The Best Essential Oils for Immunity in Kids

The Best Essential Oils for Immunity in Kids

Oct 29, 2020 | Alternative Treatments, Essential Oils, Kids

Keeping stress and toxins away from our family lately can feel like a massive undertaking when trying to keep everyone as healthy as possible during virus season. Even if your kids are normal, healthy small people, they still get compromised during sports, school, and daycare and then helpfully share it with everyone at home. Today’s article focuses on which of the best essential oils for immunity I love for my kids (and yours). Let’s take a look.

NIH research supports essential oil use for immunity-boosting power

Even the NIH is supportive of essential oils for immune-boosting natural wellness protection!

I’m sharing this fascinating abstract around this particular study, Much More Than a Pleasant Scent: A Review on Essential Oils Supporting the Immune System. Because of all of the growing attention that herbs and essential oils are getting in the top research centers right now, this study strove to investigate the immune-supporting properties of essential oils by compiling prior research around this topic for animals and humans. The most exciting and helpful part of this article is the related studies noted on the side, showcasing a deep dive into much of the research done over the past ten years. If you are looking for some specific support, you may find something beneficial here.

Also fascinating is why we feel so good after spending a couple of hours, or the entire day, outside.

Grandma was right, kids (and adults) need fresh air that contains wood essential oils available in the breeze, and more is more. The Japanese refer to this as “forest-bathing,” a romantic label and what we in the States call “going for a hike.” It’s also why we crave going up into the mountains and getting out into the fields with our dogs and horses. It’s not only the exercise that is good for our bodies; it’s breathing in nourishing, fresh essential oils right from the source. (Read section 6 in the above link). There is a long list of studied specific EO included in the article, so I encourage you to check it out if you are curious.

Keeping Our Kids Naturally Healthy

I won’t get into the washing hands here, but adding in some key wellness support when it starts to get colder outside can make the difference for everyone in your immediate family. These won’t make up completely for lack of sleep or exercise or even a lacking diet and we all get sick sometimes.

Some of the best essential oils for immunity that I reach for regularly are:

Lavender – When talking about immunity, this essential oil helps kids get restful sleep and reduce stress.

Lemon – With antibacterial properties, lemon is a natural ingredient in homemade cleaner solutions. In the summer or when in sunny parts of the world, lemon can be photosensitive, so please dilute it well and avoid using before sun exposure within 12 hours of having on your skin.

Eucalyptus – has powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties, so I love this when you are looking for support for flu, chickenpox, or other child viruses that like to spread.

Peppermint – is super antibacterial and antifungal, so keep this one on the shelf for headaches to tummy troubles. It can be effective against colds and flu and is a super energy stimulant for a late day push when you are running low without caffeine.

Tea Tree – Tee Tree is a triple threat as an antibacterial, antiviral AND antifungal. It’s valued as a natural immunostimulant and can be used directly on the skin or in a diffuser.

Thieves- the old folklore story goes that the thieves of plague times would douse themselves in this oil blend and not get sick! We love this blend!

Palmarosa – Another one from the other side of the world, Palmarosa grass is mainly grown in India and Nepal for a wide range of immunity boosting properties.


Quick Immunity Recipes for Kids to Try

Need an idea of where to begin? I’ve got you covered! Try either of these in a diffuser with purified water.

Immunity Blend #1 

  • Lavender – 3 drops
  • Eucalyptus – 2 drops
  • Rosemary – 2 drops
  • Thieves – 2 drops


 Immunity Blend #2

  • Palmarosa – 3 drops
  • Lemon – 2 drops
  • Tea Tree – 2 drops
  • Peppermint – 2 drops
  • Clove – 1 drop


Searching for more specific information on what to try or how to use a specific essential oil? Join my Facebook group or reach out directly!

xo, Mollie

ABOUT MOLLIE VACCO

Certified health coach, with a focus on natural wellness and holistic modalities
Mom of three boys & wife
Licensed Parelli Instructor & horsewoman

Essential oils for fertility: What to know when getting pregnant

Essential oils for fertility: What to know when getting pregnant

Sep 16, 2020 | Alternative Treatments

When you decide to get pregnant it can be stressful, especially if you have a health history that may be working against you. Getting the extra support your body needs for conceiving can make all the difference. In today’s article, we dive deeper into ways that essential oils for fertility can make this exciting journey easier. We’re looking at how to select high-grade essential oils for the most benefit, which oils may be the most helpful for you.

