Influenza is a highly contagious infection caused by a virus. It is what we know as “the flu.” This also applies to different strains of “the flu” including the swine flu, or H1N1. Common symptoms of the flu include high fever, cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea and congestion.

There are numerous oils that can be beneficial in both preventing the onset of the flu and aid in fighting off the infection.

The most common are:

• Breathe (One of the best selling doTerra oils in winter for this reason alone)
• On Guard (The best selling oil)
• Eucalyptus
• Melaleuca
• Peppermint
• Rosemary

There are others to consider also, but these 6 essential oils above should be your first choice. The additional oils include:

• Lavender
• Oregano
• White Fir (for aches and pains)
• Thyme
• Wild Orange
• Clove
• Ginger (for nausea)

Application of the oils:

Diffusing the oils into the air can give both the benefits of healing to those suffering from the flu and help prevent the spread of the virus, especially if the oil being used has anti-viral properties.

Dilute any of the oils as recommended and apply to the chest, back, thymus area, or sinuses.

Add 1-2 drops to a hot bath.

Replacing unsafe and harsh-smelling chemicals in your home by using essential oils is one of the many benefits of using essential oils!
Here are a few cleaning tips:

Dishwasher:
Add a few drops of essential oils to your dishwasher and clean more than just your dishes!  Suggested oils for your dishwasher: lavender, melaleuca, lemon, or wild orange.

Laundry:
Add a few drops of essential oils to your laundry and enjoy a fresh smell as well as a very effective disinfectant! Eucalyptus kills dust mites (dust mites feed on our dead skin cells and leave 10x their body weight in fecal matter behind every day, and we are lucky enough to be allergic to their waste!) add 5 or more drops to each load of laundry. Add your favorite smelling essential oil to a dryer sheet and make the whole load smell fantastic!

Surface cleaners:
Use as plastic spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of any citrus essential oil or a defense blend to disinfect your kitchen and bathroom surfaces.  You can also add a few drops of your hand dish soap to the mixture for a more soapy cleaner.  Suggested oils: (for a medium to large spray bottle) 3 or more of any of the following – lavender, lemon, grapefruit, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, thyme, onguard, citrus bliss, or melaleuca. Be sure to shake the bottle at the beginning of and throughout cleaning since the oils will separate from the water.

Floors and carpets:
*For non-carpeted floors, add a 1/4 cup of white vinegar to a bucket of water.  Add 5 drops of lemon or melaleuca.  For a really dirty floor add several drops of dish soap to the mixture- this will clean even the dirtiest floors!
*Carpet freshener- 10 or more drops of essential oil in a cup of baking soda or borax powder.  Seal in a container over night to allow the oils to absorb into the powder. Sprinkle over carpet and vacuum up.  Or, in a water based filter system like in a Rainbow vacuum, just add essential oils to the water basin! In a system with a bag or canister, add essential oils to a rag and place in the bag or canister.

Deodorize Kitchens and Bathrooms:
Add any of the following oils to a spray bottle (shake throughout use): a few drops of each, rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus, and lavender or the blend Purify.

General cleaning and disinfecting:
Add any or all of the following oils to cleaning water: orange, lemon, or peppermint.

Good luck and happy cleaning:)

Kidney stones are no fun. I personally have not had any but have had friends, family and neighbors who have and the experience they tell is always the same…..painful. Kidney stones are made from salts and minerals that stick together in and form small “stones” or pebbles. The most common ways of removing kidney stones is to “pass them” or urinate them out, this is usually a big part of the painful process.

Essential oils can be used to help rid your kidney stone faster or even dissolve it. Below are a few essential oils that can be helpful when dealing with kidney stones.

• Geranium Essential Oil – Rub on the skin
• doTERRA DigestZen Essential Oil blend – either take internally or rub on skin
• Frankincense and Lemon Essential Oils – 3-5 drops of each in a capsule every 4 hours
• Basil Essential Oil can help remove the kidney stone through the urinary tract

These are suggestions, everyone is a little different when it comes to essential oils and their health. Try these out and let us know.

This is article was taken from doterra.blogspot.com (doTERRA’s Business Blog)

Just a few drops of essential oils can make life at home look, smell, and feel more pleasant!

Even though there is plenty to enjoy outdoors during the summer months, most of us will still be spending some time indoors (at home, in hotel rooms during summer travel, or perhaps a cabin on campouts).

Adding the fragrance of essential oils to your summer space is the perfect way to create an inviting atmosphere for friends and guests, while also creating an UN-inviting environment for pesky insects.

