5 Essential Oils to Replace OTC Meds.

 Essential oils are definitely sweeping across Pinterest and I am so glad I discovered them. This is something very new to me but I am so excited to have found out about these unbelievable natural oils that can not only help with symptoms of sickness and pain but can also heal the source of it. There are so many I can't even name them all. They all are beneficial in so many ways but there are 5 that everyone should have in their medicine cabinet to replace pretty much all of your OTC medications. Anti-inflammatory, fever reducer, anti fungal, pain relievers and so much more.

I've never been an "all natural" type of person when it comes to food and medications but the more I am learning about the natural healers out there, the more I want to find out about them and try them for myself. It really does make so much sense to me that these natural oils work, when I think about it. I believe that God created the earth and everything in it. How did people back in bible times live so long and not have so many of the horrible diseases that we have in our world today. They didn't have all of the synthetic medications and food products, additives in food, pollution and people that care more about being successful than being healthy.

God created these things on this earth for our benefit and most of us just pass it on by and label it as being "weird" or "radical" because they are not the norm. Well I think they should be the norm and I hope by sharing this that more people will realize that these natural oils are the way to go instead of stuff made of synthetic chemicals and toxins.

Here are the 5 essential oils that everyone should have in their medicine cabinets and what to do with them.

What can you replace with Lavender?

*Neosporin, Elidel, Ambien, Motrin, Aleve, Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, Imodium AD and Solercain.

•         Diffuse in a room or apply to bottoms of feet to sooth anxiety and rest. 
•         Apply topically to calm irritated skin, including burns and cuts
•      Use internally for a natural antihistamine. 
•      Apply topically to ease the pain of bee stings and bug bites. 
•           Apply topically to relieve headache pain.       

What can you replace with Lemon?

*Children's Tylenol, Abreva, Throat Lozenges, Mylanta, Tums, Tylenol Cold, Compound W and Dr. Scholl Wart Removers 

• Add a drop to honey to soothe a dry or sore throat.
•   Diffuse in room to neutralize odors and elevate mood.
•   Disinfect kitchen countertops and brighten stainless steel appliances
• Add 2 drops to a glass of water for anti-oxidant and detox properties.
• Swipe a little Lemon on each side of a runny nose to dry up symptoms.
•  Dab on cold or fever blisters to shorten duration.
• Apply to warts for gentle and natural removal (great for kids).

What can you replace with Peppermint?

*Aleve, DayQuil, NyQuil, Tylenol, Tums, Motrin, Prevacid, Alka Seltzer, Claritin, Zyrtec, Mouthwash and Breath Freshener. 

•   Apply to neck and forehead with Lavender for headache relief.
•  Combined with Lemon and Lavender to create a powerful antihistamine for allergies mild to severe.
• Put 2 drops in small glass of almond milk and drink to stop heartburn in its tracks.
• Apply to back of neck for cooling effect.  To reduce fever, apply Peppermint with carrier oil to torso.  Peppermint can drop fever by 2 to 3 degrees in minutes.
•  Inhale deeply to invigorate lungs and increase alertness.
•   Breathe freshener!

What can be replaced with Tea Tree (Melaluca)?

*Neosporin, Chloriseptic, Abreva, Dandruff Shampoos, Rubbing Alcohol, Acne Remedies, Anti-fungal creams, Anbesol

•  Apply to toenail fungus for superior anti-fungal results.
•  Add 2 to 3 drops to a bottle of your favorite shampoo to quell dandruff and scalp issues.
• Apply to skin blemishes and rashes as part of a daily treatment routine.
•  Dab on canker sores to ease the pain and heal.
•  Apply to feet after showering, swimming or working out to help with athlete's foot and other fungus.  (gym bag must have).
• Kills Staph Infection ~ effective against MRSA virus.

What can be replaced with Frankincense?

*Expensive anti-aging skin products, Neosporin, Anti-cancerous properties, Migraine medications, Regenerative products

•    Combine with Lavender and/or Peppermint for severe headache relief.
• Use with a carrier oil for beautiful, radiant skin.
• Apply to bottom of feet or 2 to 3 drops under the tongue for strong immunity support.
•  Use topically or *internally to benefit from its anti-cancerous properties.
• Diffuse with Lavender for their calming and grounding properties.
• An excellent go-to oil for anything!  When in doubt, use Frankincense  

It's no surprise to me that Frankincense is one of the most powerful essential oils. Frankincense and Myrrh,  which is also an essential oil, were the gifts that the Wise men brought to Jesus after he was born. Only the best for Jesus and that's what he wants for us.

Get these and other essential oils at Botanic Choice.

Coconut Oil Remedies

Just imagine yourself in the beautiful, warm sunshine, laying on a beach, palm trees swaying in the warm breeze, sipping a cool refreshing drink with the smell of coconut in the air.....well probably from the suntan oil you slathered yourself with. Sounds so wonderful right now doesn't it. Since most of us probably won't be doing that any time soon you can at least enjoy the aroma of coconut and picture yourself there.

Virgin Coconut oil is another all natural product that has some amazing qualities and benefits to the body. It has been used for thousands of years in the Philippines and other tropical places where they are generally in good health compared to many western nations. It can be used externally on the body or internally, each way has different health benefits. From a moisturizer to hair revitalizer, gets rid of fungus and can decrease or even reverse the affects of Alzheimer's which is now categorized as a type 3 diabetes. Type 1 and 2 diabetes sufferers have seen positive results for years from using coconut oil. 

I can't even begin to try to put all of the research that has been done for the benefits of coconut oil, on my blog. So here is the best source of info I have found for coconut oil. Coconutoil.com

I have personally been using it on my face as a moisturizer and I have used it as an oil treatment on my hair.
To use it as a moisturizer rub the coconut oil onto your face and let it sit and absorb into your skin for 15 to 30 min, then wash your face with a mild facial cleanser. Also you can use it as an exfoliant by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 Tbls. of Coconut oil. Use the same instructions for use as the moisturizer. It makes your skin feel so great.
 To use it on your hair, make a part in your hair and take a scoop out with your hand and rub it into your scalp. Keep moving around your head parting your hair and rubbing it in to your scalp and then rub it into the rest of your hair. Don't get it too thick into your hair or it will be much harder to wash out. It should look greasy but not wet. Let it sit for about 30 minutes and then wash your hair twice and condition. Make sure you wash it twice or it will not get all of the oil out. This will leave your hair feeling so silky soft and it will also help with hair growth and regrowth, keep your hair from falling out excessively and keep your hair and your scalp moisturized. You can do this 1-2 times a week.

Update 11/9/2012: Recently one of my kids had lice. I was not about to use those chemical shampoo's that most of the time don't even work. Actually I heard that the lice are becoming resistant to all of those chemical shampoos.That's ok with me. Natural home remedies are much better anyway.
  I used coconut oil and tea tree oil on her hair overnight covered with plastic. I Washed it out in the morning and then saturated a towel with vinegar and wrapped that on her head for about 30 minutes. That helps release the glue that the nits are attached with. Then I washed her hair again and blow dried it with hot air. That kills and gets rid of any remaining lice. Lice was gone in one day and most of the nits were too. Make sure to check the head for the next week to make sure no eggs hatched. If so repeat process.

I just love this stuff and I know you will too. Please come back and share your comments.

Enjoy!