Medicine Cabinet Makeover

Integrative medicine is really gaining momentum and for good reason. It works. With any luck at all, pill popping will become a last resort rather than first line therapy for what ails us.

In our house we do not have antacids, ibuprofen, or antibacterial anything. We’ve been able to find natural replacements for all those things that not only work better, they’re considerably cheaper.

For us, our first line therapy is therapeutic grade essential oils. They’ve been around for thousands of years, and what I like best about them (besides the fact that they smell good) is they work quickly. Which is perfect for the instant gratification mentality that we’ve all become so used to.

Essential oils can be applied topically either neat (straight out of the bottle) or diluted in a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. It can also be misted into the air using a diffuser or taken internally (note: not all oils can be ingested). I like to add a few drops of lemon, wild orange or lime to my water throughout the day. And we have diffusers going in the office, living room and bedroom throughout the day.

Here are a few of my go-to essential oils for everyday maladies:

• Peppermint – Great for sore muscles, stomach upset, headaches (like all oils, keep away from eyes), stiff shoulders, improves mental alertness, freshens breath and opens up sinuses and airways.
• Lavender – Helpful for bruises, minor cuts and burns; its soothing aroma also has a calming affect and can help alleviate stress and tension.
• Frankincense – Also known as liquid gold, it’s one of my favorites. This oil has anti-depressant properties, soothing for skin irritations, acne, wrinkles, cuts and has been known to reduce scarring.
• Lemon – Has powerful antiseptic properties, improves circulation, antibacterial, useful for respiratory infections and inflammation, and like most of the citrus oils it improves and lifts the mood.

It’s important to note that not all essential oils are created equal. Unless it carries the label certified therapeutic, there’s a chance the oil may contain synthetic ingredients, contaminants or fillers. Our family uses doTERRA because they have gone the extra step and have all their oils third party tested for purity.

If you’d like to learn more about this inexpensive wellness solution, please feel free to contact me.

Be well,

Kathleen