Liquid Xanax... just one more reason I love essential oils #AtoZChallenge

My family and I use essential oils daily, after a year and a half they've become part of our daily routine. 

One of my favorite homemade blends is called "Liquid Xanax" and I've used it quite a bit when suffering from anxiety. I used to take medication for anxiety, but I never really felt like it worked well. So after trying several varieties, I weaned myself off of them (with my doctor's permission) using oils - specifically Joy, Stress Away and Geranium. It's been over a year, and I'm doing great.

If you're an "oiler" like me, try whipping up a batch of this. I find it works great!

Note: I didn't create this graphic, nor do I know who did, but if anyone knows where it originated I'd be happy to credit the source. 

Healthy, and staying that way #AtoZChallenge

Staying healthy is important to me, not only because... well really, who wants to be sick? But because I've been sick (cancer) and I know how lucky I am to be healthy today.

Now I am no health nut, not by a long shot, but I very much dislike taking pills and try to only use natural and herbal remedies whenever possible.

I use essential oils to elevate my mood, increase my energy levels, kick my metabolism in the butt and to combat colds. I also take herbals like Ginko Biloba for... uh... well I forget why (that's a joke, it's for memory) and St. John's Wort for mood.

I am a strong believer in the idea that there is a natural cure for just about everything. Would I have fought my cancer with oils and herbs? No, probably not, but I would have used them to help and also the help mitigate the side effects from the chemo, radiation and drugs.

So tell me, what natural cures do you use for everyday ailments?

Y is for Young Living @AtoZChallenge

In my experience, people are passingly interested in essential oils until they hear one of a few things. The top two that I've seen... sleep and allergies.

They can help you - and perhaps more importantly your kids! - sleep. Personally, I use Cedarwood on myself. I diffuse Peace & Calming for Angie at bedtime. They work.

Allergies! I use this blend on my husband and daughter - it has been a rough allergy season, but the oils have really helped both of them. I put it on Angie's toes at night. For Lenny I make a capsule - Lavender burps! LOL

Other common "A-ha" moments include weight loss, energy, calming melt-downs, easing stress and the always popular pain cream. 

I also add 10 drops of Lemon Grass.

Remember - keep calm and oil on! 

E is for Essential Oils #AtoZChallenge

About six months ago I discovered essential oils, and I was very skeptical. My personality type demands that I analyze everything, then double check it if there's still the slightest doubt. So I grilled my friend, I Googled essential oils, I joined a group on Facebook dedicated to just talking about oils, I got a book specifically on the topic and, by chance, I mentioned it to my mother in law. Turns out, she's been using oils for a very long time.

One thing my friend said to me stood out... we pop Tylenol or Advil without even thinking about it, or doing research on side effects or what's in them, but when offered an all natural alternative made from plants we feel the need to over analyze it.

Good point; so, I decided to try them out.

So six months later, how do I feel about the oils?

Extremely frustrated!!

Why?

Because they really do work and I want everyone to use them. And I know I sound like a commercial or like a... well a snake oils salesman, but seriously, my whole family uses oils daily now. I use them on my daughter for allergies, if she has a cough I rub Thieves on her toes and she stops coughing - yes, even in her sleep. My husband uses them for allergies too, back pain, and for deep muscle and joint pain. My aunt is battling restless leg syndrome and muscle pain. My step mother, a diabetic, has been able regulate her sugar levels with oils. Several friends use Valor to stop their husband's snoring, or on themselves to help them sleep through the night, some for the first time in years. Even more friends use them to help their kids sleep. And me? I've used oils to wean myself off of anti-anxiety meds. I now use them daily to boost my energy, enhance my mood, calm anxieties and to help me lose weight.

All with no side effects, no liver damage or any of the other scary things synthetic drugs can cause.

But I'm just not comfortable "selling" anything - it's just not me - but I am super happy when I can introduce someone to The Lemon Drop Lounge group on Facebook, or help them get their own oils starter kit and then "geek out about oils" with me. Every person I have hooked up with a kit has thanked me, most of them many times, several of them profusely. That makes me feel great, and I like feeling great :)

"The Kit" is $150, and yeah, I get it - that seems like a lot, but here's the thing, they really do work and may very likely take the place of some of the over the counter products you buy all the time. Plus, you quite literally use them drop by drop. All of the things mentioned above? Generally one drop will do it and there are 85-100 drops of oil in each bottle. 

You'll often hear me say "there's an oil for that!" - so, if you want to know if there's an oil, or blend, for what's ailing you - let me know, there probably is something out there that can help - I now have several books on using essential oils. Or if you just have questions in general, drop me a line at mrspickle at gmail.com or look me up on Facebook - I'm happy to help.