What I Never Knew I Was Missing

Ever feel like you are at the end of your rope? Like you have tried everything you know? Dipped into every recourse you have and still come out with no direction or hope? That’s where we found ourselves four years ago.

Our daughter was on medications for focus issues, but those only take you so far. We consulted her doctor for other alternatives, but she stated that we were at the maximum dose on her meds, and didn’t know of anything else.

We consulted with therapists. Although that was helpful, it wasn’t changing anything in our day-to-day lives, for which we were oh so desperate. We really didn’t know where else to turn.

I remembered one of my friends posting on her social media page about essential oils and how they have helped each of her four children in various ways. I figured reaching out to her wouldn’t hurt.  

Without hesitation, I sent her a message asking which bottle of magic would cure my child of all her woes. She told me about Vetiver, which helped her oldest focus and remain attentive. I had never heard of it. Definitely sounded like a snake oil or voodoo spell to me. Regardless, I decided to give it a shot and researched as much as I could about it while I waited for my order to arrive. It is an oil sourced from the root of a grass plant containing constituents of blah blah blah. I didn’t care. Give me the magic potion!!

When it arrived, I had no idea what to do with it. Does she drink it? Rub it on? Rub it on where? Pour it into her ears and hope it reaches her brain? So many questions!  

Luckily, my friend knew I was new to this oil world, so she walked me through how and when to apply it. She taught me to use a rollerball to make my oils last longer and for easier application. She also answered my questions when more issues arose. She gave me alternative oils to help in other areas of my daughter’s life, as well our entire family. She was there for me as a friend, not just a direct salesperson.

Over consistent usage, I was amazed! Homework time was shorter without as many emotional breakdowns (I’m not just talking about the child!), chores were getting done with less reminders, and moods that threatened the likeness of Medusa were tamed.  

Was the oil my magic answer to everything? No, and anything claiming to be should be thrown into a fire! It was a piece to our puzzle. As we have learned, real health, both mental and physical, take time and effort. We sought the counsel of chiropractors and integrative medical professionals. We also prayed … a lot! It may seem like a long time to outsiders, but to us, we made a lot of little strides each day.

That was just the beginning! Like Alice sticking her head into the rabbit hole, once you go through, your world is forever changed (for the better!)

Once we discovered essential oils and natural supplements worked for our daughter, we started experimenting on ourselves. Almost every time we tried something, it worked! We began to use the immunity blend, On Guard, and noticed we weren’t catching the local bugs going around like we used to. Our sick days went from two weeks to two days.  We also began taking daily supplements for energy, cellular health and brain function, and finding rollerball blends to use every day. We noticed our sleep was better and that we had more energy.

We threw out our toxic-laced candles and air fresheners and replaced them with diffusers for freshening and cleaning the air in our house. We got rid of the grocery store cleaning products and replaced them with delicious smelling natural cleaning solutions that not only save our health, but our wallets!! Imagine that! Natural supplements derived straight from the earth, unadulterated and uncontaminated actually help our bodies function better!

After a few years of using these for my own benefit, I decided I couldn’t keep this to myself any longer. It broke my heart to see post after post on social media of my friends and their children not being able to shake this season’s bug going around. When they say how tired or stressed they are, I knew I had something that could help. I want to be there for them and help them through some of the hard times, just like my friend had done for me.

However, it can be extremely overwhelming for someone to start when so much chaos and pain are in the way. I remember those days. Here are five points I would recommend when starting out with essential oils.

1. Make it a Priority

When we feel overwhelmed with a problem, we tend to get into an endless cycle. We are too tired, because we are dealing with a problem, so when we get some time to deal with the problem, we are too tired, so the problem continues. It won’t stop until you do something to stop it. Caregivers fall into his loop often because they are too busy caring for someone else more than themselves. You can’t save others, if you are drowning yourself.

How do we stop it? Invest in your health. That certainly may mean money, since you have to purchase oils, but it also refers to time. When something is important, you can be sure we pay money and make time for it.

Take a look at your daily schedule. What are things you always have on your calendar because they are a priority, or things you don’t even have to put on the calendar because you wouldn’t miss it for the world?

Glancing at your bank statement, you can see what your prioritize too. Most of it is probably really good stuff that should be a priority. However, are you investing in your health? Take a bath, take a walk, have alone time, read a book, and put on some oils!

2. Do Your Research

Start asking questions. Start researching yourself. You have to be your own advocate. Unfortunately, the world of essential oils is not regulated like we would hope it would be. There are several companies out there right now trying to make a quick buck off of the gullible and uninformed consumer.

It can be extremely overwhelming, though, because there are so many companies out there and how do you know which one is best for you? I only know what was best for my family. After using a few brands, I went with dōTERRA because they had the science and research behind their claims. They have test results on their website, a panel of medical doctors, a veterinarian panel and a team of scientists.

I liked their sourcing model (co-impact sourcing) of going straight to the local farmers. It’s not the easiest or the cheapest way, but it helps everyone involved. Ninety-six percent of all their oils are exclusive, not through a broker who sells to anyone who wants the oils. They also have a charity foundation called Healing Hands.

3. Start Small

If you enter my home, you will see dōTERRA and other natural products all over the place. I guarantee my medicine cabinet looks different from most you’ve seen. No, it’s not a Harry Potter potions class, although that would be pretty cool. 😉

What I want you to know, is that my knowledge and use of these products are from using them and researching solutions over a four year period of time. At first, just identify three issues you would like to improve in your home. That can be anything from better sleep, weight loss, or improved energy levels. Once identified, talk with someone who has a good knowledge of the products available and can guide you as you begin.

Slowly replace things in your home you already use, like toothpaste, deodorant and gum. Start putting stickers with the name of an oil on things you would normally reach for to remind yourself to use the oil instead.

4. Be Consistent

These are natural products, not medicines or drugs. The effect you are looking for sometimes takes several uses over time to achieve. Just because it didn’t work with the first application doesn’t mean it won’t at all.

It also may mean your body is looking for another oil than typically recommended. Sometimes Tylenol just won’t kick your headache. Would you stop using it for life because it didn’t work that one time?

5. Find Your Tribe