The French Model

The French Model

Viva la France! Culture, sophistication. Ah, the joys of fine dining. Croissants, whine er .... wine, cheese, escargot, frog legs. >How about French Fries, French Toast, and French Dressing?< (Insert conceited French laugh) Hroh, hroh, hroh, hroh! You stupid Americans! What? What's that? Yes a Grail? We have a very nice one. And just for the record, we do bathe and shave. It's those Germans (remember the Germans) that don't shave. So let us go for a stroll along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. And perhaps later we shall go to the Louvre and then sit in a sidewalk cafe listening to street performers and talking about the French Model.

Yes, the French Model. What is the French Model? you say. No, I do not mean THOSE kind of models. Please allow me to explain.
 You see the French Model is perhaps the most controversial method of use for essential oils. This is for a few reasons. The French model uses undiluted essential oils topically AND internally. Ultimately, the French method of essential oil use seeks to take full advantage of the properties of essential oils, but this is not consistent with the more conservative models that we have previously discussed. Often, in the French Model, essential oils will be added to a teaspoon of honey, a bit of bread, or some other bit of food or drink.  French doctors are trained in the use of essential oils as medical students and will regularly prescribe essential oils as well as conventional medicine in their practice. Because the French method of oil use is internal and often undiluted it is very important that they be of the highest quality. DoTerra's Essential Oils are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade and are harvested from only the finest plants grown in regions  and harvested at time that guarantee optimal properties.

Even keeping that in mind, read the label before using internally. DoTerra bottles will have a 'Supplement Fact' section on the side if the oil is recognized as safe for internal use. Likewise some oils are strong and some people, particularly the young and old, my have sensitive skin. It seldom hurts to be cautious, particularly if you are uncertain. I myself do not often dilute oils much unless I need a carrier to cover a larger area. The important thing is to understand that the French Model does exist and is a great method for using essential oils. While it has traditionally been less common in the United States than the more conservative and restrained British Model, it is a very well documented, studied, and an effective school of thought. Ultimately there is no one single way of using essential oils. We are each very complex beings that interact with different things in different ways. There will be times that you will opt different methods based on any number of factors, and that zat is alright. Au revoir. 

The British Model

The British Model

Cheerio! I say, I do believe that it is tea time. Shall we we have a spot of tea and crumpets then Govna? Or maybe some fish and chips? Tahleho! For Queen and country and all that. After all, what more does the British Model require than a spot of tea and perhaps one of those cute, little cucumber sandwiches. Maybe a nice round of 'God Save the Queen'. Well maybe a bit more is needed. In this case maybe knowing that the model in question, refers to essential oils would be beneficial. Specifically being aware as to how permeable the skin is would be sterling. The British Model utilizes the permeability of human skin by applying essential oils topically. In the English Model, diluted topical use of essential oils is favored whereas in the other models undiluted application of high quality oils is appropriate. Non the less, conservative, stiff upper lip or not, the British Model favors topical application of essential oils. As already suggested this is with good reason. 

Our skin plays several roles, not the least of which is protection. While the skin is only the first line of defense against external threats it and its products are vital to our survival. The permeability of our skin is something that most people overlook though. We tend to think of our skin as a complete and total barrier separating us from our surroundings making us an island unto ourselves. We often forget how porous it actually is. There are something on the order of 175 pores per square centimeter of the forehead and 200 per square centimeter on the back of the hand. Consider how many pores actually cover your entire body. And that does not include sweat gland which are a different thing altogether. Our bodies are covered head to toe with pores and sweat glands. Consider that for a moment; this largely waterproof and pathogen resistant covering of ours is riddled with holes. Of course that is by nature's design, but it should be understood that we are not the impenetrable fortresses that we would like to believe. More important than all of this is the fact that essential oils have the ability to penetrate cellular walls due to their small molecular size and structure finding their way into the bloodstream in a matter of minutes.

What goes on the body, goes in the body. This is evidenced by decades of research. Sadly the quality of essential oils vary widely leading to a rationale for a more conservative approach to topical use found in the British Model. Low quality essential oils, that do not meet up to the stringent criteria established by companies like doTerra, can be loaded with impurities and toxins. The skin on your body is able to absorb a large percentage of what is placed on it in a matter of minutes. Within ten minutes many of the compounds, good or bad, placed on your skin are coursing through your bloodstream. So using inferior oils on your body is something to be cautious about. Bearing this in mind, a heavy amount of dilution of essential oils with carrier oils is a perfectly appropriate in some cases. Other examples would be that with infants and young children you should always be conservative in the application of essential oils. Babies have very thin and sensitive skin, and while I would not have a problem with applying essential oils on a baby I would do so cautiously. It would also be beneficial to be cautious in the application of 'hot oils' like cassia, cinnamon, oregano, and thyme. These oils can create an uncomfortable sensation on the skin if used undiluted and as such a carrier oil is advised. As with all things, it simply requires a little bit of basic knowledge. Good quality and knowledge are the main tools that you need. So put your sausage and mash where your north and south is china plate. Huh?

      

Search and Research

Search and Research

So how effective are essential oils when it really comes down to it? Sure, people have claims but testimonials from strangers are a dime a dozen. After all where is the proof? Well that is a tall order. Not because there is a lack of information, but because there is quite a bit of information. While there are areas in which studies have not been done and there is a long way to go, there is quite a bit out there already, despite reluctance from a number of interests. There is enough information that it takes a lot of time and effort to wade through it all. It is a particularly daunting task if you are a layman. Studies abound of various types but what has merit and what does not? How do you digest all of the information? Where to start?

 

There is only a small amount of ground that we can cover in a few short paragraphs. But consider a flu study out of Oklahoma in which influenza virus infectivity was suppressed by doTerra's On Guard essential oil treatment in a dose-dependent manner. The number of nascent viral particles released was reduced by 90% when virus was treated with 1 to 4,000 dilution and by 40% with a 1 to 6,000 dilution of the oil. Oil treatment of the virus also decreased direct infection of the cells as the number of infected cells decreased by 90% when virus was treated with 1 to 2,000 dilution of On Guard and by 45% with a 1 to 3,000 dilution of the oil. The suggestion appears to be that the antiviral effect may be due to inhibition of viral protein translation. No matter the reason, it is an impressive result.

