Anti-Fungal/Athlete's Foot Defense

Melaleuca Alterniflora

A wonderful anti-fungal/anti-athlete's foot remedy: Try using Melaleuca (Tea Tree) essential oil in the affected area. Apply at least twice a day for a few weeks.

Oregano

For a more persistent problem, first apply diluted Oregano essential oil and then apply Melaleuca.

It is imperative you dilute the Oregano oil in a ratio of at least 2 parts carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil) and 1 part Oregano. The Oregano is very strong and will burn the skin if not diluted properly. The 2:1 ratio works well for me, and I have sensitive skin. However, be sure to first apply only a little bit and test before putting on too much. If it burns, add more carrier oil.  With Oregano, "less is more".

Lemon Essential Oil for Foul Odors

Recently I had a raw whole chicken go bad in my refrigerator before it's expiration date. It took me a few days to realize it was this chicken causing the foul odor in my refrigerator. After taking the chicken out, the odor remained. So I opened a box of baking soda, dropped some drops of Lemon essential oil into the baking soda and put it into the fridge. The smell was completely gone within one hour. And the refrigerator smelled lemony fresh!

Peppermint Essential Oil as a Mosquito Repellent

PEPPERMINT is a great mosquito repellent!  My daughter was going to TX for a mission trip and was concerned about mosquito bites, since she is allergic to them and they grow to the size of quarters. Plus, she is a mosquito attractant.  I sent her with some Peppermint essential oil to try out in repelling the mosquitoes. She said it worked wonderfully! The one time she was bitten was because she had not applied the oil. Her friends were begging for her to share her Peppermint oil with them, and she was worried she would run out before the trip was over.  She came home and exclaimed to me "That stuff WORKS!"

Peppermint Cools

PEPPERMINT has a wonderful cooling effect. Use it to help with hot flashes, fevers, itching, or burns. For hot flashes, you can apply the oil to the bottoms of your feet and rub your feet together to blend in. Or, you can apply on to your scalp, behind your ears, or on the back of your neck.  Peppermint is also a rapid fever reducer.  It will bring a fever down much faster than oral medication.  Give it a try next time someone is sick with a dangerously high fever.

Treating Burns with Lavender

LAVENDER is wonderful for burns. Apply to burns (including sunburns) to relieve the pain and speed up the healing process. For sunburns, you can mix in a spray bottle with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil and spray on the skin.

Treating a Mysterious Rash

Melaleuca Alternifolia

I had a strange little rash appear on my skin last week. No idea where it came from. It itched like crazy. Not only did it itch, it hurt and burned. So I began applying twice a day some Melaleuca (Tea Tree) essential oil to treat the rash along with Peppermint essential oil to help stop the itching and burning, and within three days the rash was gone! Hooray! I never cease to be amazed by the power of the oils.

WOMEN'S NEEDS - Menstrual Cramping

WOMEN’S NEEDS

I wanted to start a discussion on using essential oils for particular women's needs. Feel free to join in with any helpful ideas which you have implemented and have worked for you.

RELIEF FROM MENSTRUAL CRAMPS

This past menstrual cycle, I began trying essential oils to ease the menstrual cramps.  I do not like to resort to using Motrin, Advil, or anything like that because typically I end up getting a rebound headache the next day.

I had Clary Sage, Lavender, and Peppermint oils on hand and decided to give those a try.  Geranium is also supposed to be excellent for treating menstrual cramps, but I did not have any of that on hand.  I’ve ordered some and will have it on hand next month.

"GREEN CLEANING" recipes with essential oils

This discussion topic will serve the purpose of sharing safe and natural recipes for cleaning around the home, office, or anywhere where cleaning is needed.

Recipe #1 - ALL PURPOSE CLEANER

2 C. vinegar
2 C. distilled water
10 drops Lemon essential oil

Mix all together in a GLASS bottle and shake well before each use.  Do not use plastic as the Lemon oil will break down the plastic.

Recipe #2 - MIRROR OR WINDOW CLEANER

1 and 1/2 C. vinegar
1/2 C. purified or distilled water
8 drops of any type of citrus essential oil of choice (Lemon, Wild Orange, Grapefruit, etc)

Mix all together in a GLASS bottle and shake well before each use.

PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL and its applications

PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL (Mentha piperita) can be used in an abundance of ways. The oil is distilled from the leaves, stems, and flower buds of the plant. It has a strong menthol aroma with a sweet undertone.

Historically, peppermint has been used to ease digestive problems such as gas, heartburn, and indigestion, and to help freshen breath. Its properties are analgesic, antibacterial, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, and invigorating. It is very cooling in nature and may help reduce fever. And of course, peppermint is widely used today as a food flavoring.