Terre Pruitt's Blog

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Posts Tagged ‘essential oils’

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Your Body Knows Trauma

Posted by terrepruitt on February 12, 2018

Have you ever been in a car accident? Even a minor fender bender? You hit someone or your car got hit and the damage was minor, you didn’t feel injured at all. Well, your body knows it was in a collision. Your body still senses it even if you don’t. You might not have any aches or bruises. You might even FEEL fine, but your body knows. Your mind knows. Your emotions know. First of all I want to ask everyone to start paying attention more when they drive. Please, just don’t use your phone at all. A couple of weeks ago I saw a brand new Audi almost drive right off the edge of an over pass. I was approaching and watching and wondering if I was going to be the witness of a car just sailing over the edge because the car was headed STRAIGHT toward the curved railing, but at the last second the driver jerked the car back on the road, spewing up all the dirt and dust and garbage on the tiny shoulder. And do you know what? Not three seconds later, the driver did it again! I swear! I was so bloody flabbergasted I had to see who was driving and what the heck they were doing, so I pulled up next to the car. And the driver was looking over at the middle of the dash at the screen. I believe the driver was so entranced by what was on the screen that they almost drove off the overpass TWICE. It was a new car so they were probably enthralled. Why that in-dash-computer-that-distracts-people-from-driving is legal I will never know. But I do know that people are not paying attention to their driving Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitbecause there are so many things to distract drivers. There are enough things to distract drivers without all the electronic gizmos. Well, if you have ever been even just tapped while in a vehicle your body knows. So in addition to asking drivers to pay attention I want to ask all of you that have been in any type of collision to take care of your body.

If you can, if you can afford it, and if it is something you would do . . . .go get a massage. A massage at a massage school would be less expensive than at a fancy spa and you could be helping out a student. Tell your masseuse/masseur that you were in a collision and they should be able to help your body process the trauma. If you are not one to go get a massage, then I would suggest a bath. Just soak in epsom salts. They are very affordable and can do wonders at healing the body.

If you are one to use essential oils, try a few drops of oil in the bath to help with the release of the trauma. Or use a diffuser. Some oils that can help are Basil, Bergamot, Lavender, Lemongrass, Majoram, Rose, Yarrow, and Ylang Ylang.

This is EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT SENSING ANYTHING “WRONG” IN YOUR BODY. Your body has gone through a trauma. So help it. Even if it feels fine just give it a little comfort in the form of a massage or a bath.

Of course, this is just an idea to help you process the incident!

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Aromatherapy Necklace

Posted by terrepruitt on June 14, 2017

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitAhhhh, essential oils. The claim is that they can cure many ills. Well, perhaps not cure, but help with many things. I haven’t looked it up lately, but I am not sure that there are very many studies regarding the benefits of essential oils. But to me it just makes sense that the oils from plants would be beneficial. Many medicines and therapies have been derived from plants, so it makes sense that their oils can have health benefits. The way the oils are used can give you different benefits. Some need to be taken orally, some need to be applied topically, and some can be diffused. I actually like to think they can all be diffused and in doing so you will gain some benefit. There are different ways they can be diffused. Some work well when a few drops are placed into a candle and then the candle is burned. Some work great in diffusers, the kind that get plugged in with water and the steam or mist diffuses the oil. I found a cool necklace that I like to use.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitI searched on Amazon for a diffuser necklace because I wanted to have the essential oil with me, right under my nose or not too far anyway. A place where I could smell the aroma of the oil. I found this really cool one. There are many reasons why it is cool. For one, it is pretty. I think it is described as “Golden Fireworks”. I think of it as flowers, but I think they call it Fireworks. It came with three different pads. I made the mistake of using a black oil (I didn’t know it was black, I had never seen a black oil before) on the white pad. So it turned the pad black. And it fades to a very unattractive color. But that doesn’t really matter (except when I am taking pictures of it for a blog post) because it is in the diffuser.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitAnother reason is, it is really heavy . . . as in it feels like very good quality. It is not flimsy. It is a very nice piece of jewelry. I was somewhat worried about what the quality would be like because it was a $15.00 necklace. I read the reviews and many commented on the quality and weight of the necklace, but you still never can be sure until you receive the item. But it a very nice quality.