• Diffuse uplifting fragrances such as Citrus Bliss, Peppermint, and On Guard to purify the air and to create a fresh, clean smell.
• Take your essential oils along when you travel. When staying in hotels, add a few drops of essential oils to a tissue or washcloth, and place over the air vent or fan in the room. This will disperse the oils into the air and rid the room of any odors and airborn pathogens.
• If you’re sending your child to camp, send him/her with a spray bottle and a bottle of Purify. By adding a few drops of Purify to water in the spray bottle, your child can spritz the air in the cabin or tent, as well as any mattresses or sleeping bags to rid them of insects or musty odors.

Here are additional tips on how to keep your home environment smelling fresh and staying free of insects by using all-natural essential oils. Simply add a few drops of the following essential oils on a cotton ball and place in corners or areas where insects are found; sprinkle a few drops of the essential oil directly from the bottle along baseboards; or add the essential oil to a water bottle, shake, and spritz the area to send bugs running away.

Ants- TerraShield, peppermint, rosemary
Aphids- peppermint
Beetles- TerraShield, peppermint, thyme
Chiggers*- TerraShield, lavender, lemongrass, thyme
Cutworm- thyme
Fleas*- TerraShield, Purify, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint
Flies- TerraShield, lavender, peppermint, rosemary
Gnats- TerraShield
Mosquitos*- TerraShield, lavender, lemongrass
Moths- TerraShield, Purify, lavender, peppermint
Plant lice- peppermint
Spiders*- TerraShield, Purify, peppermint
Ticks*- Purify, lavender, lemongrass, thyme

*In case the insects find you before you use your oils, the same oils that repel insects also relieve the effect of the bites.

This is an article written by Dr. David Hill from doTERRA regarding methods for keeping yourself clear of infectious diseases. Enjoy!

Unfortunately, germs and our exposure to them are a regular occurrence. As resistance and new strains continue to develop, we are at an increasing risk for serious infection.
I realize that there are many discussion threads regarding the potential dangers concerning the swine flu and other infectious health risks. There is much in the way of scientific medical research which demonstrates the efficacy of essential oils against a variety of pathogenic germs. Naturally occurring compound groups such as alcohols, phenols and aldehydes are often identified as being the most beneficial. I feel confident that it is a reasonable and responsible approach to use essential oils daily in a model of prevention and for resolution of symptoms in the cases of exposure.

In general, reducing our exposure and enhancing immune protection is our best defense. I suggest using dōTERRA essential oils in the following way:

1. Establish the daily routine of applying On Guard on the bottom of feet (for yourself as well as family members) both morning and night, which creates long-lasting and consistent protection.

2. Diffuse dōTERRA essential oils in your home routinely throughout the day. On Guard and your favorite citrus oil combined is a potent and uplifting aroma.

3. Drink plenty of water. Adding a few drops of your favorite citrus oil will enhance your body’s natural defenses.

4. Viruses and bacteria are found in staggering numbers on surfaces. Use essential oils to thoroughly clean and disinfect all surfaces you and your family come in contact with. A mixture of Wild Orange, On Guard, and Thyme is especially potent. Diluting the mixture with water in a small glass spray bottle can easily be used anywhere, anytime. Simply spray and wipe for germ-free surfaces on the go.

5. Wash and wipe your hands using essential oils. Adding essential oils to your favorite soap increases effectiveness.

6. Use essential oils in combination to enhance their germ fighting benefits. The essential oils of On Guard (dōTERRA’s natural defense blend), Oregano, and Thyme are a critical part of your family’s protection plan. At the onset of any infection this combination used internally by capsule ingestion or on the bottom of the feet can offer quick relief and elimination.

7. Maintain the basis of personal health through appropriate supplementation. Using dōTERRA Lifelong Wellness pack has immune sustaining benefits for your entire family. With an ORAC score of nearly 6000 per serving, every cell in your body is fortified.

Using CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade™ essential oils is a safe and consistent approach to safeguarding individual and family health.

Yours in Health,

Dr. David Hill

Chief Medical Officer Chairman Scientific Advisor Committee

Essential Oils for Kidney Stones

Geranium – rub on skin
Fennel – in digestzen

10 drops of pure Frankincense and 10 drops of pure Lemon essential oil in a capsule, taken every four hours.

Frankincense – purifying, calming

Lemon – dissolving effect

Basil taken regularly for six months helps remove kidney stones through the urinary tract. Basil relieves headaches and migraines and aids digestion. It removes symptoms of food poisoning, stomach infections and stops diarrhea and vomiting.

Allergies affect millions of people. Anything from hay fever, eczema or asthma are the most common reactions associated with allergies. When allergens enter the body, it can elicite the allergic reaction that we are familiar with; runny nose, sneezing, congestion or even sinus build-up and pressure. This is a common reaction to substances like grasses, weeds, pollen, pet dander, mold, fungus and even dust mites.

