How to Order Oils

With the publication of my article about essential oils and PCOS, I'm receiving questions about how to order the essential oils I referenced. You can order directly from the Butterfly Express website: https://butterflyexpress.shop/?beid=45

As always, you are welcome to message me with any questions about essential oils! I love talking about oils!

Guest Post: Essential Oils and PCOS

Amy has been my health coach for the past 2 years. She is the founder of pcosdiva.com and is helping to inspire and empower women with PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome). I've known that I have PCOS since I was a teenager and finally took charge of my health in my 30's. I was honored to be asked to guest post on her website about my experience with essential oils and PCOS. You can read the full article here: http://pcosdiva.com/2015/10/you-asked-for-it-the-essential-oils-for-pcos/?inf_contact_key=a369e510edf7afaae7c8cfe805cb9a7b 

If you know anyone who struggles with PCOS, send them to Amy's website! They can download the free PCOS 101 Guide which contains helpful information for understanding this condition. I highly recommend the Jumpstart Program when you're ready to make a change, but don't know how to do it by yourself. Changing your diet and lifestyle can be overwhelming, especially if you don't feel good. Amy holds your hand through a week of online coaching and gives you the tools you need to succeed!

Amy offers seasonal meal plans that are perfectly designed for the PCOS body. What's even better is these meal plans are also wonderful for anyone who wants to eat healthier! The meals are low-glycemic, gluten-free, dairy-free, and processed sugar-free. It's a diet of whole foods which reduce inflammation in the body. This diet is helpful for anyone who has an auto-immune condition, insulin resistance, or just want to feel better.

If you have any questions about PCOS, you can contact me on my Facebook page.

How To Quickly Refresh Your Home

It's been hard for me to break up my love affair with Bath & Body Works room sprays and wall plug-ins. I love having a yummy smelling home! These days, my home always smells like last night's dinner, which includes onions and fresh garlic. That's not exactly the ambiance I'm going for. 

I don't remember where I saw it, but somewhere on the internet I found a brilliant idea for quickly refreshing your home: put a few drops of essential oils on the air filter in your vacuum! 

I had to give it a try! My kiddos have been fighting a virus for the past week, so I grabbed some SpiceC oil (click for more info). SpiceC is my favorite oil to diffuse during cold and flu season because of it's strong anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It's very similar to Deliverance but has a warm, spicy smell that is perfect for fall and winter. Putting the oils on the air filter can achieve a similar effect as diffusing the oils by disbursing the small, volatile molecules of the essential oil into the air where it purifies the air and we can breathe it into our lungs.

My vacuum's air filter is easy to access at the top of the canister, so it was super simple to put a few drops on it. 

As I vacuumed all over my house, I could smell the SpiceC drifting up from the vacuum. It really lifted my spirits too! I'm going to do this every time I vacuum and try different oils. Because the oils evaporate and diffuse into the air, you will need to reapply with each vacuum. 

During the holidays I'm going to use Holiday Spirit. If my energy is feeling sluggish, peppermint would be helpful to perk things up. During the summer months lemon and lime and other citrus oils would be fun. There are so many possibilities! 

Essential Oils 101 Handout

For those who have attended my Essential Oils 101 class, I finally put together a handout that you can refer to after the class. Chances are good that I'll modify it later and make it fancier, but for now this is what I have!

If you have a group of friends and family who would like to attend a class, I teach the class for free. I'm passionate about people learning about these amazing tools for health and wellness, and I want them to learn that there are other methods of using essential oils than what is taught by multi-level marketing businesses so they can make an educated choice for themselves.

Emotional Aromatherapy

Doterra recently announced their new line of oils for emotional aromatherapy. The kit includes 6 oils designed for emotional support. Did you know that Butterfly Express carries 32 oils for emotional support, with another 38 oils that provide both emotional and physical support?! Each oil does something different, offering maximum support for your individual needs. The following images are color-coded to show which oils are designed for emotional support, which are for emotional/physical support, and which are for physical support. Click on each one to enlarge it. 

You may also view this document online here:  http://www.butterflyexpressions.org/Handouts/physical_emotional.pdf

Our minds seem to be programmed to dwell on negative thoughts. This TedX talk is a fascinating look at how our thoughts and emotions affect our outlook on life, and gives 3 simple steps that, if used daily, can help to retrain your mind. Combine that with regular use of emotional aromatherapy and the changes will happen even faster! 

My Favorite Oils for Back to School

The start of a new school year is always bittersweet for me. I adore summer and the time home with my kids. But I also look forward to returning to the structure of school days and the tiny bit of alone time I get when everyone is away! The start of a new year brings excitement and apprehension. Essential oils can help you and your kids have a great school year!