I had asked for and received it for a wedding anniversary. My hubby was a little annoyed because he didn’t think that a $15.00 gift was “enough” . . . so I made him feel better by having him buy a few other items. 🙂

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitAnyway, I really like this. I love having the aroma of whichever oil I chose to put in it, float up throughout the day. I have different discs (pads) for each oil I use. The said thing is, when I wear it my little cat won’t come near me. She is so sensitive to smells. She hates most fragrances . . . perfumes, lotions, sprays, etc. And when I bend over to hug and kiss her the necklace invariably swings right at her and she is assaulted with the aroma. Then I take it off, but she is annoyed and won’t come near me.

But other than my cat not liking it (again, she doesn’t like any strong smell), it is a great necklace.

I just saw the other day on Facebook (I think, must have been because that is where I see everything) a bracelet that is a diffuser. It looked kinda cool because it was lava beads. You just put the oil on the lava beads and it gets diffused that way.  I think that is niffy.  But I wonder how you changed the oil?  Perhaps the it needs to be washed to get the oil out.  Oh, I just thought of that.  So I think having separate discs/pads is much nicer because you can just switch therapies really quick.

Do you have a favorite way to diffuse essential oils?  Every thought of jewelry to do it?

Posted in Essential Oils | Tagged: , , , , , | 10 Comments »

Crystal Breath

Posted by terrepruitt on April 7, 2015

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia at the San Jose Community Centers, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, PiYoThe Special Nia Events that I held at the end of March were held at a dance studio in Campbell called Range of Motion.  Well, the owner of the dance studio opened a store next door called Range of Wellness.  It sells supplements in the form of vitamins, minerals, and protein powders.  It  has a few lotions and shampoos.  It even has a few things for pets (treats, supplements, shampoos).  When I was there completing business with the owner I noticed there was some essential oils on her desk.  She just got them in.  I picked up Crystal Breath and loved the way it smelled.

I didn’t even know what it claimed to do but I loved the way it smelled so I wanted it.  I use my oils as aroma therapy.  The “therapy” part can be loosely defined.  I usually just go by the smell I feel like smelling at the moment.  That is why I purchased the Crystal Breath without knowing its intent.  It smells so good.

It is manufactured by a company new to me called Nature’s Fusion.  The blend contains eucalyptus dives, laurel leaf, peppermint, ravensara, eucalyptus radiata, lemon, rosemary, tarragon, tea tree.  The bottle does say is is a respiratory blend, which means nothing to me.  It is somewhat “mentholatum-y”, so I thought it might help with clearing sinuses.  The company’s website says:

“This blend opens pathways and increases clarity.

Clear breathing, odor control

Usage Methods: Apply to hands and breathe deeply, diffuse, rub in a 5% dilution on chest or upper lip

Research & Fun Facts

  • Filling a room with Crystal Breath can be a great way to eliminate other odors.
  • Apply to hands and breathe during intense activity or respiratory stress for open thoughts and increased clarity.
  • Some people suffer from asthma, or exercise-induced asthma. During an asthma attack, the airways tighten and close, restricting air supply to the lungs. Drinking plenty of fluids, slowly warming up to physical activity, practicing active relaxation techniques, and breathing moist, warm air can help reduce dangerous attacks.
  • In a pinch, Crystal Breath works as a topical deodorant. Dilute in water or alcohol and apply sparingly.”

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia at the San Jose Community Centers, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, PiYoI’d like to point out, the website does NOT say this essential oil blend is good for people with asthma.  The website just has facts:  “Some people suffer from asthma, or exercise-induced asthma. During an asthma attack, the airways tighten and close, restricting air supply to the lungs.”  And then states what probably most asthma sites, doctors, and asthma suffers would recommend.  This is an important thing to notice . . . this site is not making a claim regarding asthma, although it is claiming that applying it to hands will open thoughts and increase clarity.

I just like the way it smells.  I have put it on my wrists to allow me to smell it as I breathe.  I cannot attest to it opening my thoughts or increasing clarity, but I can say it makes me smile because l like the fragrance.

Since it is one of the few oils I have actually applied to my skin, I have bothered to add it to a candle to burn.  I just dab some on my wrists.  The other oils I don’t “wear”, I put drops in my candles.  So I don’t know what the effect is in a burning candle.

So, there you have it, a new to me oil blend.  What about you?  Are you using essential oils?  What blends do you like? 

