It's all about the Frankincense!

My whole love affair, of essential oils, started out with just one oil, Frankincense.

I’d come across him and had started reading up on him in Pubmed, after hearing some pretty incredible stories of recovery from certain illnesses, on various integrative channels, at the time (4 years ago now).

After my research I remember thinking, he sounds like a good guy to have around. Fast forward a few months later, I was sniffing him with a friend, asking how much? For anyone who’s purchased pure Frankincense, you’ll know, he’s not the cheapest guy to have around. But fast forward 4 years laters, and several bottles of Frank later, I’ve come to appreciate, he’s worth every drop! And this month only, he’s FREE.

And he’s super versatile too.

Ok, let me back up, in case a few of you are like, Frank-in-stein, who?

What is Frankincense?

Doterra Frankincense essential oil comes from the Boswellia sacra tree from Oman, Boswellia carterii and frereana trees from Somaliland and Bosweliia papyrifera trees from Ethiopia. Frankincense trees are survivors. They thrive in the harshest climates and are native to Ethiopia, northern Somalia, south-western Oman, and southern Yemen.

Did you know that frankincense was the first worldwide import?

You may remember Frankincense, being one of the gifts, given to baby Jesus, from the three wise men - Frankincense, Myrrh (essential oil, too) and Gold. Frankincense, at the time, considered more valuable than gold, was also used during religious ceremonies for salves for soothing skin and perfume (we’ll see why, soon enough) and for the most scared of practices (again, keep reading).

Just as in its treasured past, Frankincense oil is highly valued in the doTERRA community and continues to be one of the most popular essential oils. It’s sourcing is incredibly unique. doTERRA have disrupted the Frankincense trade and industry with their pursuit for sustainable practices in the harvest of pure Frankincense, that ensure these magnificent ancient trees are cared for and the longterm support of the communities that deliver this raw material to the world.

Still, what is Frankincense, exactly?

Frankincense oil is produced from the resin of the Boswellia sacra tree. The resin of a tree is a sap-like substance with a high viscosity. When doTERRA obtains the resin from the trees (trees that have been passed down from father to son for generations), the trees are carefully scored five times (only once per year) or “bled” with precision (allowing for a shallow score) . This emits a large amount of gum, that then hardens into a resin that is harvested two weeks later. The trees should then be rested for 1 year.

From there, the resin is delicately distilled and essential oils are extracted, with all the wonderful pure and potent chemical constituents that make Frankincense a versatile and very precious oil to have in our homes.

doTERRA have just partnered with farmers in Oman, to plant 20 000 baby Frankincense trees in 2020. This is so important for the future of Frankincense as it’s continued supply requires that the harvesters are well educated on how to sustainably harvest so the trees stay healthy. Ashad (doTERRA’s Oman exclusive partner), is the leading authority on this topic. Thankfully the supply of our Frankincense is in good hands.

What makes Frankincense so precious?

It’s his chemistry. He’s a real charmer. With all essential oils, it’s the unique chemical profile of that oil that gives it multiple properties and uses.

Frankincense oil contains a complex mixture of monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene, Limonene, alpha-Thujene, and beta-Pinene.

The unique chemical constituents contribute to Frankincense essential oil’s renewing effects when applied topically and ability to support diverse cells in the body when taken internally.

The monoterpenes also contribute to the aromatic benefits of Frankincense essential oil, including its ability to promote relaxation and a sense of focus.

How I use my Frank (and suggested uses)

1. In your skin care regime to promote youthful looking skin. Seriously, the best! If this is all you do, you’re welcome! Add 1-2 drops into a Jojoba/Rosehip oil and apply to face and neck, post shower. Simple and effective, and no nasty chemicals.

2. For wound healing and scar reduction. Add to a carrier oil and apply regularly to the wound.

3. To sooth red and irritated skin. Studies suggest that it’s the pentacyclic triterpene (steroid-like) structure of frankincense oil that contributes to its soothing effect on irritated skin.

4. Add 1-2 drops into pure Aloe Vera gel and apply to sunburn immediately (works well with Lavender to calm the skin)

5. For perineum support for pushing or post labour recovery: 20 drops Helichrysum + 20 drops Frankincense in 30ml of carrier. Gentle massage into perineum during crowning (Essential Midwife Ebook)

6. For bonding with baby and oxygenation post birth. Apply, diluted (1 drop in 15-30ml of carrier oil) on babies crown and down spine, to support circulation and transfer of oxygen in the cells. (Essential Midwife ebook)

7. Nails needing some extra love? Simply place a drop of Frank on your nail and rub it around the cuticles and edges of your fingernails to improve health and strenght

8. Razor bumps / irritation - get the Frank out, 5 drops into fractionated coconut oil and apply.

9. Achy , stiff joints? Try applying Frank over the affected area to soothe the discomfort (works well with Ice Blue, 10 drops each into 10ml)

10. Feeling a little chesty or congested, add a few drops of Frank to coconut oil and apply over chest, throat and sinus to soothe, good for little ones too, just use 1 drop into 10-15mls of carrier oil.

