The skin you're in!

Ladies and gentlemen, this blog is for all but truly about one good guy and his success with the oils.  Yes guys, you too have many uses for the oils.  

Years ago, my husband developed a dry, scaly patch of skin on his leg.  It could be many things that prompted it to develop but it coincided with us moving from a very sunny climate to a not so sunny climate.  Unfortunately, moving back to a sunny climate has not given him relief from the psoriasis.  

From psoriasis.org:  "Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious."

I know how it feels since I tend to get a few dry patches on my elbows from time to time.  It itches, cracks and bleeds.  Really no fun and we both have mild cases.  I truly feel for anyone with a major case.  

We have tried the steroid creams.  You can only use those for a few days before they thin your skin too much.  So you stop, the patches come back.  And if you ask me, they come back bigger and badder than before.  

My husband was really scratching at his leg and asked me if "there is an oil for that?"  I looked it up and sure enough there is a really simple protocol to follow.

Lavender, Melaleuca and Fractionated Coconut Oil. 

1-2 drops of each applied twice daily.

Lavender helps to calm the skin and itching.

Melaleuca helps with almost any skin issue.  It is very antiseptic and antifungal.

Fractionated Coconut Oil is highly moisturizing.  

A few other nice benefits of this combo.....it is a natural sunburn relief and can help clear up diaper rash!  My middle child has received this mixture quite a few times.  

The dry patchy skin on my husband's leg has almost disappeared after just a few days use.  There is no worry about his skin thinning.  If anything, he has more moisturized skin.

A Candida Cleanse could also help to clear the skin up.   He is considering doing this soon.  I will have to wait until I am no longer breastfeeding.  The cleanse can release the "junk" into your milk.  I don't want to get healthy only to harm my baby.  

Men, you do not need to worry about the oils making you smell too feminine.  The combo actually produces a nice scent.  Stay manly my friend!

Let's eat!

When I first started with doTERRA, I was amazed that you can take these oils internally.   I had tried other brands of essential oils and always saw on the label...NOT FOR INTERNAL USE or ONLY FOR AROMATHERAPY.  If you have any essential oils at your house and are thinking of following the rest of this blog entry, please check the label first!

doTERRA's CPTG oils allow you to take them internally, topically or aromatically.  You can check out the many uses in a previous blog entry entitled Topically-aromatically-internally-oh my!

So today being the last day of summer vacation for my soon to be Pre-K'er, we had to come up with a few projects to keep her occupied.  I thought, lets bake up some stuff so we have easy hearty breakfast.  Baked oatmeal cups it is!

A great recipe is on this blog!  We decided to switch out the teaspoon of cinnamon for 3 drops of doTERRA Cinnamon Bark oil.  I must say, the house smells amazing right now.  I made a few using some berries but my little girl wanted some with banana.  The beauty of the cups is you can customize and they are more portable.  

The results look delish!  Tomorrow, we dine!

But baked oatmeal isn't the only thing you can do.  I have added 10 drops to sugar cookie dough for awesome and SIMPLE lemon cookies.  Of course, my Reinventing Healthcare attendees loved them.

Hot Chocolate Peppermint Cookies were also a hit!

And finally White Chocolate Peppermint covered Pretzels!

Want to try something other than desserts, check out this video to see how the oils can be incorporated through your entire meal!  Her cookbook is fabulous.  I got mine for Christmas.

The great thing about using the oils is that you don't lose the benefits they provide when you take them "neat".  OnGuard used in your banana bread will still help you boost your immune system and you aren't hungry since you ate a nice treat.  To me, that is a win-win!

Give them a try when you cook and report back!  I would love to hear the creative ways you use your oils too.

"The Spot"

I have previously posted about my love for Frank!  Frankincense that is.  This next entry makes my heart sing with joy and Frank is once again involved.

Some of you know I have three kids.  My youngest just turned 4 months old.  He is just a perfect, happy, baby boy.   This sweet boy started life with a small spot on his forehead.  Having a sister with a similar feature at birth but in a different location, I knew what the doctors would say.

While sitting in the hospital, waiting for the pediatricians from the practice to stop in during rounds my husband and I talk about the "spot".  The doctor comes in and in a very careful and solemn tone, tells us that "your son has something on his head that I want a specialist to check out."

Now, if I had been a first time mom I am pretty sure tears would have started flowing, my heart would be racing and I would go into a panic.  As he is my third, I took the news much better.  Now, we wait for the specialist.

"Hemangioma."  As I suspected when I first saw him and the "spot".  No, I am not a doctor but I am a mom who had another kid with the same thing.  I am a firm believer that ALL babies have something at birth.  Jaundice, hemangiomas, tongue tied, etc.  And yet, they are still perfect!

What is a hemangioma?  According to the Mayo Clinic, it is a birthmark that most commonly appears as a rubbery, bright red nodule of extra blood vessels in the skin.  Many people refer to them as "strawberries".  

Hemangiomas can be very small and harmless or they can be much scarier.  It really depends on the size and location.  Luckily for us, my little guy's seemed very small.  It's location was not the best since it was right over his right eye brow.

The doctors warned me that it would most likely get larger and more prominent.  "If it gets so large that it disrupts his vision, we will have to consider surgery."

Not exactly what a mother wants to hear.

Break out the Modern Essentials book!  The protocol called for Geranium, Cypress and Frankincense.  I had two of the three.  Once we got over the jaundice, it was time to tackle "the spot".  

At the East Coast Conference held in May, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. David Hill from doTERRA.  I introduced him to my sweet baby boy and asked about the best treatment for the spot.  He said my research was well done and geranium and frank would be the best way to go.  

1 drop of each gently massaged into the area.  

Geranium then Frank.  

We have done this faithfully for 3 months.  I have to say is spot is almost gone.  At the pediatrician's office yesterday, the doctor said he was very impressed.  Of course, he still thinks I am a bit crazy for believing in these oils but I can see the progress on my son's head.  These oils work!

Here is the progression of "the spot".  You can see for yourself.  All this done, without harmful drugs or scary surgery.  Sure he smelled a bit like little old lady with the Geranium but I know I feel much better about his aroma over scars and stitches.

A final photo for this entry, taken yesterday.

11/12/13:  Update on my not so little guy these days:

 As you can see, the spot is almost completely gone.  The texture is flat.  We do not get any comments or questions on "what is that?"  The oils are truly amazing!

UPDATE:  My little baby is not a baby anymore.  He is 6!  Can you all believe it?  At Leadership in San Diego Dr. Hill and Andrew were able to meet again.  It was the most fantastic moment of the entire retreat.  I think we all cried a bit.  The quote of the night was "It's remarkable!  I am amazed how the oils worked for him.  It's just remarkable."   Then....Andrew told him and many other owners and leadership all about the Titanic.  I think they realize just how powerful Frankincense really is now.  It was probably more about that ship than they ever thought they would know.   Such a fabulous day!

Dr, Hill & Andrew