How to select high-grade essential oils

When searching for really high quality oils, you should look for the following to be sure you get what you pay for. Look for the wording listed on the label. It should read “essential oil” instead of fragrance oil. Essential oils are distilled from plants grown for the sole purpose of creating concentrated oil that is measured and used in small drops.

Look for the common plant name as well as the plant’s Latin name. Frequently, there are more than one type of plant under a common name and the Latin name will show the difference between them. If you are using essential oils for infertility, this can be important to note. A good company source understands this and will differentiate between the types for you.

Country of origin – Where is your oil grown? Occasionally the best place to source a plant is not in the US. Natural variations in field location, soil and climate will change the chemical composition accordingly. You may find that using a different source of oil changes the effectiveness when used. For a deep dive into this topic check out www.seedtoseal.com

Method of extraction. Again, do your homework. Only essential oils are created by using distillation and expression (for citrus oil). Steam distillation is a common process to create most essential oils.

Avoid oils listing Perfume or Fragrance on the label. This typically indicates a lesser quantity of the essential oil you want. These are usually much cheaper as they are mixed with an inexpensive carrier or of a synthetic composition, so that can be another indicator of a lower quality product.

Avoid junk in your oil. Things you won’t find in Young Living Oils.

Tips for Using Essential Oils when Boosting Fertility

A variety of essential oils are believed to offer wellness benefits around fertility including mood stabilization (who doesn’t need this!), reducing anxiety, improving relaxation and getting better sleep. There are a few identified here that may be the ones to try first when looking for support.

Clary Sage Oil – for harmonizing and balancing estrogen. Estrogen is needed for conception, so you may want to begin by diluting in a carrier oil for direct use on your skin. Clary sage oil has some anecdotal reports that cause uterine contractions, so please use cautiously if you are already pregnant.

Orange, Grapefruit and Lemon Oils – Chances are you have already used these to get a quick energy lift during the mid-afternoon blahs, but studies show that orange oil can be effective at lowering anxiety, so you may find that helpful to conceive. Experiment to see which of the three help to lower nausea. I recommend using a diffuser for using citrus oil.

Sandalwood Oil – A bit invasive to test, sandalwood has long been purported to have libido lifting properties in both men and women. You can use this in a diffuser to get the mood going or use combined with a carrier oil for a fantastic massage oil option.

Geranium Oil – A 2017 study has shown promising data that geranium oil may be helpful in the production of estrogen. It also assists with lowering anxiety and depression. When you go to try geranium oil, add it to a skin cream or a diffuser.

Ylang Ylang Oil – Believed to carry aphrodisiac boosting qualities and ease cramps, this oil can be used to create positive feelings and a better mental outlook in general while you wait to get pregnant. Use in a diffuser or incorporated in a cream or massage oil carrier.

Young Living also offers combined formulas that utilize their essential oils to make it super convenient for traveling and daily use. For the details on all of those options for endocrine support, check out Hormones for Her.

Products I LOVE that support fertility:

Endoflex – Direct support to the endocrine system.

Progessence Plus – Helps balance estrogen and progesterone. When I was having very heavy periods, this serum was key for me! A drop on your inner arm is all you need.

Ningxia Red – Daily supplement to aid in overall health and fertility. 

While we collectively wait for more research to be released around this important area of essential oils, try the oils above to balance your estrogen, get more sleep, get in the mood or to destress. You now know how to select a top quality essential oil and how to begin using them. Start with 6-8 drops in your diffuser and see how your body reacts. You might need a bit more or less. If applying to your skin, the normal recommendation is 1 drop of oil to 10-15 drops of carrier oil. You can use almond, coconut or grapeseed oils.

Even more resources!

Want personalized help in aligning your oil use with fertility? Contact me for safe options for success at mollie@mollievacco.com.

Join my Facebook Group for even more support and a positive mindset shift.

xo, Mollie

ABOUT MOLLIE VACCO

Certified health coach, with a focus on natural wellness and holistic modalities
Mom of three boys & wife
Licensed Parelli Instructor & horsewoman

Essential Oils: Proving Treatment for Hot Spots on Dogs

Essential Oils: Proving Treatment for Hot Spots on Dogs

Aug 31, 2020 | Alternative Treatments, Canine

Treating hot spots on dogs has always been tricky to do as there are multiple causes of skin irritation and itching. Just ruling out the initial cause of the irritation can take time. Dermatitis is often presented as an allergy to the dog’s environmental surroundings or diet and is usually treated with elimination diets, topical therapies, or anti-inflammatories. It can be difficult and time consuming to treat, as well as uncomfortable for the dog. Fortunately, help is on the horizon.