11. Add to immune support blend with OnGuard + Copaiba and apply to soles of feel when feeling run down

12. Add 2-3 drops into a diffuser to calm overwhelm (blends beautifully with Lavender)

13. Add 2-3 drops with Lavender to and Epsom salt bath and soak the stress away (perfect this time of year)

14. Add a drop to your OnGuard toothpaste for oral hygiene

15. Place 1-2 drops under the tongue for cellular support

16. Inhale deeply from the bottle for stress and overwhelm

17. Apply to temples and back of neck during breathing practice

18. Diffuse with Rosemary + Peppermint for deep focus work and memory support

19. Diffuse to help support feelings of calm and balance (for all those around you too)

20. For sleep add 1-2 drops to the diffuser with lavender and apply 1-2 drops to your temples before bed

21. From and emotional perspective - Frankincense is the Oil of Truth. It may assist in moving through feelings of abandonment, distant from father, unprotected and disconnect from your truth, and can be help to foster feelings of love, enlightenment, protection, and connected to father. Inhale directly from bottle or apply to head, forehead and behind ears.

Favourite diffuser blend with Frankincense

To nourish your brain, nervous system and hormones, make yourself a warming tea and add into the diffuser:

• 2 drops Frankincense

• 2 drops Bergamot

• 2 drops Lavender

Favourite skin loving serum with Frankincense

To nourish, soothe, calm and rejuvenate, add into 30ml, and top up with jojoba/rosehip/FCO and apply to your face post shower:

• 6 drops Frankincense

• 3 drops Helichrysum

• 3 drops Geranium / Lavender

• 5 drops Sandalwood

There you have it friends, I could keep harping on about my man Frank, but just know, once he enters your life, he’s a hard one to shake.

Thankfully in the month of December, you can receive a bottle (worth $119 retail), for FREE, by simply placing a 200 point value order, in your doTERRA wholesale account. If you need help doing this, simply ask me, I am here to help you, always.

For those who don’t yet have a doTERRA wholesale account and would love to have access to these incredible oils at 25% less retail, my ongoing support and resources for getting the most out of them, and enter a lifestyle and world of health, empowerment and wellness, then head to this LINK or simply contact me at chantelhutnan@gmail.com.

The Role of Essential Oils PRESENT DAY and FUTURE

I recently had a fellow pharmacist friend reach out to me via Insta to ask if I had some info and insights about doTERRA ClaryCalm essential oil blend for balancing hormones. She had a lady customer come into the pharmacy and ask her about it, as she had read online it could help “balance” hormones.

I’ve reflected on this message for some time as it really is the perfect crossroads of my two words. So I thought I would share my perspective of the role of essential oils currently and where I know this to be heading. I actually think it’s really important to acknowledge.

Firstly, I really respect this intelligent and caring health professional who wrote this. Look at her wording.... Ultimately, she is reaching out because she cares. Instead of being dismissive, she’s remaining curious and seeking answers, so that she can help.

Health professionals like this, are exactly what we need to shape the future of our healthcare in the right direction!

And doTERRA know this, to be true, too.

Now, perspective! Let’s take a look at the current reality.

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I could justify how ClaryCalm, a blend of essential oils, aimed at supporting a woman physically and emotionally during her menstrual cycle, may assist in supporting hormonal balance, based on my own research, experience from customers, reading small sample size human trials with essential oils in this blend, understanding mechanisms of how these particular plant constituents interact in our body to bring about homeostasis, but ultimately right now, that is not the appropriate response for me to take.

Essential oils aren’t regulated by the TGA/FDA, because they fall within the natural health category. Natural health products cannot claim to treat, prevent, cure or mitigate any disease, even if there is scientific research to back it up, because this is the realm of the pharmaceutical industry, which the TGA/FDA does regulate. And we have to respect that (some essential oils are going through TGA approval as I type this).

However, after a five year pharmacy degree I can tell you that the pharmaceutical industry does recognise the power of plants. For the most part, that is how the industry started and exists today (penicillin, aspirin, tamiflu and about another 40% of all prescription medications are derived from plants). We looked to nature and then manufactured a synthetic version, for it to be able to be sold within the model that the pharmaceutical industry exists as today.

Here’s what I know…

Breastmilk, fresh food that grows, light and dark, spring water, plants, humans, animals, all coexist in a world that nature created. Some of us know that there is this intuitive intelligence that exists in all of these things that cannot be truly re- created by mankind. Much of which still cannot be fully understood by science but we know it to be true anyway. I believe that when we focus on being inclusive of that natural realm, our biology tends to self organise in a way that promotes health.

You see nothing in your body works in isolation. When you have a specific target in the body that is needed to bring about a change, you also change other parts within the body. What you do to one part you do to the whole. More times than not, when we focus singularly, in the body, we lose sight of the bigger picture.

Plants, however work differently. When we communicate to the body in the same language that it knows, ie. nature to nature, it creates a synergistic effect (versus mechanistic), allowing recruitment of all body systems to work together, to bring about homeostasis. It seems “woo woo” or “unspecific” or “magically” but what it is, is - intuitive.

So for now I focus on using these gifts of the Earth (Fun Fact: doTERRA, is a Latin derivative meaning “Gift of the Earth), to support my body physically, mentally and emotionally in the realm of lifestyle and prevention and supporting body systems back to homeostasis.

But I excitedly look to the future...

This is where doTERRA has shifted their focus a couple of years ago as they knew where and why this had to shift, if they were committed to supporting health outcomes - and so Prime Meridian health clinics were established. https://pmhclinics.com/

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doTERRA has begun to call on all of the doctors that have a respect of nature and a willingness to learn, and be a part of the solution.

Through these health care facilities we will see a a larger body of doctors and patients being educated on the use of essential oils and as a result of their integration you will see a large body of research through human trials growing. Most health practitioners have very little training in plant medicine, particularly with doTERRA essential oils. We need practitioners to have an understanding of pure plant medicine. Because like my friend elicited in this message, at present they have little idea on how the plants work that they can’t advice their patients effectively and safely, when they are asked.

