Essential Oils Part 2 guest post with Kara Bagley

For all those waiting on the edge of your seats for this week's EO post~ I had miscommunicated with Mrs. Bagley and told her to be ready with this post next Monday. Ooops! She obliged and got it done for me early.

Thanks again Kara for a fabulous, informative post!

Before I get to the Q& A from my last post on essential oils (EO's), I wanted to touch on my experience with blends. EO blends differ from company to company, but many of them are comparable to one another. There are three reasons I love to use blends.

First, it allows me to obtain and oil that would otherwise be too expensive. Whether blended with a less expensive EO (like citronella) or a carrier oil (like coconut), a blend can keep you from breaking the bank. I use Native American Nutritionals (NAN's) Serenity for calming anxiety, it contains chamomile which is around $100 a bottle! So I can get the benefits of chamomile for far less because it is blended with inexpensive EO's like patchouli and orange.
Secondly, with these oils being so potent, you will want to dilute most of them for skin contact. Some oils are blended for ease of use. I love NAN's Tummy Rub blend for traveling with carsickness and indigestion from eating poor foods. This blend can be used straight form the bottle and rubbed right on my tummy.
Third, a common practice when using EO's is if one doesn't work; try a different oil. Not all body's or ailments will react the same to every oil every time, and there are usually a handful that have been known to be effective. A blend made up of a variety of EO's that work together will give you a better chance of finding relief from your problem. My favorite bottle in my possession is NAN's Spice Traders blend. I mix it in a spray bottle 10 drops to an ounce of water and give my mouth a few sprays a day to boost my immune system, especially if I have been around somebody who is sick. When I feel like I am coming down with something, like a little soreness in my throat, a headache or low energy, I take 3 drops in a vegetable capsule filled with cod liver oil at least 3 times a day, every day until I feel better.
Once you grow experienced with essential oils you can mix up your own blends, but for a beginner this is a fool proof way to use EO's.
Now, on the the Q&A:
Q. Would you talk more about what therapeutic grade essential oils are?
A. Therapeutic grade EO's are extracted from plants in the most delicate way to preserve the fragile compounds that are essential for medicinal healing. Beware only 2 percent of EO companies in the U.S. sell true therapeutic grade and sadly trusted companies have been known to start stretching their oils to make ends meet.
Q. How many drops come in a bottle of essential oils? Shelf life?
A. 15 ml is about 300 drops depending on viscosity. If the oil is neat (unadulterated or undiluted and not extended) it will last indefinitely in the right conditions except for lemon peel which can be stored for up to 3 years. Oils that are blended have a shorter life span due to rancidity of the carrier oil.
Q. What does adulterated essential oils mean?
A. An adulterated EO is altered in some way, usually to stretch the smell or taste of an oil. Companies do this by adding alcohol, adding terpenes from another oil, adding a cheaper oil to an expensive oil, adding a colorless and odorless synthetic product, or by substituting an oil for another cheaper oil. Some of these methods can actually be toxic and health deteriorating!
Q. How can you ensure that your oils are not adulterated?
A. This is the toughest about using EO's. I have taken some classes from very knowledgeable woman who have use the oils from various EO companies. There is a test that can be done to measure the quality of the EO, but requires specialized equipment. A trained nose can detect an adulterated oil. The reason I buy from Native American Nutritionals (NAN) is because there are a number of people I know personally that vouch for the company and their oils. NAN has the lowest price at this time. Two other companies I have had enough experience with to trust are Forever Young, Forever Green and Mountain Rose Herbs.
Q. What is the difference between organic versus non-organic?
A. Like fruits and vegetables, organic is a certification the herb farm can get for growing chemical free. That being said, just because they are not labeled doesn't mean they are grown with chemicals. The certification is quite a process that small farms do not tend to have the energy to deal with.
Q. What is the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils?
A. Fragrance oils may be marketed as essential oils, but are commonly adulterated oils that are intended for perfumes and soaps with little to no healing properties.
Q. How do you properly store and care for your essential oils?
A. Essential oils should be stored in blue glass bottles away from heat and direct sunlight. When traveling, it is best to carry small amounts and leave your large bottles at home. You can purchase bitty 5/8 dram (30 drop) bottles with your carrying case from Addicted to Oils. EO's are volatile, meaning they evaporate. Always keep the lid on when not in use.
Q. Can I use the same oils for therapy as I would for making scented soap?
A Yes, soap is a great way to incorporate EO's in your daily skin care regimen. In fact, I wanted to share some of my easy, effective and frugal recipes I have been using.
Moisturizer: Coconut oil is a super light moisturizer for all your skin, especially your face. I keep it in a ½ ounce cold cream container. You can add a few drops of geranium oil for balancing oil glands and cellular regeneration with lavender to stimulate circulation and diminish scars and wrinkles. NAN makes two nice blends; Skin Care and Baby Soft that are perfect for daily healing and moisturizing treatments.
Toner: Face washes are basic, to bring the skin back to balance a light acidic solution is perfect. I use a mixture of 1 ounce water and 1 teaspoon raw apple cider vinegar. Here, EO's are great for covering up the smell of the vinegar. Fennel seed is a great one that also tightens the skin and brightens complexion.
Deodorant: Combine equal portions of baking soda and arrowroot powder (¼ cup each). Combine 5 tablespoons coconut oil and 10 drops lemongrass, then work the two mixtures together with a spoon until it obtains the substance you desire. Place in a small container with lid or an old store bought deodorant stick.