Posted in Essential Oils | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Essential Oil For The Ear

Posted by terrepruitt on January 31, 2015

Remember in my last post I said I get grumpy when I am not feeling well?  Well, sometimes it is not actually grumpy but it is a feeling of feeling off.  And sometimes it is not because I am sick, but I am not feeling 100%.  I kinda mentioned this in that same post.  Well, I think I am hearing fluid in my ear.  I remembering hearing that garlic is good at helping heal ear infections.  But I don’t have any garlic cloves.  I have some garlic already minced and I don’t think that is what they have in mind.  I am also thinking it is not really an infection because it doesn’t hurt and I know that ear infections DO hurt.  But I do hear something.  So in trying to figure out what to post today I was looking at my blog and I saw the category “Essential Oils”.  I thought, “Hey, I know they can be used to treat ear infections.”  So, I looked it up.  The first site I happen to click on said something about sometimes it is not even really an ear infection it is just a build up of fluid.  Ah-ha!  It gave some suggestions on helping it too!

So since I am not having the pain associated with an ear infection, but I am sometimes hearing something . . . I think, I will go with that diagnosis.  It is extra fluid and not yet an infection.  I know not everything I read on the internet is true, but I do when it makes sense and matches up to what I was thinking.  I am doing to try one of Homemade Mommy’s ideas.

One is to dilute some Lemon Essential Oil with a carrier oil and rub it around the outside of the ear and lymph nodes.  Another is to use a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil on a cotton ball.  The cotton ball goes in the ear.  (These are abbreviated versions of her remedies.  Please see her site for the full information.  I only listed the oils I have and the ones I am going to try not all of the options she gave.)

I didn’t just look at her site, Family-Essential-Oils.com gives a list of oils:

“Essential Oils for Earaches

There are a number of single oils and blends that can serve well to support the body when confronted with an earache.  These include. . .

Melrose
Lavender
Rosemary
Thyme
Tea Tree
Peppermint
Purification
PanAway
Wintergreen

Thieves can also be a good choice for supporting the immune response when there is an ear infection.”

They recommend diluting and using a cotton swab or a cotton ball.

Every site I have looked at states to dilute the oil and rub it in and around the ear.  Of course, I didn’t think about this until the last-minute before I have to go out.  If I were just “going out” I probably could get away with putting it on my neck, but we are going to a Sharks Game so I will be somewhat bundling up so the oil would just get all over my scarf or jacket.  I will wait until I get home to apply the oil to the appropriate places . . . but I think I will put a little in and on my ear.

So what do you do when you have an ear ache?  What do you do when you have an ear infection?  Do you use essential oils?  What kind?  How do you do it? 

 

 

Posted in Essential Oils | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Homemade Soapy Goodness

Posted by terrepruitt on August 7, 2014

One time I had my husband buy me some of those yummy soaps from an art and wine festival.  They were really nice.  I think they were glycerine soap or something.  I really liked them.  The had nice names that led you to believe they had ingredients that might be beneficial — as in STRESS LESS, MUSCLE RELAXER, MOISTURE MAGIC.  But, according to the creator, they didn’t actually contain any essential oils or ingredients that would actually do those things.  So that had me thinking I wanted to find some soap that did have some essential oils in them.  Some soap that might actually BE able to reduce stress or relax muscles or moisturize.  So I looked online, of course.  I found an Etsy store for Bubbly Seahorse Soap Company.  Always a bit of a risk buying something you have never tried before, but I took it and I am glad I did.  I love it.  I actually ask for this soap as a gift.  My husband thinks it’s an odd gift to be giving, but he is a guy and doesn’t understand that good quality soap is a great gift!  I like it and it is what I want.  I am not saying it actually has properties that can reduce YOUR stress or relax your muscles or magically moisturize you, but it makes ME happy.  I love it.