And yes there is a BIG difference between “essential oils” and doTERRA essential oils. doTERRA have set the bar on quality so high, that they are in a unique position to drive this direction and integration, because of their repeated quality. 54 tests in total for every bottle, 43 in house, 11 are done by a third party, oils go from farmer to you without going through brokers, and perfumists, like other essential oils do. You can read more about these processes HERE.

In the last decade, medical publications of essential oil research has increased by 400% . That is going to continue to explode over the next 10 years, because of the work doTERRA is doing.

This is exciting as we look to a future that is not, them or us, but inclusive of both worlds. At the very least, It’s a conversation of options, “let’s try this first, and if it doesn’t work, we’ve still got this to try, too”.

And that friends, is a future I look forward too, as both practitioner and patient!

Love Chantel

100 Uses for the Homes Essentials Kit

For most this is the kit that starts “the'“ inevitable love affair that may happen between one and their oils. For those who don’t get started with this kit, eventually you probably want to get each of the oils that we will go through as they are the top 10 oil and oils blends that every home should own.

Here’s why:

Let answer this question with a few personal questions. When I ask the questions I want you to give yourself a score. out of 10. Ten being “hell yess/awesome”. Okay you ready?

1. Do you have natural options in your home to reach for when you for your loved ones feel unwell? Eg. when your immune system is down and your’e fighting something, hormonal issues, head and neck tension, tummy upset, respiratory support, an energy pick me up?

2. How is your overall sleep quality? And what about your stress levels? On a scale 1 to 10?

3. Do you have natural options for those dreaded niggles, aches and pains that pop on for yourself, your hubby or the kids?

4. How is your toxic load around the home? What’s in your cleaning cupboard? What do you do the window, carpet bathroom and kitchen cleaning with? How about your smelly things - air fresheners, room sprays, scented candles etc? Do they all contain natural, safe and non toxic ingredients?

5. And lastly, this is not a rating but I want you to actually think - why do you think so many people are looking for natural solutions today?

How did you score? How would you feel if we could move those scores up a little? Would it impact on your health and happiness? In that case, let’s dive in, becasue that is exactly what opting into the Home Essentials Kit and this doTERRA lifestyle is all about.

A little recap…

The Home Essentials Kit comes with a wonderful nebulising Petal Diffuser and is one the best value-for-money starter kits, that will save you AU$245 off retail price (don’t pay retail folks, that’s just silly). You get 9x 15mL oils + 1 x 5ml (Ice Blue) and each 15mL bottle has 250 drops and 5ml bottles have 85 drops, so they last forever.

OK, so let’s explore the prime time oils in this kit and the multitude of ways to use them:

Frankincense

It has to start with Frankincense. His notable cellular health benefits were the whole reason I got into this world of essential oils, and to this day, he remains my fav. There’s a few things you should know about Frankincense… He is regarded as “The King” of the essential oil world; there is a saying, “if in doubt, use Frank”; Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold were gifted by the three wise men to baby Jesus (so must be good); frankincense is a known “amplifier” meaning he makes other oils work better; frank is gentle and safe from birth up (he’s actually great for bonding).

Here’s some of the ways you can use him (for some reason he is boy):

1. Add a drop into your skin serum for a youthful glow and to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections and fight of wrinkles.

2. Add 1-2 drops In the diffuser with Lavender for sleep or stress 

3. Mix with Vit E/Rosehip oil for scarring, burns, abrasions & to promote skin healing. Can also apply to the nail bed to strengthen nails

4. Apply to soles of feet or down the spine, onto little people (dilute 2-5 drops in 10ml of carrier) when they are losing their sh$t for no apparent reason

5. Apply around the ears, jawline, or soles of feet when little ones are battling infection. For big people too, helps the immune system

6. Apply to the third eye, wrists or temples during spiritual practices (like yoga, prayer, breathing or meditation). Frank emotionally is the oil of truth.

7. Apply to temples, back on neck for head tension (with Lav/Peppermint/Ice Blue)

8. Combined with Ice Blue, diluted and applied over creaky joints 

9. Add to the mix for any skin irritations eg. fungal, eczema, psoriasis type lesions

10. Sniff slow and deeply from the bottle to calm overwhelm or pop 1 drop under the tongue (with Copaiba works well)

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Lavender

Sweet sweet lavender. Out of all the oils this is one that most people have had some experience. Native to the Mediterranean Lavender is one of the most researched essential oils out there. It’s notable high in Linalool and Linalyl acetate giving rise to it’s “all things calming” properties.

1. Add 1-2 drops to temples & back of neck and soles of feet for little people for sleep and relaxation

2. Add 2-3 drops (adults) or 1-2 drops (kids) into a diffuser at night for sleep

3. Inhale directly from the bottle for stress and overwhelm

4. Add 1-2 drops to a pump of aloe vera and apply to sunburn

5. Add 1 drops to face serum and apply to skin for soft, subtle skin. Add with Frank for complexion,

6. Add with tea tree for fungal/bacertial skin irritation eg. nappy rash

7. Add with Frank + Helichrysum for scars, stretch marks, burns and healing

8. For allergies - add 1-2 drops with Peppermint + Lemon in the diffuser or diluted into a carrier oil and apply behind ears and over sinuses (be careful round eye area)

9. Apply to bug bites or hives

10. Apply to temples wth Frank + Peppermint for head tension

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Lemon

One of the most versatile oils out there. I’m never without a bottoel of Lemon essential oil. Move over toxic cleaning sprays, you’ve got nothing on the powerhouse properties of lemon EO.