To help fight these airborne allergens, a diffuser will help the most. Diffusing lemongrass, melaleuca or On Guard (guarding blend) can fight against allergy causing fungi and molds. Building the immune system by ingesting lavender, peppermint, and lemon can work wonders. Be sure your essential oils are 100% pure before you ingest. Be sure the label doesn’t say “do not ingest”. DoTERRA essential oils are 100% pure and safe to ingest.

One other way of combating allergies is to make a water spritz of lemongrass or another combination of oils. Use this spritz on bedding each night to kill potential fleas or dust mites.

Lavender is great for skin, and the major plus to Lavender is that it is an all around first aid kit in a bottle.  It works for almost everything!  Calming, soothing for skin, cuts, burns, ear aches, the list goes on and on!  Buying a lavender scented cream or lavender oils won’t cut it, essential oils are the purest form of oils on the planet and they can cure everything short of cancer…for now…and they are totally safe and most can be used topically, internally and aromatic (inhaled).  The only place you wouldn’t want to put them is on your eye ball!

Melaleuca (or tea tree oil) is probably the best thing specifically for skin treatments.  It’s revered for its cleansing and regenerative properties, especially for the skin.

You could also use Geranium. Geranium offers outstanding benefits for soothing skin and is a common ingredient in many skin care products. Also useful for joint support and tempering minor aches and pains, geranium’s calming effects make it a popular choice for many essential oil users. For aromatic or topical use.

Coconut oil is what I use with all of the oils that I apply topically.  It helps it spread further so I get more use out of my oils.  Coconut oil in itself is amazing for skin. Here is the info on coconut oil: dōTERRA’s Fractionated Coconut Oil is an all-natural carrier oil that readily absorbs into the skin making it an ideal oil for topical therapies. Its feather-light emollient effect provides a soothing barrier without clogging pores and is excellent for dry or troubled skin. It leaves skin feeling silky smooth, not greasy like other vegetable carrier oils. It is completely soluble with all essential oils and is colorless, odorless, and will not stain or go rancid. For topical use.

Buy Essential Oils

There are 3 ways to use essential oils to receive the excellent health benefits.

• Topically – By applying the do Terra essential oils either undiluted or diluted onto the skin, you will receive a quick and effective benefit from the oils. They can be used in a massage, hot or cold compress, shower or bath.
• Aromatically – Commonly referred to as Aromatherapy. Diffusing essential oils into the air aids in disinfecting the surrounding area, including both air and surfaces. Diffusing the oils can help combat fungus, bacteria, mold and air-borne microbes. Aromatherapy has it many health benefits also, you will be receiving the essential oil health benefits by breathing them in.
• Internally – By ingesting the essential oils, you will receive the health benefits as the oils are taken into your system. Be sure to check the label of your essential oils. Many essential oils are made with fillers, chemicals and additives and are not safe to ingest. doTerra essential oils are 100% pure and safe to ingest. Wintergreen is the only oil doTerra offers that you shouldn’t ingest.

If you would like to learn more about ways to use doTerra oils, contact us, sign up for our rss feed, or start by simple trying some essential oils.

Melaleuca (tea tree oil)
Melaleuca is an immune stimulant. By stimulating the formation of white blood cells Tea Tree promotes and strengthens the body’s immune system. Melaleuca is known as a cure all treatment for many chronic and acute bacterial, fungal and viral conditions.

Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is regarded to have antiviral properties, useful in treating HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) infections, and to soothe inflammation

Lavender
Lavender speeds healing and stimulates cellular repair and regeneration and is excellent for all skin types. Application of lavender immediately soothes inflamed tissues.

Lemon
Lemon has antiviral properties. In a research study conducted in hospitals and dermatology clinics in Germany, lemon balm cream promoted the healing of blisters in five days compared to 10 days in the control group. Used regularly, lemon balm cream may decrease the frequency of recurrences.

Peppermint Oil
A study by the University of Heidelberg found that peppermint essential oil was found to penetrate the skin and have a direct virucidal effect against the Herpes Simplex Virus. Peppermint oil was also found to be active against an acyclovir-resistant strain of the herpes simplex virus.

Diet change
Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning that we must get it through food or supplements because the body can’t make it on its own. It’s used to make protein, which we need to produce infection-fighting antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and body tissues. Lysine has been found to inhibit the spread of the herpes simplex virus.

Lysine is in Milk, eggs, red meat, brewers yeast, fish, wheat germ, cheese

Avoid the following; peanut butter, almonds, chocolate-these contains the amino acid Arginine, which competes with Lysine for being absorbed in the intestines.