The Etsy site says her soaps are made of:  saponified oils, coconut oil, olive oil, palm oil, essential oils, herbs, exfoliates, vitamin e oil, grapefruit seed extract, shea butter, jojoba oil, distilled water, goats milk

My first order consisted of:

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes1 – Vanilla Latte
1 – Love Spell
1 – White Honeysuckle and Patchouli
1 – Buttercream
1 – Birthday cake
1 – Cucumber Melon

 

Then in my second order, I had:

—LOVE SPELL (now the Bath and Body Works version! – When I bought it was was the Victoria Secrets version) – top notes of cherry blossom, grapefruit, clementines and strawberries. Middle notes are Georgia peach, black currant, and rose petals.And sweet, white musky base note.
—HONEYDEW MELON –  . . . . refreshing and invigorating fragrance and blend of floral notes.  (I don’t see this on the site currently)
—FLORAL BOUQUET – mixture with highlights of freesia, lilac, and lillies, with low notes of vanilla and berries.
—HONEY ALMOND – Blend of fresh honey and crushed almonds.

I chose these scents to be a part of a small little package of four.  Sadly, the last time I ordered I did not see the variety pack as an option.  I am not certain if she actually offers it any longer.  I really liked it because it was a variety and I learned I didn’t care for Love Spell and the Floral Bouquet.  But I really LOVED the Honey Almond and Honey Melon.  I THINK.  I was hoping she would have pictures of each scent so I could view it online and tell her which colors I liked and then she could confirm what I was thinking.  But she didn’t.  So this very last order I just ordered ones I know I like.

Funny because as I looked at my very first order so that I can tell you what I liked and didn’t like and I had already ordered the Love Spell in my very first order.  I forgot about it with my second order and order it again.  Or I might have thought I would give it to my niece, who I think likes that scent.  Hmmm . . .

Also in my second order (and third order):

—BUTTERCREAM – So rich you’ll want to eat it (but please, don’t), . . .  with heavy whipping cream, peaks of sugar, and enough butter to completely and irreversibly clog every artery you own. . . . . plus a hint of vanilla.
—CUCUMBER MELON – Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and fresh green cucumbers combined . . .

As you can see, I’ve ordered these two twice, well, three times if you count the order I just put in.  I love these two.  I don’t actually feel I want to eat the buttercream, but it does smell yummy and it FEELS rich.  Also in this very last order I just put in I ordered the Birthday cake.  It smells really sweet and edible.  It has little beads in it that go away rather quickly.

That is what I found I didn’t like in some of her other scents, like Honeysuckle and White Patchouli and I THINK the Vanilla Latte, the things IN the soap were to rough for me.  They are on one side so I tried to remember to use that side to scrub my feet, but they still escape and I didn’t care for the scratchiness on my skin.  So I am sticking with the soaps that don’t have rough stuff in them.

But other than that the ones I have gotten were all nice, I just like some more than others.

I like to share things I like in case other people might be interested.  I know a lot of people who are interested in soaps with these types of ingredients instead of chemicals.  Also, as I stated good quality soap makes for a great gift.  In fact, I was thinking of giving some of these this year as gifts.

Do you like hand-made soaps?  What scents grab your interest?  

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More On Ylang Ylang

Posted by terrepruitt on May 6, 2014

I was looking at my collection of essential oils and I found it interesting.  The ones I use the most are peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus.  The ones I use the least are Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, and Frankincese.  They are also the three that I only have one bottle of.  I bought a set that contained peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus.  I used it and bought another set.  I used those three out of the set and bought another set.  At least I THOUGHT I bought a set, but I must have duplicated my order and ended up with two sets.  Which is fine because of the three I use all the time.  Plus I have used them in my sugar scrub so that uses them up more quickly.  But I was interested in learning more about the three I don’t use often.  Also I happen to see some information on Ylang Ylang.  So I decided to do more research and report about it.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle YogaI find it most interesting that the bottle of the brand I purchased states ” . . . Ylang-ylang Essential Oil is best suited for use in the perfumery and skincare industries.”  I know that when you mix scents with other scents you can come up with something delicious, but . . . seriously???  Have you ever smelled Ylang Ylang?  It is an odd scent.  I can’t really describe it.  The words that came to mind made it sound good , but I wouldn’t really call it a good smell.  It REMINDS me of smoke flavor.  I know that is odd to assign a scent a flavor, but that is what I think of.  I have not tasted it.  I am not that brave.  In addition to smoke flavor I think of a wet barrel.  Not wet wood, but a wet barrel that might be a bit moldy.  So odd, that is what it smells like to me a smokey wet moldy barrel . . . yet it is used in the perfume industry.  And I even used it in the sugar scrub.