1. Add 20-30 drops of EO in total, mixed with 1/4 white vinegar + 3/4 water, into a glass spray bottle to make up an epic all purpose surface spray (degreaser, purifying, cleansing). Pimp with OnGuard + Wild Orange + Peppermint!

2. Add to a cotton ball and wipe over surface to rid dirty finger prints on light switches, to remove sticky adhesive, and other stubborn stains

3. Drop 3-4 drops into the bottle of the bin to rid odour. I add a cotton ball with a few drops to the bottom of the bin or in the cupboard with the bin

4. Add 5-10 drops + white vinegar to your sink to Pmake a fruit and vegetable soak

5. Add 1-2 drops to a glass or stainless steal water bottle to support lymphatitc cleasning

6. Inhale or apply (diluted) over bridge of nose to relieve runny nose associated with allergies. (combine with Peppermint + Lavender as above)

7. Diffuse 2-3 drops in the kitchen at night (and morning) after you’ve cleaned the kitchen to leave the space clean and refreshed. (works well with Peppermint)

8. Add to olive oil, apple cider vinegar to make a zesty salad dressing

9. Diffuse to uplift mood whenever in need

10. Inhale for car sickness/morning sickness/nausea (may combine with Peppermint and Ginger)

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Peppermint

If I had to choose one oil to take with me on a trip, I’d probably choose Peppermint. He is very multipurpose!

1. Instant energy boost/pick me up/get me going/clear out your sinuses (and maybe your my nostril hairs, too). Are you ready? Go pop 1 drop into the palm of your hands, rub together, and cup over your nose (protecting your eyes) and inhale three deep breaths. For a gentler approach, sniff directly from bottle.

2. Head tension - apply 1-2 drops diluted, to the temples, above the ears, and back of neck at the first sign. Can also hold one drop directly to the roof of you mouth

3. For mental alertness when you’re struggling with focus, diffuser 1-2 drops, whilst working. Blends well with Lemon/Wild Orange/Rosemary

4. Those pesky hot flashes - try 1 drop to the tip on your ear lobes (yep you read that right), back of neck, and soles of feet, to cool you down

5. Stiff neck? Neck tension? Muscle tightness? Dilute 1-2 drops into enough carrier oils to cover the affected area and give yourself a massage over the tight area. Helps to ease muscle tension. Use pre- and post workout.

6. Speaking of workouts -inhalation of peppermint was associated with increased push-up performance and grip strength, so give it a sniff the next time your due to workout.

7. Gargle a drop with water for an instant breath refresh

8. Make a spray on Peppermint + Lavender + Frank + Aloe Vera for post sunburn relief (just be careful near your bits, Peppy tingles)

9. Take 1 drop in water to soothe digestive upset or sniff for nausea

10. Add to chocolate anything (hot cacao, chocolate-peppermint slice)!

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Tea Tree/Melaleuca

Hails from Australia. Fun fact: when you come for a visit to Byron, we can take you for a swim in a tea tree lake - look brown and gross but will have your skin feeling amazing. The Bundjalung Aboriginal people from the coast of New South Wales would apply the leaves directly to the skin for a cooling effect. Over time, the knowledge of Melaleuca’s numerous benefits spread worldwide, leading up to it's popular use today. Tea tree has amazing antiseptic, antibactreial, antifungal, antiviral properties.

1. Apply to cuts and wounds to clean and disinfect

2. Apply diluted to fugally stuff (jock itch, nappy rash, tinea, toenails)

3. Apply diluted, around the area of concern eg. behind and around the ear for ear discomfort, over the throat for a sore throat, around the eye orbit for styes.

4. Dab onto cold sore, diluted

5. Apply to pimples as a spot treatment

6. Add into your all purpose cleaner

7. Add to your wash cycle, especially if you have sweaty-betty clothes (gym close, men’s work closes etc)

8. Apply to soles of feet when fighting infection

9. Use as a mouth rinse (in coconut oil) for gum issues

10. This may come in handy - Tea tree is great for removing permanent marker from skin, who knew? Before and after pictures plz!

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Oregano

One word… Powerhouse! This is the one oil that you probably won’t go through anytime soon but when you need it, it’s mighty. Important safety note - oregano is classed as a “hot oil”. These so-named hot oils can give you a burning sensation when used directly onto the skin ie. when they aren’t diluted, or a spicy burning sensation when taken internally. So we always, DILUTE oregano. Click HERE for other hot oils and how to use them safely.

1. When you are down and out - think flu (including but not limited to man flu), infections, be it viral or bacterial - apply 1-2 drops, diluted in 10ml of carrier oil to the soles of the feet every few hours.

2. Warts - apply diluted, with Frank, directly onto the wart. Protect surrounding skin and cover. Apply daily.

3. Fungal nail infections - apply diluted, with tea tree to the nail twice daily

4. Add 1 drop to flavour bolognese sauce, just ONE drop!

5. Short term ONLY, immune boost, when down and out: Take 1-2 drops in a Veggie Capsule, with olive oil, for periodic immune support

6. Mould killer: Mix 3 drops of Oregano with water in a spray bottle and spray it in corners of the shower, sink and other damp and darkened areas. Can combine with OnGuard, Tea tree too, white vinegar

7. Pop a drop of Oregano and a drop of Basil in your veggie dip or Veggie soap to up the anti! Or, mix them both with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a savory bread dip!

8. Add a drop to pizza or pasta sauce

9. Short term ONLY gastro/intestinal/candida support for getting rid of the funk. I DO NOT RECOMMEND doing this without working with a practitioner. Seek advice.

