10 Ways I Use Essential Oils Everyday

You may be interested in essential oils, but don’t really know how you would use them. Let me walk you through a day of mine and I’ll show you how you may use essential oils for digestion to enhance your life.

1. Meditation / Journaling

I am not consistent about doing a morning practice, but when I do, it sure helps set a great rest of the day.

Using essential oils for meditation during a morning reflective practice can help wake you up, focus your mind, or set a mood or intention.

I like to use a diffuser for these sessions. Which oil you put into a cold mist diffuser for this practice is very flexible. Here are a few ideas:

• Lemon: Lemon is a very clean scent that can focus your mind and wash away the sleepiness of the night

• Cedarwood: This woodsy aroma is somehow grounding and uplifting at the same time

2.    Shower/ Hair

I think the use of pure essential oils in home-spa/beauty routines needs to be discovered! It is so powerful.

If you shower in the mornings, why not use that time as natural therapy! During the shower, you can use oils aromatically to open your lungs or wake up your brain.

You can also use essential oils with your shampoo and conditioner to beautify your hair while inhaling them for aromatherapy.

• Peppermint: this is a great one for both a wake-up call and for hair care. Shake a few drops of peppermint essential oil into your palm and inhale deeply three times. Then add your shampoo and wash. Peppermint will detox your scalp, controlling dandruff and oil, supporting hair growth and adding volume.

3.  Skin Care

Skin care is another area where essential oils shine.

• Frankincense is the ‘king of oils’ for several reasons, one of which is skin. It helps prevent skin sagging and wrinkles. Its antioxidants nourish the skin. Add a drop of oil to your palm before mixing in your moisturizer and applying.

• Other oils I use on the skin are ylang-ylang and cedarwood.

4. Hormone Balance

Life has become busy and toxic, making it harder and harder to maintain hormone balance. There is a simple way to support your hormones with an essential oil.

That oil is called Clary Sage, and sometimes you can get it in a ‘rollerball’ that you simply uncap and roll over your lower abdomen liberally. Use twice a day and see what happens! This blend can be used at any age, even after menopause.

5. Digestion

One of my favorite oils to help calm digestion is DigestZen. You can put a few drops under your tongue, or you can use the handle roller bottle version of DigestZen and rub it directly on your belly when you need support.

6. Cravings

After lunch is when my energy tends to drop and I want something sweet. Esential oils to the rescue! You can use it before a meal to prevent overeating, or after a meal to prevent a trip to the cupboard or Starbucks for sugar and caffeine.

Peppermint can be used for cravings, to freshen breath and to provide natural energy.

7. Cleaning

Ah, cleaning: a necessary evil. I don’t love cleaning but I also don’t like crumbs everywhere or sticky drips of who-knows-what on the counter. I know germs can be lurking in this debris.

Cleaning with essential oils is non-toxic and gives peace of mind that your kitchen is really clean.

Many, many essential oils are antibacterial. This is because oils protect their plants in this way in nature. To make a cleaning spray, and ½ water to ½ vinegar and about 20 drops of essential oil.

Some to consider:

• Oregano: a spicy, strong antiviral and antibacterial

• Orange: a more pleasant smell but still kills germs

8. Fatigue

As I mentioned, afternoon is my sleepy time, so I look for natural ways to pick myself up. I’ll mention a few non-oil methods first.

Squeeze a whole or half lemon into water and drink. Take a ¼ teaspoon of sea salt with water (if you don’t have high blood pressure.) Take a 20 minute horizontal cat nap or reading session.

With oils, you can boost your adrenals with rosemary and basil. Rosemary is more stimulating, while basil is more blissful. 

9. Headache

If I’m going through an afternoon energy/stress roller coaster, sometimes I get a headache. Popping over-the-counter pills regularly is dangerous, so try essential oils.

Peppermint distracts your body to relieve tension. Dilute with ½ coconut or grapeseed oil and apply everywhere it hurts.

10. Sleep

Many, many women struggle with sleep and, although I’ve gotten better, I still do sometimes. Whether you are a full-time or part-time insomniac, having a sleep routine with oils is really beneficial.

Maybe you start with a walk, or some yoga, and move on to tea or reading. Using a diffuser in your bedroom is a great way to lower cortisol from the day and get sleepy.

If you don’t yet have a diffuser, you can shake a few drops of oil onto a tissue and put on your pillow.

