One of the reasons I fell in love with essential oils was for their versatility. I’ve never had buyers remorse over an oil. There are just too many possibilities! (I can’t say that about any of the other natural remedies I’ve bought for my kids.)
1. Seasonal Environmental Support. With the warmer weather and longer days, comes environmental threats which kids from hard places tend to be more reactive to. Essential oils can promote clear breathing and respiratory function.*
2. Toxin-free cleaning. Similarly to pollen, kids from hard places can be more reactive to toxins. Plus, we have enough head tension in our lives from stress, we don’t need to get it from cleaning, too. Cleaning with oils is effective and safe for pets and kids.
3. Gardening. One of the trickiest parts of having a successful garden is keeping bad pests out and attracting good bugs in. Insecticides contain harmful chemicals that could be dangerous to pets or family members. Essential oils contain powerful properties but are safe.
4. Uplifting Mood.* Even with the sun shining, sometimes we still need help feeling energized.
5. Immune Function.* While I’d like to think the sun is blasting away all the nasty stuff, there are still some seasonal threats out there.
6. Sandal-ready Toes. Our toes need a little TLC before they make their spring flip-flop debut! Scrub them down with an invigorating peppermint sugar scrub to get them looking their best. Create a scrub by combining 3/4 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of liquid coconut oil. Add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil.
7. Preserve Produce. It’s strawberry season where I live. A quick oil soak kills off the spores that cause premature rotting. Place berries in a glass bowl and cover with cool water. Add a splash of white vinegar and a drop of essential oil.
8. Soothing Sore Muscles.* If your body is screaming at you after a long run or a day of gardening, essential oils to the rescue! Add a drop of your favorite oil to a glob of coconut oil and massage into your muscles for a soothing effect.
9. Repelling Bugs. I’m a mosquito magnet. It’s so bad that my husband can use me as bug repellent because they’ll bite me over him. We also get armies of tiny, black ants in our house that find every. single. blessed. crumb. Using an essential spray can repel unwanted pests.
10. Freshen the Air. Essential oils have powerful cleansing and purifying properties when diffused into the air. If your child won’t leave a diffuser alone, make a room spray by adding 20 drops of essential oil to a 4oz. spray bottle of water, witch hazel, or vodka.
How are you using your essential oils this spring?
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
+This post contains affiliate links.
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Everybody experiences stress from time to time. But adoptive and foster families experience unique challenges and stressors. There are also a lot of BIG feelings flying around our houses. While emotions are a natural response to the world around us, they need to be handled and addressed appropriately in order to maintain good mental health. There is a wide variety of essential oils to choose from when it comes managing emotions.
[bctt tweet=”#Essentialoils can help restore your emotional balance and improve your overall attitude in any situation” #momhacks username=”corkboardblog”]
What are essential oils?
They are naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds which are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. Essential oils give plants their distinctive smells, protect plants, and play a role in plant pollination. In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and their beautiful fragrance, essential oils have long been used for food preparation, beauty treatment, and health-care practices.
How do I use them?
Aromatically
Essential oils are quickly absorbed by the smell receptors, which have a direct link to the limbic system. The limbic system is part of the brain that supports emotions, behavior, and memory.
Topically
Topical application is a very effective method for applying essential oils because they penetrate the skin. They can be used in therapeutic touch techniques that promote trust.
Internally
When ingested, essential oils directly enter the bloodstream via the gastrointestinal tract, where they are transported throughout the rest of the body. Use this method sparingly and with caution.
Hack #1: Use them on yourself first
When I first heard of using essential oils for mood and emotions management for kids from hard places, I set out to try as many oils on my kids as possible. I was looking for that magic fix. Quite frankly, I didn’t care if they were on board.
But, we can only control ourselves.
And while that seems anti-climactic, research on mirror neurons tell us that if we’re regulated, our kids will be too.
Hack #2: Less more often
Essential oils are powerful ways to influence biological processes. Think of an oil experience as a mini-therapy session.
A couple minutes of aromatherapy every hour is more effective than a prolonged experience once or twice a day.
For the rest of the hacks, download the free e-book!