Make up an immune support blend in prep for winter. Combine 1-2 drops of each Oregano, OnGuard + Frank + Teat Tree into 10ml and apply to soles of feet if needed.

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OnGuard (the Protective Blend)

One of my all time fav blends. Did you know that doTERRA make a whole range of OnGuard products? I’m taking toothpaste, laundry liquid, hand wash, hand sanitiser, cleaner concentrate and handy travel size beadlets. If you’re looking to ward off the lurgies daily exposure to this blend is key (alongside the foundations of good nutrition, sleep, fresh air, etc).

1. Apply 1-2 drops to the soles of your feet each night before bed

2. Add 1 drops into manuka honey and add to herbal tea for sore throat/immune support

3. Apply diluted, directly over a sore throat, every few hours, with tea tree

4. Gargle with salt water for sore throats

5. Take with you on the plane and apply to your chest, diluted.

6. Add 1-2 drops to 1 Tablespoon of coconut oil and swish around your mouth to maintain good oral hygiene

7. Diffuse 2-3 drops in the diffuser when sniffles are going around

8. The old cinnamon apple dessert. Add to any apple dish. Even slice some apples, places into a bowel of cool water, and addd 1-2 drops on OnGuard , for a flavour and immune boost treat

9. Make your won carpet/car seat purifier by adding 10 drops of OnGuard to 1 cup of baking soda. Sprinkle over area and then vacuum up. Works well with Lemon added too.

10. Add drops to hand wash, washing cycle, fruit and vegetable wash, all purpose cleaner, and mould spray to keep threats at bay.

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Easy Air/Breathe (the Respiratory Blend)

1. Add 2-3 drops into the diffuser for congestion and cough. It makes the difference between sleep and no sleep.

2. Add a few drops to the diffuser with Lavender for sleep. Open airways = better sleep PLUS the aromas go beautifully together. I still use this combo and have been for 2 years.

3. Add 1-2 drops into 10ml of carrier oil and apply to chest, upper back and soles of feet when heavily congested

4. Apply, diluted, over the sinus areas for sinus issues

5. Snoring? Not you of course. Apply diluted to chest.

6. Draw out the snot - fill the bathrroom basin with hot water, add 2-3 drops and inhale deeply. Through your mouth for respiratory support or nose for sinuses. Either way keep eyes closed.

7. Working in confined spaces? This often leads to stagnant air with no air flow. Whilst in these spaces, free yourself mentally and emotionally by applying or diffusing this blend.

8. Can be used via inhalation or topically for seasonal allergies

9. When you feel flat and closed, add a few drops to your hands, rub together, to clear your airways and give you an energy boost

10. When travelling, add to pillow, with lavender for musky rooms and odd odours to support sleep

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DigestZen (the Digestion blend)

Ohh this little gem has saved me and my hubby’s buts (quite literally) a few times now. It’s also the oil that get’s the skeptics converted…

1. For the relief of bloating and gas - Lie down. Fill your belly button with carrier oil, then add 1-2 drops of Digestzen to belly button, and rub clockwise, spreading the blend over your abdomen. Stay put and take 10 deep breathes allowing your belly to completely relax. Repeat at 15 min intervals if needed (not usually, it’s usually relieved, no joke!)

2. Take 1 drop into a glass of water for releief of stomach discomfort

3. Travelling - take this with you. For relief of dreaded gastro or gosh knows what else. It may speed up the process but it certainly helps get sh:T out!

4. Can take daily, with water to support health digestion

5. Constipated - rub clockwise as above to stimulate things along

6. Sinus issues - yep - sounds weird BUT this blend works super well for sinus. Apply diluted over the sinus areas.

7. Mums with bubs - for colic relief – 1 drop in 15mL of fractionated coconut oil – apply to bubs tummy and soles of feet.

8. Eating out with foods that you know don’t agree with you? Take it in your purse and apply secretly on the loo if needed. Life saver.

9. Long car rides? Sniff for car trouble

10. Stinky onion and garlic breath - Use 1-2 drops in a 1/2 glass of water as a mouth rinse to neutralise.

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Ice Blue/Deep Blue (the Athletic blend/the Soothing blend)

This is the blend that helps get the men over the line. It has the sports rub aroma due to the wintergreen, menthol and peppermint aromas.

1. Apply 3-4 drops, diluted, to neck and shoulder when you’ve been at the keyboard too long (me after this blog).

2. Apply 3-4 drops, diluted, over achey, swollen joints/muscles

3. Use pre and post workout to aid tissues recovery

4. Apply 1-2 drops to the back of ears and temples for head/neck tension

5. Apply over the lower abdomen, diluted, for menstrual discomfort

6. Add 5 drop Ice Blue + 5 drops Frank in 10 ml, and apply daily to affected joints.

7. Growing pains in kids over 12 years - apply diluted over limbs before bed

8. Stacked it recently - bruising, swelling, skin missing - apply diluted, directly over the area to help support healing, pain and swelling.

9. Weekend activities make you realise your not 21 anymore - apply to affected area

10. Want to justify to hubby why the Home Essential’s Kit is a must-have - mix 3-4 drops of Ice Blue into coconut oil and offer him a back massage!

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So there you have it. Natural solutions for all the family’s needs. Here’s to happier and healthier homes.

How to get your dōTERRA products

For details on how to get this kit or any dōTERRA oils, click below or please feel free to email me (chantel.gough@me.com) with any questions, or if you’d like to start with a different kit, or your own custom order based on your current concerns, I can help you with this too.