Thank you Kara! With this education, I think we are well on our way to using EO's on a daily basis~

Essential Oils guest post with Kara Bagley

I am excited to start another series here called Thinking Mama Monday. I have "met" a few of you online and a few more in person. I feel each of you have something to contribute to this community. Mondays I will be spotlighting women who have inspired me to learn more and incorporate natural parenting philosophies into my life.

Many of you know my good friend Kara (author of cooking blog, Taste is Trump) has helped me in my healthy cooking endeavors. Something you may not know is that she is also well versed in another topic I have been quite interested in. I've asked Kara to start off her two part guest post by sharing a bit about what got her interested in essential oils and teaching us about them. Without further ado, I give you Kara Bagley.

Photo credit HERE

"Enjoying optimal health has always been important for me. I learned to control how I am feeling largely through my diet. A healthy diet puts your body in a position that is always gravitating to health and healing and away from sickness and infection. The diet consumed by the majority of our society has put them in a position teetering from one side to the other, never able to fully heal from ailments.
I disagree with the way many traditional doctors counsel their patients with little good information about consuming whole foods and natural remedies while overusing aggressive treatments and harmful drugs. I have heard of doctors prescribing antibiotics for babies who look like they might be getting and ear infection and mothers willingly administering the drugs because the doctor thinks it is harmless. The fact is that many children (especially healthy ones) can get over ear infections with out any treatment and there are many natural remedies that can give a helpful boost if needed. In my search for homeopathic treatment, I was lead to essential oils (EO’s).
I started out with tea tree oil because of its limitless uses, but my first real experience was alleviating a coughing household using lavender and eucalyptus on my family’s feet. The nerve endings in your feet carry impulses through your entire body and the pores on your feet are big and absorbent, so it is one of the best ways to administer EO’s. After committing myself to learn more, I have picked up on ways to clean my home, treat sunburn, bug bites, cuts, stop profuse bleeding, dispel an ear infection, keep squirrels out of my garden…I have been able to avoid colds and the flu by using EO’s to boost my immune system and rid myself of the carsickness that plagues me every time I drive in the mountains.
Another wonderful use for EO’s is liver cleansing. Our world is so toxic, cleaners, pollution, chemicals on clothing, hair products, in our water and especially food. The liver is on overload. A little boost with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 drop of lemon oil and 1 drop of peppermint oil every morning and allergies clear up, reoccurring headaches go away, you have more energy and less sugar cravings, the list goes on. It is quick, painless and works!Essential oils are extracted from plants and contain a concentrated essence of the plant they are from. These oils have many medicinal applications ranging from emotional, spiritual and physical. God gave us these oils to treat ourselves and I believe this is the perfect time to learn how to use them as modern medicine becomes more and more corrupted by business, government and money.
I wanted to get some tangible, starter information out on using EO’s because I have had such great experiences with them. Feel free to ask questions for there is far too much to cover in one blog post. I am constantly learning more uses, please share your experience so we all can be more effective as we care for our families.
The first thing to know is that not all oils are as potent, even if the bottle says 100 %, up to 49 % could be extender (stinking FDA). This creates a big question mark when deciding how much to use and also drastically reduces the shelf life. Next, not all EO companies use the best process for extracting the oils from the plants. Some companies use a quicker, easier process which will diminish the quality of the oil, so you will want to find a good source to buy your EO’s. One last thing to note when using a full strength therapeutic grade EO’s on a baby; dilute 75% with a coconut or olive oil. Children under 3 dilute 50%. This applies for all these EO's except for lavender and tea tree, which are gentle enough to apply neat (undiluted.)
Here is an introduction of 5 staple EO’s with some of the most common uses:
Lavender