A classic oil for sleep is lavender essential oil, which lowers cortisol. You can optionally pair it with a grounding oil like vetiver.

My very favorite sleep blend is Serenity. I love the scent and so does my son, who uses it in his room most nights.

Learn More!

Check out my free guide on simple hacks for thyroid support with essential oils!

You want help for your thyroid symptoms ASAP! Cut to the chase with this straight-forward guide, outlining the exact techniques I use to help keep my Hashimoto’s in remission.

Let me help you start addressing your symptoms now!

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Bridgit Danner, LAc, FDNP, is trained in functional health coaching and has worked with thousands of women over her career since 2004. She is the founder of Women’s Wellness Collaborative llc and HormoneDetoxShop.com.

Toxins Testing with Ann Melin and Bridgit Danner

Ann Melin & I are your guests this week. Ann is our lead coach at WWC. In this episode we talk about some of my own test results, mold tests for the home & body, testing for chemicals in the body, heavy metal testing, and organic acids testing.

Here's what you'll hear:

Min 03:10 Tests covered at Women's Wellness Collaborative
Min 04:40 Toxicity in the body
Min 07:10 Hair mineral analysis testing
Min 11:00 Glyphosate test & urine test
Min 17:30 Water test
Min 19:10 The dust test & Marcon's test
Min 21:55 Organic acids test
Min 30:00 Serotonin
Min 34:30 Nutritional markers

Resources:

To learn more about our testing and consultation programs, check out our coaching page here.
To see some of our favorite resources for reducing your toxic load, visit Functional Detox Products.

Here's the video version of the interview with Ann Melin.

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5 Easy Detox Swaps for Women’s Health

Are you doing all the ‘right things’ but still feeling blah?

Get my list of 5 Easy Detox Swaps for Women’s Health to start clearing out the toxins and reset your system to feel better today!

Questions? Please post below.

The Best Essential Oils for Mood and Sleep Support

Have you ever used aromatherapy or experienced a boost in your mood after you’ve encountered a familiar smell that triggered a fond memory? If so, then you know how smell can directly affect how you feel. In fact, it’s smell that often triggers memories and emotions. And it’s smell–more so than the other senses–that can best influence brain activity and help us calm down.

So when it comes to feelings of overwhelm and anxiousness, it makes sense that aromatherapy can help.

Science backs this up, too. In a study conducted at Ruhr University in Germany, Professor Hanns Hatt suggested that, “Essential oils may affect a number of biological factors, including heart rate, stress levels, blood pressure, breathing, and immune function.”

And in a 2014 study conducted by the American College of Healthcare Sciences, “58 hospice patients were given hand massages once a day for one week with an essential oil blend in 1.5 percent dilution with sweet almond oil. The essential oil blend consisted of equal ratios of bergamot, frankincense and lavender. All patients who received the aromatherapy hand massage reported less pain and depression, concluding that aromatherapy massage with this essential oil blend is more effective for pain and depression management than massage alone.” [1]

When it comes to calming your mind and de-stressing, here are 7 essential oils I recommend:

Bergamot:

With both calming and uplifting abilities, Bergamot can dissipate anxious feelings while simultaneously providing cleansing and purifying benefits.

Cedarwood:

With properties that help to soothe the mind and body, the warm, woody scent of Cedarwood promotes a relaxing environment.

Frankincense:

Often called the “king of oils, ” Frankincense promotes feelings of peace and overall wellness when used aromatically.

Lavender:

Lavender is often considered a must-have oil to keep on hand at all times due to its versatile uses, including calming and relaxing properties that promote peaceful sleep and ease feelings of tension.

Roman Chamomile:

While providing a sweet, floral aroma, Roman Chamomile can soothe body systems as it supports calming effects for the skin, mind and body.

Vetiver:

With a unique, exotic aroma, Vetiver is known to provide a calming, grounding effect on emotions, promoting restful sleep.

Ylang Ylang:

Derived from unique star-shaped flowers, Ylang Ylang is often used to support healthy skin and hair, while simultaneously providing a calming effect and promoting a positive outlook.

I suggest diffusing these oils during the day, and applying a couple of drops to your wrist, chest, and back of neck while you’re out and about.

You might be wondering, if essential oils help calm your mood, then can they help for sleep? The answer is ABSOLUTELY!!!

Quality sleep is essential. If you’re not sleeping well or sleeping enough, you simply can’t be your best self. Your energy tanks, your mood is off, you get sick easier, you crave unhealthy food, and you just don’t feel well.

