Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? Topics Fitness Food Health Natural Pamper Special Style Events Medical Directory Reader's Picks RSS Info About OHL Advertise Archive Photos Return to Mail Tribune NEWS NOW (No heading) Read (No heading)» Water rates may rise 13 percent per year By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Read Water rates» 'Pioneer Mike' gets a makeover in Iowa so he can return to Ashland Plaza By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Read 'Pioneer Mike' » (No heading) Read (No heading)» Water rates may rise 13 percent per year By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Read Water rates» 'Pioneer Mike' gets a makeover in Iowa so he can return to Ashland Plaza By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Read 'Pioneer Mike' » First Aid for Your Medicine Cabinet Essential oils can be a natural alternative to prescription and over-the-counter treatments for numerous ailments Open any traditional medicine cabinet and you'll likely find prescription and over-the-counter treatments for any number of ailments, such as heartburn and indigestion, cuts and burns, and cold and flu symptoms. Comment By TEXT BY MARGARET BATTISTELLI GARDNER MailTribune.com By TEXT BY MARGARET BATTISTELLI GARDNER Posted Aug. 4, 2014 at 2:00 AM By TEXT BY MARGARET BATTISTELLI GARDNER Posted Aug. 4, 2014 at 2:00 AM Your Essential Oils Starter Kit --> Following is a list of the top five most useful and multipurpose essential oils that local pros agree should have a spot in any well-stocked EO "medicine cabinet." � Lavender: Otherwise known as... » Read more X Your Essential Oils Starter Kit Following is a list of the top five most useful and multipurpose essential oils that local pros agree should have a spot in any well-stocked EO "medicine cabinet." � Lavender: Otherwise known as "first aid in a bottle." Naturally calming, lavender can help with sleep issues and also stress and imbalances. It is highly regarded for skin and beauty, but also for accelerated healing of cuts, burns, bruises, bee stings and other skin irritations. � Lemon: Refreshing, purifying and a great cleanser, lemon has been used historically to support the nervous and sympathetic nervous systems. It is also an anti-microbial and antidepressant. � Peppermint: Has a multitude of uses, including relief of pain, respiratory conditions and digestive ailments. Peppermint cools sore areas and improves taste and smell. Peppermint also improves concentration and mental sharpness, and triggers a sensation of satisfaction and fullness after meals. � Tea Tree (Melaleuca): Is considered to be anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-infectious, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic. Tea tree is also associated with helping respiratory problems. � Thieves: A blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary. Thieves is known for its cleansing abilities and for supporting the immune system. Warning: Essential Oils are Powerful Medicine! When experimenting with essential oils, research and education are, indeed, essential. Never take for granted that one source has all of the answers. For best results and safest use, consult an essential oils professional and your medical provider. Sandie Jensen of DoTerra Oils offers these tips for essential oil safety, especially for beginners: � Make sure you do not rub your eyes right after using peppermint. � Never drop oil inside your ear canal. � Make sure you dilute essential oils with a carrier oil like olive, sweet almond, sesame or jojoba before using them on children and infants. � Although essential oils are safe and effective on animals, you must be very careful and do your research before using oils on pets — especially cats. (Note: Some experts say they should never be used on cats.) DIFFUSING OILS Oil diffusers can be purchased in many styles. However, the simplest way to diffuse oils is to fill a small crockpot with water, add 10 to 20 drops of oil, then allow it to simmer. Or do the same with a small pot that you keep simmering on the stove. » Social News Open any traditional medicine cabinet and you'll likely find prescription and over-the-counter treatments for any number of ailments, such as heartburn and indigestion, cuts and burns, and cold and flu symptoms. However, a growing number of consumers are interested in replacing drug store products with more organic treatments that forgo manufactured chemicals and potential side effects. One approach is through the use of essential oils (EO). "Essential oils are very easy to integrate into everyday life," says Jeanne Normand White, owner of Siskiyou Clinic of Natural Medicine in Ashland. "Figure out what issues you would like to address and then look up that issue in relationship to essential oils and educate yourself on each oil that you plan to use. There is great information online and in books on how to use essential oils safely and effectively." While you're learning, however, one easy way to get to know the oils you're interested in is to diffuse them throughout your home, says Sandie Jensen, an Ashland resident and distributor of DoTerra essential oils. "There are wonderful aromatic benefits from the oils and just diffusing oils in the air doesn't take a lot of research to implement," she says. "All essential oils have healing properties in them, so it could just be as simple as if you enjoy a certain aroma, you could drop it in your diffuser and let it elevate your mood, for example." Using oils topically and internally takes a little more research, however. It's important to know whether any particular oil is safe for consumption (most are) and whether it should be diluted before being applied directly to skin (most should). Jensen explained that how she got in the habit of using essential oils in her home was through experimentation. "Whenever something came up that we would normally grab an over-the-counter prescription for, I would ask myself which oil I could use and I would try that first," she says. "There really is an essential oil for pretty much anything — and their success rate is off the charts." EO enthusiasts are a fiercely loyal bunch. Most try out different brands of oils before settling on a favorite. Choosing a brand is all about research. "I look for organic, for steam distillation as opposed to chemical or water distillation, for quality-control measures, and for third-party testing and certification," says Therese Holliday, a therapist at Rogue Health in Medford. "Some mom-and-pop operations do a good job and you can meet them to see how they manufacture. Larger companies may have large distribution agreements and thus look like they are the best out there. Do your homework; ask questions. You want to know what's in your food — the same care should be given about what you apply to your skin and hair. You would be horrified at what passes for 'healthy' today." By TEXT BY MARGARET BATTISTELLI GARDNER MailTribune.com By TEXT BY MARGARET BATTISTELLI GARDNER Posted Aug. 4, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Archive Terms of Use Privacy Policy Contact Us Advertise Careers Copyright © . Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Southern Oregon Media Group: Mail Tribune.com | Ashland Daily Tidings | Medford Nickel