How To Use Essential Oils For Horses

As you probably know if you're a regular reader of this blog, I love essential oils.  And not just for myself - I also love to use them on Apollo!

If you'd like to try essential oils for your horse, make sure you are only using pure, quality essential oils.  Choose brands that are recognized as safe for internal use (the brands sold at grocery stores are always labelled "not for internal use" because they often contain synthetics, traces of pesticides and heavy metals, and other unsafe contaminants).  And of course always talk to your vet first.

As with for people, horses can enjoy essential oils in three ways...

Aromatically

To safely allow horse to smell oils:
Apply to your hands and hold under his nose
Hold the bottle under his nose, with bottle top flush to hand so he can’t bite it if he likes the smell
Or apply a drop to each nostril (neat or diluted, depending on oil)
 
Benefits of Aromatic Use:
Quickly absorbed by nasal tissues – fast acting
Easy to apply at any time
Cannot overdose with this type of application
Good for addressing respiratory health and emotional issues

Topically

To safely apply oils to horses:

Some oils can be applied “neat” (undiluted)
Some oils should be diluted to avoid skin irritation
Applying in a veggie oil base allows deeper penetration and longer effect
Dilution also allows you to cover more area
Avoid getting in eyes or inner ears

Benefits of Topical Use:

Easy to apply with cotton ball, fingers, or spray bottle
Make your own fly spray!
Good for addressing soreness, wounds, skin problems
 

Internally

To safely feed oils to horses:
Not all oils – even pure ones – are recommended for internal use! Check the label.
Pull out bottom lip and drop into mouth
Or, add to feed bucket or water bucket

Benefits of Internal Use:

Easy to apply at feeding time
If a flavor they like is used in water regularly, can be used to get picky horses to drink while traveling
Good for addressing digestive issues and immune support
 

An Essential Oils Experience for Fall

The October Essential Oils Experience is now available online!  Check it out by clicking here  Don't forget to click "subscribe" when you're done reading and loving it, so you can get more recipes, craft ideas, health tips, and more every month in your inbox!

An Essential Oils Experience - September issue

 

The September issue of my e-newsletter An Essential Oils Experience is now available!  Click here to read it

Apollo's Favorite DIY Fly Spray

For over a year now, I have been making bug repellent to use on my own skin when at the stables, and using standard commercial fly spray on Apollo.  Then, the stroke of genius - why not make one spray that is effective and safe for both of us? 

So I did.

And the extra perk?  It smells so much nicer! 

Here's my recipe, so you can make your own. 

Note: From what limited resources are available regarding using essential oils on animals, this spray should be safe for use on any livestock.  However, always do your own homework before using new things on yourself or your animals.

This spray repels flies, mosquitos and ticks.

In a 1 quart spray bottle (I like my Orbital bottle, which also works upside down), combine:

15 ml "Terra Shield blend" (or other essential oil bug repellent blend)
15 ml Lavender essential oil
5 ml Peppermint or spearmint essential oil
15 ml Patchouli essential oil
60 ml Fractionated coconut oil or other veggie oil - this helps the oil stick longer on hair or skin, so it evaporates more slowly and has a longer effect.
2 Tablespoons soap (any unscented liquid soap) - this emulsifies the oils so you dont have to shake as much or frequently while spraying

Finally, fill the rest of the bottle with 1/2 apple cider vinegar and 1/2 water.

Shake well before use.  Apply daily or as needed. 

Safety precautions: Do not get it in eyes (it will be painful but not dangerous).  Also, since it smells good, keep it away from anything that might drink it (would result in upset tummy).

 

An Essential Oil Experience: May issue now available!

Have you seen the May issue of An Essential Oils Experience yet?  Read all about it here, and make sure to click subscribe to get it free in your inbox every month!  In this month's issue, learn about oils for gardeners, try a new recipe, read about Cedarwood oil, and more...

Ice Cream Never Had It So Good

Farmer's market season is here again, and that means it's also time for fresh strawberries!  This week I tried out a recipe I cut out some time ago from I-don't-know-which magazine, but modified it for essential oils. 