Experts recommend that adults get at least 7–8 hours of sleep every night. Unfortunately, about 33 percent of Americans are not getting the recommended amount of sleep per night, and approximately 1 in every 5 adults in the United States experiences occasional sleeplessness or difficulty sleeping.

Depriving your body of sleep has been linked to many health risks and places a tremendous burden on virtually every organ system in your body. Lack of adequate sleep affects our ability to lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight; influences how we feel, learn, and behave; negatively impacts our cardiovascular health and overall wellbeing; and can reduce reaction time and interfere with our ability to drive.

All of the oils recommended above have powerful calming properties and are perfect to diffuse in your bedroom to support restful sleep. You can also consider adding a few drops to an epsom salt bath before bed or applying a couple of drops to the bottom of your feet before bed.

All of these practices will help calm and relax your mind, so you can easily drift off to restful sleep.

Whether you are overwhelmed with grief or sadness, need to be energized and motivated, or need calming and peaceful feelings throughout your day, essential oils can be helpful in supporting your mood and your sleep.

I would love to hear from you! Do you use essential oils for mood and sleep support? Please share your favorite oils and how you use them!

Found this Interesting?

Jen Broyles is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and essential oils educator who helps people regain their health and vitality naturally through nutrition, stress-management, essential oils, and natural solutions.

Jen has a special interest in gut health, detox, mood, and hormone imbalances. You can visit her website for healthy living advice, practical essential oils tips, and delicious recipes at www.jenbroyles.com.

Most Bloating Is Caused by This...

What Causes a Bloated Stomach and How to Get Rid of It for Good

According to Dr. Eric Regier, about 96% of cases of a bloated stomach are due to SIBO.

SIBO is Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. There should be a very small amount of bacteria and the small intestine, and a large amount in the large intestine. Due to the reasons we’ll cover below, an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine can occur.

Symptoms of SIBO include: bloated stomach, gas, abdominal pain, constipation and/or diarrhea.

What Causes SIBO?

1) Dysfunction of Migrating Motor Complex

This is the function that sweeps the small bowel, and dysfunction is due to, usually, food poisoning, but can also be due to hypothyroidism, c difficile, Lyme bacteria, opioid use, antibiotic use, or giardia.

In cases of food poisoning, the toxins produced by the poisonous bacteria damage the nerves that facilitate the migrating motor complex. The body can then create an antibody against this toxin. But unfortunately, at the same time, it will produce an antibody against a protein that helps keep the tight junctions of the intestine tight. When this protein is attacked, you can end of with chronic leaky gut.

2) Anatomical Blockages

These are often due to surgical adhesions, endometrial adhesions, fistulas, or diverticula.

3) Low stomach acid levels

Acid kills bacteria. Unfortunately, stress, hypothyroidism and use of acid-blocking medications can all hinder this process.

4) Ileocecal Valve Malfunction

If this valve between the small and large intestine is absent or not working, bacteria from the large bowel can backflow into the small intestine. The valve can be irritated by ‘stimulating’ foods like coffee, tea, soda, spicy food, sugar, chocolate, processed foods and popcorn.

According to Dr. David Williams, Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the form of lactic acid yeast wafers can help for diarrhea symptoms related to SIBO.

According to Dr. Craig Maxwell, Magnesium Chelate and a good probiotic can help.

Also local massage for a few minutes on your right lower abdomen about 15 degrees and down from your hip bone can help.

SIBO Has a Cousin…

SIBO has a cousin called SIFO (I’m not making this stuff up!) which stand for Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth. SIFO is similar to SIBO except it’s defined by an overgrowth of fungus in the small intestine.

Some additional symptoms related to include: belching, nausea, confused thinking, headaches, fatigue and joint pain.

If your SIBO symptoms are not going away with treatment, SIFO could be the culprit, and an anti-fungal approach with a functional practitioner may be needed.

Diet for a bloated STomach

When you eat foods, the bacteria in your small intestine may be ‘fed’ as well, and the byproduct of their feasting can be gas.

The bacteria that has overgrown in your gut varies from person to person. Therefore the foods that irritate SIBO vary as well.

While you go through treatment, it’s important to find the foods that won’t aggravate your symptoms, and the amounts.For example, you may tolerate eating a few grapes, but not a whole bowl of grapes.

The diet I most recommend experimenting with is the low FODMAP diet. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.

