essential oils // everyday oils for winter wellness

it's no longer autumn.  the trees, once freckled with yellows, oranges and reds, are now shriveled up in shades of tan and leather, some standing stark alongside winding roads.  and the days, once long and bright, are now short and dark.  despite the gorgeous peachy flowers you see above, winter is here, and in the midwest we are in the thick of it.  our new normal consists of pulling on hats and mittens and boots before leaving our cozy homes, wearing layers to our flannel covered beds, and carrying tissues in our pockets for sniffly noses.  sickness is floating around and the seasonal blahs are more frequent, but this doesn't mean we have to suffer through this season; there are ways to help tackle these maladies: oils, fresh flowers, and lots of hot coca, only if overflowing with marshmallows, of course!

combating the inevitable winter blues and ailments is the main reason we bought the young living premium starter kit months ago.  it was important to our family to build up our holistic medical kit so we wouldn't have to suffer through colds and sore throats that tend to put a damper on the winter season.  now that we have two little ones and one on the way, we are more thorough than ever when it comes to preventing sickness in our home.  

over time i have noticed, as i am sure others have too, that the use of their oils change depending on the season.  for example, i tend to gravitate towards oils to help with allergies and renewal in the springtime, oils that help with keeping bugs away and sunburns in the heat of summer, and ones that reflect coziness and warmth for the months of autumn.  and then there's winter, utterly a gigantic category in and of itself.  almost every oil i have can be used in some way to help a family out come wintertime.  below i am going to share with you how our family specifically uses essential oils throughout this blustery season.  (you can expect a similar everyday oil guide later on for spring, summer, and fall!) 

*our family chose to use young living essential oils because they are a seed to seal company, meaning they plant, cultivate, distill, test, and seal the product resulting in a product that is genuine, free of synthetic chemicals, and unmatched in purity.  it is important to note: not all oils are safe to consume or to use even on small humans; furthermore, many oils you find in the supermarket are either diluted or are comprised of a variety of ingredients that will not give you the same health benefits as a product like young living.  i have learned you must check the labels on the oils and do your own research before ingesting any oils, no matter the brand.  likewise, is important to practice caution with any oil or natural remedy you are using at home to ensure the safety of you and your family.  

thieves oil blend:

- to kill airborne viruses and bacteria i diffuse this essential oil into the air around the clock.  many oils can effectively eliminate different kinds of pathogens because they are highly antimicrobial, and this one is a rockstar at it.  we use the blend thieves which contains strong anti-infectious essential oils when we feeling like we getting run down.  i diffuse in the bedrooms while we sleep and in the kitchen when we wake and make breakfast. 
- to support our immune system, i rub 2-3 drops neat on the bottoms of our feet a few times throughout the day.  i dilute with the kids but do not with andrew and myself. 
- make a tea if you're feeling under the weather.  add honey, 1 drop of thieves oil, and 1 drop of lemon essential oil to hot water. 
- add several drops to a water/vinegar blend to kill any germs on handrails, doorknobs, countertops etc.  i have a giant bottle of this that i spray on everything with without worry that it will hurt theodore if he puts it in his mouth, which he will.  obviously. 

R.C. oil blend: 

- to relieve chest congestion, mix a few drops with coconut oil and it will act like a vapor rub.  do this multiple times to get relief. you can also add a drop of peppermint to this homemade vapor rub to help relieve tightness.
- you can also diffuse this oil to help alleviate cold symptoms.
- i do not use this on theodore, it's far too strong. 

peppermint oil: 

- for fevers, apply several drops of peppermint oil on the soles of feet. mix one part peppermint and two parts lavender and use on the back of the neck and soles of the feet every ten minutes until fever subsides.  
- for headaches or to relieve pressure, apply to the temples, sinus area or the back of the neck, either neat or with a carrier oil.  avoid your eyes, people! 
- add several drops to warm water and gargle throughout the day to help a sore throat feel better.  
- use to make a soothing tea. 

lavender oil: 

- add several drops along with epsom salts to your bath before bedtime to sleep better.  
- rub on the bottom of feet to promote relaxation and to help get a good night's rest when feeling yucky or run down.
- diffuse if feeling stressed.  i love diffusing this one at night to help me get a sold night's sleep.  it is also a staple for theodore's bedtime routine. 

peace and calming oil: 

- this one i uses all the time for both theodore and stella. i rub a few drops of each together on their back and on the soles of their feet to help calm them when distressed from congestion and coughing.
- add several drops to bath water for little ones at the end of a long day playing inside. 

any of the citrus oils, such as lemon, orange, or grapefruit: 

- put a drop in your ice water for a pick me up.
- inhale or diffuse for a boost of energy if feeling blue. 
- you can cook with these!  add to icing to make amazing cinnamon rolls. 

breathe again oil blend: 

- rub on chest or under the nose sooth respiratory function.  this comes in a roll on and i always carry it with me when i leave the house. 

...and i'd love to hear your favorite ways to use oils in the wintertime. 

//

i have been researching and reading about the safest ways to use oils on my children.  theodore in particular has very sensitive skin so before trying anything on him topically i wanted to make sure i was being as safe as possible.  in addition to consulting the young living website i purchased this book which has been very informative.  i now mix all oils that i am using on him with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil.  for three year old stella, i only dilute the oil if it it a hot oil.  not all oils should be used on children and i think that everyone should do their own research before application to their little ones.  

oils are a great tool to have when it comes to practicing wellness, especially in the winter, but if used without knowledge they can be harmful, just like medicine that is used irresponsibly.  this by no means should deter you from using them because they are a great way to keep your family healthy naturally throughout the cold and flu season, just do your homework and play it safe.

for those of you who are wanting more information, here is a link to help you learn a little more about young living oils and how they can help you and your loves have a more positive physical and emotional state.  i found it to be really fascinating as i love learning about how these oils and how they can help our family.  

//

for more of my essential oil recipes, head here.  if you are interested in purchasing young living oils and becoming a member of my team leave me a note and i'll help you out, or head to this page to sign up to purchase your own kit.

note: you never have to sell anything when you become a wholesale member of young living.  in fact, most people don't!  being on my team just gives you heaps of education and support from other oil users like myself.  make sure you sign up wholesale to get your 24% off.  that is not offered to retail customers.  happy oiling, friends!