I especially love this recipe because it is big on flavor but extra quick.  No cooking, no chopping.  Just hull the strawberries, drop them in your favorite blender or food processor with the other ingredients, blend and serve over ice cream. 

The result, as it was so aptly put by my taste tester, is "killer."

Strawberry Pomegranate Sauce

In a food processor, combine

1 pint-basket of ripe strawberries (about 3/4 lb, hulled)
2 Tbsp + 3/4 tsp agave nectar
1 1/2 Tbsp pomegranate molasses*
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 drops lemon essential oil**

Blend until completely smooth. 

Serve over vanilla ice cream, or chocolate ice cream, or fro yo, or dairy free frozen goodness, or go wild and make a crazy banana split with several flavors, this sauce, caramel, whipped cream, and other assorted toppings.

Also great on yogurt, cottage cheese, mixed in a smoothie, or for kombucha brewing to flavor.

*Pomegranate molasses is sold in specialty food stores or in the "ethnic" section of some grocery stores.  It is made from pomegranate juice, it is NOT pomegranate-flavored molasses (so don't try to substitute regular molasses here, it's not even close to the same flavor).
**when using essential oils for recipes, always use pure grade oils that are labelled for internal use.  Never use the kind that says 'not for internal use' as these often contain synthetics, residual pesticides, and other bad-for-you stuff.  Contact me if you have questions or need help finding them.

 

The Top 5 Centauride Components

Writing, horses, photography, cooking, essential oils.

In no particular order, these are the five things I most love.  These are also all the key components that will frame my Centauride journey. 

Riding Apollo is obviously a big part of the plan.  I could have created a DV Awareness bicycle trip, or big walk, or road trip by car.  But I chose to do this by horse mostly because it would be most enjoyable for myself, but also because it is a good way to connect with people along the route. 

Writing and photography (and by extension, filming) also perhaps don't require much explanation.  I will be blogging and posting photos throughout the ride.  There will also be a monthly e-newsletter, stay tuned for how to sign up.  After the ride, I will create a film and a write a book about the journey and the issues of DV.

Cooking?! What does that have to do with riding a horse to 48 states or spreading awareness about DV? No, I don't plan on making gourmet meals on the road.  I will be packing ultralight, which does not allow for a good camp kitchen.  However, I will be collecting regional recipes to share with my followers and supporters.  I will also be applying my years of experience as a naturalist to foraging wild foods and trying out new, simple but satisfying ways to prepare them. 

Essential oils are a part of my daily routine now, and will continue to be integral to keeping both myself and my horse healthy and happy throughout the ride.  More on essential oils for horses in an upcoming post...

Mission... Possible!

You probably realize how much I like missions - with my big personal mission of riding to 48 states, and two books on the California Missions, it must be my middle name.  One thing I hear from the people around me almost daily is "how do you have time to get so much done?!" In my experience, it is possible to set monumental goals and achieve them.  You can, too!  And the key is a good start to the day.

Rushing into the day is a sure way to get worn down at work, followed by the need to veg in front of the TV in the evening.  Morning, afternoon and evening are then gone before you know it!  Countless successful people testify to the benefits of setting the framework for a good day when you first wake up.  There are many ways to do this; mine, naturally, involves essential oils.  It also incorporates the tools from Hal Elrod's "The Miracle Morning."

Hal's technique involves 6 steps he calls "life SAVERS" - Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing.  You can get full details from his website or book, I will simply outline them here. As Hal explains, each step can take as little as one minute, although 10 each is recommended. I have been using this method for a month straight, and love it more than I can describe without writing a poem about it.  However, after using his method for a few weeks, I decided to make a few additions.

It occurred to me that the 6 categories of personal development involved in the SAVERS are the same "categories" as 6 of the 7 chakras.*  Separately, I also had been trying out different essential oils to enhance the effects of the SAVERS.  Why not then incorporate all three concepts?  Here's the resulting Chakra-savers, and how to use essential oils to enhance each part.

*note: even if you don't believe in chakras, this technique provides a useful guideline on when and where to apply the oils effectively.  When using essential oils, always use the purest grade oils available.  DO NOT use synthetic or perfume grade oils.  Pure oils are the kind that say "safe for internal use."  Contact me for info on where to find these.