Apply lavender oil neat to skin for all burns, skin irritations, acne, rashes, insect bites and abrasions for relief, healing and to minimize scarring.

Apply a drop to your fingers and rub on temples for relief from a tension headache.

Combine 10 drops of lavender and 4 ounces of water in a spray bottle and spritz skin and clothing for insect repellent.

Mix 3 drops of lavender and ¼ cup milk with warm water for a calming bath.

Place one drop on a tissue and inhale to relax and calm, slide tissue in pillowcase for better sleep.

Inhalation can also reduce mood swings, PMS, depression, anxiety.
Peppermint

Drop peppermint oil neat on a bee sting or bug bite for pain and itch relief.

Rub a drop of peppermint oil neat on temples, hairline on back of neck and on sinuses for headache relief.

Rub a drop mixed with 5 drops of coconut or olive oil on stomach for nausea, indigestion, bloating or cramps.

Open bottle and inhale for relief from fatigue, jet lag, motion sickness, nausea, vertigo, curb appetite, improve concentration, and to calm nerves. For children, put a drop on a cotton pad and let them sniff away for a long car ride or if they are nervous about something.

Drop 5 drops on a cotton ball and place by plants to keep animals away. Or to deter rats, mice, ants or cockroaches, place along path or point of entry.

2 drops peppermint oil to 1 cup water in a spray bottle, spritz for sunburn relief.
Tea Tree

Drop tea tree oil directly on an open wound to keep clear from infection and aid healing.

Combine 10 drops tea tree and 1 oz water in a small spray bottle and spritz face after washing to heal and discourage acne.

Apply 1 drop undiluted to individual blemishes with a q-tip.

To clear a wart or skin/nail fungus, apply one drop morning and night up to 2 weeks.

Works best if you keep it covered so the oil stays in contact with the infected skin as long as possible.

Drop 3 drops in with you laundry soap to kill germs and deodorize (great for cloth diapers and other really smelly laundry.)

Mix 1 drop per ounce of water to make a bacteria killing mouthwash.

Add 3 drops to your humidifier to inhibit the growth of mold and clean the air.

Add a drop of tea tree oil to 2 cup homemade baby wipe solution to extend shelf life.
Lemon

Rub a drop on your hands to sanitize when washing is not possible. (In place of hand sanitizer.)

Drop lemon oil neat on athlete’s foot, a cold sore, wart, corn, bunion or callous day and night.

Apply one drop neat on location to stop bleeding (gums, shaving nicks, bloody noses).

5 drops in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Spray on surfaces (great for bathroom and kitchen counters) and in air to disinfect.

Soak fruit in a mixture of 2 drops lemon oil and a quart of water to clean and increase shelf life. Dry fruit before storing. Can also use this mixture for soaking dirty dish rags or cloth diapers.