One of the best oils for studying is peppermint. In the book "Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils" LaRee Westover explains that peppermint oil stimulates the mind, increasing the ability to focus and concentrate. Dr. Dembar of the University of Cincinnati discovered in a research study that inhaling peppermint oil increased the mental accuracy of the students tested by up to 28%. You could try diffusing peppermint before a big study session. If that's too strong, put a few drops on a cotton ball and keep it in a Ziploc bag (a great way to use oils at school!). Whenever you need a pick-up, open the bag and have a sniff! 

Butterfly Express has 3 blended oils that help with mental alertness, memory, and concentration. They are Crystal Clear, Focus, and IQ.

Crystal Clear clears and energizes the mind and increases mental alertness. This blend is very effective when studying or needing to remember difficult or complicated data. It helps to organize the thought processes, allowing more accurate recall later. 

Application: Crystal Clear can be applied on the brow, along the back of the neck, on the wrists, and on the temples. It is also useful diffused or placed, 1 or 2 drops only, in a bath. A few drops on a cotton ball placed next to you will help keep you alert and awake for a project that needs finishing.

Focus increases mental alertness, clears that "foggy" feeling, and helps to alleviate mental confusion. It is a great aid to students and others when they face the need to commit something to memory quickly and be able to recall it with ease later. It also helps us to overcome self-defeating behaviors and negative thought patterns that prevent us from achieving our goals. 

Application: This blend can be applied to the areas on the feet that relate to the neck, head, and brain. These are found on the big toe, both top and bottom. Focus can also be applied to the wrists and temples. This blend can be diffused, but it is best to do so for short periods of time only; cinnamon, cinnamon berry, and ginger are very strong oils for diffusing. They may cause headache or a burning sensation in the nostrils.

IQ alleviates mental fatigue and increases mental alertness. It aids in concentration and memory. It is particularly useful when one is over-tired but must continue on until a project is completed. IQ contains frankincense, sandalwood, and helichrysum. These oils are high in sesquiterpenes and cross the blood/brain barrier to cleanse, nourish, and carry oxygen to the brain. 

Application: This blend can be diffused, applied to the neck and throat or under the nose, or worn as a perfume/cologne.

If you have a nervous student who has anxiety about going back to school, testing, etc. try Tranquility. Tranquility can help us develop inner strength, patience, understanding, and confidence. Tranquility promotes relaxation and relieves anxiety, stress, tension, and depression. 

Application: Tranquility can be diffused, worn as a perfume, 1-2 drops in a relaxing bath, applied anywhere on the body, or placed on a cotton ball in a Ziploc bag to be sniffed as needed. 

When the kids go back to school, they bring home lots of germs! Deliverance is the perfect oil for keeping your immune system healthy. It's anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. Another great alternative to Deliverance is SpiceC. It has the same properties as Deliverance, but with a more pleasant aroma. 

Application: Diffuse, apply 1-2 drops (diluted) to the feet and over the thymus, placed on a cotton ball in a Ziploc bag to be sniffed as needed, in homemade hand soaps. 

For kids who have a hard time at school, with or without an ADHD diagnosis, you could try any of the above oils to help them concentrate. Butterfly Expressions also recommends using together Millenia, Tranquility, and Victory specifically for ADHD. 

Application: dilute and apply Millenia along the spine and/or feet. Diffuse Tranquility, especially during the early hours of the night; carry an essential oil diffuser of either one, or both. Apply Victory to the feet. 

Have a happy and healthy school year! 

My Favorite Sunburn Remedy

Wow, did it get hot fast! We're in full summer mode, which means that it's time to get ready for sunburns.

During the last week of school, my daughter's school had a swim day. It was very cloudy and a little chilly, but I warned her that she needed to wear sunscreen and that she could get sunburned even though there wasn't any sun. Being a middle-schooler, of course she ignored me. She came home sunburned on her face and shoulders. At bedtime I applied Miracle Salve then lavender oil all over her sunburn. She was able to sleep without any discomfort and the next day her skin wasn't nearly as red and didn't hurt at all. Her friend ended up missing a couple days of school because of her sunburn.

Miracle Salve was specifically formulated to treat burns. It's also great for any skin condition and healing dry, cracked skin. Every winter the skin around my fingernails cracks and bleeds. This past winter I applied Miracle Salve to my cuticles from time to time and I didn't have any cracking all winter. I bring my jar of Miracle Salve every time we go camping just in case someone burns themselves.

My husband burned his hand on a hot vehicle part. I applied a few drops of lavender to the burn. He said it helped, but that it still hurt. Then I applied the Miracle Salve and he said the pain went away. It's a fantastic product to have on hand!

Miracle Salve should be kept in the fridge to prevent it from going rancid.

You can apply the Miracle Salve to the skin then apply lavender essential oil, or you can put the Salve in the palm of your hand and add a drop or two of lavender and mix it together before applying.

You can also make a sunburn spray with essential oils to spray over large surfaces of the skin.