Chakra: Crown. 
    Purpose: Spirituality & higher purpose
    Location to apply oil: top of head
    Oil to use: Frankincense, sandalwood, arborvitae, or lemon
    SAVER: Silence.  Meditate, read the religious or spiritual text of your choice, or similar

Chakra: Third Eye
    Purpose: Imagination, decision making, wisdom, insight
    Location to apply oil: middle of forehead
    Oil to use: Focus blend, lemongrass, or clary sage
    SAVER: Visualization.  Using all the senses, imagine this perfect day playing out. Smile.

Chakra: Throat
    Purpose: Communication
    Location to apply oil: center of throat
    Oil to use: Lavender, birch or oregano
    SAVER: There are only 6 'savers' and none deal with improving communication.  I have added to my routine a 7th saver here: language study.  Learning a new language is fun and good for your brain!

Chakra: Heart
    Purpose: Love, inner peace
    Location to apply oil: over heart
    Oil to use: Marjoram, melaleuca, peppermint, ylang ylang,  or joyful blend
    SAVER: Affirmations.  Out loud, affirm specific positive traits about yourself, and also how you will be achieving your goals. 

Chakra: Solar
    Purpose: Power, self-worth, self-confidence
    Location to apply oil: a few inches above the navel
    Oil to use: Bergamot, coriander, fennel, ginger, juniper or wintergreen
    SAVER: Reading.  Take a few minutes to read or listen to a self-improvement book, TED talk, or similar resource to help you become a more confident, successful person

Chakra: Sacral
    Purpose: Creation
    Location to apply oil: Below the navel
    Oil to use: Cypress, tangerine, orange, cleansing blend, or invigorating blend
    SAVER: Scribing.  Write something!  Journal, blog, write a letter to a friend, work on that book you always wanted to write

Chakra: Root
    Purpose: Stability, physical component of your energy
    Location to apply oil: Base of spine
    Oil to use: Basil, myrrh, patchouli, vetiver, grounding blend, protective blend, or soothing blend
    SAVER: Exercise.  Walk, jog, lift weights, yoga... anything to strengthen the body.
   

No-bake Cookie Balls

My 100th blog post should be a big-deal topic, right?  Well, it is!  This is a big flavor, super quick and easy sweet, and it uses my favorite essential oil for cooking - orange!  Orange essential oil is so great, because I don't keep fresh oranges around the house.  I used to stress when a recipe called for zest, but no longer! Since the essential oil comes from the same area of the peel that is used for zest, they're interchangeable.  Just make sure you're using a brand of essential oil that is "safe for internal use" (check the label, or contact me).

Let's not delay anymore, here's the recipe you've been waiting for:

In a food processor, pulverize:

   10 oz, more or less, vanilla wafers
   1 cup, or so,  pecans

to yield 4 cups of finely ground mix.  The exact ratio of these two ingredients can be changed to fit your pantry supply, so long as it totals 4 cups.  Other tree nuts may be substituted for pecans.

Add to the mix:

     1 cup powdered sugar
     5 drops orange essential oil
     1/2 cup orange juice
     3 Tbsp agave syrup

Thoroughly mix.  The dough should stick together when a piece is broken off and squeezed.  If it is crumbly, add water a tablespoon at a time until it sticks.

Break off pieces and roll into 1 inch diameter balls.  Then roll each ball in extra powdered sugar.  Put each in a mini muffin or candy paper cup, and refrigerate until ready to serve. They can be eaten immediately if you can't wait any longer.

Makes about 3 dozen.

Chocolate Orange Cookies

Chocolate and orange are a fabulous flavor combination any time, but for me they practically sing "Merry Christmas!"  These easy cookies bring the flavor duo together quicker than an elf can snap their fingers. This recipe halves well, so if you need a chocolate cookie fix in a hurry but don't want to risk eating the whole two dozen cookies at once... Oh, and did I mention that they're lactose free?

In a medium bowl, combine

1/2 c. cocoa powder
1 c. sugar
1 c. + 2 Tbsp flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

In a large bowl, combine

1/4 c. light-flavored oil, such as sesame or grapeseed (or canola if that's all you have)
3 drops orange essential oil*
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Add the flour mixture into the wet mixture.  Stir until fully combined.  Chill dough for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile...

