My New Essentials

I absolutely love fall in Virginia.  I am close enough to the Blue Ridge Parkway to witness the beauty of the blue ridges turning golden hued.  The air is crisp and the humidity, ever so active in the summer, takes its own vacation each fall.  The earth, turning on its axis, places our little Virginia town at a perfect angle for blazing citrus sunsets and cotton-candy-pink sunrises.  It is as near to perfect as this broken earth can be.  And yet, fall for this girl means awful, horrendous, horrific, terrible, allergies.  I have suffered from allergies as long as I can remember: runny nose, itchy eyes, and worst of all, sinus headaches that often progress into migraines.

About two weeks ago I found myself on day 3 of a horrible sinus migraine.  I had tried all of my normal remedies: over the counter medication, saline sinus rinse, menthol rub, nose sprays-nothing, and I mean NOTHING, was touching this one.  It was to the point of nausea and an aura from the headache and I was barely functioning.  The sinus headache was the culmination of about two weeks of suffering from a full fledged allergy attack.  I was miserable.  

I am an avid Pinterest user.  I kept coming across all of these things on Pinterest about essential oils.  I knew my friend Jessi, who suffered from horrible migraines for years, had found great success using essential oils.  (This was after trying LOTS of prescription meds, chiropractors, acupuncturist, etc.)  So, I contacted her.  Turns out, she had so much success that she now places monthly orders and allows her friends and family, and even friend-in-laws ( you know friends of friends who are essentially strangers to you) order on her order.  So, I ordered a Young Living blend called "Raven" which is supposed to support your sinuses and respiratory system.

 For good measure, I also ordered Young Living "Lavender" which supports any number of things!

 Thankfully she had some samples so I was able to get my hands on the oil before the order came in and ya'll, I am not lying when I tell you I had almost IMMEDIATE relief for my head.  She showed me the vita flex points for sinuses (on your hands and feet) and I rubbed the blend of raven and lavender on my sinuses and those vita flex points, and within 30 minutes my sinus headache/migraine was GONE.  It gets better....I have continued to use the Lavender daily, usually morning and night, and it has supported my sinuses and respiratory system so well, I have needed no other support.  Nor have I had bad allergies, at all, since I started using the oil.  And, we have kept the windows open all day and night at my humble abode.  (Bonus: lavender is also supposed to be supportive of the endocrine system, helping hair grow longer and healthier...here's hoping!)

Nothing is perfect, and I will admit to one slight problem I have with the oils.  There are SO many and Jessi is so good about researching the different uses for me, that I now want to order no less than 20.  My plan is to add an oil a month to my collection. 

In my (very) limited and novice experience I would recommend starting with lavender if you are new to oils.  It has so many beneficial uses.  What about you?  Have any of you had great success with essential oils?  How do you take them?  Topically or in capsules?  Do you use the vita flex points or just slap 'em on wherever you're ailing?  Any secret tricks or combinations you have discovered?  Please share in the comments section.  I am always looking for more natural ways to help my body.  

Also, if you want to jump on this miracle oil band wagon, contact Jessi Walker at bwalk7@hotmail.com or find her on facebook at BuckandJessi Walker.