DIY Sunburn Spray

glass spray bottle

distilled water

witch hazel -or- apple cider vinegar

10-20 drops lavender essential oil

5-10 drops peppermint essential oil

Fill the glass spray bottle 1/3 with distilled water, and another 1/3 with either witch hazel or apple cider vinegar. Add the lavender and peppermint oil (the peppermint oil is cooling to hot, burned skin but you can omit it if using on kids or sensitive skin). Fill the remainder of the bottle with water, but leave enough room that it can mix together when you shake it. Shake well before each use.

Have a happy and safe summer!

My Favorite Oils for Depression & Anxiety

The more I learn about health and wellness, the more I realize just how many factors contribute to our physical and emotional health. Everything from our diet, activity level, hormones, nutritional absorption, sleep patterns, genetics, and life experiences. Depression and anxiety are particularly interesting to me because of their wide range of contributing factors. For years I tried to treat my depression symptoms with anti-depressants, herbs, supplements, and energy work. They helped, but I never really felt GOOD. It wasn't until I addressed my hormones that I really started to feel a difference. Now I call my progesterone pills my happy pills!

In my opinion, it's necessary to look at all aspects of your being when addressing an issue like depression and/or anxiety. What needs to be addressed on the physical, mental, spiritual, and energetic levels? Are there nutritional deficiencies? Do you have old emotions stored in your body that are weighing you down and need to be released? Is your body producing a healthy level of hormones? And on and on.

Just as there are many factors that contribute to depression and anxiety, there are many oils to help address those factors. I encourage you to study the oils to see which ones resonate with you. Our bodies are so unique and what works for one person may not work for another.

From the book "Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils" by LaRee Westover, the oils that are suggested for depression are (click on the name to read more about the oil): Acknowledge, Baby Me, Beloved, Believe, Cherish, Grateful Heart, HeartSong, Letting Go, Meditation, MyGraine, Sego Lily, Tranquility, Turmoil, Unity, allspice, basil, benzoin, bergamot, chamomile Roman, geranium, howood, lavender, lemon, jasmine, neroli, orange bitter, rose geranium, rose, ylang ylang.

In the same book, the oils that are suggested for anxiety are (click on the name to read more about the oil): Angel, Assurance, Cherish, Dreams, Faith, Inner Peace, Letting Go, QuietEssence, Synopsis, Tranquility, Whispering Hope, Vision, bergamot, chamomile Roman, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lime, melissa, palo santo, patchouli, rose, sandalwood, spruce, tangerine, ylang ylang.

My favorite oils for depression and anxiety are Tranquility (especially for anxiety), Heart Song, and Letting Go. I've created these images that can be printed for easy reference.

INGREDIENTS: blue tansy, geranium, chamomile German, lavender, palmarosa, patchouli, orange sweet, tangerine, ylang ylang

APPLICATION: ^LeTranquility can be used as a perfume or cologne. It is an excellent essential oil for a relaxing bath. This blend can be placed anywhere on the body.

AROMATIC CONSIDERATIONS: Diffuse or wear ^LeTranquility as a perfume. Everyone around you will get to enjoy it and reap the benefits. The aroma of ^LeTranquility has been known to reduce or eliminate panic attacks and other anxiety based disorders.

EMOTIONAL / SPIRITUAL / MENTAL ASPECTS: One of the best loved of the Butterfly Express, llc, blends, ^LeTranquility can help us develop inner strength, patience, understanding, and confidence. ^LeTranquility promotes relaxation, relieves anxiety, stress, tension, and depression.

^LeTranquility is useful as a sleep aid, especially when the problem is "mind chatter" that just won't quit. Instead of sleeping, even though we need sleep badly, we lay there reviewing the past day in our minds or making plans for tomorrow. ^LeTranquility helps us take a step back from a situation so that we may come to a fuller understanding of all aspects of the situation. From this perspective we are usually able to see solutions to our dilemmas more easily.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS: Physically, ^LeTranquility can be useful for circulatory problems to the extremities. Stress takes a high toll on the vitamin and mineral levels of the body, especially the levels of calcium. The use of ^LeTranquility, which promotes calmness and quells anxiety, has been helpful in cases of osteoporosis.

^LeTranquility is one of the best blends to relieve migraines and tension headaches. Since so many of our minor, but annoying physical distresses have their roots in our emotions and our thought patterns, ^LeTranquility has proven useful in a very wide range of physical discomforts.

^LeTranquility has been used in programs to help children and adults get off Ritalin and Prozac. Of course, it is recommended that you work closely with your doctor.

GENERAL INFORMATION: This essential oil blend is the first thing you should reach for whenever someone is having a panic attack. More times than not, ^LeTranquility will stop the attack completely. This is a great blend for any type of anxiety disorder.

INGREDIENTS: bergamot, geranium, grapefruit, lemon, mandarin, orange sweet, rose, rose geranium, rosewood, ylang ylang

RESONANCE: ^LeHeartSong allows the heart to find its joy and learn to sing again. This is a very high frequency spiritual and emotional blend. ^LeHeartSong was created as an anti-depressant blend and is still the #1 blend for use in the treatment of grief and mild depression.