Preheat oven to 350F. Line 2 cookie sheets with a nonstick baking mat, parchment paper, or grease

When your dough is cold, make 1 Tbsp size balls (about 1 inch diameter).  Roll in powdered sugar.  Space a few inches apart on the cookie sheet, and bake for 12 minutes.  They may look a little soft (or a lot soft) but that's a good thing. 

Let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool fully. 

For a super decadent treat, serve warm from the oven with vanilla ice cream and sprinkles, or with a steaming hot mug of cocoa.

*When cooking with essential oils, always use brands that are labelled as safe for internal use.  Learn more by contacting me or coming to one of my workshops... visit www.meredithcherry.com for details.

Easy essential oils for Tough Mudder

My most recent Tough Mudder experience (in Seattle!) has given me an opportunity to test out a bunch of essential oils on myself for their soothing effects.  Even though I love using the oils, I still sometimes wonder if I am actually getting benefits from using them, or if I would have felt better anyway with the progression of time.  Whenever possible, I reaffirm to myself just how much of a difference they actually do make for me.  Here’s my little experiments for the week:

Sunburn

Despite having used (“normal” waterproof) sunscreen, I had a pretty pink burn that was fairly equal in severity on both sides of my body, especially on my shoulders and chest.  Everything I’ve read said to use either lavender or melaleuca (tea tree) oil to soothe the burn.  Here’s what I applied for this sunburn:

Left shoulder – 1 serving unscented lotion, 1 drop Helichrysum, 2 drops Lavender

Right shoulder – 1 serving unscented lotion, 1 drop Helichrysum, 2 drops Melaleuca

Chest – nothing, untreated

The Helichrysum was for additional soothing; kind of a backup in case the others didn’t work – since I really wanted to cool that sunburn quickly!  This was repeated once a day for three days.

The results were quite convincing.  The left shoulder (lavender) felt soothed and cool immediately.  The next day, it was noticeably less pink as well as feeling soothed.  The melaleuca side was better than the untreated area in terms of feeling soothed, but the pink color did not change.    By the end of the three day treatment, the lavender side was feeling great, the melaleuca side was a lot better, and the untreated area was very itchy.  At that point, I felt the results were conclusive enough that I switched to lavender lotion for the other two areas.

Muscles

In previous Tough Mudders, it would take me nearly a week to feel like my muscles were recovered from the strenuous course.  I wasn’t interested in testing only one side of my body for muscle pain relief, because as usual by the time I got home from the event I felt too much pain to walk normally.  So, I applied a pain relief blend to my sore spots (ie, everywhere).  The pain didn’t go away completely, but it was much more tolerable.  By day two I only really ached in my thigh muscles, and felt normal by day four.  This is several days faster recovery than the previous times I have done the event. 

Cleaning Up

One final use of the oils post-event was for cleanup.  Participants have to write their registration number in permanent ink on several limbs, and are also encouraged to write it on their face.  In previous events, it has taken me several days to get off all the black ink – not very professional looking for Monday at work! This time, I got out my lemon essential oil and put a drop on a q-tip, and the ink lifted off entirely.  Within a minute, there was no trace of the permanent marker numbers!  What an easy wonderfully scented solution.

As always, this blog is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition, and no health claims are intended or implied.  Check out my class calendar to learn more about essential oils.

Coconut Pancakes -- with lime and cinnamon essential oils

These slightly sweet and oh so satisfying pancakes are a quick meal for any time of the day.  I like them best with a fruity syrup such as apricot.

On a large microwave safe plate, spread

1 c. dried shredded unsweetened coconut

and microwave in 30 second increments until toasted and fragrant, stirring well each time.  Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, combine

2 c. flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar

Then add

1 1/2 cup milk (or almond milk)
4 drops cinnamon essential oil
5 drops lime essential oil
1 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp melted butter (or margarine)
1 egg

Mix until batter is smooth, then add the toasted coconut and stir to combine.

