With this knowledge, you can appreciate why it is vital to have therapeutic grade essential oils on hand at all times.  I personally always have thyme, oregano, and Thieves blend on hand.  You never know when . . . → Read More: Essential Oils vs. Drug Resistant Bacteria]]> Good News!  Another study is backing up what we have been saying for years.  Essential oils have the amazing ability to combat drug-resistant bacteria.

With this knowledge, you can appreciate why it is vital to have therapeutic grade essential oils on hand at all times.  I personally always have thyme, oregano, and Thieves blend on hand.  You never know when you are going to need these oils.

Here is a link to the article:

Study: Plant Oils Highly Effective Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria

At the Young Living Convention last week, we had the privilege of experiencing Young Living’s newest essential oil single, Ocotea.  This oil has an aroma and taste similar to cinnamon and is distilled from the stems and leaves of the Ocotea tree in Ecuador.

Gary Young has been studying this amazing oil for around 3 years.  . . . → Read More: Introducing Ocotea essential oil!]]>

At the Young Living Convention last week, we had the privilege of experiencing Young Living’s newest essential oil single, Ocotea.  This oil has an aroma and taste similar to cinnamon and is distilled from the stems and leaves of the Ocotea tree in Ecuador.

Gary Young has been studying this amazing oil for around 3 years.  It has shown great potential in lowering blood sugar, lowering cortisol, digestive support, and as a disinfectant, antidiarrheal, antifungal and antiparasitic.  Ocotea has the highest level of alpha-humulene of any essential oil.  Alpha-humulene can balance the body’s internal response to irritation.  Only copaiba essential oil has comparable levels of this natural plant compound.

An oil that lowers blood sugar AND cortisol could theoretically result in weight reduction.   That has been the experience of many who were able to have access to the oil prior to its official unveiling last week.

A naturopath who experimented with this oil found that with just taking a few drops a day his cravings for food went away and he was able to lose weight effortlessly.  He also applied the oil to an area of athlete’s foot.  A few days later he checked the area and the fungus was dead.

The naturopath recounted several experiences of lowering patients’ blood glucose levels.

• A type 1 diabetic was able to balance their blood sugar with 4 drops under the tongue, 3 times a day.
• A child with ADD-like symptoms showed markers for blood sugar imbalance.  He put her on ocotea, cinnamon, and Jerusalem Artichoke (supplement) resulting in a complete turn around.  Her behavioral problems were gone and she also lost excess weight.
• A fungal infection of the skin was helped with topical application of ocotea when other products produced no results.
• 67 year old female with low energy and grumpy attitude.  April 21, 2009, blood sugar was 340, Naturopath put her on supplements and ocotea. On April 28, 2009, her blood sugar was down to 212.  On May 7, 2009, her blood sugar was down to 140.  She was feeling better every day.  She quit coming to the naturopath but continues to use ocotea.
• A pregnant woman on insulin whose blood sugar was out of control:  After taking 4 drops 4 times a day her blood sugar had lowered 100 points down to a safer level for her and her baby.

Marc Schreuder, Director of Product Formulation for Young Living, says for weight reduction, take 2 drops of Ocotea under the tongue, 4 times a day.

Ocotea is safe to take internally as well as apply topically.  Internal usage suggestions typically range from 1 - 3 drops orally 3 or 4 times a day.  What a simple way to use this exciting new oil!  It tastes good, too!  While ocotea is a “relative” of cinnamon, it has a low concentration of cinnamaldehyde (less than 5%), which makes it less likely to cause the skin sensitivity that cinnamon and cassia sometimes cause.  Traditional cinnamon can contain up to 50% cinnamaldehyde.

Ocotea Product Information Page

Order Ocotea here!

July 7, 2009 with Marc Schreuder, Director of Product Formulation for Young Living Essential Oils

Last night’s conference call from Young Living about the newest essential oil Copaiba was very informative. I hope more you will set aside time to be on these . . . → Read More: A Recap from the Copaiba Conference Call]]> Thank you, Debra, for sharing your notes from this very informative conference call!   ~ Melissa

July 7, 2009 with Marc Schreuder, Director of Product Formulation for Young Living Essential Oils

Last night’s conference call from Young Living about the newest essential oil Copaiba was very informative. I hope more you will set aside time to be on these calls and increase your learning of how to best use our essential oils. Below is a recap of my notes from the call. Check the Young Living Product Blog website to hear the call for yourself and read more about this amazing oil. Our family has already seen firsthand how powerful it can be. Order your bottle of copaiba this month and don’t forget about the FREE NingXia Red (2 bottles with 225pv purchase) promotion in the month of July.

From the heart of the Amazon jungles of Brazil, copaiba oleo resin is tapped directly from the tree. A hole is drilled into the trunk of the 50 to 80- feet tall tree and out will pour this liquid resin. The resin is then vacuum distilled, using no water, no heat, only vacuum pressure to separate off the precious essential aromatic oil. Brazilian tribal natives harvest and process the copaiba sold through Young Living.