 

There are also some interesting studies dealing with postoperative nausea. Anecdotal evidence abounds about the effectiveness of peppermint in staving off nausea. This led to a study from Liverpool University in which patients that were not in the control group inhaled either synthetic peppermint or peppermint essential oil after surgery. The results of the study demonstrated that those exposed to the synthetic substitute had twice the nausea as those using natural essential oil. In another study conducted in North Carolina patients were administered either isopropyl alcohol, ginger essential oil, or a combination of ginger, spearmint, peppermint, and cardamom. Aromatherapy with essential oils was found to be an effective, noninvasive, and cost effective treatment for postoperative nausea. 

 

How about work from the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in 2003 dealing with helicobacter pylori, a microorganism found in the stomach that is responsible for ulcers and so much more. The thirteen different essential oils used were found to be bactericidal against helicobacter pylori without the development of an acquired resistance. Lemongrass was found to be particularly effective. Think about this as an alternative to antivirals, which viruses adapt to.

 

So where does this leave us?  A couple of quick references to a few favorable studies does not constitute significant proof on the validity of essential oils as an alternative method for dealing with a plethora of health issues. Does it? But... but, but, but. But there is so much more. Studies are showing up in more and more quarters, and the results of these studies are becoming harder to ignore. Rather than waiting to be told by the 'experts' what is good for you, perhaps it is time to take more ownership. The research is being done. The data is out there. While it seems overwhelming and the vocabulary and level of detail is intense, a person can wrap their brain around scholarly articles and scientific studies. It just takes some time, effort, and patience. As a layman writing a short blog, I have hardly done justice to the studies that I refer to, but I have made you the reader aware of them. Now it is your turn. Verify some of the things that you hear and read about. I would recommend Aromatics Science (https://www.aromaticscience.com/)  or PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) to start out. YOU can do this. You CAN be the expert on your own health and happiness. And WE will be here to help you along the way. Ultimately that ball is in your court.

 

Contact me with questions or follow us on other social networks. We are here for you.

Shared Culture, Shared Community

Shared Culture, Shared Community

Culture. What is culture? Every region and group has at one. Cultures take many different forms and they all have merit and value on some level. Often they are difficult to understand. The term culture does not just apply to large societal grouping though. For example, there are any number of subcultures to consider as well, or in some cases corporate cultures. Ultimately our culture is what defines us as a people or group, and as such, it is worthy of some reflection in order to consider what our values are. Recently Scott Ford was discussing the culture of doTerra as business and a number of interesting words were used by him and others. He stated that doTerra represents a culture of authenticity; but doTerra was also discussed as being a culture about people, family, sharing, service, and cooperation. How this manifests itself was discussed. And it can be seen in so much of what we do. That makes me proud. The starting point for everyone involved with doTerra Essential Oils is in wanting to help others. These are not just a class of business managers that we are talking about. We are talking about something entirely different. A group of people that are passionate about helping others and sharing with them.

It has been a long time coming, but American attitudes on healthcare are shifting. This because of any number of reasons, ranging from concerns over the cost and quality of health care, worries in changes to the health care system due to 'Obamacare,' and a more knowledgeable public that is willing and able to conduct research on their own. People are looking at more options in greater depth, rather than simply accepting standard practice. A majority of Americans now look to natural health care products in some capacity. Half of Americans use or have used essential oils in one form or another. That number is expected to grow as people become better versed in their options and as they come to understand how effective essential oils are. This is particularly true for doTerra Essential Oils.

The term doTerra means 'gift of the Earth'. And that is exactly what doTerra offers, in the form of absolutely pure, therapeutic grade, essential oils . The feeling is that the Earth bestows great gifts upon us in abundance and we need only to be good stewards so as to be able to participate in this feast of plenty. The gifts from the Earth after all, are gifts for the whole world. And it is doTerra's mission to share health and prosperity with every individual, family, and community in the world. That is a big goal. Yet despite the grand vision doTerra has the soul of a small company. There is an intimacy to the doTerra community that goes several steps beyond what you would expect. You need only work with us and it will become self-evident. We are a culture of caring, cooperation, and commitment. The way to providing health and prosperity to all can only be done by reaching out and touching people as individuals, one at a time. The world is changed not by grand sweeping gestures but by changing one life at a time. That is one reason why I have been doing doTerra.

Please contact me if you would like to know what doTerra Essential Oils can do for you.

Going for the Gold

Going for the Gold

As the Winter Olympics take place and again conclude in a far corner of the world, we are reminded of the quest for excellence. While most of us are not elite athletes, we all aspire to greater things, and when we see the dedication and degree of excellence that these fine people exhibit it is hard not to be impressed. But considering a bit deeper, there is the consideration of who these Olympians are. Some come from countries with ways of life or beliefs that we cannot quite understand. Some come from wealth while others have known squaller. Some come from families, programs, or countries with a legacy in a particular sport, others not so much. And some come from backgrounds and families not unlike our own. That is part all of the drama of the Olympics, whether we are from a big city, a small city, the mountains, the plains, the tropics, the tundra, no matter our language, religion, government, hobbies, interests, or politics there are people competing at this elite level that we see a bit of ourselves in. And that is inspiring. There is a bit of fantasy that take place in the imagination. Imagining and remembering the crunch of the snow under your cross country skis or boots, or feeling the rush as you catapult down a hill on a sled, inner tube, downhill skis, or snowboard you sometimes have a moment of understanding. 

It is also fun when we see that these Olympians have interests, likes, and habits like our own. Even with the intense focus, dedication, and regimen they are a reflection of those of us that are a bit more common. We are made of the same kind of stuff as these great competitors. 