That’s a mouthful! Basically FODMAPs are foods that contain indigestible starches, and the bacteria in your body will ‘ferment’ them to break them down. The byproduct of that fermentation is gas.

If you want to avoid the gas, you can avoid the high FODMAP foods that irritate your certain bacteria, and instead choose low FODMAP foods.

Two great resources I’ve found for FODMAP information are:

Monash University - The researchers at this Canadian university developed and trademarked The Low FODMAP diet.

Kate Scarlata - Kate is a registered dietitian nutritionist and author who has developed some handy checklists and useful guides for avoiding high FODMAP foods.

Protocols for SIBO Symptoms and Bloating Remedies

The treatment of a bloated stomach (SIBO) can be a slow and winding road due to the different causes of SIBO and the different bacteria that may be involved. But if you don’t want to live with the digestive symptoms you’re currently experiencing, it’s best to start somewhere!

In my opinion, you’ll get the best results when working with a functional medicine coach. A provider can run a SIBO breath test, a stool test, and any other tests that may be needed in your case. She can get specialty supplements that may be difficult to get otherwise. And lastly, dealing with a chronic condition that may be slow to respond is emotionally draining, and having a coach to talk to can keep you moving forward.

Let’s look at a few supplements that can help with a bloated stomach / SIBO:

Oregano Oil- Oregano oil is the potent essential oil of the oregano plant. It can help for both SIBO and SIFO. It is often combined with other antimicrobial and anti-fungals like thyme oil and grapefruit seed extract.

This is a ‘hot oil’ so you’ll need to dilute it in a carrier oil if used on your skin or take in a capsule internally. We carry a blend of thyme, oregano and other supportive essential oils in capsule form in GX Assist in our doTERRA shop.

MegaGuard: MegaGuard is a potent combination of three bitter extracts from artichoke, licorice, and ginger. This product is formulated to promote normal digestion, balance stomach acid, and reduce things like gas, bloating, and indigestion.

This makes MegaGuard one of the best digestive support supplements. It can help reduce symptoms associated with heartburn, constipation, and H. pylori. Watch your GI discomfort dissipate by taking 2 with lunch and dinner.

Ginger- If you’ve managed to rid yourself of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, you need to keep it clear now! Ginger can help stimulate the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) we learned about earlier. I like this Chewable Ginger by Natural Factors. We also carry ginger oil (it’s so yummy) in our doTERRA shop.

Other substances that stimulate the MMC are: 5-HTP (OTC supplement) and LDN (low dose naltrexone- by prescription only).

Binders- While using good binders won’t cure your SIBO, it will sure help relieve it! Binders like activated charcoal and others (see my blogs on binders) can absorb the gas within its porous structure.

Probiotics- Not all bloating is due to SIBO. Bloating can also come from a sudden change in diet, like adding vegetables suddenly or eating beans for the first time in months. Since I now rarely eat gluten-free pasta and pizza, I find that I react strongly to it and become bloated.

I think the site PaleoLeap.com sums it up well, “Either you’re eating a type of fiber that you don’t have enough of the right gut flora to digest, or you’re eating a type that they like too well, so you get overgrowth problems. For example, this study found that flatulence was “associated with instability of the microbial ecosystem:” the gut flora of patients with bad gas actually responded differently to their food, potentially causing the problem.”

This is why adding a good probiotic is helpful. Some probiotics will actually feed the bacteria in the small intestine and cause bloating. But spore-based probiotics will not. The probiotic that is our hands down favorite is MegaSporeBiotic.

This is a recent testimonial from a new MegaSporeBiotic user who had bloating for 20 years:

“I've had IBS for over 20 years and NOTHING has helped until NOW.

RESULTS: BLOATING, gone! I no longer have explosive diarrhea in the morning but have normal, well-formed stools that sink in the toilet, 2 to 3 times per day!!! AMAZING PRODUCT!!!!”

Antibiotics and Prescription Antifungals- If you’re not having success after using herbal treatments, prescriptive options are available as well through your doctor.

Conclusion

Though there can be a little trial and error on the road to healing your gut, the results are well worth it! Running to the bathroom, being too bloated to exercise or even move...this is not what life is about!

My Favorite Bloating REmedies

Get highly effective bloating products that work synergistically for chronic bloating.

These three products work synergistically to eliminate the source of over 90% of chronic bloating! MegaGuard, MegaSporeBiotic, and Digest Gold will help you get rid of your bloating.