The bottle also states:  ” Ylang-ylang Essential Oil can assist with problems such as high blood pressure, rapid breathing, nervous conditions, as well as impotence and frigidity.”  I can see why it might help with rapid breathing because when you smell it you stop breathing to keep the scent out.  Ok, it is not really THAT bad, but I also think I am used to it.

A few different doTERRA sources have information stating it can help with “Anxiety, Arrythmia, High Blood Pressure, Lack of Libido for Men and Women, Restlessness.”  And “helps balance hormones, promotes healthy skin and hair, and lifts mood while having a calming effect.”

Another company’s website states: ” . . . . it may help with releasing feelings of anger, tension, and nervous irritability.”

🙂  Which could be a result of correcting the “lack of Libido”.

I had included it in the scrub to help relieve stress.

Aroma Web says: “Ylang Ylang Oil is a rather interesting essential oil as its distillation varies a bit from most other oils, and this can affect the composition and aroma of the oil.”   Perhaps I need to smell a different version.

Summary of benefits:

Helps with:
high blood pressure
rapid breathing
nervous conditions
impotence and frigidity
anxiety
arrhythmia
lack of libido for men and women
restlessness
balance hormones
releasing feelings of anger, tension, and nervous irritability

Also promotes healthy skin and hair and lifts mood while having a calming effect

Of course, these are claims and I would recommend visiting a medical professional to make certain there is not a serious medical condition causing any of the above symptoms.  I also would like to remind readers that every one is different and every body is different and something that might help one person might not help another.  I personally know that I am healthy enough with no underlying medical condition, that I can use this oil for these symptoms if need be.  I think it could help release feelings of anger, tension, and nervous irritability if I have them.

If you use essential oils, do you use Ylang Ylang?  What do you use it for?  How do you use it?  Do you like the smell?  How would you describe it (the smell)?

Posted in Essential Oils | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

I Smell Something

Posted by terrepruitt on September 12, 2013

I have mentioned that I have been using essential oils for aromatherapy. I put a few drops of the oil in an unscented tealight and let it burn. While I believe that is not the best way to diffuse the oil, that is one way I do it. One of the popular brands of essential oils that I am familiar with sells diffusers, but they are – in my opinion – very expensive and at this point, way out of my budget. I believe that diffusing them in the air via steam is the best way. So I had been looking for one that was affordable. I found a decent one on Amazon.

After reading the reviews on some diffusers I decided it was important to have one that indicated when the water was low. Also I wanted one that held a good amount of water and could diffuse for hours.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle YogaThe reviews on the one I ended up getting were mixed, as often in the case. A few people said it was cheaply made, well, it was a very inexpensive product compared to some that I had been seeing. But even a cheaply made product should work, or why bother? Reviews are funny aren’t they? There are usually people who LOVE the product and ones who HATE it. Well, this product was no exception. There was one review that kept me from buying it, but, then when I thought about how much oil I was wasting burning it in candles that same review actually made me take a chance.

The person had said they had bought three. Two worked and one didn’t. So I figured it was kind of a crap shoot. I figured the people who said it didn’t work probably got one that didn’t work or they didn’t use it correctly. I figured my chances were good of getting a good one. And I was going to be very careful and use it correctly.

Some people had said it didn’t diffuse the aroma in a large room. Well, I was planning on using it in a small room. What I find is that it works great in the small room and that the fragrance actually travels into the big room. There are two settings for different sized rooms. I usually use the “small room” setting, but that still gets the scent around. But I find that the “large room” setting works good in the big room too!

I am happy with my purchase. I think it does a great job with diffusing scent of the oils.  It acts as a humidifier.  It even has a light that rotates through several colors.  You might be able to see the steam rising out of it in this picture.

One new oil I bought was Bergamot.  Even though Bergamot is a type of an orange, it does not smell like an orange at all, to me.  That could be the brand I purchased.  This essential oils is associated with the throat chakra and the sacral chakra.  According to Wiki, Bergamot is a common top note** in perfumes.  Multiple internet sources say that bergamot oil is an analgesic, an antidepressant, an antiseptic, an antibiotic, an anti-spasmodic, a stimulant, a relaxant, a sedative, stomachic, calmative, cicatrisant, deodorant, digestive, febrifuge, vermifuge and vulnerary.

And can be used to treat depression, stress, tension, fear, hysteria, infection (all types including skin), anorexia, psoriasis, eczema and general convalescence.