Recently quite a few users of doTerra essential oils smiled after seeing a glimpse of the contents of Australian snowboarder and Olympic medalist Torah Bright's suitcase. Prominent items included quite a few doTerra products, including Deep Blue and the Lifelong Vitality Pack, among other things. On the one hand, it is not terribly surprising to learn that a very diet conscious and health oriented athlete such as Bright, would be using essential oils to deal with muscle fatigue and other issues. But it is, non the less, reassuring to see some of the things that you so value highly for health and wellness used by people competing at this elite level. On some levels Bright is someone that is very different from myself. Bright comes from a family full of snow based athletes that tend to be very holistic in their lifestyles, with a mother that is natural health therapist. When you add to that the fact that she is a Mormon, an Australian, as well as other factors; Torah Bright seems to be someone that is so very different then what I am. Yet despite differing lives, backgrounds, and perspectives we both have found the value of doTerra essential oils and how they can help you perform to a higher level and go for the gold. 

If you have questions, contact us here, on Facebook, Twitter, or at bendoingdoterra@gmail.com

Working Together

Working Together

It is reassuring to know that you are not alone. While I personally crave some time on my own, so that I can think, exercise, and be creative, I also like to be part of a larger whole. It is good to have a sense of belonging and to be part of a greater community, particularly when that community is working toward a greater good. At this writing, I am in the process of meeting with and working with a several people that have chosen not only to use essential oils in their lives, but to share their knowledge with others. We are meeting to go over a great number of things, ultimately we are sharing information and insights about our own journeys and listening to the perspectives and experiences of others. 

I am in the process of sharing with this group my insights about using the Internet and digital media to share information about doTerra essential oils online. It is difficult on some levels to do because there is so much information in such a limited amount of time to share it in. But you pass on what you can in the hope that it helps others. Lisa Skrzypczynski is teaching us about essential oils, how to use them, why, and how to share them and succeed. Ann McCotter is talking about us about positive attitude, dream fulfillment, and goal setting. There has been a lot of sharing going on and it is grand. It is so important to share with others when and where you can. It is also so nice to hear the experiences and insights of others.

I love growing, I love helping others grow. It does not matter what the subject is, growth is always the desired goal. At least it always should be for all of us. The alternative is stagnation, and stagnation is the road to decay. We go through life seeking new knowledge, improved skills, and better ways of doing things. It is when we help one another that that we grow the most. Cooperation and shared experience is a powerful thing. No matter what you do or are involved in, I encourage you to engage others, share with them, learn from them, give to them. Those are the steps that we need to take so that we can work together.

Thank you to all that took part in this great event. If you are interested in future dotTerra events in the Oshkosh, WI area, contact Marge Woodfill at margewoodfill@gmail.com

New Challenges

New Challenges

It is exciting when we find ourselves acquiring new skills and knowledge. As we build our skills and knowledge, new challenges arise, and we learn yet more as we face those challenges. Recent weeks have been exactly that. As I have read and communicated with others I have begun to gain new insights. I have also found new ways to challenge myself. 

It is not any one thing, but many in my case. I am part of a group that trains youth to run 10k runs, and while many of us are fairly dedicated runners it does become difficult to get the outdoor miles that one would like due to lack of daylight. As an additional measure to cross-train and condition ourselves by taking yoga classes at Northwoods Yoga in Gillett. What a fun new way to challenge ourselves both physically and mentally. 

As we have been busy putting together new content and ideas to share we have had to learn new ways of thinking, seeing, and communicating. In many cases these are small issues, but cumulatively these bits and pieces of new ideas and how to implement them turn in to larger challenges as well.

And of course regarding essential oils there is always a new story to share. I have been reading about specific issues as I talk with friends, family, and colleagues and learned so much. I came across an interesting, if small study from Australia that suggests that melaleuca may have a role intreating skin cancer. I also was told that a spray that we put together consisting of 15 drop melaleuca, 15 drops eucalyptus, 15 drops lavender and an ounce of fractionated coconut oil caused fresh scabs to heal and fall of within a day. It seems like every couple of days I am hearing about something like this and it really pumps me up to keep sharing with you. 

That said, I want to let you know that if you are in the Oshkosh area on Saturday, January 

25th, 2014 come look for us at the Country Living & Natural Health Expo in the Sunnyview Expo Center. There will be hundreds of exhibits and activities and family fun. It is the largest health, fitness, nutrition, and green living expo in Wisconsin and we will be there. Admission is free. We are very excited to be part of this event. Marge Woodfill, Pat Birschbach, Cari Erickson, and Kris Piaskowski will be there to answer any and all questions that they can regarding essential oils. They are all very knowledgable and will be thrilled to help you.

We learn new skills, new ideas, new ways of doing things and strive to put them together in new and innovative ways. And in doing so we change the world. 

Being Aware

Being Aware

Awareness. What a gift it is. Yet despite our knowledge of the world around us, we often stumble through it, only half aware of what is going on around us as we race to some unseen finish line. There is so much of the world that we cannot truly know or understand no matter how hard we try. And yet it is paramount that we try. Knowledge does, after all, bring us understanding and the ability to solve problems. That is why it is so important that we not only seek knowledge, but also disseminate it.

We are always seeking to share what we have learned and are learning, and we do it in a variety of ways. Of course, at this reading you are aware of my sharing of various insights via this blog. Likewise, I always make efforts to share regular information via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and the like in the form of tips, articles, videos, photos, and research. And as always, I can be reached via email for answers to specific questions. Some of you are also aware that we appear in different venues. We regularly will go to fitness fairs, farmers' markets, and offer classes. These venues are important because so often face to face contact and personal conversation cannot replace postings on a blog or tips on a social networking site. Solid information from sources that you trust is important. But there are so many things that are better communicated in person.