APPLICATION: ^LeHeartSong is very effective applied in a clockwise motion over each individual chakra, one by one. To do this, it is usually best to begin at the base chakra and work up the body to the crown chakra. This may be done on either the front or the back of the body. (I prefer the back, but that requires the help of a friend.) Can also be applied over the heart, on the ears, and to any area of poor circulation. This is a beautiful oil to diffuse, and may be worn as a perfume or as cologne.

AROMATIC CONSIDERATIONS: The aroma of ^LeHeartSong can be offensive if there are emotional blockages to loving and being loved. If this occurs, apply the blend^LeUnity to the palms of the hands and place the hands over the navel and thymus. Hold for 20 seconds and then reverse the hand positions and hold for another 20 seconds or more. The combination of these two oils will balance all the chakras and meridians, bringing a great feeling of peace.

EMOTIONAL / SPIRITUAL / MENTAL ASPECTS: This high frequency blend reminds us that we are loved and cherished by many people, and certainly by Heaven. It has a multitude of uses. ^LeHeartSong has been of great benefit in treating depression. It is also useful in overcoming grief and trauma. Because it is a remedy for deep sorrow and grief, it makes a wonderful gift for anyone who has recently lost a loved one.

^LeTranquility is the first line of defense against anxiety and panic attacks, but if it fails to work or needs a follow up, ^LeHeartSong is the blend to use. ^LeHeartSong is also helpful in stabilizing mood swings, relieving stress and tension, and helping one to relax.

You do not need to be suffering from depression or a recent loss to enjoy ^LeHeartSong. This blend is wonderful for getting through a tough time or just making it to the end of a difficult day. It is also quite effective as a protection against negative energy that you might be picking up from others at home or on the job.

Because of its effect on both the heart and the throat chakras, ^LeHeartSong is of benefit to those who have difficulty expressing deep emotions or tend to laugh inappropriately when trying to express themselves about these things. ^LeHeartSong is an excellent oil for energy work, especially in the areas of age regression or inner child therapies.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS: ^LeHeartSong is balancing to the electrical fields of the body and stabilizing to energy levels. Oddly enough, it brings relief from the pain and congestion of pleurisy and makes an excellent deodorant.

INGREDIENTS: blue tansy, geranium, hinoki, lavender, lemon, sandalwood, ylang ylang

APPLICATION: ^LeLetting Go should be applied directly over the liver, on the bottom of the feet, or behind the ears. This blend is very nice in a bath or diffused.

AROMATIC CONSIDERATIONS: ^LeLetting Go is a favorite blend of many people. By letting go of negative emotions, we can create feelings of tolerance and compassion towards the faults and foibles of the human race, including ourselves. Regular use of this essential oil blend can help us develop feelings of trust, safety, and security.

EMOTIONAL / SPIRITUAL / MENTAL ASPECTS: ^LeLetting Go is literally what the name implies, an oil to aid us in the "letting go" of negative emotions that we are holding onto in the physical tissues of our bodies. You can use ^LeLetting Go to aid in the release of anger, frustration, resentment, despair, grief, insecurity, or any other emotion that is not serving you well. This blend is appropriate when your forward progress in emotional or physical healing seems to be halted. This oil is beneficial when used for the rebellious spirit sometimes seen in teens and others of us from time to time.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS: Letting go of the emotional baggage that we don't need can have an energizing effect on the colon, kidneys, liver, and gall-bladder in particular. The holding on to negativity from the past can be the root cause of constipation. Fear can cause the kidneys and the bladder to function below optimum levels. Clogging in the liver and gallbladder creates a multitude of physical problems.

I also REALLY like a product called Rescue Remedy for anxiety. It's the only thing that gets me through the holidays! Just a few drops under the tongue and the anxiety and stress starts to melt away. Rescue Remedy is made from the essence of flowers, specifically the flowers Clematis, Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose, Cherry Plum, and Impatiens. You can learn more about Rescue Remedy here: http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-information/  You can purchase Rescue Remedy at most health food stores. 

I recently learned that Butterfly Express also has a Rescue Remedy product that is MUCH cheaper than buying it at the health food store. At the health food stores, a 10 ml bottle of Rescue Remedy costs $12-14. The Butterfly product is a full 1 oz for only $5! And it has a much better taste. 

DIY Bug Spray

It's finally summer in our neck of the woods! We have had an unusually wet and cold Spring, but today I finally broke out the flip flops! And last night my kids got their first mosquito bites. It's time to make some bug spray!

Butterfly Express makes a blend called Away that is designed to keep the bugs at bay. It contains catnip, cedarwood, cinnamon berry, citronella, clove, and eucalyptus peppermint. 