At this point I am still only using my oils as aromatherapy – as in using their scent in the air.  I do not usually (except once) put them on my skin.  And I do not ingest them.  I strongly recommend that if you plan on using them on your skin and/or ingesting them you enlist the aid of an experienced Aromatherapist.

I thought I would give you a heads up on an affordable diffuser.

**Top notes are the most volatile and will evaporate first on your skin.

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

S For Spa, Serene, Spot

Posted by terrepruitt on August 13, 2013

I have mentioned a few times that my cat is sick. I mentioned it in my last essential oil post. As often is the case when someone is sick be it an adult, a child, a baby, or an animal, the conversation comes around to let’s say “litter box trips”. Well, part of my cat’s sickness has to do with “litter box trips” as I shared in my Good Clean Scents post. Her illness is a disease and she will have it for the rest of her life. We are treating her and trying to get her symptoms under control. She is such a good kitty, it very unfortunate that she is having anything but the best of times. Also as is often the case when there is illness and sickness involved there is stress and sadness. So some of the oils I am using about the house help with the stress. Some are even said to help with sadness and/or depression. One thing I often find helps in stressful and/or sad situations is humor. While it might not always seem appropriate it does often help to ease the situation.

This past weekend my husband had been helping out a lot especially with litter box duty. At one point he said, “Have you even noticed the ‘S’?” And I said, “What ‘S’?” He proceeded to tell me that after he scooped out and cleaned the litter box he would make and “S” in the sand (he calls litter sand). He said that he wanted to give the cat that “Bed and Breakfast/Spa like experience”. He asked me if I noticed it. I said I had not, and in fact I thought he was joking. When I get up and check the box, it looks unused I shake it to see if anything she might have covered up surface. So I had not been noticing the personal touch that my husband had been creating for our cat, Spot. I noticed the “S” all weekend long.Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCA

He too believes she is a good kitty and deserves the best so he wanted to help make her litter box trips more spa like. Serene and personal. I am still laughing. I am also a little frightened thinking that maybe he is serious. But that really is just like him to try to add some humor to a tough situation. He even asked me to make the “S”. I did it once because he was paying attention, but really that is not my thing.

Ha, I just noticed while trying to get a picture of the “S” that he does it in BOTH litter boxes. Normally the cat only has one litter box, but with the current situation we want to have a lot of available “real estate” so she actually has three. And he makes the “S” in both of the ones in the downstairs bathroom. Funny man. Although I am certain his little girl appreciates it!

I was unable to get a shot of the “S” where you can see it, so this photo of our cat’s litter box is courtesy of John. Thanks, Hon!

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Good Clean Scents

Posted by terrepruitt on August 8, 2013

I think I mentioned in a post somewhere that my cat is sick.  For you animal lovers, please know that we have been to the vet and we are working on a treatment and so the cat is getting medical attention and we have a plan.  But with this condition comes some unpleasant symptoms.  As many of you have experienced a situation where someone is sick you might be aware of the unpleasant odors that accompany certain situations.  I love candles and I have many with wonderful scents and fragrances.  I love to burn them to add to the comfort of our home.  Many companies have recently produced a lot of fruity and fun type of scents.  All of those scents are lovely when you are just wanting to light a candle for the ambiance.  But when you want to scrub the air and really have the odor be gone a pretty little tea light is not going to do the trick.  While I imagine a diffuser would be the best way to use the essential oils, I have been put mine in candles.  I actually feel that the essential oils help disinfect the air and not just mask the odor.  I could just be deceiving myself, I don’t know, but I DO know that the essential oils help elevate the smell whereas the fru-fru candles do not.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYoWhat I do is put a mixture of drops in a tealight.  And place them around the house.

Since my cat’s disease involves her digestive system I usually add a few drops of Peppermint to a non-scented tea light.  Peppermint essential oil contains menthol, which is a proven aid to digestion.  While the “proven aid” could mean through oral consumption . . . I hope that breathing it in assist with the digestion.  Because there is no way I can feed it to my cat!  It also helps with nervous stress.

I often use lavender essential oil for calming nerves.  Plus it is a nice scent to have around the house.  I feel it helps deodorize the air.

Another essential oil I use to help scrub the air is Tea Tree.  I think of its strong scent as fighting off bacteria, fungus, and viruses.  I recently used this in the sugar scrub I made for these very same properties.