I look forward to supporting you on your oil journey!

Love Chantel x

5 Simple Habits that will have you sleeping like a baby...

"I'll sleep when I am dead," "sleep is for wimps," "who needs sleep," "I'm too busy to sleep" were once common societal phrases. But times are a changing! Sleep is now an uncontested requirement of good health and has become one of the most widely talked about topics in the health, medical and sports fields. There is now an overwhelming body of evidence that confirms this. 

Most of us have experienced the negative impacts of poor sleep first hand.

Cranky, hungry, easily irritated, headaches, brain fog, low motivation - and that's just me after a single night of poor or shortened sleep!  

As it turns out sleep deprivation doesn’t just cause long-term health issues like depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, memory loss and death. It also exhibits immediate short-term negative impacts as well. These include decreased stress tolerance, decreased cognitive function, immune dysfunction and emotional instability. Are there any new mothers out there nodding their heads?

Sleep-deprived people report significantly greater subjective stress, anger, anxiety, and response to low-grade stress. Sleep loss also increases cortisol levels, which can be the beginning of Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal axis dysfunction (aka Adrenal Fatigue), and sleep deprivation also decreases short-term memory, reduces learning capacity, and causes a decline in mental stamina and reduction in attention. Not what we want for our children or ourselves!

Lack of sleep can be viewed as a chronic stressor. As the body tries to maintain homeostasis, sleep deprivation overloads the body’s capacity to do that, which results in increased disease risk.       

So if you are:

• Sleeping less than 7 hours a night?
• Struggling to fall to sleep?
• Waking often during the night?
• Feel like your becoming more forgetful, exhausted, unable to focus, unable to deal with stress?
• Not recovering well from exercise?
• Are craving sugar and or food all day?

Then it is time you start prioritizing and nailing your sleep ASAP! And it starts well before bedtime. 

1. Expose your skin and eyes to at least 30 minutes of sunlight every day (that is without sunglasses or sunscreen).

• When we absorb UVB rays through our skin, that leads to the production of the fat-soluble vitamin, Vitamins D (super duper important and Aussies are becoming alarmingly more deficient).
• Vit D triggers an enzyme called tryptophan hydroxylase which converts tryptophan into serotonin.
• Serotonin if you haven't heard is a really important neurotransmitter that regulates behavior, appetite, perceptions, memory, and emotions. It's our happy chemical. 
• Serotonin can then be converted into melatonin, our sleep hormone. 
• This can be broken up into morning, midday and afternoon. For example, eat your breakfast outside, enjoy your lunch or simply take a break and step out of the office. 

2. Power down your lights as the sun goes down

• Yep bring out the candles, turn off the ceiling lights and turn on the lamps.
• You also want to avoid looking into your electronic devices including the TV.
• Most electronic devices do have a form of night mode or brightness lowering action. Make sure this is on and set.
• Blue light is so much more suppressive on melatonin production (our sleep hormone).
• If the above all seems too hard for you but you're really serious, which you should be, get yourself some orange tinted glasses to pop on as the sun goes down.

3. Optimise you sleep nutrition

• Most people do best to go to bed neither too hungry nor too full.
• In terms of macronutrients, both very low-fat and very low-carb diets can also lead to insomnia.
• Carbs increase the ability of tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin and melatonin, to enter the pineal gland, so if you are on a low-carb diet and are having trouble sleeping, increasing carbs can make a huge difference.
• Glycine (an amino acid found in collagen-rich foods like bone broth or meat on the bone dishes) also promotes the uptake of tryptophan and the production of serotonin and melatonin, so eating eat nose-to-tail and making sure you are getting adequate glycine or you can supplement with either gelatin or glycine at night can help.
• Pre-Bed smoothie: Blend a banana + 2 Tblsp Great Lakes Collagen + Your choice of milk + cinnamon + vanilla powder + Coconut Yoghurt. 

4. Take a warm shower before bed, even better take a warm bath

• Baths are one of those things when you have them you never use them but when you don't all you dream about is taking a bath
• Hot water causes vasodilation of the blood vessels in your body which results in a decrease in sympathetic tone, therefore, gives you that "Awwww" feeling when standing and sitting in warm water.
• This can be an easy and effective strategy for getting you into a more restful state prior to sleep. 

5. Essential oils

• Essential oils contain super small compounds that when applied to the skin can rapidly penetrate the tissues and enter the bloodstream exerting their many effects of which calming, relaxing and soothing can help with sleep
• The chemical components in Lavender essential oil have been shown to enter the bloodstream within 5 minutes of massaging the oil on the skin. The 1992 study that showed this, also demonstrated that maximum concentration levels were observed within 20 minutes and most of the lavender was eliminated at 90 minutes. 
• This may seem like a bad thing but I see it as a huge advantage as most sleep medications take hours if not days to be eliminated from your body and often require metabolism and elimination via our liver or kidneys. This can put pressure on those systems and often leave residual side effects.  In the words of a 2014 systematic review of the literature, “A majority of the study findings suggested a positive effect of essential oils for sleep. Lavender was the most frequently studied essential oil. No adverse events were reported.”

For those who already have a doTERRA wholesale account - this month, receive this product for free by placing a single LRP order of over 125PV through the Australian or New Zealand warehouse between 1-15 May!

Now it isn' just Lavender oil that helps with sleep albeit it's a goodie and has the most research behind it. 