Heat a skillet over medium heat.  Dollop batter into hot skillet, and cook until edges look firm.  Flip, and cook other side until both cooked through.  Both sides should look golden, but will be much more pale than normal pancakes.  Each pancake will take 4 to 6 minutes to cook (total). 

These reheat well for a quick breakfast.

When using essential oils for cooking, always use pure oils that are labelled safe for internal use.  To learn more about cooking with essential oils, check out my class calendar or contact me to schedule a cooking class in your home!

Marketing For Writers Made Simple - Getting Through The Hardest Part

“I know I need to market my book, but I just don’t like talking about myself.  It feels so wrong.”

Does this sound like something you have been thinking or saying when it comes to spreading the word about your work? If so, you’re not alone.  This is hands-down the most common statement that other writers say to me when discussing marketing.   It is also a challenge that I have had to overcome for my own book sales.

Luckily, there are many, many strategies to help to overcome this.  Here are a few that worked for me… try out few! Some work better in different situations than others, and all of them get easier with practice.

1.       Practice Your Pitch.   This is perhaps the most important, no matter what other technique you try.  A “short pitch” is something you’ve probably already had to give without even knowing it – this is a very quick summary of your book and its merits.  And by very quick, I mean quick enough to insert into any conversation in less than a minute.  Actually sit down and write this out, and say it repeatedly to get comfortable with it. 

However, don’t memorize it verbatim.  You will need to be able to say it conversationally, not sound like you’re reading from an index card!  You may even develop several for different types of people you might be speaking to.  Once you’re a little comfortable with it, seize every opportunity to insert it into conversations.

2.       Grab The Moment.  This goes back to what I talked about several posts ago – no one will know about your book unless you tell everyone.  You never know who will be interested… even a tough Harley riding leather clad Hell’s Angel may want to buy your book of chic lit for his little sister.  I originally made the mistake of only telling physically active-looking people about my book on bicycle touring, until I realized that I had more sales of people buying it for gifts for friends and family.  Since there’s no way I could profile a potential customer’s unseen network, I gave that up and never assume I know whether the person in front of me might be interested in my book. 

But how to tell them?  Work it into the conversation, and if necessary, steer the conversation toward some topic that relates to your book.  Look for an opening, and don’t hesitate!  With practice, it will get easier to insert your pitch into conversations without feeling awkward.

3.       Everyone Loves You.  This can be hard to believe sometimes, much less remember.  However, the key to this technique is to overcome hesitation to talk about yourself by remembering that other people actually want to read your book, and honestly want to hear about your work! 

If you feel uncomfortable talking about yourself, imagine yourself switching places with the person you’re talking to: if that person were to tell you about their new book, would you want them to stop talking or get angry about it? Would you like them less for it, or think less of them somehow?  Certainly not!  So trust that in your own respective shoes, the other person will gladly listen to you and converse with you about your writing.

4.       Just Write It.  Okay, maybe not “just” – you do need to speak it too.  But, as writers, it is often easier to share with the written word over the spoken.  Use your writing time as a tool to practice promoting yourself.  Not just by talking about your writing (although that’s important too) but also by other marketing tools such as keeping a blog. 

5.       Schedule It.  While it’s important to grab opportunities as they arise, that doesn’t mean you need to do all of your marketing spontaneously.  Take just a few minutes each day to do something to market yourself and your writing.  Even 10 minutes can go a long way to increasing your sales!  Treat your writing as the business that it is, and your marketing time as one aspect of your job as a writer.  This time can be enjoyable, but even when it’s not, do it anyway or figure out how to make it enjoyable. 

Speaking of making it enjoyable, here’s a bonus tip – make your “marketing time” do double duty so it feels more worthwhile.  Structure your blogs so they build up into chapters of a book, use Twitter as a writing challenge on brevity, do something fun so you can write about it later on Facebook and your other social media outlets.

6.       Confidence is Essential.  Yet, this can be a major psychological challenge.  I use essential oils to help me with this.  Ginger for boosts my confidence level, Marjoram helps me be more extroverted and talkative, Wild Orange makes me feel empowered and energetic, and Lavender lowers my anxiety in sharing about my writing.  I don’t necessarily use all of these at the same time, but if I know that I will be facing a situation where will need to overcome my hesitation in sharing about my writing, I assess which would be appropriate and use them! 
 