DIY Bug Spray

Spray bottle (dark glass is preferred to protect the oils)

Distilled water

Witch hazel

20-30 drops of Away essential oil

Fill the bottle about 1/3 full of distilled water. Add the witch hazel until it's about 2/3 full. Add 20-30 drops of Away essential oil. Shake the bottle well before every use. Spray on your skin, clothes, and along the hems of your pants and shirts. Be careful to avoid contact with the eyes.

If you need additional moisturizing during the summer months, or if you are using this spray on babies or children, you can add fractionated coconut oil to this spray. You can also mix the Away oil into your favorite natural lotion. 

My friend took this spray with her on vacation to Puerto Rico and it worked wonderfully against the big tropical bugs!  

Have a happy and healthy summer!

Essential Oils 101: Safety and Precautions

Essential oils are a wonderful tool for supporting your body naturally. Even though they are natural, there are still precautions to take to ensure that you're using this tool safely and effectively. As I've stated before, there are many opinions about how to use essential oils and lots of contradicting information. I encourage everyone to learn as much as they can about the oils and decide what feels right for you. Don't just take the word of someone who is selling the oil. 

This is what I've learned over the years and what I feel like is right for me. 

1. Before applying oils for the first time, try a drop to see if your skin is sensitive to it. Some people may not tolerate oils "neat" and require the oil to be diluted with a carrier oil. Some oils may cause an allergic reaction even if it is diluted. Every body is unique and what works for one person may not work for another. Applying oils to the feet is not only effective for distributing the oils throughout the body, but there's less chance of the skin on the feet being sensitive to the oils.

2. If you experience discomfort from using an essential oil, apply a carrier oil over the sensitive area. Do not rinse it with water--the water will enhance the action of the oil and can make the reaction stronger. The carrier oil will dilute the essential oil and lessen the discomfort. 

3. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil when applying to children or babies. Their skin is more sensitive and they are more likely to experience discomfort from undiluted oils. 

4. Never take oils internally. This is where you'll find a lot of contradicting information. I've noticed that only multi-level marketing companies promote the ingestion of essential oils. Everyone else in the aromatherapy industry (people who have studied the oils for themselves for years) believe that oils should only be ingested under close supervision of a trained professional, or not at all. There are some oils widely known as being toxic (causing injury and death) that should NEVER be taken internally, including eucalyptus and wintergreen. Yet multi-level marketing companies encourage the ingestion of eucalyptus oil by itself or in a blend. If you do choose to ingest essential oils, do you due diligence and educate yourself extensively on the subject--don't just take the advice of the person selling the oil. And always check the label before you ingest an oil to see if it contains a toxic oil.

5. Keep out of reach of children. There's something about those little bottles that is so appealing to kids! My daughter got into my oils once when I was busy in another room and got peppermint on her hands. Then she rubbed her eyes. And then she screamed. She still hates peppermint oil to this day. Oils should be kept away from little hands that could get the oil into their eyes, onto their sensitive skin, or into their bellies. 

6. Use oils with caution for pregnancy. Generally, blends are safer to use when pregnant than single oils. There are many single oils that should not be used during pregnancy, but are safe to use in a blend. Research what oils you can and can't use during pregnancy, and always proceed with caution. Some oils that are generally safe to use during pregnancy may cause a reaction for you.  

7. Do not blend oils unless it is a trusted recipe. This is something that I don't think a lot of people understand: when you blend oils together, it changes the way they act. To blend oils requires extensive knowledge and experience. There are a lot of roller bottle recipes on the internet that combine single oils together. I personally don't trust those recipes. I prefer to use the blends created by the professionals. 

8. Do not allow essential oils to be heated. High temperatures destroy the essential oil. If your oils are accidentally left in a car or in the sun, allow the oils to cool to room temperature before opening the lid. Cold temperatures generally do not damage the therapeutic properties of the oils. If the oils have been exposed to cold, allow them to return to room temperature. Do not apply any heat to warm them (you can hold them in your hand to warm them). 

My Favorite Way to Use Essential Oils

I woke up with a head cold, so I thought I would show you my favorite way to use essential oils: on my feet! I talk about putting the oils on the feet a lot, but sometimes that can be confusing. Hopefully it will make more sense if I show you! 

My Favorite Hand Soap

About a year and a half ago I started cutting out chemicals around the house to better support my body. The chemicals and fragrances in soaps and perfumes have an effect on our hormones, and since I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) I need to do everything I can to avoid hormone disruptions.

I came across a recipe for homemade foaming hand soap using essential oils and tweaked it a little to make it just right. I emptied my old Bath and Body Works foaming soap bottles (that was a little painful at first, let me tell you!) and they work perfectly for this recipe. You can also buy foaming soap bottles online. Most recipes for hand soap use tea tree oil to make it anti-bacterial. I like to use the blend SpiceC from Butterfly Express because of it's warm citrus/spice smell. SpiceC is similar to Deliverance and is also anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and supports the immune system. (It's also my favorite oil to diffuse around the house!)