I've never had a problem with my sleep. But the first time I applied my doTERRA Lavender to my temples before bed and diffused it beside my bed I woke up having experienced a different level of sleep. It literally felt like I went to La La Land. This has been one of the biggest feedbacks I have received from peeps in my oily tribe. And if you want to step it up to the next level... Lavender Peace Baby! A blend of lavender, cedarwood, Ho Wood, Ylang Ylang, Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Vetiver, Hawaiian Sandalwood). Peace had me in a dream state, which I actually don't usually achieve. 

Ok, so what if you aren't a lavender fan (gasp). What other oils can help with sleep:

A lot actually so I will try to narrow it down:

• Vetiver (referred to as "liquid valium")
• Roman Chamomile 
• Bergamot
• Frankincense
• Cedarwood
• Juniper Berry (often used for night terrors)
• Ylang Ylang
• Neroli
• Clary Sage 
• Pettigran 

DoTerra actually has a whole PDF on sleep and essential oils. Sing out if you want it ok.  

How to use essential oils for sleep:

• 1-2 drops in the diffuser next to your bed. Goodnight!
• Apply 1-2 drops on your temples and to the back of your neck 
• Drop a few drops onto the floor of your shower and let the steam lift the aroma. Plus, you'll feel all goddessy as the smell seeps into your hair and skin (Clary Sage, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Roman Chamomile work well for this as they are great for skin too)
• Add a few drops (or more) with some Epsom salts into a warm bath (and be grateful you have a bath you lucky duck)
• Make up a pillow spritzer with a few drops of essential oil in water and mist over your pillow. Don't saturate it, that wouldn't be cool!
• Apply to the soles of your feet. This is a good way when using oils for sleep with children. Remeber always dilute, use less oil than you would on an adult and stick to oils like Frank, Lavender, Roman Chamomile that tend to be very gentle. 
• Add to your tea. eg. Roman chamomile to your chamomile tea or Bergamot to your earl grey. 
• Con your partner into a message - you deserve it Babe!

There you have it. Try these five super simple yet very effective routines TODAY and continue for the next month. Report back! 

If you are still struggling with low energy, fatigue, inability to recover, hormonal issues, gut issues, sleep problems then it is time to dig a little deeper. You can request to work with me here. 

And if you want to get your hands on beautiful quality, pure and potent doTERRA essential oils to support your sleep and so much more then please reach out! You can also take a read of why I chose to incorporate doTERRA essential oils into my business here and the low down on how to order them here.  

Love

Chantel x

IT'S SIMPLE: Essential Oils Work (find out how you can use them daily)

Most of you by now will be aware that yes, I've turned into "another one of those" oil people. You can read about why I have chosen to get on the oil bandwagon here. And no the primary reason is not to "sell" you something or to make millions of dollars or to lock you into a network marketing company etc etc. 

The truth is, the quality of oils (and products) + the integrity of the company + my experience with them + my love for their properties has fuelled a passion inside of me that allows me to authentically share them with people who genuinely want to know more about them and utilise them for their health and their families health. Am I rewarded for sharing the oils - yes. Do I intend to pursue the business opportunities - yes, I would be crazy not to. 

This doesn't feel like work. I love researching and learning about the oils, hearing the amazing stories of success, speaking to like-minded people about how they use them and find benefits from the oils, supporting a company that so generously gives back to those who support them, and sharing this with you all. 

YES, YES I DO! (THANKFULLY JAN ACTUALLY DOES STAY UP LISTENING TO MY LATE NIGHT OIL TALK. THANKS ANYWAY RYAN. 

So let's dive in. I am going to start with a typical day. 

My morning routine.

Firstly, do you have a morning routine? Turns out that all the "successful" people do. And most credit their success to this so-called morning routine. I am taking  putting quotations because it has become such a thing, that I kind of have to laugh. Whilst I myself do actually have a morning routine that spans beyond the oils,  I am going to share my oil morning routine with you. Now if you are a busy mum or just busy, then YOU my dear, need this routine THE MOST.

Think of it as one minute (that's all I am asking) of bliss just for you. You deserve a minute. Actually, you deserve many minutes but let's start there for brevity and compliance. 

So you've showered, you're dressed or are about to get dressed and you go to wherever your oil stash lives.

Here's what you do:

BALANCE

• Apply Balance, doTERRAs grounding blend, to the soles of both feet. A few drops will do.
• Before putting the lid on give it a good deep sniff. This blend helps one to stay present and teaches one to ground their energy to stay focused on their goal. It is also helpful for calming overactive children who have difficulting settling down (so I am told and have read). 
• I sometimes apply this to my temples. There are days when I feel like drowning myself in the whole bottle of Balance. It was one of my first oils that I purchased after my enrollment kit and I still use it everyday. 

CLARYCALM

• Next up is, ClaryCalm, the woman's monthly blend. A combination of Clary sage, Lavender, Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Fennel, Carrot seed and Vitex. 
• These oils individually and collectively have properties to support women hormonally as well as supporting the physical properties of fertile mucus and the ovaries and uterus. 
• This blend assists individuals to be emotionally open and vulnerable. It is a powerful emotional stabiliser, especially during menstruation or menopause. *** Note: After a few cycles of me using this oil, my husband commented, how much more tolerate of him I was being in the lead up before my period. Apparently, I was usually more snappy and short tempered. Who knew?
• GUIDE: Apply to mons pubis morning and evening. Plus on the inner and outer sides of both ankles (these are the vita flex points that correspond to the uterus and ovaries)

MOTIVATE / PEPPERMINT

• Motivate otherwise known as the Encouraging blend is a combination of mints and citrus oils. 
• Citrus oils are known for their mood enhancing and uplifting properties and mint oils, especially peppermint for their stimulatory and focusing effects. 
• These oils are perfect for those who wake up needing a bit of encouragement and "pepping" up to get going for the day. 
• GUIDE: Apply 1-2 drops of Motivate or Peppermint into the palms of your hands, rub together, and inhale through your cupped hands. You can also apply one drop of peppermint to the roof of your mouth to awaken your senses and give you fresh morning breath before you leave for the day. 

