WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT TO HAVE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES TO OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS?
Wouldn’t it be a relief to have natural alternatives to those medications that can carry side effects? Do you question your over-the-counter (O-T-C) medication ingredients? Have you heard of essential oils?
Why should you use essential oils? I asked the same question seven (7) years ago. What can they do for me and how can they help me? Are they safe, expensive, how do I use them, etc.?
THIS PAGE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS, WHICH MEANS I MAY EARN A COMMISSION, SHOULD YOU MAKE A PURCHASE USING MY LINK. DON’T WORRY…IT’S AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU AND I LOVE THE PRODUCTS THAT I SHARE!
I am not a doctor and this information should not be considered medical advice. This post is for informational purposes and is my own personal experience. If you need medical help, seek this from your own medical professional.
HOW CAN ESSENTIAL OILS HELP ME?
When I was first introduced to essential oils (EO’s), I didn’t know much about them therefore, I was nervous to use them. I didn’t know if they were safe. I had no idea how to use them or how effective a natural alternative might be.
A friend introduced me to EO’s. She asked me what was in the allergy medication that I had been taking daily for several years. I didn’t have an answer and I hadn’t even thought about or questioned those ingredients. She suggested I replace my allergy treatment with three (3) EO’S for a month and, if that didn’t work, I could go back to the O-T-C allergy medication I had been taking.
In a matter of a few days, I could already feel that the oils were helping my allergy symptoms. I switched to EO’s (2 drops each of lemon, lavender and peppermint in a capsule) and was ecstatic to not have the unwanted side effects that can result from O-T-C medications and sprays. I haven’t looked back and over the years I have learned many more tremendous benefits for daily use of EO’s and how they can replace side effect-causing medications to provide great natural alternatives.
LEARNING ABOUT EO’S FOR NATURAL ALTERNATIVES
There are many great ways to become educated about EO’s. One of my favorite books is “Modern Essentials – A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils.” I own the 7th edition. This terrific resource allows you to look up specific EO’s and their uses. As well, it cross references health issues you may be struggling with and which specific oils can offer relief.
An essential oil is the liquid part from plants that is distilled. EO’s can be made from the stems, flowers, leaves, seeds, bark, roots and even the fruit. If EO’s are not of the highest quality and grade, you will not get the desired healing result and they can even be toxic. How did they get the name “essential oils”? I did a quick search and found per New Directions Aromatics:
“An essential oil gets its name from the plant from which it is derived. These oils were given the name ‘essential,’ because they were believed to capture a plant’s essence, that is its odor and flavor. They lend plants their distinctive fragrance.”
EO’s can be used instead of O-T-C medications without potential undesirable side effects and can be used in your homemade house cleaning products (more on this later).
HOW TO USE EO’S INTERNALLY
The first method to use essential oils is internally (orally). This is a powerful choice and gives many different options in assisting improvement for our health. A couple different ways I utilize EO’s internally is to use a few drops in water and drink.
Another option is to purchase non-gmo, safe vegetable capsules and drip 3-5 drops of oil into the capsules. This is a great method if you would rather not “taste” the oils. Make these and take them immediately as the oils will break the capsule down within just a few minutes.
Our bodies can utilize the oils internally i.e. to assist with stress, inflammation, allergies and so much more. I use turmeric and copaiba to reduce inflammation and oregano is a phenomenal oil to use in place of an antibiotic. What a wonderful, natural alternative to heal our body and not have to worry about the damage the antibiotics wreak on our gut health. Using EO’s internally causes them to be metabolized differently than the topical or diffusing methods.
Another of my favorites to use internally is the protective blend to boost the immune system. I like to use the combination of peppermint, lavender and lemon to assist with allergy relief. More natural alternatives to O-T-C medications that people like to use is to take peppermint oil internally for an upset stomach.
Essential oil compounds have the ability to affect the cells in our body within 20 minutes, then be metabolized like the other food and nutrients we take in.
HOW DO I PICK THE RIGHT EO’S?
Be aware that not all EO’s are created equal. Make sure you do your own research to find the purest EO’s that are therapeutic and 3rd party-tested to ensure there are no added toxins or metals. Acceptable EO’s are plant-derived and not artificially scented or manmade. I would not recommend using them unless they are certified to be therapeutic-grade. Keep in mind, not all oils are meant to be taken internally. Check the specific brand you are using to find if it is edible. Otherwise diffuse or use them topically.