That said, from time to time I am going to make a point of it keep you updated on some of our goings-on in the future. One that is coming up this spring that we are excited about is the 'Dare to be Aware Fair' at the Mitchell Park Conservatory in the 'Domes' in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For those of you that are not aware, the Domes are unique venue in and of themselves. If you have never been there, I fully encourage it, particularly in the cold months. The domes offer desert and tropical environments near the heart of Milwaukee no matter the time of year. It is an amazing thing to step into this tropical world only moments after being out in the brutal subzero conditions of a Wisconsin winter. Now imagine this as a backdrop for a wellness fair including people from numerous disciplines and all of the possibilities that come with it. In addition to many other things, there will be specialists available in food and dining, health, beauty and wellness, chiropractic, tai chi, nutrition, massage, and of course essential oils. There will be an entire range of presentations and vendors in all manner of areas. The fair is an annual event facilitated primarily by the Center for Creative Learning, which provides personal and professional development to the business community and the general public.

This year the Dare to be Aware Fair will be April 5th, 2014. Kris Piaskowski. Marge Woodfill, and Lisa Skrzypczynski will be there to talk to people about doTerra essential oils. All three of them are very knowledgable about essential oils and their use and may be considered a great resource. Please stop by and visit them at this unique on of a kind event.

Searching for Knowledge

Searching for Knowledge

So where to start when you want to do a bit of research on essential oils? There are a few sources worth looking at. One source that I find to be very useful is a website called everythingessential.me. In fact as far as online sources go this is one that I really like. Everything Essential is my number one go to site. It has all of the stuff that you need to get started on researching essential oils. There is a very helpful page for 'Health Concerns' that offers all manner of insight into different ailments. There is also a tab explaining and describing the properties of the different oils and blends that doTERRA offers as well as a page detailing other products that they offer. You will also find suggestions for application of oils, tips, and information on some of the science and history behind essential oils. There are even a few videos to be found including several videos of Doctor David Hill presenting on various subjects. There is a lot of information here. It will take time to digest it all but I recommend it highly.

For a really great resource in book form take a look for a book called Modern Essentials: A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils. It is an excellent guide that does a very nice job of covering the entire spectrum related to essential oils. It gives the type of information listed in the paragraph above and so much more. In fact, the book is a bit overwhelming at first glance because there is so much in it. It is a great resource and is a definite must for your library if you have any interest whatsoever in natural healthcare products. Again I highly recommend it.

These two sources alone are enough to keep a person busy studying for a long time. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many resources to look at and consider but this should be more that enough for a person to get started on the subject.


If you have questions about essential oils, please let me know.

Winter Wonder

Winter Wonder

As we enter the heart of winter and are right at the tail end of the holiday season we contend with a cold world even as we enjoy a warm hearth and the warmth of family and friends. The brutality that is winter in the northern climes of North America is a harsh reality to face. But it is a reality that we must face nonetheless. At this writing, I cringe at the thought of going outside to fetch firewood and later this evening driving through the dark, winter evening on frozen roads to a meeting. In recent posts I have discussed the importance of family and making choices in the best interest of those that we care for. I have referenced different strategies for dealing with winter ailments. But at the risk of sounding like a broken record, perhaps it is time for a bit more on the topic.

One thing that winter brings is dry, cracked skin. It can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. While lotion is a go to for most people, one of the best strategies is using a simple carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil. The coconut oil will not only moisturize the skin but is also vitamin rich and is good for the skin. The coconut oil can be supplemented with a number of essential oils such as a touch of Lavender or Lemon. This also works on cracked skin on the feet as well. Peppermint is also quite effective in this regard. Better yet a mixture of Peppermint, Melaleuca, and Geranium in coconut oil is yet another option that should work well. On a related note eczema and dry itchy skin is another common winter problem. Lavender can relieve itching, Geranium will sooth and heal the skin and Melaleuca will help with infection. As of late I have been as of late been trying Cedarwood on dry skin and that seems to be working out as well. I have high hopes for Cedarwood.

Of course, winter brings cold, coughs, and sniffles to mind as well. I have found Breathe and Peppermint to be very effective for nasal congestion. I find that just a dab on the foot or nasal passages clears thing up nicely. Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Peppermint, or Lime are nice for chest congestion by rubbing them onto the chest or lymph nodes, I find Eucalyptus in particular to be helpful for breathing. For a sore throat I gargle with a drop of On Guard, sometimes with a drop of Lemon as well. Any oil with analgesic qualities should be effective but I have been quite happy with On Guard. Oregano is very effective in this regard, but is very strong and quite bitter so I am more sparing myself with it.

Ultimately with winter ailments prevention is the best medicine. Boosting the immune system is your first line of defense. That is what On Guard does best. A bit of On Guard on the thyroids, in the drinking water, or diffused in the air staves off and weakens bacteria and viruses. Supplement this with regularly putting a drop of citrus oil into your drinking water and your immune system will be greatly strengthened. 

The next line of defense is killing the pathogens that cause illness in the first place. While you cannot put a stop to all harmful viruses that you might be exposed to, being able to destroy or weaken the lions share of them is desirable to say the least. A glass spray-bottle with several drops of On Guard, Purify and perhaps a citrus will keep your home clean and comparatively germ-free. The less viruses that your body is fighting the stronger your immune system will be.  

Winter in the north is a long and sometimes brutal ordeal. We often find ourselves struggling with cabin fever and sometimes our sanity. Even if you do get out there and ski, snowmobile, or ice fish it is still short days and long nights which makes for a very long winter. We need strategies to deal with the long periods of time inside as we ride out the winter.

If you have questions about doTERRA product and how they can help you please contact me.

educatorunderground@gmail.com

or Ben Doing doTERRA on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Finding What You Need

Finding What You Need

It is a strange thing to realize that you do, at this reading, have, for the most part, the whole of human knowledge at your disposal. In a matter of a few clicks you can be learning about any subject in all fields of human understanding. Think about that for a moment. Anything that you want to learn about, see, hear, or experience is there to discover in one form or another. With a small amount of time, effort, and perhaps some guidance, you have the ability to master any number of areas.