Sold in Amazonian pharmacies and used for nearly 800 years in folk medicine, copaiba was also listed in the US Pharmacopeia from 1820 to 1910 for topical and oral uses and is still on the FDA GRAS list (Generally Regarded as Safe). Some of the historic uses are digestive complaints including stomach aches, stomach infections, gastritis, antiseptic, arthritis, cellular mutations, tumors, Fibromyalgia, and pain.

Copaiba is the highest in beta-caryophyllene which is an anti-inflammatory compound. A 1996 study showed beta-caryophyllene to be effective in treating stress induced ulcers. Beta-caryophyllene is also found in helichrysum at between 8 and 12%, while copaiba contains 50% beta-car. Clove oil contains 6-8% beta-caryophyllene in comparison.

Marc Schreuder said on the conference call – that copaiba was helicchrysum on steroids. He has been studying copaiba for eight years and says it is his number one favorite oil with frankincense coming in at number 2. He also says that combining copaiba and frankincense would give you the highest spiritual and emotional oil blend. Just like sandalwood is considered an excellent emotional supportive oil, copaiba is six times better and Marc calls copaiba sandalwood on steroids due to its high sesquiterpene content. He also likes copaiba mixed with a little peppermint for pain applied topically.

For oral consumption, traditional uses are as much as ½ teaspoon twice daily. Four to six drops per day in a capsule should show benefit. It is not really a diffusing oil and this aromatic treasure is currently found in Young Living’s Deep Relief and Breathe Again Roll-On’s.

Marc also pointed out that much of the copaiba oil marketed is adulterated with soy bean oil or kerosene to extend the yield. Young Living’s is not.

Peppermint oil is one of the essential oils I use almost every day.  Its envigorating aroma wakes me up, opens my sinuses, and makes a delicious, zero calorie addition to a glass of ice water. 

Inhaling peppermint oil helps trigger a sense of fullness after meals, so it is an excellent tool to have available when . . . → Read More: Peppermint, an “Everyday Oil”]]>

Peppermint oil is one of the essential oils I use almost every day.  Its envigorating aroma wakes me up, opens my sinuses, and makes a delicious, zero calorie addition to a glass of ice water. 

Inhaling peppermint oil helps trigger a sense of fullness after meals, so it is an excellent tool to have available when you are cutting back on calories or portion sizes.  Plus, putting a drop of peppermint oil in your mouth may satisfy your need for something else.

Here are a few quick and easy ways to incorporate peppermint into your daily routine:

• Massage several drops of peppermint oil on the abdomen, place a drop on the tip of the tongue or wrists, or inhale to soothe the minor stomach discomfort associated with travel.
• Rub one drop of peppermint oil on the temples, forehead, over the sinuses (careful to avoid contact with the eyes), and on the back of the neck to help relieve headache.
• Place two drops of peppermint oil on the tongue and rub another drop oil under the nose to improve concentration and alertness.
• Apply peppermint oil to the back of the neck and shoulders throughut the day to keep energy levels up.
• To deter ants and other bugs, sprinkle  several drops of peppermint oil across the door jamb or other  point of entry.
• Rub peppermint oil on joints to relieve arthritis or tendonitis pain.
• Apply a few drops to feet to bring down a fever.
• Add two drops to your next batch of brownies or cookies, or add one drop to a cup of hot chocolate.
• Add a drop of peppermint oil to herbal tea to help aid in digestion.
• Add a few drops to a foot bath to soothe aching feet.

Young Living’s peppermint essential oil comes from the most potent plants around the globe – some is even grown on Young Living Farms – and is tested to ensure proper levels of menthol and menthone are in every bottle. 

But there’s more to Young Living Therapeutic Grade peppermint than just finding the best plants.  The secret is in expert harvesting practices.  Peppermint is harvested when the field’s overall appearance goes from light to dark green.  The growers make sure the plant has just started to bloom before the peppermint is cut, and then water is carefully measured prior to distillation to ensure the most potent constituents are steam extracted.

An important concept to remember is that if we are going to get results from essential oils, and especially if we are going to ingest them, we need to be certain of their therapeutic  value.  Stay away from those little clear bottles of “oil” or flavoring at the drug store.  Some products that  are labeled as essential oils may actually be synthetic, may be diluted with a  cheaper carrier oil or adulterated with solvents.  Young Living tests all oils that they distill or source to be certain that they meet the stringent Young Living Therapeutic Grade standards.  That’s one of the many reasons why I choose Young Living.

Peppermint is just one of the nine oils in the Everyday Oils Collection.  This kit is available as a Distributor enrollment kit (Start Living with Everyday Oils #3700) or on its own. (#3695)

Read the Everyday Oils booklet!

Peppermint oil data sheet

Lavender is renowned for its ability to soothe sun-stressed skin. Here are some of the many ways to use this versatile oil: