies of its many uses as a popular additive in food, beverages, and cosmetics are very well documented. doTERRA Peppermint Softgels have a high menthol content that distinguishes the best quality Peppermint from other products and is known to provide relief from lower intestinal discomfort.* When taken internally, Peppermint essential oil has clinically demonstrated its ability to help ease and relax the gastrointestinal muscles and calm the stomach and intestinal tract.* The softgels support healthy function of the digestive system and help reduce occasional gas, bloating, and other digestive difficulties.* The enteric coating allows the active ingredients to pass through the stomach and reach the small intestines where it is most effective.

Directions for Use

For adults, take up to two doTERRA Peppermint capsules before meals to reduce occasional digestive discomfort.* For children eight years and older, take one softgel before meals. For best results, take 30–60 minutes before meals.

Cautions

Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Do not use if safety seal is missing or broken. Store in a cool dry place.

October 22, 2019

Citronella

Citronella is a tall grass grown in Asia. Many are familiar with the scent. It is a crisp, fresh aroma that smells much like lemongrass essential oil but milder. Some find it uplifting. If you are not a fan of citronella, combine it with eucalyptus for a more pleasant aroma and continue to enjoy all that it has to offer. It can be used topically and aromatically.

6 Uses for Citronella:

Most commonly used outdoors to discourage visitors from the insect world. Dilute and apply to areas exposed.
Effectively combats fungal infections. Combine with wood or resin oils for internal fungus. Apply diluted over the organ or tissues of concern and repeat 2 -3 X’s a day. For surface fungal issues blend it with a floral oil.
Put a drop in shampoo to repel head lice. A nice alternative to tea tree!
Use in pet shampoo for pests and insects.
Citronella reduces muscle pain and tension. It blends well with spice, mint or fir oils for intense discomfort. It can also be intensified when combined with lemongrass.
It calms the nervous system to reduce fight and flight patterns. Diffuse or dilute and apply to the feet, base of spine, wrists and temples – or wherever you prefer.

October 17, 2019

After 3 Years of Research Doterra presents the Turmeric Soft Gel.

Bright golden turmeric has long been know for its incredible anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Many of us have been cooking with the spice for a long time and more recently using turmeric essential oil combined with black pepper essential oil for a myriad of health concerns. Well it just got better! After 3 years of research and lab work, doterra presents the Turmeric Soft Gel. The soft gel is dual chambered with the inner containing turmeric botanical and the outer turmeric essential oil. This presentation increases bioavailability of turmeric and increases its efficacy.

5 Uses for the Turmeric Soft Gel

Turmeric soft gels address root causes of inflammation and balances and foster a healthy inflammatory response.
Turmeric soft gels can be very effective in easing joint pain and inflammation. For best results, combine with copaiba soft gels. Take 2 turmeric soft gels in the morning and 2 copaiba soft gels in the evening.
Use turmeric soft gels to support cardio vascular function
Turmeric soft gels protect the brain
Oxidative stress from age, injury and toxins can be reduced with turmeric soft gels

October 8, 2019

Personal Integrity and Corriander Essential Oil

Corriander – The oil of Integrity (specifically integrity with oneself): People needing Corriander are often trapped in a cycle of serving others while neglecting their own needs. Mothers / women may fall particularly prey to this as we try to accomplish so much and be there for so many. But many good men are also far to altruistic for their own good. Many of us are raised to believe that doing things solely for oneself is selfish. And people may have a strong desire to do what is right so they forego the things that bring them joy and well being with the intention of bringing others that privilege. On the contrary, it is well accepted that one can only help others as much as they help themselves! How much time in a week do you set aside to do things that bring you joy? Corriander reduces the pressure felt to please others and reminds individuals to make time for what they love. It assists in the transition of being overly subservient to incorporating things that are pleasing to self. With that rejuvenation and energy in our souls that comes from self love, we can go much further providing for our loved ones. Choose Coriander to help you be attentive to yourself making you a better care giver. Coriander blends nicely with wintergreen, peppermint or balance creating a nice diffuser blend.

September 28, 2019

My Tasty Homemade Ginger Balsamic Salad Dressing

At the time I’m writing this post, I am 5 weeks into my recovery from hip surgery. It was time I jumped back into food prep. I made a delicious homemade Ginger Balsamic Salad dressing. I am not one much for measuring – you’ll have to use your common sense for that – but I am proud of the combination. Here is my recipe – without measurements.

Recipe:

♥ olive oil

♥ balsamic vinegar

♥ honey

♥2 drops of doterra ginger essential oil

Why cook with essential oils?

Essential Oils are 50 – 70 times more potent than herbs.
Essential oils are at their optimum for 5 years but because they are entirely pure, they will never go bad! Herbs will spoil within months.
Essential oils are very affordable costing only pennies per drop. Because of their strength, you need very little to flavour your food
Essential oils are a renewable resource
doterra essential oils are safe to take internally in small doses. See this video by the doterra medical advisory board: https://botanicalblessings.ca/how-to-use-oils/#internally
Essential oils are verified pure and free of pesticides and herbicides. Doterra essential oils are the most tested and the most trusted. Check it out for yourself here: https://sourcetoyou.com/en/quality
Essential oils add a whole new dimension to cooking as not only do they add flavour but they offer some significant therapeutic value when used regularly

Therapeutic value of ginger essential oil

Ginger is great for digestive health
Ginger can reduce flatulence, diarrhea, and indigestion
Ginger settles an upset stomach and may deter vomiting
Ginger reduces inflamation.
Ginger is good for your heart
It reduces heartburn and reflux
Ginger is good for memory and brain support
Ginger helps in healing sprains, cramps, sore muscles and broken bones

Needless to say that with a history of crohns and degenerative hip disease, ginger is a good choice for me!

September 23, 2019

My 6 Reasons to use Frankincense in the Fall and Winter!

There are many good reasons to love frankincense all year round but I tend to favour Frankie in September and through the fall and winter. September is a busy time with kids going back to school, yard work, town and school recreation programs starting, cutting wood for the winter, and all the other seasonal preparations that fall brings.

My 6 Reasons to use Frankincense in the Fall and winter?

It calms and grounds me amid the increasing demands.
It supports my immune system when fatigue sets in and/or I’m challenged by the environment. Fall has long been observed by the best gastroenterologists in Canada as a time when there is lots of challenges for people with crohns disease (or any kind of autoimmune condition). So balancing my immune system is wonderfully supportive in the fall.
Releases negativity and all lower vibrations which I am more susceptible too when the schedule is busy.
Frankincense supports healthy brain function. Frankincense has high levels of Sesquiterpenes. Sesquiterpenes are chemical constituents which oxygenates the brain. Further, frankincense is one of the few essential oils that can cross the blood brain barrier which makes this oxygenation process very effective; supporting both short and long term brain function.
In the fall we have a lot of overcast days and the days get noticeably shorter. This can have a negative effect on my mood sometime. Sesquiterpenes can be very uplifting to the mind, heart and spirit.

But there’s more to frankincense.

Over the years I’ve recommended pubmed.gov to many of you which is a massive site that takes some maneuvering. Here I have attached a link that will take you to some very specific studies done on frankincense. You will see what I mean when I say, “This oil demands respect!” Here is the link: https://bit.ly/2WSyTIv

Applying Frankincense

There is not a right or wrong way to use frankincense. Here are some things I do; but you are not limited to this list.

Put 3-4 drops in half a glass of water and drink. I always refill the cup and drink again as some of the oil will be on the sides of the glass.
I put frankincense in my diffuser necklace and aromatherapy bracelet
I apply frankincense to the bottom of my feet, my temples, under my nose and the back of my neck
I take a couple of drops of frankincense under my tongue.
I diffuse frankincense
I add a couple drops of frankincense to my moisturizers
I dilute with coconut oil and apply.
I add frankincense to a veggie cap and take internally

September 13, 2019

We could use a little focus here!

Back to school is definitely an exciting time wherein you are meeting new (and old) friends, new (and old) teachers, trying out for sports teams, signing up for clubs and choirs and more! You’ve got a lot on your mind! Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused. If you find yourself drifting away and day dreaming or thinking about anything other than the lesson, consider some essential oil support. Essential oils can have an noticeable impact on our ability to filter out distractions and remain present and engaged. Some great essential oils for concentration are vetiver and the essential oil blends balance and In tune.

Vetiver is particularly helpful when we feel our energy is split between priorities, people and activities. It will bring us back down to earth as it assists in grounding us to the present moment.

Balance is primarily a combination of tree oils including Spruce, Ho Wood and Frankincense. As such it imbues strength and stability deterring the tendency to drift away in thought. Balance helps us slow down and stay focused on a goal until it is embodied.

In Tune In this blend there is Hawaiian Sandalwood, Frankincense, and Lime which promote a sense of clarity. Also found in the blend is Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, and Roman Chamomile which are calming. In tune is especially helpful to those with a short attention span.