Monday, April 15, 2013

Get It Right and Sleep Tight!


How well do YOU sleep at night? If your answer is "not as well as I'd like," and your weariness has nothing to do with the parenting of nocturnal children, then read on––because your friend Sue is about to hand out one heck of a good tip!

You see, I have stumbled across a sleep solution that is kicking the behind of some menopause-related insomnia that's been plaguing me for more years than I care to mention. Not one to take Ambien, valerian, or even melatonin (I know, I'm a bit conservative in this area), I have finally settled on something that I AM comfortable using––essential oils.

The brand I like is DoTerra: specifically, the lavender essential oil and the Serenity essential oil blend. I simply rub two drops of each on my tootsies (yep, that's right...my feet) at night, et voila! I am off to greet the Sandman, who is keeping company with me at least an hour longer than he used to...and sometimes, two hours! I have gone from being a 5:00 am riser to a 6 or even 7:00 am riser. Instead of a meager five hours per night, I sometimes get six or seven! What could be better?? (Well, maybe being able to eat whatever I wanted to without gaining weight...) *sigh* I wonder if they have an essential oil for that?!

All kidding aside, while I'm not sure exactly how these oils work, I am convinced they do. And not just for sleep, either. The other day I had an infected bug bite that would normally have taken two weeks to stop itching. Instead, I looked up the complaint in my trusty essential oils book; was advised to layer lemon, lemongrass, and lavender on the site; and could barely even see the bump two days later. Miracle cure, if you ask me. I've also staved off a couple of colds sucking on DoTerra's On Guard throat drops, which consist of nothing more than orange, clove, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, and rosemary. Best of all, I am now rubbing frankincense on the back of my neck every night to benefit my aging brain, among other things. (This a pretty versatile oil, and who wouldn't want to use a gift of the magi to improve her health, right?) You'll be pleased to know that myrrh is available, too, which was used in ancient days to combat leprosy and is still known for combatting skin ulcers, stretch marks, and weeping wounds.

Having been disappointed by many a doctor in my life, including but not limited to unnecessary surgeries and toxic-to-me medications, I like the idea of using something natural to gently move my body in the direction of healing. Essential oils are filling that bill for me, and I am a big fan!

=)

18 comments:

karen said...

I've bookmarked their site, and as soon as I get back from my trip I think I'll order some things. Like you, I can use all the help I can get!

karen said...

One question: are the oils (such as lavender) safe on children's skin?

Unknown said...

I'm a huge fan of essential oils too! I use them for a lot of things!

Unknown said...

That is really interesting!

Pondside said...

That's all very interesting, Sue. I spray lavender on my pillows and at the edge of my top sheet at night and I believe it really helps me. I will get some essential oil and try the foot trick too!
I am plagued by spider bites - no one else around will be bitten, but if there is a spider nearby (and this is TRUE) it will turn and come towards me...and if I don't see it coming I will get bitten. The bites are terrible and swell up and can become infected. I will try the layering of the different oils - too good not to try!

BECKY said...

Sue, thanks so much for sharing this information! I've heard about lavender being a soothing scent, but never got around to trying anything. Thanks to YOUR recommendation, I will buy some DoTerra!

LeAnn said...

Wow, thanks for all the information on essential oils. I may just try it. I need to get off some of the medications I am on. I will look into this one for sleep and etc.
Blessings and hugs!

Karen Mortensen said...

Where do you get these?

Grandma Honey said...

I am so glad you shared this Sue! I have some doTerra Serenity but for some reason I've never tried it.....probably because I just thought it was for anxiety. I just have it around in case anyone gets anxious around here. I didn't think to use it for sleep! I have ongoing issues with that (as does every woman I know who is our age). I wouldn't have known to put it on my feet. So where on your foot do you put it? All over the foot, including the toes? I don't have any lavender so I hope it will work tonight for me with just the Serenity. Tonight will be my experiment! Thank you!

Friko said...

I too have been using essential oils for years. I have aromatherapy massages which use essential oils. Works wonders for all sorts of things.

Mind you, doctors do have their uses too; there have been times when I’ve been very grateful for their expertise.

Unknown said...

I am so glad that it brings you sleep. I bet your feet smell wonderful too.

Nancy said...

How interesting! On your toes? Thanks for informing us. :)

Sistas in Zion said...

Very interested in the sleeping oils! We'll have to check it out we love natural remedies. PS: thanks for explaining that tootsies are feet, we had no clue...lol.

yaya said...

Great advice! I'm glad my Doc hubby is a Chiropractor and very into natural health and healing. I know those things work well for many and I'm glad you're finding relief. I work in the medical field and I'm a bit jaded by some of the MD's there too! Thanks for the advice!

Momza said...

It's 2:41am....wishing I had something to ease me back to sleep.
DoTerra it is!
Thanks, Sue.

Katie Blacker said...

My sister, Mari, sells Dotera. She loves loves them too. I plan on getting more into it after I'm done being pregnant.

Pretty cool stuff!

Helena said...

There's a lot to be grateful for in the world of essential oils. Violet and Belladonna work for a number of complaints from me!!

alpinekleins said...

I have been so interested in these oils and just haven't had time to persue more info . . . but I am now going to check them out. I could really us a few hours more sleep!

Kristin