FACE MIST YOURSELF

• Essential oils have some pretty amazing skin health benefits including cellular repair, improving complexion, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and soothing the skin. 
• There are many oils that host these properties and can be beautiful on your skin. 
• Some of my favourite that I put into my face mist spray bottle with water include Lavender, Frankincense, Geranium, Wild orange (note: citrus oils can be photosensitising, therefore if you are heading out into the sun all day, please leave out the citrus oils or apply at night). 
• DIY RECIPE: In a 100ml spray bottle, add 2 drops each of Geranium, Lavender, Wild orange and Frankincense + 5 drops of Rosehip oil and top with filtered water. ** In future I will add say 1-2 tsp of witch hazel to act as a bit of a preservative and also as an astringent.  Keep the spray in the fridge, shake before use, and spray 2-3 times over face and decolletage.
• Many of you have asked how you could buy this concoction from me. The truth is I really wouldn't feel comfortable selling you something that I whipped up in a few minutes in my kitchen with a dodgey computer typed label. Also, what is going to happen when you run out? I would much prefer to set you up so you can make this plus loads of other beautiful skin care products for yourself whenever you need to. It's ridiculously simple. 

In the diffuser

During the day, if I am working from my home office, I set up the diffuser on my desk. I usually let my intuition guide me as to what I feel to diffuse on a given day. For example, I might feel to use refreshing citrus oils like Lemon or Wild orange or Citrus Bliss blend (Invigorating Belnd) or I might feel for more calming oils like Frank, Lavender or Balance. If I am concerned I am getting run down I will use On Guard to support my immune system plus I love anything with cinnamon in it. It also has Rosemary which is great for boosting memory. 

There is an awesome app called Diffuser Blends that you can download for a free trial, that will suggest diffuser blends based on what oils you have. This can be useful until you develop a feel for the oils. I have only ever F%cKed up a diffuser blend once. I added Passion with Wild Orange. Two beautiful aromas on their own but together kind of gross.

Oh and I also have a cute car difffsuer that I put a few drops of oils into and a necklace. You can check them out here. 

Around the home

When something strikes, my mind goes to, what oil could I use to support that? Because they are potent, aromatic plant compounds capable of being absorbed into the bloodstream or working topically and exerting their effects, they are very powerful and useful for first aid situations. 

• Easy Air for sinus and cough
• On Guard on the soles of your feet for immune support and as a mouth rinse with coconut oil
• Lavender for bites, skin irritation or sunburn
• Frank for inflammation, rashes, immune support
• Digestzen for stomach upset
• Oregano (always diluted) for warts/fungal infections/skin tags
• Ice Blue for aches and pains
• Peppermint for fevers
• Lemon for digestion 

Not to mention they can replace most of your cleaning products and artificial smelly things both of which are major sources of toxic chemicals that can be harmful to your health, especially female hormones. If you have a store bought car diffuser or a toilet thing that spritzes - throw them out now! 

• Make your own surface spray with 5-6 drops of lemon essential oil + vinegar + water in a spray bottle to clean and purify surfaces. 
• Make your own toilet spray with water and a few drops of refreshing essential oils
• Rinse your vegetables in water and 5-10 drops of lemon to preserve freshness

Did I mention you can use them in cooking? Or to flavour drinks? Or water? Or chocolate? Now we're talking. 

• Add 1 drop or Lemon or Spearmint or Wild Orange or Grapefruit to your water bottle or if you are feeling fancy to sparkling water in a champayne glass. 
• You can use the herbaceous oils like Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary to add a massive flavour boost to meals. Eg. At the end of cooking your bolognese sauce, add 1 drop of oregano and stir through. REMEMBER: Less is more with these babies, they are super potent, so start low and test taste
• Add Lemon or Basil with olive oil to your salads
• As for the chocolate (or bliss balls, or raw cheese cakes), Wild orange or Peppermint works an absolute treat. 

Finally, my night time routine..

My most favourite part of my whole day... 

• Post-shower, dim the lights, play some relaxing music and place about a 5 cent piece of rosehip oil in the palm of your hand then add 1 drop each of Lavender, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang and Geranium and apply to your face and neck. ***Note if you only have Lavender + Frank then start with this combo. 
• Once finished, take a moment, and bring your cupped hands over your nose, and take in a big deep breath of the leftover aromas from your hands. 
• Set up your diffuser with some sleepy time oils like Lavender, Frankincense, Lavender Peace, Vetiver, Cedarwood, Balance, and there are plenty more options, to send you off to LaLaLand. 

Ok, so that's a day in the oil world at my house. This turned out to be a lot larger than I anticipated, so I thank you for making it all the way through. There are plenty more uses that I would love to keep sharing with you  but I wanted to give you a basic run down and keep it simple so that you can begin using your oils today to support your body.

They can also be very helpful and supprtive in particualr conditions or circumstances so if you do have any questions about how they may help you specifically then please reach out. 

If you would like to get yourself some oils then please reach out or go here to order. 

Ok, I hope this was helpful, if you would like me to write about any uses in particular then leave a comment and let me know. 

Love, 

Chantel