Healing Sinus and Cold Essential Oil Blend

I have had my share of the head cold, sinus headache fun over the past two weeks.  Thankfully, it never turned into a sinus infection and I'm sure this essential oil blend is part of the reason I was saved from any infection.

You can make this recipe and have it ready and waiting for you to use 3-6 months in advance.  It is best to start it when cold symptoms first start, as the healing process will be much faster, but if you can't, it will still help with the healing process, just not quite as quickly.  It can help to prevent a current cold from developing into a sinus infection.

This is easy to make and oh, so soothing!  DO NOT USE THIS IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING, AND THIS IS NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN.

*One small glass jar with dropper (You can get these HERE)
*One ounce of jojoba oil (2 Tablespoons) - I use jojoba oil because it does not tend to clog pores and will minimize any breakouts, since this is used on the face.
*10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
*10 drops of rosemary essential oil
*5 drops of peppermint essential oil
*5 drops of thyme OR tea tree essential oil

Place the drops of essential oils into the glass jar.  Put on the lid and gently roll the jar in your hands for 15 seconds to mix the essential oils together to form a synergy.  Add the jojoba oil and gently roll in hands for 1 minute to thoroughly mix the oils.  You can also give the jar a few gentle shakes.

Place 3-4 drops in the palm of your hand and with your fingers of the opposite hand, dip into the oil in your palm and then rub the oil on your forehead, over the bridge of your nose and across your cheekbones, and then right under your nose.  Make sure you keep the oil well away from your eyes and do not allow it to get into your nose.  You can do this 3 times a day.  Again, if you are pregnant or nursing, do not use this product.

(Featured on Retro Mommy, Vintage Wife)

Grapefruit Essential Oil

This oil has become a frequent flyer at my home!  I love this oil...it's fresh and sweet and makes me think of bright sunny summer days.

Photo Credit: PittmanDavis.com

Grapefruit essential oil is good for so many things!  Some of it's benefits include:

*improves sluggish digestion
*improves a sluggish lymph system
*helps with depression
*helps to ease PMS
*helps with detoxing the body

Photo Credit: caloriesinagrapefruit.com

There are many more benefits, but those are some of my favorites.  This is a great oil to add to your home medicine box because it's inexpensive and has so many healing benefits.  I love to use it in baths (see here for one of my favorite bath recipes) and recently I had a cold and my glands in my neck were starting to get swollen and sore.  I took one teaspoon of olive oil and added 2-3 drops of grapefruit essential oil, stirring well with my finger.  I then rubbed a little of that oil on my glands and neck and up behind my ears.  Within an hour the pain and swelling was gone!

*As with all essential oils, please check with you health care provider before you use them if you are pregnant and nursing.

Homemade Herbal Shampoo

I have long been looking for an organic shampoo that works well and does not cost an arm and a leg and it has finally come down to me starting to make my own.  I adapted a recipe from herbmentor and so far am liking it.  I suggest you reading the post as they offer different ingredients for different hair types.  My hair tends to be on the oily side and thin, so here is the formulation I came up with for my hair (I used all organic ingredients):

*8 ounce distilled water

*2 tsp nettle

*2 tsp oat straw

*3 ounces castille soap

*3 T aloe vera gel

*1/4 tsp jojoba oil

*15 drops rosemary essential oil

*5 drops sage essential oil

*3 drops tea tree oil

*7 drops lavender essential oil

Bring the distilled water to a boil.  Place the nettle and oat straw in a 16 ounce glass bottle.  Pour the hot water over the herbs and allow to sit for 30 minutes.  In a 16 ounce glass bottle add essential oils.  Roll the bottle in your hands (with cap on) to allow the oils to mix together.  Then add jojoba oil and again roll the bottle for a few seconds.  Strain the nettle and oat straw tea and add to the jar with the essential oils.  Add the castille soap and aloe.  Lightly shake to mix well.  This should last a few months, keep in fridge to extend shelf life.  Use about 2 tsp to 1T worth per shampoo.  Avoid getting in eyes because of essential oils and shake well before each use.

photo credit: www.itsnature.org

I used more rosemary in my essential oil base because it is very beneficial for the scalp and hair.  It helps stimulate hair growth and helps hair to grow stronger and longer.  It also is touted to slow hair loss and pre-mature graying.

If you want to use this shampoo while nursing or pregnant, leave out the essential oils.