Navigating through all of that information can be difficult though. Yes, the opening salvo is simple enough. It is a small matter to go to the Internet and type a few keywords into a search engine, but what to do with the results. The untold thousands of results will vary. There will be wikis, blogs, and advertisements. There will be sites, of all types, dispositions, quality, and accuracy. And they will be there by the millions. How to wade through all of that?

Researching subjects like essential oils are a good example. There are so many websites with so much information. But often it is conflicting information. Standard fact checks, encyclopedias, and so forth commonly have a lag in the timeliness of the information that they offer. Wading through data on medical trials and studies is a Herculean task for most laypeople. Blogs and websites range all over the map in what they offer. Some offer the views of skeptics and critics that will deny the obvious, others offer the views of cheerleaders embracing difference for its own sake. Often the seemingly contradictory information is based on different product lines from different companies with varying qualities. Often for example, I will come across warnings about the danger of ingesting essential oils and yet I know that almost all doTERRA essential oils are perfectly safe for human consumption. I know this because doTERRA oils are all Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade. 100%. No additives, no preservatives, no chemicals, no surprises.

So what to do? The main thing is to look for sources that you can trust, and voices that you can have some confidence in. For my part, as time goes by I shall try to direct you, the reader of this blog, links to sites that can help you on your quest for knowledge in this area. It is important that we share information, ideas, and opinions. That is how we grow as individuals and as a society.

For the moment, if you have questions you can post a message to me on this site. Another option is to message us on Facebook or Twitter at Ben Doing doTERRA. Or of course, you can email either me at educatorunderground@gmail.com or Kris at kris_piaskowski@yahoo.com. We will do our best to answer your questions and refer you to an appropriate source.

Thankfulness and Family

Thankfulness and Family

Thanksgiving stands at the cusp of autumn and winter, a time of transition and reverie. While New Years is often given the credit for reflection upon both what lies ahead and has transpired, it is during  Thanksgiving that we give such reflection context. This is truly the holiday of, by, and for the family. It is the essential holiday in many ways when you look at it simply through the prism of family. Yes, Easter, Christmas, and Hanukkah are vital religious holidays and times of family. Independence Day and Halloween offer their measures of family fun and also context for ourselves in important shared experiences. Like Independence Day, we have times like Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, President's Day, and Martin Luther King Day to also serve as punctuation marks to ideals that we value. Saint Patrick and Saint Valentine have sadly devolved somewhat, so rather than being viewed as religious days by Americans they are now more akin to Punxsutawney Phil's special day; non the less we have fun with them and are glad to celebrate. I could go on, but to the larger point.

Thanksgiving is unique. While it looks to the harvest, as the roots of Halloween once partially did, it is something entirely different. Think for a moment about the rituals and actions of Thanksgiving. What do we do? We gather, we eat, we visit. We say thank you, mostly offered as a prayer. No gifts, fireworks, noisemakers, costumes, or games. At least not as central parts of this holiday. We gather with family and sup together as we offer a bit of gratitude. Sure, the details vary. 'Family' might be friends, but they are close friends. We might go hunting before of after. We might be watching football as we feast. We might dress up or we might show up in blaze orange. If you are far enough north you might be setting up an ice shanty that day. But no matter how you slice it, Thanksgiving is about a shared moment of thankfulness with family. It is what we do as a people.

We should be thankful and thoughtful about our families. It is why we do so many of the things that we do. The health, happiness, and wholeness of our families does matter to us all. It informs the choices that we make. At the end of the day it is those that we care for are what matter. They are essential to us. When we chose an activity, food, or medicine for our families, we give the matter time and consideration because we cherish our families and want what is best for them. OUR families consistent use of essential oils is because we have tried them, read about them, spoken to experts on them, and as a result we have come to see them as a valuable addition to the life of our family. DoTERRA essential oils have aided us and our children through ailments and injuries, flavored our foods and beverage, cleaned our house, and eased our minds. So while my Thanksgiving prayer did not include doTERRA essential oils they are something that I am still grateful for, as in a fairly short period in my life they have had such an impact upon us. But in the end essential oils are simply a tool for aiding and enriching our lives. As we gather with family and friends in the coming weeks for holiday celebrations, keep in mind how important they are. No matter how difficult things can be it is all about family.

Having Your Cake and Eating It Too

Having Your Cake and Eating It Too

One particularly beautiful thing about essential oils is that they add to your quality of life. And this is particularly true with doTERRA. Unlike many other brands of essential oils, most doTERRA essential oils are ingestible. One reason for this is because doTERRA oils are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade. That means they are guaranteed to be 100% pure, which gives a whole extra dimension of possibilities to your use of oils. Think about it. No chemicals, no additives, no preservatives. Nothing but the best. 

Aromatic use of essential oils is a well known method of using the scent of purified oils extracted from plants to elicit a physical or psychological response in dealing with ailments. This is a practice that is age old and well documented. In addition to physical ailments, aromatherapy can be used for cognitive functioning and mood enhancement. This is what people often think about when they think of essential oils. There is mounting evidence in the form of studies regarding this. Peppermint stimulates mental awareness and wakefulness. Lavender aids in relaxation. Lemon is effective for mood elevation and relief of stress. And so forth. Moreover, it is pleasant. But regardless of citing studies on the correlation between aroma and various responses the real beauty of essential oils is that in addition to what they do for you, they are pleasing. How often can you say that about medicine.

The bigger thing to highlight though is taste. My family consistently uses essential oils in our food and drink. If you look at my Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest aptly titled 'Ben Doing doTERRA' you will see a few pictures from time to time of dishes and drinks that we have crafted using essential oils. Generally it is pretty simple, a drop of something like lime or lemon in a drink, any drink. Adding a drop or two to just your drinking water works wonders. Water becomes something that you look forward to. In addition to hydrating your body, which most of us fall well short on, you are selecting compounds that serve a beneficial purpose for your health. A small amount of time on everythingessential.me can help you select oils that work for you and your needs. In the case of water the flavor that you are adding is not overbearing, sweetened, false and carries with it the benefits of the oils that you have selected. In any number of recipes simply substituting an ingredient for a few drops of oil is so simple. Ranging from dips to desserts and from marinades to marmalades adding essential oil to your food is fun, simple, and delicious. How often can you say that about medicine. So in the case of doTERRA essential oils, you can have your cake and eat it too.

