Healing with Faith
I have a ritual of planning articles ahead which involves research, organizing and and then begin my preliminary article. I was writing my article for a few weeks when a lovely family came into the campground where we had our R.V. parked. My husband travels with his work and we were in North Carolina for 3 lovely months. Getting to know the family that arrived changed my article and I hope you bear with it. The family had set up a large tent across from us. Striking up a conversation, I introduced myself and my pugs, Lillie and Rosie. I met John and Christen and their four beautiful children, 4-8 years of age. John worked and Christen home schooled their children. They had one vehicle that was paid for when she lost her job. John had to take a lesser paying job and unfortunately then had lost their other vehicle, home and other personal items. When we met, they'd been homeless for 3 months. The campground owner had been generous, allowing the family to stay for a small fee. John was able to provide food and clothing and could afford a small place, but finding one to fit the budget had been difficult. Relatives were kind, inviting them to stay and they had occasionally, not wanting to burden anyone.
My heart was overwhelmed when I heard their story, one we often hear about, of people financially burdened and loosing all they own. Like Joseph and Mary and the new born Child, they have no place to stay. They were a strong Christian family and despite their peril, were happy and content, always with a positive outlook. The children, when not being home schooled, were laughing and playing. They could brighten anyone day with their joy. I wanted to make them something special to help keep them healthy through the winter months and Christen was excited about my offer. She was also excited at the prospect of learning about essential oils. And during that time got to know each other better and we became friends that, to this day, we still cherish.
With winter at the door and the need to keep the family healthy, we discussed having a good holistic health plan in place. The plan would help Christen keep the family healthy year round. Christen, like me, already used herbs and collected healthy "weeds" as part of her holistic health plan.
We chose oils, not only for the healthy part of them but we wanted aromas that the family liked. They decided on oils that reminded them of Christmas and winter outdoors. When I told the children about the gifts brought by the Magi, the Three Wise Men, in the Gospel of Matthew and how they visited Jesus after his birth, brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, the kids wanted to smell frankincense and myrrh. We got some funny upturned noses to the aromas. However, once we starting blend other oils in everyone began loving the aromas.
Since Christen had limited knowledge of essential oils, we discussed how essential oils could support and maintain health by supporting the immune system, easing colds and flu, help fight off viruses and more. We also discussed their use as analgesics, anti-inflammatories, anti bacterials and sleep aides . (1) (2)
With Christmas around the corner and as we related oils to herbs, we talked about scriptures and the use of resins, herbs and infused oils. Since there was no distillation process back then, people discovered simple but effective ways to use plants, bark, and resins. The plants and infused oils were used in perfumes, for anointing, medicinal treatments including teas, poultices, and salves.
When the distillation process did begin, we began to use essential oils by blending them with various carriers and diffusion into air. It was discovered long ago that resins, trees, flowers, herbs, citrus and more had therapeutic healing qualities
Explaining the various applications helped Christen to decide how she would use her blends. We discussed the various components of essential oils and how many of these components within the oils could readily absorb into the skin (dermis) as well as into the lungs through inhalation.
We briefly covered the most important part of using essential oils, including diffusing and children . Robert Tisserand states that “it is safe to diffuse oils around children “indirectly” or “ambient inhalation” which includes vaporizing the essential oils into the air. (3)
This a great way to disperse essential oils and the whole family can benefit and enjoy. Some oils may not be safe topically but do well through diffusion. However, some oils are not safe diffused, or topically for that matter.
Keeping individual oil safety in mind, the standard dilution rate of is 1% which is equivalent to 9 drops of essential oil per 1 ounce of carrier oil. This does not apply to all oils and situations so safety should be reviewed on individual oils. Age specific dilution is given by Tisserarnd. (4)
It was with happy thoughts but sadness when they finally found a small home to start over in. Meeting this family was an unexpected and a truly blessed experience.
One of the pleasures of traveling to different places is that I’ve been honored and by God’s grace, blessed to meet so many people that guide my life’s path; by no accident, I’m sure. And sharing the love of essential oils and how they can improve our lives is my passion. And so, this closes the chapter to my North Carolina visit.
The blends and carrier oils I provided to this lovely family (at no charge) included but not limited to were the following:
Deep Sleep Chest and Neck Rub
One of my favorite blends. With this recipe, while they sleep they are preventing colds and flu and supporting the immune system. Rub into chest and neck at bed time. For children, rub on backs.
2 ounce unscented lotion
10 drops Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.)
12 drops Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
10 drops Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)
5 drops Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides L.)
Peaceful Sleep
1 teaspoon Jojoba Oil 1 ounce witch hazel 2 drops Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
1 drops Myrrh (Cananga odorata var. genuine) 5 drops Lavender( Lavendula angustifolia)
This is a nourishing, calming, healing blend that also combats congestion at night which can help breathing and help with that good night sleep. It’s also wonderful for relaxing the muscles and quieting the mind. Avoid Myrrh if pregnant and children up to 2 years of age.
Cough and Congestion Blend I
4 Drops Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana)
5 Drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
2 Drops Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
4 Drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
3 Drops Lemon (Citrus limon)
2 ounces unscented lotion
Safe for all ages
Add the essential oils to the unscented lotion or carrier oil. Cedarwood is one of the most effective EO's in treating coughs and respiratory concerns for any age. Tea Tree is one of the BEST airborne, antimicrobial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and more essential oils. Frankincense is a huge immunostimulant and Lavender because of its main constituent lanilool which makes it a great analgesic oil. And last is Lemon which is an anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and because of the constituent called d-Limonene, lemon is also a liver supporter/protector. All these oils have their own strength yet have similar therapeutic actions making them a great effective blend.
Healing Inhaler
These will be handy for the family. Inhalers come with a cotton filler. We added the drops into a graduated cylinder then drop the cotton in to absorb before flipping the cylinder over to drop the cotton into the inhaler. If you don't have a graduated cylinder just drop the drops onto the cotton inside the inhaler. The inhaler will help with congestion and allergies. 5 drops Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) 5 drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) 5 drops Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)
Although the oils provided are friendly oils, it’s good to review all safety on essential oils. The safest application for children is diffusion. The best topical application for children is the back or tummy and this is to avoid to prevent them from putting their hands on it and into their mouths. You can apply to the bottoms of the feet, more because it feels good. However, the feet are the least permeable so not much is absorbed.
Have a healthy winter. Graciously, Rehne
References:
1. Tisserand, R. (1977). The art of aromatherapy: The healing and beautifying properties of the essential oils of flowers and herbs. New York: Inner Traditions International.
Frankincense; pages 227-230
2. Mojay, G. (1999). Aromatherapy for healing the spirit: Restoring emotional and mental balance with essential oils. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. Frankincense pg. 74-75; Myrrh pg. 98-99
3. Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (n.d.). Essential oil safety: A guide for health care professionals; oral and inhalation dosing; pg. 40-50
4. Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2007). Essential oil safety: A guide for health care professionals. New York: Churchill Livingstone; page 659; Premature Infants
5. About Essential Oils. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2016, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0011849/