A good short pitch, a drop of marjoram essential oil, and some positive visualization, and you’ll be spreading the word about your book in no time!

 

 -----------------------------------------------

 

Ready to learn more about marketing your writing?  Don't miss my presentation at the Sierra Writers meeting on June 10!  Check out my class calendar for more information

 

Essential Oils for Poultry Health

There are lots of health products for chickens, but most of them are worrisome to my mind – with labels that say to not use within several days of slaughter or egg production, I cannot believe that they can be the safest option for my chicken if they aren’t safe for me to consume the meat or eggs from a chicken on which these products were used!  Essential oils have no such limitations or risks, and are a much more comfortable solution for my flock.

It is important to use essential oils that are truly pure, as these are safe for internal use as well as external and aromatic use, and are not contaminated with pesticides or other toxins.  Check the label on the side of your bottle and make sure it does not say "for internal use only."

There are undoubtedly more essential oils that could be used for chickens, but here are the oils I keep on hand for chicken health emergencies.  Most studies mentioned below can be found in the book “Modern Essentials.” I have also starred my “top three” oils, for those of you who just want a few good essential oils to get started.

Cinnamon is a powerful antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral oil.  Studies on rats have shown that cinnamon essential oil applied to wounds speeds healing by preventing sepsis.  When applying this oil, dilute in at least 3 times as much carrier oil to prevent skin irritation.  Cinnamon essential oil when fed in drinking water has been found by researchers to increase the beneficial microorganisms in the chickens’ digestive system and improve feed efficiency.

Cypress has a wide range of uses in people, but few of them translate into chicken health issues.  It may be used for reducing pain, swollen eyes, and stress reduction.  It is an excellent antimicrobial both for sick or injured chickens, and for cleaning the coop.

Deep Blue is a blend of oils including wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, blue tansy, chamomile, helichrysum, and osmanthus.  These oils are used to treat inflammation, pain, swelling, sprains and bruises.  It blends well with frankincense for enhanced healing. 

Eucalyptus is a good multi-purpose oil to have around.  It is antibacterial and antiviral, and can be used topically on a sick or injured chicken as well as for cleaning the coop.  It is anti-inflammatory, and also good for many respiratory problems.  It is also insecticidal and a good insect repellent, so it can be used topically and around the coop for parasite problems.  A study on chickens showed that feeding eucalyptus essential oil in drinking water decreased incidences of salmonella as effectively as conventional medicine.

*Frankincense is a powerful healing oil.  It has been highly valued as a medicine since before the time of Christ, hence it’s being one of the three gifts the magi brought to the nativity. It has been found to have pain blocking properties, acts as an anti-inflammatory, and enhances the activity of leukocytes to fight of infection, as well as it being in of itself antiseptic.  I once used this on a hen that was injured so severely that she was considered a lost cause – she was cut so deeply into her abdomen than her intestines were clearly visible.  I applied a heavy dose of this oil, and she completely healed within a week.

Helichrysum is another powerful healing oil.  It is antibacterial and antiviral, and has been used to relieve pain, skin problems, and breathing ailments.  It has been found to help in tissue regeneration as well.   However, it also acts as an anti-coagulant, so do not use on bleeding wounds.

Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, and Wild Orange have all been used for anti-pecking sprays.  Chickens do not like the flavor of citrus; spraying a diluted citrus oil on chicks or hens that are being pecked at by their flock mates can help stop that problem.  Citrus is also a good antimicrobial for cleaning the coop.

Lavender is a very soothing oil.  It may be used for chickens that are stressed, such as when introducing a new hen to the flock, or when separating an injured or sick chicken.  It also is used to reduce skin irritation, to repel insects, to reduce inflammation, and as an anti-microbial.  It has been found by one study to kill mites.

Melaleuca, or Tea Tree, is another excellent multi-purpose oil.  It is used for a variety of skin problems, as an antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral, as an insect repellent and insecticide.  It has been found to help with tissue regeneration.  It has been found to kill lice, mites, ticks, and several other parasites in numerous studies.