Use 1-2 drops neat to remove gum, grease/oil spots or crayon from surfaces.
Eucalyptus

5 drops of Eucalyptus in 1 cup of baking powder can be used in place of Comet cleaner for sinks, toilets and bath tubs.

Rub a drop on each foot after showering each day to ward off colds.

2 drops eucalyptus to 1 tablespoon coconut oil rub into scalp for dandruff treatment.

8 drops in a cup of water in a spray bottle to disinfect, floors, counters, air, kids (great regimen for de-germing after school.)

F0r sinus problems, congestion and coughs; place a drop on a tissue, cover nose with tissue and breath.

Eucalyptus oil may be dabbed directly onto the skin to relieve pain and itching of insect bites and stings.

Mix 3 drops of eucalyptus with ¼ cup milk and add to a warm bath for relief from the fever and flu.

2 drops with 1 tablespoon coconut oil to rub on achy joints (arthritis), achy muscles, or sprains.
Once you are converted and committed to treating your family with EO's, the best way to get started is to buy what you can and have them accessible at all times. You’ll find there is a bit of a learning curve, but it does not take long to catch on. Basically the only thing you can do wrong with EO’s is to get them in your eye (ouch!) This is just the tip of the iceberg, there is so much more that EO’s can be used for; skin care, hair care, household cleaning, pain, emotional therapy, stress, even cancer. A blogger that I know and trust has a site with great info.
After you have aquired some experience with EO’s, you will never want to leave home without them, I don’t. If you are looking for an easy way to keep your EO’s handy, “Addicted to Oils” makes perfect-for-your-purse EO cases. The cases hold small vials and dropper bottles, it also has a pocket for gel capsules and band aids. They are truly invaluable when it comes to anything away from home; playing at the park, going to the pool and especially traveling.

Email me at karabagley(at)gmail(dot)com and I will take your questions for a Q&A post to follow."

Thank you Kara. We look forward to reading the Q&A next Monday!

My Grain Guru

Meet Kara Bagley, my Grain Guru.

She's a pretty fabulous lady. And guess what--She is reforming this girl who is always nervous to cook, for fear of it A). Not being healthy enough or B). Not tasting good. One simple lesson with Kara, and my kitchen phobia got tossed out the window. I'm gettin' educated, folks! I have a long way to go, but she has gotten me on the path and I'm so excited to nourish my family with great tasting food: ) Check out her food blog at Good Lookin' Cook.

Take it away, Kara...

Kara's colorful pantry

I am a corn-fed Midwestern girl who grew up in Eastern Iowa, a big farming community. I mention the corn because that was the only whole grain I was offered in my youth. Our meals were centered around meat and white bread. When I moved out to Arizona in my early adult years, I lived on Pasta Roni until I discovered the wonderful world of grains from Chef Brad. Starting little by little I was able to rework my favorite recipes to include whole grains and nutrition without sacrificing flavor. Now I have totally renovated my pantry and cook with whole grains everyday.

A whole grain is made up of three layers; bran (mostly fiber, some nutrients), germ (good fats, lots of nutrients and some fiber) and endosperm (mostly carbohydrates some protein). These three parts work together for optimal health benefits. Germ is the part left out most often. Notice the "healthy" boxes of cold cereal have a good amount of fiber, but when you read the ingredient label you will find it is not 100 percent whole grain and mostly just bran. White flour is ground from wheat stripped of its bran and germ which leaves us with minimal nutrition.

Getting started with whole grains can be overwhelming because there is so much unknown, but anyone can have success by taking it one grain at a time. I have great passion in teaching others how to use these whole grains in tasty ways. I love the inspiration I get from others in the kitchen. We all want to be healthier and feel better. We are told to eat more whole grains but many of us are lost by that instruction alone. Being a variety girl, I've gone past the corn, wheat and rice where there is a whole spectrum of goodness to be found.

Check my blog for my weekly "One Grain at a Time" posts where I will dish the most valuable information, grain by grain.
-Kara