Lemon to the rescue

I love lemon oil because it has so many great uses.  I received a text a few weeks ago from a friend who was in desperate need of Lemon oil.  She was in SLC and wanted to know if I knew anyone who could get her some Lemon.  Her eight year old son was up at Primary Children's for the week having tests done on his heart.  He had informed the nurses and his mom that no one was putting the probes on or taking them off of his chest without a cotton ball and some Lemon oil.  He had discovered, thanks to his mom, that by rubbing the lemon oil around the probes, they came off easily and he didn't have to feel any pain.  Unfortunately, his mom had forgotten the oil.  After lots of phone calls, I was able to find a cousin with lemon oil and this little boy was able to relax and know that everything was going to be okay.  What an amazing kid.  

Here are some other great ways to use Lemon essential oil. 

• Diffuse and take internally to assist with seasonal respiratory discomfort.
• • Add Lemon oil to a spray bottle of water to clean and disinfect tables, countertops, and other surfaces. Lemon oil also makes a great furniture polish; simply add a few drops to olive oil to clean, protect, and shine wood finishes.
• • Use a cloth soaked in Lemon oil to preserve and protect your leather furniture and other leather surfaces or garments.
• • Lemon oil is a great remedy for the early stages of tarnish on silver and other metals. 

Winter Blues and Essential Oils

Happy New Year!
I love the new year, as it gets me excited to make changes in my life and try to become a better person.  I'm excited to re-organize my home and my life.  Even though the start of a new year can be exciting, this time of year can also be really depressing for a lot of people.  The weather is cold and there isn't much sun shining out there.  The winter blues are real and they can be very debilitating.  Like the songs lyrics "Don't Worry, Be Happy Now", you can be happy during this bleak time of year.   I am going to share with you some remedies for fighting the winter blues.

1. Use Essential Oils.  Essential oils play a powerful role in effecting one's mood.  The aroma from the oils can immediately affect the brain because the olfactory system is so closely connected to the limbic system.  To use the oils aromatically, you can either inhale the aroma directly from the bottle, put a drop in your hands and inhale,  or you can use a diffuser to get the oils into the air for an extended period of time.

You can also apply essential oils topically.  Rub 1-3 drops on the back of your neck, along the spine, on the bottom or your feet or apply to your wrists and forearms like a perfume.  Finding the right blend of oils might require a little experimenting, so be patient.  Sometimes all I need is one oil applied once a day, other days I need to apply them more often and need several different oils.

2. Exercise.  Once you start using essential oils to help chase away the blues, you will feel better and have the energy to start exercising.  Once you start exercising, you will have even more energy and will be much happier.

3. Think positively.  Make sure the radio in your head is playing positive self talk conversations. If it's not, change the channel.  Get out of the house and go serve someone else.  Take the focus off of you.

4. Paint your house.  That's right.  Color has an amazing impact on our moods.  If you have a lot of browns in your house, the colors can actually bring you down.  Surround yourself with bright, uplifting  colors that make you feel happy when you walk into the room.  Make sure your work area, whether that is an office desk or your home is inviting.  Add flowers or pictures that make you feel happy.  Change the lighting.  Open windows and let the sun in.