DIY Foaming Hand Soap

An empty foaming soap bottle that's been rinsed out
Water
2-3 Tbsp Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap (I like the unscented kind)
20-30 drops of SpiceC essential oil

After rinsing the soap bottle well, add 3 Tablespoons of Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap and 20-30 drops of SpiceC essential oil. Add water to just below the neck of the bottle (it will foam up and spill out when you put the lid on). Screw on the lid and gently shake the bottle to mix. You may need to shake the bottle a few times over the next 24 hours to re-mix the ingredients.

I love how easy and affordable it is to make this soap--less than a dollar per bottle! You can find Dr. Bronner's soap at most health food stores or online. I get mine from Natural Grocer's.

You can read more about SpiceC here: http://butterflyexpressions.org/information/Blends/SpiceC

Muscle Testing

In a previous post I briefly mentioned that you can use muscle testing to determine which oil your body needs (or you can test for someone else too). Here's a little more information about how to do that for those that are interested.

Muscle testing is an energy test to determine truth. It's a method of accessing the subconscious mind and the body. It can be used for a variety of reasons, including allergy testing, emotional release techniques, deciding if a supplement is beneficial for your body, and on and on. Some people refer to it as an internal lie detector. The idea is that your subconscious knows what is true (and what is not) and that if you are in the presence of truth, or say a true statement, then your muscles will be able to hold strong against applied pressure. If you are in the presence of an untruth, or if you say an untrue statement, then your muscles cannot hold strong against applied pressure. Untruth weakens our body.

I use muscle testing to determine which oils to use on myself, my family, or my foot zoning clients. When a person comes to me for a foot zone, I have no idea what is going on in their bodies when they sit down in front of me. But my energy can ask their energy what it needs. When my kids are sick or having a rough time, I have an idea of what they need, but I don't understand the whole picture of what's going on inside their little bodies and minds. But I can use this simple energy test to choose which oils, out of the 100+ oils that I have, will be the most beneficial for them at that moment.

The thing that fascinates me most about muscle testing is that you can muscle test for anyone, anywhere in the world! They don't have to be sitting right next to you. Energy is not limited by time or space. My sister can text me from across the country and ask me to muscle test something for her and I can get the same answer as I would if she was right beside me. Very cool! Just make sure that you ask for permission to test for someone else. You don't even have to verbally ask the person; just ask yourself, "Can I test for ______?" and the muscle test can answer for you.

The keys to muscle testing correctly are practice, having an open, clear mind, and being energetically balanced. If you are distracted, stressed, nervous, or if you think you know what the answer should be, then you will have a hard time getting a good answer from a muscle test. There was a period of 1-2 years where I couldn't muscle test at all because the stress in my life made me too imbalanced.

To prepare yourself to muscle test, try these simple things:

1. Take a deep breath. Or two. Or three.
2. Ground your energy by imagining your energy reaching down and connecting with the earth.
3. Clear your mind of distractions and pre-conceived ideas, setting the intention to seek the truth.

There are innumerable methods for muscle testing. As you practice and play around with it, you'll find what feels most comfortable to you. I've gone through 5 different ways to muscle test to find the method that I am currently using (flicking a finger on one hand). My least favorite methods are the ones that require another person present to push down on your arm (pictured below) or to pull your fingers apart.

A good one to start out with is the sway test. This is a great video that explains the sway test really well. It's also a good example of how our opinions and bias can affect the muscle test. This lady has decided that ingesting essential oils is good and beneficial, and it is reflected in the muscle test. If I were to muscle test if I should ingest essential oils, I would most likely get a firm "no" since I firmly believe that oils should not be ingested. That's why muscle testing can be tricky and isn't an exact science.



I like part 2 of her muscle testing videos to show other ways to muscle test using your hands:



For a more in-depth understanding of muscle testing, Dr. Nelson (creator of The Body Code) has a webinar posted that goes into more detail. I haven't been able to sit down and listen to the full 90 minutes, but I like what I've heard so far! You can listen by clicking here.

Muscle testing is a lot of fun to practice! Throughout the day, practice getting a "yes" answer or a "no" answer just to see how it feels. The more you practice, the better you'll get. As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me!

My Favorite Oils For Pain

I experience a lot of neck and back pain. When I was 23 I herniated a disc in my lower back. When the doctor looked at my MRI, he was surprised at the condition of my spine. I believe his words were, "This is the back of a much older person." Whatever that means. Chances are it's something that I can't "fix" and so I've learned how to live with it. Butterfly Express has a number of oil blends that I really love and have helped with muscle tension and soreness. In addition to the following oils, I also use peppermint oil to help with aches and pains.

 My favorite ways to use Paine:

- On the feet, along the inside of the foot (the energy signals for the spine).
- 2-3 drops in a bath
- 1-2 drops added to a carrier oil and applied to the site.