I use Eucalyptus because of its strong menthol type of aroma.  It really helps combat odor.

I also use Ylang, Ylang because it helps with nervous conditions and is used in perfumes and cosmetics (for its aroma).

Sometimes I will have a candle with Lemon-grass essential oil in it because of its anti-depressant affects and its antiseptic properties.  The Orange essential oil also is an anti-depressant, and has a list of other benefits including aiding in digestion.

Again, many of the benefits might be from taking them orally or using them topically, but I think that having the oil released into the air helps too.  And since I am not going to put them ON my cat or have her ingest them the air release is as close as we are going to get.

I do not put Frankincense into a candle because the one time I did it burned oddly.  It seems highly flammable.  So while I think Frankincense Essential Oil is great to use, I don’t put it in the candles.  I have been pouring it on a paper towel and leaving it in the room.  Many sites recommend this as the one oil to get.  If you are only going to get ONE oil, they say, get Frankincense.  So I added it to my collection.  It has a strong woody aroma.  One of the benefits of it is thought to be help with the digestion so that, in addition to the strong aroma is why I add it to the scents in our home.

I really would like to get a diffuser, but I am not sure what to get.  I feel as if the “good ones” are really expensive.  So I am beginning to look at some less expensive ones and read the reviews.  Reviews are always to be taken with a grain of salt, huh?  One person “loves it, it is perfect” and another thinks it is “the worst thing in the world, not worth the money”.  For now, I mix my own oils, just putting a few drops into a tealight.  Then after it burns the oil is still in the holder and it lets off the scent.  I really feel that essential oils do a better job of removing unpleasant odors then flowery candles or spray deodorizes.  I LOVE my beautifully scented candles, but to me, they are to add to a nice clean aroma not for cleaning the air.  Since I posted when I bought my oils I thought I would share with you how I am using them . . . besides in sugar scrubs!

What do you use to alter the aroma in your home?  Do you know of a good diffuser?

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Itch-less QUICK

Posted by terrepruitt on May 16, 2013

Recently I was doing some quick cleaning. As I started I felt an itch on my arm but I had just started cleaning and I was on a roll so I didn’t want to stop and look so, I kept cleaning. I have kept my box of essential oils on my coffee table for ease of use, so as I was moving them to clean the table I remembered that one of them states it helps with bug bites. I assumed without looking at my arm that it was a bug that had bit me.  It kept itching! So I decided to sit down to find the one that helps.  I had to read every bottle. I don’t yet know which oil does what so I have to read each bottle each time I want to use one. I found it. It is Eucalyptus Oil. I put it on the spot and the itch stopped instantly.  IMMEDIATELY!!!!! I was a little taken a back. It was amazing. I tipped the bottle onto my arm again. I wanted that effect to last!

According to the bottle it says:

“Fantastic on skin ailments such as burns, blisters, wounds, insect bites, lice and skin infections, as well as to combat the effects of colds and the flu. There is also a history of Eucalyptus essential oil being applied to sore muscles and joints.”

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, ZumbaI thought it was pretty cool that I remembered an essential oil would help with the bite.  I also thought is was really cool that it took the itching away instantly.  I am not sure if the swelling went down and the bite disappeared faster, but I do know the itching stopped and that is huge to me.  I mean I have had bites before and because they continue to itch I continue to scratch them and I know that does not help them go away any faster.  So this was great to me.

Other common uses for eucalyptus oil are for allergies, asthma, bronchitis, congestion, cough, emphysema, hay fever, pneumonia, and poison ivy.

I have not tried Eucalyptus Oil for any of the other things listed on the bottle.  I have also not tried if for most of the things listed as common uses.  I usually just breathe it in.  I have allergies and hay fever, so I think of it as helping clear my sinuses a bit.

As to the other uses I can not attest, I am not an essential oil expert nor a medical professional.  I am not stating here that eucalyptus oil will assist with or cure any of the issues as stated under common uses or any of the things on the bottle.  I am just here telling you what I used it for and how amazed I was at the result.  It was great.  The itch was gone!

Eucalyptus oil is also associated with opening and/or balancing the Heart Chakra as I mentioned in my post Chakras and Single Essential Oils, you can read that post by clicking here.

So there you have one of my experiences with essential oils.

How about you?  Have you had an experience with eucalyptus oil you want to share?

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