If you have questions please contact me on this blog, on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Also you may email me at educatorunderground@gmail.com. 

Good Medicine

Good Medicine

Cold season comes. What to do? First and foremost is to not get sick in the first place. One common preventative measure is to consistently put a drop of lemon essential oil into your drinking water. If I feel concerned about a cold coming on I will rub a drop of OnGuard on my thyroids. If I feel like the immune system needs a bit more help then I make a "magic bullet". A magic bullet consists of two drops of melaleuca, tho drops of oregano, two drops of OnGuard, and four drops of lemon, all in a vegetable capsule. These steps seem to work very well. I get sick less often and with less severity since I have started doing this. OnGuard is an immune system booster, and the "magic bullets"deliver a double whammy to the viruses that cause the common cold. Oregano is particularly effective as an antiseptic and anti bacterial agent. Melaleuca is great for dealing a variety of fungi and bacteria.  And lemon is an excellent antibacterial agent. Put all of these items together and you have a powerful medicine. These measure help prior to a cold in staving it off but also with minimizing and shortening the cold itself.

Despite trying to be on top of things sometimes you get sick nonetheless. Essential oils can help with that also. Breathe helps clear the nasal passages brilliantly. Lacking Breathe, peppermint is a great standby. The other day, my nose was really clogged up and I happened to have a sample bottle of peppermint which I placed by my nostril and inhaled directly. Clear nostrils for the rest of the day. I also had a mildly sore throat. I placed a drop of lemon and a drop of OnGuard in a shot glass and filled it with water. I then gargled with a bit of it to ease my throat.  It worked nicely. Overall though, I felt somewhat miserable, miserable enough that I was concerned that I would not be able to sleep well. Two drops of lavender essential oil in a glass of water before bed and I slept like a baby. To top it off, I even have some not quite perfect, home made cough drops, made from honey and OnGuard.

I could go on, but the point is that I and my family have found some simple, effective, ways to deal with basic illnesses at home thats to doTERRA essential oils. You can too. That is a good thing to keep it mind as the cold weather approaches. If you have questions contact 'bendoingdoterra' on Facebook or Twitter. We are happy to help.

Are Essential Oils Safe?

Are Essential Oils Safe?

So you keep hearing about essential oils and in some cases they sound amazing. Maybe you have experimented a bit with them but are a little uptight. Can something as potent as essential oils be safe? I mean there have got to be some dangers or side effects, don't there? I remember having a significant concern myself when I first started using essential oils about a wound that I had had stitched shut and whether or not I should put oils on the wound. In retrospect, knowing what I know now, I wish that I had been more aggressive in my use of oils at the time. So from my perspective, I am very comfortable with essential oils for myself and my entire family. That said, there are always things to be aware of. This is science, after all, not magic. As such we must consider if there are possible tradeoffs to be aware of regarding our choices.

Most essential oils are perfectly safe and do not have any negative effects. They are also strongly antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral which makes them safe to use not only medically but also for cleaning. Because of their extremely small molecular size, essential oils are not only easily absorbed by the body but they also do not accumulate in the body. That said, as with anything that you put into your body it is important to be educated in their use and to use them properly.

Let's start with a few basics. Try not to get them in the eyes, any essential oil in the eye will sting. If you do get it in the eye, do not flush it out with water, that will only make it sting worse. Waiting it out seems to work the best but that can be tough to do. There are a few oils that are not really intended to be ingested even if you think that they should be. Most doTERRA essential oils are completely safe for consumption, particularly if diluted, but birch, cypress, cedarwood, eucalyptus, and wintergreen should not generally be used in this way. Also if you are allergic to a specific thing, you will in all likelihood be allergic that essential oil. Keep that in mind.

Good quality essential oils are concentrated and thus can be quite strong. This being the case, some oils applied directly to sensitive skin can be irritating. This is not the case with all oils but hot oils such as oregano, cinnamon, clove, thyme, and cassia should be used with caution when being applied directly to the skin. One way of using hot oils, or any oils for that matter on the skin is to use a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil, to dilute the essential oil. This is particularly true for children. Children have thinner more sensitive skin than adults, and as a result dosages might need to be more conservative and a carrier oil is advised. As with anything that is concentrated essential oils are not meant to be played with, it is advisable to keep them out of the reach of younger children. 

As with younger children a few cautions can be noted regarding pregnancy. It is important to use certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils in order to avoid any impurities. This is why product lines like doTERRA are such a Godsend, it is vital to know exactly what you are putting into your body and if it is what it is billed as. Aromatic use of most essential oils with the exception of birch, rosemary, thyme, or wintergreen is fine during pregnancy. For internal use basil, cinnamon, rosemary, and thyme are not recommended during pregnancy. And topically birch, cassia, cinnamon, rosemary, thyme and wintergreen are not recommended during pregnancy. Finally, the recommendation regarding doTERRA blends during pregnancy is that you consider diluting them as to make them less intense. Pregnancy is a time to be cherished and also a time to be cautious as you steward a young life into this world. Essential oils can play a key role during a pregnancy and can be used to great effect to ease some of the discomforts of carrying a child. A good starting point regarding pregnancy can be found on everything essential .me. 

As with all things in life there are pros and cons. Every choice that we make carries positives and negatives with it. Essential oils offer a clear, clean, comprehensive, and safe way of dealing with various aspects of our lives. They are quite safe in almost all regards carrying minimal risks and offering  any number of positives. Combined with proper diet, exercise, medical guidance, and a bit of education doTERRA essential oils are a safe and healthy option for your life. 