From the book "Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils":

APPLICATION: ^LePaine should be diluted and applied to the area where the pain is located. It can also be used very effectively as a compress. ^LePaine is often used in layers with ^LeWarmDown, ^LeTendaCare, ^LeDeeper, and ^LeMillenia. It should be layered with ^LePatches if you suspect tendon or ligament damage.

EMOTIONAL / SPIRITUAL / MENTAL ASPECTS: ^LePaine is a very refreshing essential oil blend. It is like a breath of fresh air for the mind, bringing instant clarity. Eucalyptus and peppermint aid us in moving forward, leaving behind negativity and helping us find stability if we are prone to great emotional highs followed by deep depression.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS: ^LePaine is much more than a pain reliever, although it is strongly analgesic. ^LePaine promotes quicker healing by bringing oxygen to the injured area and increasing circulation. ^LePaine is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and calming to nerves. This essential oil blend can be used for sciatica, bone pain, arthritis, sports injuries, muscle spasms, torn ligaments, headaches, osteoporosis, bone spurs, bursitis, back pain, and bruising. ^LePaine contains essential oils that make it useful as a muscle relaxant and as a respiratory oil.

Cautions: If you use ^LePaine in the tub or shower for pain relief or muscle relaxation, use no more that 2 or 3 drops.

My favorite ways to use Deeper:

- On the feet, along the inside of the foot (the energy signals for the spine).
- 2-3 drops in a bath
- 1-2 drops added to a carrier oil and applied to the site.

From the book "Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils":

APPLICATION: ^LeDeeper should be diluted whenever it is applied to the skin. This is an excellent oil for use in the bath.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS: ^LeDeeper contains penetrating, anti-inflammatory oils which aids in relieving pain that is deep in the tissues and nerves. It is useful for sciatica, arthritis, osteoarthritis, the pain of osteoporosis, sprains, and injuries where there is bruising and/or nerve damage.

^LeDeeper increases blood and lymph circulation to the extremities, making it an effective choice for neuropathy and fibromyalgia. This blend often brings instant relief when applied to the abdomen and back for pre-menstrual cramps. Other important uses for ^LeDeeper are pain relief with shingles and bursitis.

My favorite ways to use WarmDown:

- On the feet, along the inside of the foot (the energy signals for the spine).
- 2-3 drops in a bath
- 1-2 drops added to a carrier oil and applied to the site.

From the book "Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils":

APPLICATION: ^LeWarmDown should be applied, diluted, to any area of the body where there are sore or strained muscles. This blend makes an excellent massage oil. It is often used in conjunction with ^LePaine, and if there is structural misalignment, ^LeMillenia is added to the regimen.

AROMATIC CONSIDERATIONS: ^LeWarmDown has an underlying aroma of "black licorice." It is the aroma of basil and is wonderful if you happen to like black licorice. If you find this aroma offensive, try ^LeTendaCare instead.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS: ^LeWarmDown is antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory. This makes it an excellent remedy for tight, tired, sore, and aching muscles of any description. This blend is often reached for with sports injuries, muscle strains and sprains, and for torn ligaments.

^LeWarmDown seems to aid calcium absorption and distribution throughout the body. This makes it useful for charley horses and the leg cramps during pregnancy. The regular use of ^LeWarmDown can slow the progress of osteoporosis by improving calcium absorption.

^LeWarmDown makes an excellent massage oil for back and joint pain. It often relieves stress headaches, where tight muscles in the neck and shoulders are contributing factors. ^LeWarmDown increases capillary circulation and protects the skin by helping it to retain moisture.

This is one of my very favorite oils! I really love the smell of it. Since my back has some scoliosis and I can't seem to keep it aligned, this oil is a must-have for me! I notice that I feel so much better when I use it consistently. 

My favorite ways to use Millenia:

- On the feet, along the inside of the foot (the energy signals for the spine).
- 2-3 drops in a bath
- Rub it down the center of the neck, especially with a headache caused by the neck being out of alignment.

From the book "Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils":

APPLICATION: ^LeMillenia is very good applied to the bottoms of the feet or along the inside of the foot (the spine in reflexology and foot zone therapy). You can balance the energy between the left and right lobes of the brain by putting a drop of ^LeMillenia on your index fingers and placing your fingers on your temples. The left hand should be on the right temple, and the right hand on the left temple.

AROMATIC CONSIDERATIONS: When diffused, ^LeMillenia builds courage, confidence, and self-esteem while being calming and relaxing at the same time.

EMOTIONAL / SPIRITUAL / MENTAL ASPECTS: ^LeMillenia helps one find the courage to move forward with confidence and faith. It brings clarity about what is really necessary for happiness and contentment. It can help us find an equilibrium between being organized, neat, orderly, meticulous, logical, and analytical (all good traits), and being obsessively focused on perfection.