Do you have questions? Do you have tips for dealing with a bloated stomach or bloating remedies? Comment below!

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Bridgit Danner, LAc, FDNP, is trained in functional health coaching and has worked with thousands of women over her career since 2004. She is the founder of Women’s Wellness Collaborative llc and HormoneDetoxShop.com.

The Lyme Solution with Dr. Darin Ingels

Dr. Darin Ingels is a naturopathic physician, clinical microbiologist and immunologist with a speciality in Lyme disease.  He previously came on to the show to talk about mold and has authored the book "The Lyme Solution".

Here's what you'll hear:

Min 02:00 Introducing Dr. Darin Ingels
Min 03:15 The basics & myths of Lyme disease
Min 06:45 EMF & Lyme disease
Min 09:00 Lyme symptom diagnosis vs testing
Min 14:30 Dr. Ingels 5-part immune boosting plan
Min 19:00 Dr. Ingels's book & resources
Min 22:00 Quick fixes to Lyme disease

To learn more about Dr. Darin Ingels, visit his website here and follow him on social media:
Facebook 
Twitter 
Instagram
Pinterest 

Resources:

Dr. Darin Ingels on Mold Week 
The Lyme Solution book
Free chapter of The Lyme Solution book
Free recipe book

Here's a video version of the interview with Dr. Darin Ingels:

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5 Easy Detox Swaps for Women’s Health

Are you doing all the ‘right things’ but still feeling blah?

Get my list of 5 Easy Detox Swaps for Women’s Health to start clearing out the toxins and reset your system to feel better today!

Root Causes of Hashimoto's with Dr. Eric Osansky

Dr. Eric Osansky is a chiropractic physician, clinical nutritionist, and Functional medicine practitioner. He is back on the show in the event of his new book coming out called "Hashimoto's Triggers". In this episode we talk about Hashimoto's disease & its triggers, the connection between thyroid & SIBO, and essential oils.

Here's what you'll hear:

Min 01:05 Introducing Dr. Eric Osansky's new book
Min 02:55 What are Hashimoto's triggers?
Min 04:25 Food triggers
Min 08:00 Estrogen dominance
Min 12:10 The connection between thyroid & SIBO
Min 18:10 Blood sugar as a trigger for Hashimoto's
Min 21:55 Blue light exposure
Min 23:45 Dr. Osansky's book
Min 24:05 Using essential oils

To learn more about Dr. Osansky, visit his website here and follow him on social media:
Facebook 

Resources:

Hashimoto's Triggers book 
Addressing Hashimoto's and Graves' Disease with Dr. Eric Osansky 
Receive a FREE CHAPTER from Dr. Osansky's book "Hashimoto's Triggers"

Here's a video version of the interview with Dr. Eric Osansky:

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Ready to Support Your Thyroid?

Check out my free guide on simple hacks for thyroid support!

You want help for your thyroid symptoms ASAP! Cut to the chase with this straight-forward guide, outlining the exact techniques I use to help keep my Hashimoto’s in remission.

Let me help you start addressing your symptoms now!

Reversing Chronic Disease with Paleo Habits with Lindsay Christensen

Lindsay Christensen is a nutritionist, health coach & health writer. She's our new staff writer at WWC. In this episode we talk about Lindsay's chronic childhood illness, diagnosis, the different treatments she's taken and how taking a paleo approach has made a difference for her.

Here's what you'll hear:

Min 01:35 Introducing Lindsay Christensen
Min 03:55 Lindsay's health history & recovery
Min 10:35 Lyme infection
Min 14:50 The ancestral approach to healing
Min 19:45 Lindsay's diet
Min 25:05 Being diligent with your health
Min 27:20 The circadian rhythms
Min 36:35 Lindsay's favorite botanicals & binders
Min 41:20 Intermittent fasting
Min 46:00 Lindsay's resources

To learn more about Lindsay Christensen, visit her website here  and follow her on social media:
Facebook 
Instagram 
Twitter 

Resources:

Bridgit’s Supplement Shop 
The Best Supplements for Leaky Gut

Here's the video version of the interview with Lindsay Christensen:

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5 Easy Detox Swaps for Women’s Health

Are you doing all the ‘right things’ but still feeling blah?

Get my list of 5 Easy Detox Swaps for Women’s Health to start clearing out the toxins and reset your system to feel better today!