Family Essentials

Family Essentials

There are few things in life as fulfilling... or as maddening as parenting. It is difficult and daunting but we muddle our way through it. As much as we give up and sacrifice of ourselves it really does seem worthwhile on those few occasions when we really do manage to get things right. The problem is that it is pretty difficult to get things right most of the time. Children do not come with instruction manuals and the manuals that have been written are not always reliable, as if they were written for a different model of child then the ones that you have around. Add to that some of the seemingly impossible expectations of parenting nowadays and the fact that we do not exactly live in a child friendly society and you really can see how difficult it is to raise children today.

I remember when we were sent home from the hospital with our first child. We strapped him into the car and got in and looked at each other like "now what". It seemed strange that we were vested with the authority to take this little guy home. I still wonder most days if I am the right one for the job. At the time, I was terrified that this cute, little bundle of poop and baby puke was going to break when we weren't looking. From that point on everything that happened was virgin soil. Every fever, sniffle, bump, bruise, cut, scrape, sick tummy, rash was cause for fear. At least at first. Eventually you do start to get the hang of things and while you might not always get it right you at least don't get things totally wrong either. While that is cause for some satisfaction there are still a lot of frustrations.

Crying one month old babies don't generally explain to you what is wrong. Due to a lack of experience and vocabulary, children, even older ones, cannot always verbalize the specific nature of their problems. Sometimes you just cannot figure out what is wrong. Even when you do figure out what is wrong, you still need to help your little one through it and that is not always easy. One of the biggest frustrations as a parent is medication regarding kids. Age and medicine are a very frustrating mix. Most medications are not suitable for small children, sometimes it feels like until the age of twelve you can't give them anything without consulting a doctor. While there are medications available for children options are limited, effectiveness sometimes seems limited, and of course there you are pumping things into your child's body. 

This is where essential oils come in. DoTerra essential oils have been a Godsend for our family. For general health and wellness, illness, helping with sleep, concentration for homework, and so much more; essential oils have transformed the lives of our family. Balance and InTune have helped our kids with mental clarity. Peppermint, On Guard, DigestZen, 'magic bullets' and so forth have helped our kids avoid or deal with illness. Lavender and Serenity are helpful sleep aids in our house. The list continues.  Our children are becoming more self aware regarding their bodies and what they need. And we have no fear of overmedicating our children or the usual 'side effects' of taking medicine. My only regret is that I wish that our family had discovered essential oils sooner. Hopefully you can learn how to take advantage of what essential oils can offer your family.

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How Are Essential Oils Used?

How are essential oils used?

Essential oils are used in a few different ways depending on need and preference. Probably the best known way to use essential oils is aromatically. Aromatherapy, put simply, is using essential oils or other aromatic compounds to alter your mood, state of mind, or physiology. Aromatherapy has been in use for thousands of years with varying degrees of success and documentation. Many essential oils have qualities that are helpful on the microbial level with bacteria, funguses, and viruses. For example, the simple, soothing, scent of lavender can help one to relax but lavender also has been shown to be an effective antiseptic and is very effective with cuts and burns. Commonly people will rely on simply smelling the oil in undiluted form, using steam to carry the oils, or a diffuser that runs a stream of air over a mixture of water and oils to create a fine mist. But even just cleaning or topical use with the right essential oils can help aromatically. The simple act of smelling the right compound can have a distinct physiological effect on you.

Topical use has become perhaps the most common use of essential oils. Topical use means that the oil is applied directly to the skin. Sometimes the oil might be diluted with a 'carrier oil' but in some cases the oil is placed on in pure form. The beauty of topical use of essential oils is that because they are in essence oil soluble and have a very small molecular structure they can pass directly through the skin and enter the bloodstream. This results in very quick entry by the oils to the problem area. Sometimes the oil is applied directly to a problem area, but often the oil might be applied in other locations. Sometimes oil might be applied to the back of the neck  to stimulate the nervous system. Often, as counterintuitive as is seems, essential oil might be applied to the foot or maybe the ear based on accupressure charts which are easily available. This turns out to be a very effective method. Case in point, many people find that using a drop of doTERRA's Breathe on the feet at bedtime is an effective remedy for snoring.

Finally, ingestion is another method for using essential oils. This can be done in a capsule or by mixing the oil into food or beverage. There has been less clinical research on this method but very strong empirical evidence and mounting research shows essential oils to be very effective in this regard as well. For example, couple of drops of peppermint in your drinking water has a quick and powerful effect on your stomach, headaches, and general energy level. 

It is an important thing to keep in mind that not all essential oils are created equal. Not all are oils are fit for ingestion as designed by nature and not all producers of essential oil have the same high standards. Additionally government regulations leave room for vagaries and marketing can sometimes be misleading. It is highly recommended that you use Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils such as doTERRA essential oils. Certified pure guarantee that there are no fillers or contaminants. Finally the most important thing is to educate yourself by reading and vetting resources and asking the opinions of those whose opinions you value in this area. I am always available if you have questions and would like a bit of guidance. If you wish you may use the contact information on this page for more information.

I'm in Great Health, What Do I Need Essential Oils For?

I'm in Great Health, What Do I Need Essential Oils For?

So all is well and there is no need to consider medicines or health care products. The problem is that essential oils are not something that fit simply into a category like medicine. They are one small part of a greater whole that encompasses health, wellness, and lifestyle. Just as we make choices about diet, exercise, and lifestyle, so too do we make other choices as well. Oils are simply a building block that we can use to supplement our lives. Yes, most essential oils can be used to treat ailments, illnesses and injuries, but that does not mean that we can simply cubbyhole them as medicine, and therefore disregard them if we feel fine.

Essential oils can be used to maintain, modify, or enhance aspects of our lives. Various oils can be used to help adjust aspects of how we function or in preventative measures. If you are a runner you might want to consider doTerra's Breathe which opens up your airways quite effectively. Consumption of Lemongrass, or Basil can have a long-term effect on our cholesterol levels, and citrus based essential oils are a treasure trove of long and short term benefits. Studies continue to show that healthy choices today have a huge impact years down the road and essential oils can easily be part of that regimin.