Be conscious of any current medications you are taking and be responsible to confirm there are no contraindications to them before using EO’s.
HOW TO DIFFUSE EO’S
Diffusing essential oils is a second way to use them. A diffuser is a small machine you plug in, fill the reservoir with water and simply add 2-3 drops of your oil of choice and press start. I like this diffuser or this one. Another way to use natural alternatives instead of toxic store bought products.
Inhaling the diffused EO’s allows you to benefit from the medicinal properties they offer. Think of being able to breathe in a medication and it being able to positively affect your lungs, brain, and so on. Some EO’s can cross the blood-brain-barrier.
This is a tremendous benefit of EO’s because the majority of drugs do not cross this blood-brain-barrier. The blood-brain-barrier (BBB) is a filtering process between our circulating blood and our brain. It helps to protect our brain from damaging substances.
Since some EO’s are fat soluble, this allows them to pass through the BBB to deliver their benefits. Frankincense and peppermint, for example, can carry more oxygen to the brain this way. Some EO’s can benefit people who are struggling with ADHD, Alzheimer’s and memory loss. Even though some EO’s cannot cross the BBB, the inhalation of EO’s via diffusing can still have a powerful healing effect on our brains. I can’t think of any O-T-C medications that can do this!
Several oils that I diffuse on a regular basis are the protective blend—which is terrific for killing germs and keeping the air healthier. I also love to diffuse citrus oils such as lemon, lime and grapefruit. These oils are disinfecting and known to brighten a space and your mood. The natural alternatives are endless. All you need is 2-3 drops of these oils in your diffuser.
TOXIC CHEMICALS AND WHY TO AVOID THEM & CHOOSE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES
Diffusing oils can take the place of toxic air fresheners and artificial chemicals that are in most of today’s cleaning products. These products fool you into thinking they are safe and healthy. The chemicals that are used are quite harmful to our lungs and especially not safe for our hormonal systems.
There is no government agency that oversees and ensures that our cleaning and chemical products are safe for us and our children. When profit is more important than safety, then we need to be our own advocates to protect our health.
Here are some toxic ingredients that are in everyday cleaning products that you want to avoid:
-formaldehyde
-toluene
-phthalates
-artificial dyes / fragrances
-petrochemicals
-other carcinogens
The environmental working group (EWG) grades Lysol disinfectant spray as a grade F because its ingredients raise concern for harm to development and reproductive toxicity (hormones). It also carries concern for respiratory harm and environmental toxicity. Does this sound like something we should be breathing in or be exposed to?
Any product (cooking, cleaning or beauty) that sprays/propels the product via pressurized spray i.e. aerosol, should be considered toxic. In order for the product to be sprayed, it utilizes chemicals like propane or butane. We do not want either of these chemicals in our bodies.
Along with the above concerning ingredients is the fragrances/perfumes. Companies are not required to disclose what is in the synthetic fragrances they use. They can hide hundreds, even thousands of other harmful chemicals in a product and call them fragrances or perfumes. Unfortunately, these are also toxic to our hormone levels. Using essential oils to replace these toxic options gives you terrific natural alternatives.
HOW TO USE EO’S TOPICALLY
The 3rd way to use essential oils is applying them topically (directly on the skin). This is another great way to take care of our health needs in a naturopathic manner. You can use EO’s topically for pain relief, mood uplift, digestive help, stress relief and on and on. I hope you are beginning to see the endless, powerful benefits that are available to you from using these amazing oils!
One of my favorite topical uses is for inflammation and pain relief, including cramps. Peppermint oil is terrific for this. I stopped taking ibuprofen years ago and only use peppermint oil topically. I even layer peppermint, marjoram and frankincense oils for extra, powerful relief. EO’s do not suppress your immune system like typical over-the-counter medications do. In fact, they actually come alongside our immune systems and assist it in helping to bring our body back into balance.
Frankincense, by the way, is the ‘king’ of all oils and is considered the ultimate in healing. Additionally, it is an ‘amplifier’ oil which means it can multiply the effect of whatever oil you use it with.
A favorite topical application for me is using the digestive blend over my abdominal area. I have had such successful results with relieving digestive issues when using this method. I apply this blend in a “T” pattern, across the top of my ribcage and down to the belly button area.
