Updated from November 24, 2016

As a coach I’m all about empowering others with the tools and practices to be free to live a more healthy and happy life. But as an American I didn’t grow up knowing that our body has an innate intelligence to heal itself. I didn’t understand how connected everything truly is – body, mind, and spirit. It wasn’t until I began my spiritual journey and path to wellness, after witnessing my loved ones battle cancer, that I began to live as conscious and holistic as possible.

For nearly a decade, one of the healing methods I have come to learn about and use are essential oils, as alternatives to antibiotics and pharmaceutical drugs, and also for emotional balance, and use in making non-toxic cleaners. Through my passion for learning about health and holistic methods of healing, I’ve discovered that essential oils are often safe and effective.

If I’m stressed out … I reach for an essential oil.

If I need support to stay focused and on task … I reach for an essential oil

If I have my lower back pain… I reach for an essential oil.

If me or my kids have a tummy ache… I reach for an essential oil.

If I want to support our immune systems and prevent colds … I reach for an essential oil.

If my kids have a fever … I reach for an essential oil.

If I need a natural pick-me-up when feeling down … I reach for, wait.

You see know where I’m going with this right?

Four and a half years ago (June 6, 2014) I wrote about the power of essential oils. I love this blog post and decided to update it and also to let you know that I’m officially a doTERRA Wellness Advocate. doTERRA is changing the way healthcare is delivered and I want to help empower you with these natural solutions to support you and your family’s journey to health and good health.

Just like the food we eat, it’s so important to use only the most natural products available.  The purer the essential oil, the more powerful the results. Many essential oils available to purchase are not pure. Often, they contain fillers or other elements that dilute and alter the purity, thus diminishing the healthful qualities of the oil. And this is why I choose doTERRA.

In understanding the importance of our health, we’re increasingly becoming aware of the toxicity we are exposed to everyday from our surrounding environment – they are present in everything from our food, our environment, our home, the effects of pharmaceutical drugs…even our thoughts and the storm of media that surrounds us every day. To regain our health, we must work towards returning ourselves to the most natural state possible.

Why look for natural alternatives to conventional medicine?
I was amazed to find out how many of the most common modern-day pharmaceutical drugs we use today are in fact derived from synthetic versions of plants. In order to patent a drug, it must first be synthetically altered, as it is illegal to patent a natural product. By creating artificial versions of natural remedies, the medical industry encourages demand and capitalizes on big profits. They do this by creating unnatural substances that have never existed in a natural state. By patenting it, they thus obtain a monopoly on it. These molecules of pharmaceutical drugs are foreign to the human body, not easily metabolized and become toxic to our systems, and often result in extensive side effects, because our bodies were never designed to metabolize these artificial chemicals and antibiotics.

With the increasing rate of serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes on the rise, our healthcare system has become as fragile as the people that it was meant to support.  The US has the highest rate of health expenditure in the world – equivalent to 17.7% of its gross domestic product (GDP). The UK is a close runner up –  at 9.2% of its GDP. In 2012, £144.5 billion was spent on healthcare – an almost 2% increase from 2011. It costs the average person about £2268 a year on healthcare alone!

Pharmaceutical prescriptions are not our only option. While drugs depress the immune system, essential oils can in fact strengthen the immune system, resulting in long term health and not simply treating a single chronic problem. Antibiotics attack bacteria indiscriminately, destroying vital flora in the body that are needed for healthy function. By contrast, oils impact only the harmful bacteria, allowing our body’s friendly flora to flourish.

This is not to say that pharmaceuticals should be rejected entirely. They are certainly necessary in certain circumstances, but they are often overused and implemented without discrimination or consideration, especially with chronic illnesses.

A culture of over-reliance has developed around drugs – fostered by the companies that produce them, and it is not uncommon to run to the doctor for the slightest ailment. For children in particular, the overuse of pharmaceutical drugs can have severe negative repercussions on their growing bodies, and it is vital to find more natural healing methods that will minimize the harm to them.

What are essential oils?
Essential oils are the aromatic liquids found in flowers, seeds, bark, leaves and various parts of a plant that contain its vital life force or essence. Their benefits have been widely recognized and they have been used throughout history, for therapeutic and healing purposes. As highly concentrated extracts, they are absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream, affecting every cell in the body within 20 minutes. By harnessing the inherent healing properties in these oils, they can be used to relieve many physical and emotional ailments.

While drugs may provide temporary relief, they ultimately leave the body in a state of imbalance, and this results in the body never fully healing.  In contrast, oils help the body to restore its natural balance by addressing the causes of disease at a cellular level, deleting misinformation and reprogramming correct information. This enables cells to function properly and in harmony with one another.

When properly applied, essential oils will work toward feeding the body with truth and naturally restore its ideal bodily function, without undesirable side effects.  Oils holistically support the immune, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, digestive, nervous, and other body systems, keeping all systems balanced and in tune with one another.
Which essential oils to choose in place of your over-the-counter products?

I feel empowered to have alternative, natural options in my home to use daily, in improving my family’s health and to prevent illness, as well as treating symptoms should they arise. And I want you to feel empowered too!

Here are a few tips* on some essential oils you can use to live holistically – the way nature intended…

• Frankincense: anti-inflammatory, arthritis, calming/anti-anxiety, cellular health, depression, immune support, and improve concentration. For example, diffusing or inhaling frankincense essential oil directly can do wonders for depression.
• Lavender: burns, calming, headaches, itching, seasonal allergies, sleep, and stings/bites. For example, as a sleeping aid add a few drops of lavender essential oil to 2-4 cups of Epsom salt to the bath and then add ½ cup of milk. Soak for 15-20 minutes before bedtime to induce relaxation.
• Lemon: antioxidant, detoxification, seasonal allergies, and used for homemade cleaners. For example, every morning drink a cup of hot water with 1- 2 drops of lemon essential oil.
• Peppermint: bruising, digestion, fever, headaches, improves alertness, motion sickness, nausea, pain, and seasonal allergies. For example, as a stomach soother rub 1 drop of peppermint essential oil into your palm with a little bit of coconut oil and rub on your stomach to help ease nausea naturally.
• Copaiba: supports the cardiovascular, immune, digestive, nervous, and immune system. For example, keep your skin clear and clean while reducing the appearance of blemishes by applying it directly on your skin before applying moisturizer.
• OnGuard: This protective blend can be taken internally to support respiratory function and the body’s natural antioxidant defences. With powerful immune-supporting properties, doTERRA On Guard is well-known for its ability to protect against environmental and seasonal threats. For example, rub 1 drop of doTERRA OnGuard on the soles of you and your children’s feet to maintain a healthy immune system and help prevent seasonal colds.
• Balance: Created with the purpose of grounding emotions, doTERRA Balance is formulated with emotionally beneficial essential oils that work together to create a sense of calmness and well-being. For example, after you wake up, apply 1 – 2 drops of doTERRA Balance on the soles of you and your children’s feet to help promote feelings of calmness and tranquility throughout the day. It can also be applied throughout the day to help lessen feelings of stress.

It’s my passion as a coach to empower you with the knowledge and tools to take charge of your (and your family’s) health. If you’re interested in exploring essential oils to do just that then let’s talk by contacting me here.

As always, I’d love connecting with you and hear how you’ve been using essential oils as part of your daily regime to live a more holistic, healthy and happy life. Head over to the comments section below to share your thoughts.

Much love and many blessings,
Leslie xx

* This is not intended to be used as medical advice. The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. Please consult a healthcare professional if you have a particular medical condition, or are concerned about any information presented on this website.

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