Of course most people think of essential oils as tools for aromatherapy that are used to have an effect on moods. And that is absolutely true. Studies bear out over and over again that aromatherapy is highly effective and does elicit beneficial physical responses. This might take the form of using doTerra's Lavender or Serenity to relax or InTune for concentration or perhaps the scent of Peppermint for a quick dose of energy. Any of these options and a whole host of others are great enhancements to a persons life.

Finally, essential oils are a fun and simple way to add a little bit of zing to things. A drop of the right oil in your water or a recipe is a great way to spice things up in a healthy, happy, and safe way. I actually look forward to a tall glass of water. Whether we are using essential oils as medicine, or to maintain and modify the mechanics of our lives, or maybe just to add a bit of flavor and scent to our lives, essential oils have much to offer.

But Aren't Essential Oils Expensive?

But Aren't Essential Oils Expensive?

There are a few times in conversations when I have been telling someone about an oil like Sandalwood and the benefits that it has. As people take in the information, particularly those that have sampled oils and know how effective that they are, the question of price comes up. It always does if someone is truly interested in a product. Usually people realize that a product that is difficult to acquire and purify and is effective does carry a price. When you are as particular as doTerra is about not only what species of plants are used but also where they are harvested from, you set a high standard. But from time to time the friend, acquaintance, or colleague that you are talking with will get 'the look' on their face. You know 'the look'. The look of sticker shock, the look of "Whoa, that is NUTS! There is no way that I am buying THAT tiny little bottle for THAT price, I don't care how well it works." You can explain that the cost is based on factors related to harvest, shipping, and the high quality of doTerra certified 100% pure products. You can point out that effective health options, particularly those that treat lingering problems that standard methods have been unable to resolve, are worth the money. But ultimately sticker shock is tough to get past for all of us.

So are essential oils expensive? As with all things, it is a matter of perspective and context. It is also a case by case issue. Different items have dramatically different prices. Whether it is different cuts of steak prepared in different ways, different types of fruit, or essential oils there are going to be differences. It is easy to get an idea about price and cherry pick one way or the other. For example, things like lemon, lime, lemongrass, and clove all retail at around $15 a bottle. At around 250 drops a bottle we a talking pennies per dose, about 6 cents per drop. These are items that I use consistently, so to me they represent a 'normal' cost for essential oils. Conversely, when you look at some of the more expensive oils it can appear daunting. The idea of spending $100 for a fifteen mil bottle of Helichrysum seems pretty extreme to most of us. I mean $100 is some really nice Christmas of birthday shopping, or for those of us that live in areas that don't have a terribly high cost of living, a very nice night out with your spouse. It is a big chunk of change for most of us. Also, we live in a super-economy-sized more, bigger, better, faster kind of world. I can buy jumbo-sized stomach relief stuff for a ten spot at a local megamart. So why would I spend 40 some odd dollars for a fifteen mil bottle of DigestZen?

This is where communication is so important. In a way, it is harder to talk about the economics of essential oils than their impact on our health. As it turns out, demonstrating the effectiveness of essential oils is the easy part. We always need to be working on educating ourselves and others. This is true not only in regard to the effectiveness of different oils but also economics. It is not just a simple matter of figuring out the price per drop. That is good knowledge to have, but I think that the more valuable information is dose size. Often medications are taken by the ounce, the spoonful, or in pill form. In most cases essential oils are taken by the drop. One or two drops at a time is all that you use in most cases. When you consider the dose size of that bottle of that DigestZen when compared to pink stomach relief medicine it's a no brainer. Between 125 and 250 doses of DigestZen as compared to maybe 30 doses of your standard stomach relief is worth considering. So as it turns out, DoTerra essential oils are effective, efficient, and economical we just need to educate ourselves about them.

Why use essential oils?

Why use essential oils?

So why would anyone want to use essential oils when we have so many medicines available to us in this day and age? A few reasons come to mind. First and foremost, they work. One only need try a blend like doTerra's Breathe or a single oil like Melaleuca essential oil to see how effective they can be in very short order. Essential oils have been in use for centuries and in some cases longer. That in and of itself is not a valid reason for their use, but when you also look at some of the studies and research that are going on you begin to see that some traditional medicines are well worth looking at. We have relied on plants to treat our ailments since the dawn of our existence and essential oils are simply an extension of that. They are in many regards the essence of a given plant or plants.

As a society, species, and world we have become very dependent on measures in healthcare and lifestyles that seem to be the most efficient route but ultimately extract a severe price. The foods that we eat and the medicines that we pump into our bodies often do as much harm as good. Antibiotics have tended to be pretty indiscriminate killers when it really comes down to it. Many a dose of medicine has culled beneficial bacteria from our intestinal tracts as well as the targeted ones; rewriting the biome that is our body in a matter of days or weeks ultimately changing us as well as our descendants. We feel better, but in the long term our bodies often find themselves less able to deal with dangers that were once mundane.

The fear of the superbug that is resistant to antibiotics has moved out of the realm of speculation and science fiction and become something that we are actually being told is a viable danger. The very medicines that we have come to rely on are becoming less effective. This is where alternatives like essential oils become very palatable. Use of essential oils, even to a moderate degree, decreases your dependence on other types of medications allowing your body to be your body. Knowing what you are putting into your body is so important. Which allows me to close on a more trivial note. While my not being able to pronounce an ingredient in a food or medicine does not make it bad, on some level it is also reassuring to know exactly what I am putting into my body. Peppermint essential oil is peppermint. Period. Cilantro is cilantro. Lemon is lemon. As small a victory as it is, there is something reassuring in being able to say that you killed a wart with oregano or a rash with some lavender rather then something out of a tube that is a mixture of things that you have never even heard of.