^LeMillenia is used to aid us with self-expression, fear of conflict and disagreement, and the ability to make decisions. This blend can foster tenacity and independence of spirit.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS: "Chiropractor in a bottle" is a good description of this blend except that ^LeMillenia aligns so much more than just physical structures. ^LeMillenia aligns the electrical energies of the body, balances every meridian, and energizes every chakra. In addition, ^LeMillenia maintains the integrity of the connective tissues that wrap, connect, and protect every organ and balances the emotions connected to each organ. ^LeMillenia balances the moisture and fluid levels in the body.

One of my favorite uses for ^LeMillenia is in working with ADHD and hyperactivity. Applying ^LeMillenia to the feet at least once a day can make a profound difference in a childs ability to sit still and concentrate. I use the feet because it is an excellent place to draw essential oils into the body. I also like the feet because the person (it is often a little boy) can put his shoes back on, go to school, and no one teases him because he "smells like flowers." Also consider using ^LeTranquility along with ^LeMillenia.

As an agent of structural alignment, ^LeMillenia can be used as a diuretic, an antispasmodic, an expectorant, and a nervine. ^LeMillenia is helpful for some types of arthritis, for sciatica, and to improve capillary circulation. ^LeMillenia should be tried at the very first moment a hernia is suspected.

Using ^LeMillenia to brush your teeth may keep your teeth aligned and prevent cavities. A drop should be diluted in almond oil and put in the ear for earache. This will realign physical structures and take the pressure off of the ear canal or ear drum.

Because ^LeMillenia realigns physical and electrical structures, it is beneficial for some types of headaches. It is antispasmodic, analgesic, and excellent where bruising has occurred.

There is not enough understanding of anorexia, but it is known that something in the way ^LeMillenia realigns the body systems changes the thinking and brings relief from this condition.

I'm really excited about the new Rub products that Butterfly Express has introduced! I have the Paine Rub and my sister has the Deeper Rub to apply to her legs after running as she trains for a half marathon. 

My daughter frequently has growing pains in her legs. She doesn't like the way peppermint feels (it's too "hot" for her) but she will let me rub the Pain Rub on her legs and within a few minutes the pain is gone. I like to rub it on my neck and shoulders, especially if I'm by myself--it can be tricky to get a handful of carrier oil and essential oil onto your neck and shoulders! It has a nice warm "icy hot" feel that isn't too strong or irritating.  

From the Butterfly Expressions website:

These natural Rubs are a combination of essential oils, herbs, and menthol crystals. They are very strong and have an icy hot feel. 

Ingredients: distilled water, LN Carrier oil (almond oil infused with herbs: comfrey, arnica, St. John’s wort, lobelia, calendula, angelica, valerian, ginger, cayenne), veggie emulsifier, stearic acid, menthol crystals, Paine essential oil blend (birch, clove, copaiba balsam, eucalyptus, helichrysum, peppermint essential oils), refined vitamin e oil, sodium lactate, optiphen, Benzoin essential oil

About the ingredients:
^LePaine essential oil blend: (birch, clove, copaiba balsam, eucalyptus, helichrysum, peppermint)   ^LePaine is much more than a pain reliever, although it is strongly analgesic. ^LePaine promotes quicker healing by bringing oxygen to the injured area and increasing circulation. ^LePaine is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and calming to nerves. This essential oil blend can be used for sciatica, bone pain, arthritis, sports injuries, muscle spasms, torn ligaments, headaches, osteoporosis, bone spurs, bursitis, back pain, and bruising. ^LePaine contains essential oils that make it useful as a muscle relaxant and as a respiratory oil.

LN Carrier oil contains the herbs comfrey, arnica, St. John’s wort, lobelia, calendula, angelica root, valerian root, ginger root, and cayenne. These herbs, infused in almond oil, create a carrier oil which is amazing for injuries, bruising, inflammation, and the general pain and soreness that accompany injuries. The addition of lobelia in this infusion helps to deliver the other healing herbs to the area of concern quickly and relieves pain. The arnica works on sore, tight muscles and helps to reduce swelling of injured areas. Arnicas is not usually recommended for use on open wounds but in the small percentage that exists here we have never had any problem over the course of many years. Comfrey is probably best known for its healing ability for bones and tissues, but it is also very helpful for chest congestion. Cayenne works on the blood and is very effective at improving overall circulation. With increased circulation comes better oxygenation and healing. LN oil is especially effective when coupling it with essential oils such as ^LePaine, ^LeDeeper, ^LePatches, ^LeTendaCare and ^LeWarmDown.

Menthol Crystals: Menthol crystals are used for their analgesic and cooling effects. They contain local anesthetic, antipruritic, analgesic, antispasmodic and anti-irritant qualities. They are used for pain relief and for things like sprains, sore or pulled muscles, muscle spasms and cramping, and minor aches and pains of any sort. 

As always, if you ever have any questions, please let me know! Feel free to save or print the images to help you remember how to use each oil.