With the overuse of antibiotics to treat bacteria, many people are looking for safer alternatives for their pets and families. Researchers are also looking closely at antibiotic alternatives for effectiveness and finding some hopeful data in the process. Recently, university testing has found that essential oils can be useful in improving canine skin without adverse reactions.


An interesting three-clinic study from 2014 in The Veterinary Journal trialed a combination of oral polyunsaturated fatty acids and an applied essential oil for atopic dermatitis on a range of different breeds, ages, and gendered dogs. Clinics in the UK, USA, and Germany worked together and found a measurable improvement with the test group using neem oil, rosemary extract, lavender oil, clove oil, tea tree oil, oregano, peppermint oil, and cedar bark extract with linoleum acid and vitamin E. The full details of the study may be read here on Science Direct.


Another peer-reviewed study published in the Microorganisms Journal, February 2020, issue 2, “Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils against Staphylococcus and Malassezia Strains Isolated from Canine Dermatitis,” looks at the effectiveness of essential oils on canine dermatitis. Nine essential oils were reviewed, and the findings were promising when used for mixed infections. This particular study is available to read in detail here.


How to safely use essential oils for your dog


Because essential oils are taken directly from raw plants and distilled carefully to create a highly concentrated liquid, it’s important to know which ones should be diluted or diffused rather than used at full strength. Keep in mind that these oils should only be “therapeutic grade” oils from a reputable company, such as Young Living. Using oils to support good health means observing your pet for any adverse reactions, starting with a small amount. One single drop of essential oil diluted in a carrier oil, such as grapeseed, almond, apricot kernel or coconut oil is typically enough. If your dog is not happy about the oil smell, allow them an escape route away from you. Use them for two weeks and then evaluate any changes in your dog’s behavior or skin. If no changes are present in the first few days, you may want to change the approach. Using a modality like essential oils allows us to be very individual in our approach. So if something is not showing results pretty quickly, it’s time to pivot! Reach out, I’d love to help!

Here are some essential oils to try for your dog’s skin allergies or dermatitis:


Lavender – Calming, comforting, soothing to the skin. An easy go-to. 

Frankincense – Its healing properties have been cherished for thousands of years. Use topically or internally. 

Purification – Great applied topically to those troublesome ears of pets who love to swim! Diffuse to help with that pet smell!! 

Peppermint – Great to help sooth the itch, relieve sore muscle, deters flies. 

Oregano – Great immune support for allergy sufferers. I prefer this given internally, for example, a drop in a veggie cap wrapped in cream cheese.


How much oil do I need?

Working with someone who has experience in selecting and using these powerful healing elements can be helpful. Every animal is an individual and it is nice to customize. Some respond to one drop and other applications may take several drops with repetition. If you are just starting out it’s a good idea to use a carrier oil to dilute the essential oil so the body has more time to process it. If you feel you’ve used too much add more carrier oil, not water, water actually invigorates the essential oils. 


For help with selecting an appropriate essential oil and its proper use for your dog, contact Mollie.

ABOUT MOLLIE VACCO

Certified health coach, with a focus on natural wellness and holistic modalities
Mom of three boys & wife
Licensed Parelli Instructor & horsewoman

hot spots in dogs
Essential Oils for Horses

Essential Oils for Horses

Aug 10, 2020 | Alternative Treatments, Equine, Essential Oils

Proven to Provide Support

In recent years, peer-reviewed veterinary studies have frequently been appearing regarding the
use of essential oils and their use on the equine population, which is very exciting! Aromatherapy
and oils for reducing stress, increasing focus and decreasing pain are being critically reviewed to
understand the benefits for horses. This article explores some recent studies and suggestions on
how to begin using the natural healing of essential oils to benefit your horses.