On Guard is a blend of oils including cinnamon, orange, clove, eucalyptus and rosemary.  This blend is excellent for antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-parasitic properties.  It can be applied on wounds, or sprayed or washed on feathers with mites or other parasites.  Dilution in carrier oil is not usually necessary, but it can be diluted for easier application or for young birds or sensitive areas such as around the vent.

*Oregano is a powerful antimicrobial.  It is antibacterial, antifungal, anti-parasitic, and antiviral, as well as acting as a stimulant to the immune system.  It has even been found to inhibit MRSA and other antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria in lab studies.  It is best to dilute this oil with at least three times as much carrier oil to prevent skin irritation.  It is also used in drinking water, at low dosage.  Oregano essential oil when fed in drinking water has been found by researchers to increase the beneficial microorganisms in the chickens’ digestive system and improve feed efficiency. Another study on chickens showed that feeding oregano essential oil in drinking water decreased incidences of salmonella as effectively as conventional medicine.

*Terrashield is a blend of oils including eucalyptus, lemongrass, and citronella.  This blend is an excellent insect repellent and also has some insecticidal properties.  It is good for spraying or washing on chickens with mites or other parasites.  It does not typically need diluted, but if skin irritation occurs you can dilute it with a carrier oil.

Thyme is another powerful antimicrobial.  It is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.  It should be diluted with at least four times as much carrier oil when using topically to prevent skin irritation. A study on chickens showed that feeding thyme essential oil in drinking water decreased incidences of salmonella as effectively as conventional medicine.

-------------------------------------------------------------

 Want to learn more about essential oils?  Check out my class calendar for upcoming classes and events, or contact me for a free consultation and to find out how you can get discounts on doTerra essential oils!

Bye-bye Bee Sting!

I had other plans for tonight's blog, but I had such an amazing essential oil experience this evening that I just have to share it.

I was beehive-sitting today, and had to do some maintenance work inside the hive.  Unfortunately, I did not have any protective gear available and could not put off the work until I could get it.  No problem, said I, I've worked with bees suit-less before! So away I went, and was as careful as I could bee (please excuse the pun, I couldn't help myself).

The bees were less than happy with my work, but only one took serious offense to me.  The result: a sting right on the tip of my chin. 

Well, I may not have had the right safety equipment to prevent this (rather painful) incident, but I did have my essential oils on hand!  Bee stings tend to last for several days, but I really didn't want to go to work tomorrow with a swollen red chin.  What a good opportunity for an experiment on myself! 

I've never used essential oils for stings before, although I have used them for painful spider bites and super itchy mosquito bites, among other injuries.  So after I carefully removed the stinger, I pulled out my trusty guide "Modern Essentials" and it said to use roman chamomile, wintergreen, and peppermint.

Unfortunately, I don't own any of those right now.  So I turned to my old stand-by frankincense, which has previously worked well for aforementioned spider bites.  A drop of this oil, applied "neat" (undiluted), and the very painful and burning sting area, and it became a tolerably mild warm throb.  Not perfect, but pretty darn close!

Then I remembered that my Deep Blue blend of oils contains all the oils that the book suggested, so I put on a drop of this (also neat).  Wonder of wonders, within seconds (literally!) the remainder of the pain and burning were completely gone.

I thought maybe it would come back, but several hours have gone by and not a sign of any symptoms returning yet.  I even pressed hard on the sting-mark itself (only visible by the broken skin) and it feels like normal. 

I am just so amazed by this... I've used essential oils for years and had other fantastic experiences before, but its the quick results for painful injuries like this that really serve as a reminder to me of why I love these oils so much. 

I should probably throw a disclaimer in here - I am not a doctor, this is not medical advice, this may not work for you, if you are stung and experience a severe reaction  you should seek medical help immediately, etc etc.  All good and true... but I for one will keep a bottle of these two oils with my bee supplies (and my bee supplies with me when I'm working the hives!) from now on.

-----------------------------

For more information on essential oils, check out my upcoming class calendar by clicking here.
To learn how you can purchase doTerra essential oils at great prices, contact me for a free consultation