Nighttime Asthma/Cough Relief
EA's first asthma episode was when he was only 6 months old. That was the beginning of a saga. A simple cold turned flaming ear infection turned asthma attack landed him in the ER and then a hospital stay for 3 days (missed my first ladies' retreat at our new church and also celebrated my birthday in the hospital with a preciously adorable but struggling infant...it was memorable). Seven years later, we are finally not visiting the ER three or more times a year. EA is not on multiple rounds of antibiotics for his ears or steroids for his asthma. He's down to one asthma med instead of three (fingers crossed for this fall/winter!). I attribute this vast improvement first to the Great Physician who has been so gracious to keep Elijah with us, healing his body over time, and allowing the medical world to have medicines and procedures to help little kids with asthma. Second, I attribute the noticeable improvement over the last year to our introduction to essential oils used in conjunction with our humidifier. It makes a HUGE difference. When EA is having an episode, he will have terrible coughing spells throughout the night (puts us in a newborn-like-sleep-deprived state). But, when we use the humidifier and essential oils at night, he sleeps the entire time (and so do we!). It's incredible. So here is what we do! I've listed the specific reasons we use these oils though most oils have multiple uses.1 full humidifier
pinch of salt
10 drops lavender (relaxing, calming)
7 drops peppermint (reduces inflammation, opens passageways)
5 drops eucalyptus (reduces airway inflammation, possible expectorant)
10 drops orange oil (I don't always this, but there is some research that has shown orange oil may possibly help asthma in particular. I've found it doesn't really make a noticeable difference like the other three oils do.)
Drop oils in water. Assemble humidifier. Plug in. Enjoy the scent and lack of coughing/breathing difficulty. *Note* I have since doubled the oil amounts and diluted them a bit with sweet almond oil to have this combo at the ready. Takes much less time to prep the humidifier when you don't have to do each oil separately!
Bite Relief
El mosquito es un insecto offensivo. I think I said that enough in high school Spanish that it will stick with me the rest of my life. I'm a mosquito magnet - sweet blood, according to my grandparents and parents. :-) But unfortunately, I am also allergic to mosquito venom. My bites instantly sting, itch like fire, and swell up. Some of them have gotten so large in my lifetime that I actually remember where they were and how big they got! Biggest one on record was ONE bite on the back of my lower leg that made my entire calf swell, getting tight, uncomfortable, and ferociously itchy. I have tried using essential oil repellent, but the only one that was successful works for me only for 20 minutes (or less most times). I surrendered and use commercial repellents. It's worth it to avoid the allergic reactions to bites! However, I have discovered an essential oil combination that, when used asap, cuts the itch within a few minutes (you have to be patient for it) and drastically reduces both the reaction intensity and its duration. I may have to reapply one or two more times over a couple days, but that's it. And lemme tell ya.... that's INCREDIBLE. Just ask my mom. :-) In a little bottle, combine...2 Tbs sweet almond oil
20 drops lavender
15 drops tea tree
10 drops citronella
7 drops peppermint
7 eucalyptus
Boo Boo Oil
2 Tbs sweet almond oil
20 drops lavender
10-15 drops tea tree
10 drops peppermint
*Note* The "little bottles" I use are simply essential oil bottles I've used up. The labels come off very easily. Then I just slap on a white address label and write on it with a sharpie, as seen in the Bite Relief photo. I'm learning now that I need to write down exactly what I put in the bottle. Hence the blog post. And the recipes are hopefully accurate...I'm goin' on memory here!
UPDATE: Ha. While I was writing this post, EA tripped on the stairs and hit his chin. It'll be more bruise than anything, but he did get a bit of an abrasion. I asked if we could experiment. He's a trooper. :-) He said the oil stung a little, then a lot, then not at all - less than one minute. We'll see how the healing and pain relief goes!
Homemade Chest Rub
I used this recipe to make a kid-friendly version of chest rub for cough and breathing trouble. I halved the essential oil amounts, but I think next time I may do 3/4 the oil amounts to make it just a touch stronger. I don't have cinnamon or clove oil, so I used 15 drops lavender instead (again, will use more next time I make it). EA really enjoys having this as part of his episode regimen, and I myself enjoy it when I'm having respiratory trouble.
Diluted Thieves Oil
My mom introduced me to this one, and I don't have as much experience or personal testimony of effectiveness as with the other combos. It is thought to help keep the body from getting sick. My mom used it on her feet at bedtime throughout last winter and did not get sick! I've used it a few times on various family members when they have already gotten sick, but I'm not sure how much it helps cut sickness duration. I am thinking about trying what my mom did to see if we have fewer illnesses this fall/winter! Simply dilute Thieves oil with your carrier oil of choice (mine is sweet almond oil), rub on feet, and put socks on. There is a TON of info online about Thieves oil and its uses...so if you want more info, get to Googling!