Specific Oils Proven to Work for Horses
In the study, “Effect of Aromatherapy on Equine Heart Rate Variability,” researchers tested
lavender and chamomile to decrease heart rate in eight dressage horses. The group used a control
of humidified air. Dressage horses are sensitive to environmental changes and can be affected
during competition. During the test, heart rate variability was recorded before, during and after
each lavender treatment and then again 30 minutes afterward. Camomile was tested using the
same process. The researchers found that lavender has a measurable parasympathetic change and
reduced heart rate variability immediately after treatment. Chamomile use does not offer any
measured improvement. The result of the study does indicate that lavender is a proven calming
agent for horses. Download the full article from Science Direct.

A Spanish study, “Essential Oils in the Control of Infections by Staphylococcus xylosus in
Horses,” 2014, tested nine essential oils (cinnamon, palmarosa, two types of cloves, naiouli,
peppermint, oregano, rosemary, and sauce thyme) to look at the antimicrobial effect
against Staphylocccus xylosus isolates. The S. xylosus bacteria is associated with kidney
inflammation (UTIs) in humans and is typically treated with a round of antibiotics. Aside from
rosemary, all of the other essential oils showed antimicrobial activity against 27 isolates of the
bacteria. This study showed high potential in using sauce thyme and oregano in controlling this
infection in horses. The study may be reviewed here in more detail.

In 2018, a larger study on plant extracts in horse feed reviewed existing reports looking at
potential use in commercial feeds. A wide range of herbs and plants from ginger, licorice, to Aloe
vera have antioxidative properties. While the review found that extracts in diets may provide
benefits for stress-related and therapeutic benefits, more research is required to define the correct
dosage, timeframe and type of plant or extract for commercial and safe versions.

Which Oils to Use

If you want to experiment with some practical, natural and safe options,

Young Living Essential Oils are created to be used in the barn with a diffuser or topically to boost regular veterinary care and proper nutrition. The Young Living team and Pat & Linda Parelli have spent time researching how horses react to essential oils and the most effective way to use them. Young Living has a board of veterinarians who oversee animal product development.

Basic Barn Kit for Horses

If you are new to using natural choices for your horses’ health, an essential (and free!) guide with recipes can be requested easily here. Learn to create safe and natural coat conditioner, mane and tail detangler, non-toxic fly sprays, and seasonal transition support recipes for your herd.

Keep essential oils on hand for daily use. Here are some of Mollie’s go-to favorites that you can try!

Lavender

  • promotes general relaxation, use on minor cuts
  • reduces the tension of loading and trailering

Valor

  • balances energies
  • helps horses with unbalanced riders
  • great support for the spine

Peppermint & Peppermint Vitality

  • add to water in the summer to encourage drinking and cooling effects
  • use diluted in water for a cooling sponge bath after riding
  • great boost for fly spray

Thieves Household Cleaner

  • treatment for rain rot and scratches
  • boost your fly spray by adding to the mix
  • abscess soak solution 
  • non-toxic stall and bucket cleaner at shows or between horses

Where to Buy Quality Essential Oils

Need to purchase your essential starter kit or refresh your oil supply? >> Click here

Want to know more about how to use oils? Sign up for Mollie’s Free Oils Mini Course using the popup at the bottom of this page!

ABOUT MOLLIE VACCO

Certified health coach, with a focus on natural wellness and holistic modalities
Mom of three boys & wife
Licensed Parelli Instructor & horsewoman

9 Ways Red Light Therapy Improves Healing

9 Ways Red Light Therapy Improves Healing

Feb 27, 2018 | Alternative Treatments

 

  1. Red Light Therapy has been shown to reduces pain by increasing production of endorphins – a natural painkiller.
  2. Reduces inflammation by suppressing enzymes that create swelling, redness, and pain.
  3. Boosts the release of anti-inflammatory enzymes to reduce swelling quickly.
  4. Increases cellular regeneration and healing by stimulating the mitochondria within the cell. This increases the production of ATP which causes damaged cells to accept nutrients and eliminate toxins faster.
  5. Increases lymphatic drainage and circulation.
  6. Relaxes tight muscles and quickly releases muscle cramps.
  7. Strengthens anti-viral properties by increasing antibody production in the bloodstream.
  8. Improves the structure of tendons, bones, skin, teeth, and cartilage by increasing Collagen production.
  9. Stimulates a strong heartbeat by regulating serotonin levels. Serotonin helps to regulate inflammation and allergic reactions and plays an important role in blood clotting, stimulating a strong heartbeat, initiating sleep, and fighting depression. It also stimulates the smooth muscle in the intestinal wall helping it to contract.

 

Red Light Therapy Infographic