Many people also use a ‘carrier oil’ such as fractionated coconut oil (this type of oil is a liquid and does not stain clothing) to apply their EO’s to the skin. Some believe it helps carry the EO’s into the skin. It is your choice to use it either way. Personally, I do not usually use a carrier oil.
SAFETY TIPS FOR TOPICAL USE
Strong chemical compounds in some EO’s can give them a “hot” sensation. They can’t burn you per se, but some oils such as oregano, clove and peppermint have compounds in them that can “warm” the skin.
A great safety rule to use is if this occurs and your skin becomes “hot” or tingly, is to reach for any cooking oil you have on hand. This can be coconut oil, olive oil or avocado oil and dilute the area affected by applying the cooking oil directly to it. Water and soap will not help dilute a “hot” oil in fact, it makes it worse consequently because oil and water do not mix.
HOW EO’S WORK WITH/IN THE BODY
Now that we have learned the three (3) different applications types: aromatic (diffusing), topical and internal, we can understand the effects of each on the body. This is dependent on what chemical compounds are in each oil. EO’s can benefit us systemically (whole body) or in a localized effect. The application used determines this. A single oil can even have the potential to affect both localized area and systemically at the same time.
Diffusing and internal usage generally give a systemic effect. They can also produce localized effects as well. They are so powerful! When you think of getting a localized effect, think of using EO’s and applying them to your skin. (i.e. peppermint oil to a sore muscle).
Systemic effects can occur when the oil compounds cross the top layer of the skin and are absorbed into the tiny blood vessels of the tissues. (i.e. digestive blend on your abdominal area to treat an upset stomach). Additionally, by ingesting lemon, peppermint and lavender oils to assist with allergy symptoms is an example of a systemic effect.
So far we have learned the many powerful uses for EO’s and how they improve our health, naturally. We can switch from the toxic chemicals we may be currently using in our home and trade them out for safer options. You can choose any or all three (3) of the applications – diffusing, topical or internal. Natural alternatives are always the better choice and I am here to help you find more!
FAVORITE EO’S
DRUM ROLL PLEASE…HERE ARE MY FAVORITES!
MY TOP 7 ESSENTIAL OILS:
1. Lavender
2. Rosemary
3. Frankincense
4. Marjoram
5. Lemon
6. Peppermint
7. Oregano
Spoiler alert! There are dozens more that are my go-to’s. Here are a few other favorites that I couldn’t leave off!
-Protective blend
-Digestive blend
-Tea Tree
-Copaiba
-Eucalyptus
If you would like this in a printable version and what I use each oil for, click here and I will be happy to email it to you!
THERE ARE ENDLESS USES FOR EO’S
I compiled this list with some of my own health struggles in mind. “The Modern Essentials, a Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils” is a terrific resource. Apply this resource to your home arsenal for additional natural alternatives.
For example, lavender oil has numerous uses… I’ve used it to assist with sleep, weight management, reducing stress, digestive issues, inflammation relief, healing properties and help with hormone balancing. For me, lavender oil ranks super high for the above reasons.
My second favorite oil is rosemary. There are hundreds more amazing oils that are also useful for improving your health. I use EO’s for stress, sleep, headaches, digestive issues, hormones, detox, immune defense and so much more! I even use them in my homemade house cleaning blends I make.
CLICK HERE and I’ll send you the recipe for my homemade cleaning blend! There are so many more natural alternatives I will be sharing with you as we journey together.
I LOVE EO’S! THEY ARE A GREAT NATURAL ALTERNATIVE…
I have been using EO’s from a large known company for the past seven (7) years, but am in the process of switching to a more cost-effective company. In a future post I will share my review, comparisons and final take; but for now, I will just generally share the oils and how terrific they are.
Some great products to use with your EO’s to make their application more convenient are spray bottles (or these) (just air…not aerosol), droppers for your bottles and roller balls. You can pre-mix combinations of oils that you love and have them ready at hand for use! I even make my own “safe” hand sanitizer. Even more great natural alternatives to use!
God created the heavens and the earth. Within this beautiful creation, we have essential oils and are so fortunate to have His lovely provisions!
Of course life is busy, but you and your health are important! I hope you learned a little about how powerful essential oils can be in your daily health routine. Most importantly, our options are endless when it comes to having natural alternatives to O-T-C medications! I am excited to share future posts with additional ways I use them to clean with and stay healthy!
Blessings,
Becky
P.S. Learn more about my journey, here! 🥰
