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101 Ways to Use the Essential 7 Collection of Essential Oils

September 2, 2010 in Antifungal, Application, Aromatherapy, Best Essential Oils, Blends, Buy / Purchase, Calming, Cooking with Essential Oils, Disinfectant, Eco-Friendly, Family Health, First Aid tips, Green, How do I use, Lavender, Lemon, Lifestyle, Natural, Natural Health, Natural Household / Cleaning, Pain, PanAway, Peace and Calming, Peppermint, Quality / Pure, Relaxation, Safe Use, Stress, Therapeutic-grade Essential Oil, Using Essential Oils, Wellness, Women's Health, Young Living Distributor by Evelyn Vincent | No comments

Using therapeutic grade essential oils can be a very rewarding experience. If you haven’t given them a try yet and are the type of person who is looking to have a ‘Green’ / eco-friendly home and lifestyle this can truely be the answer to what you’ve been looking for.

I began using essential oils about 25 years ago, I was tired of paying expensive prices for organic and all-natural household cleaning products and took the leap into essential oils upon hearing that you could use them for anything cleaning, to healing wounds and headaches, to staying alert, and staying well.

The necessary ingredient was to locate superior quality essential oils, and I’ll tell you, that was no easy feat 25 years ago! I searched high and low and ended up buying the best essential oils I could find. But it wouldn’t be until 1997 when I found precisely the superior quality I was looking for, Young Living Essential Oils (YLEO). Since that day, I have used only YLEO and I only recommend YLEO, regardless if I had a YLEO business or not. As a matter of fact, I only used and recommended them for several years before I even decided to have a YLEO business, which was about 5 years ago.

These essential oils are by far the best in the world. Only 2 percent of all essential oils in the world are of this superior quality. Young Living makes up most of that 2 percent. Unfortunately, that means 98 percent of the essential oils you come across are far lower quality, so don’t be fooled by the terms: 100% pure or organic, there are a million ways to ruin an essential oil and only one way to make them right. You can learn more about that here if you’re interested.

But, what I want to cover in this article is one particular collection of essential oils, the Essenttial 7 collection. This is a terrific assortment of 7 of the most popular essential oils. So, if you’re new to aromatherapy and essential oils, take a look at some of what can be achieved… when you step into the world of therapeutic grade essential oils… you are stepping into a brand world, a new way of seeing things and a new lifestyle.  Besides being the most eco–friendly way to go, the other thing I enjoy most is the sheer simplicity and ease in using essential oils for everything, making the switch is not only fun but it’s empowering! Try it and see for yourself!

Applications and Use of the 7 Essential Oils

  • Dietary Supplements: All of the single essential oils in this collection may be used as dietary supplements. Remember, all essential oils from YL are potent and superior quality, rarely will an adult use more than 2-6 drops of essential oil per “00″ capsule with a little olive oil added, or more than 1-2 drops added to a glass of water or milk. More on Immune System Tips.
  • Diffuse: All of the essential oils in this collection may by diffused – with the exception of PanAway. It’s not that PanAway would be harmful if diffused it’s more that it’s benefits would be wasted because this blend is designed to use topically for aches and pains of the body. Young Living has 5 diffusers to choose from. Using these diffusers will freshen the air eliminating the need for synthetic harmful air fresheners, provides the healthful benefits of aromatherapy (the simple act of inhaling therapeutic-grade essential oils, and helps to rid indoor air of germs and unpleasant. Never use a diffuser that diffuses by means of heat as heat or flame (as in candle diffusers) fractures the tiny molecules where all of the benefits are contained (more on heat and diffusing). For the curious, read…Viscosity of Essential Oils and How Quickly They’re Diffused and Smelly House to Aromatic Home
  • Topical Application: All of the oils can be applied to the Vita Flex points on the feet, added to bath water mixed with Young Living Bath & Shower Gel Base, applied topically or used with body and foot massage. More on Creating Your Home Spa and Massage and Bodywork.

The 7 Essential Oils in the Essential 7 Collection – Order Here!

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential 7: essential oil collection

Lavender is the most versatile of all essential oils. Therapeutic-grade lavender has been highly regarded for the skin. Lavender has been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations. The fragrance is calming, relaxing and balancing – physically and emotionally. Lavender: Uses, Facts, History, Testimonials and Aromatherapy

1. Rub a couple drops of Lavender oil on the feet for a calming effect on the body.
2. Rub a drop of Lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow to help you sleep.
3. Put a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching and reduce swelling.
4. Put 2-3 drops of Lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain and promote healing.
5. Drop Lavender oil on a cut to stop the bleeding.
6. Mix 4 drops of Lavender oil with 1 TBSP V-6 Massage Oil and use topically on eczema and dermatitis.
7. To alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of Lavender oil on the end of the tongue or around the naval or behind the ears.
8. To stop a nosebleed, put a drop of Lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice. Push the tissue covered ice chip up under the middle of the top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long as comfortable or until the bleeding stops (do not freeze the lip or gum).
9. Rub a drop of Lavender oil over the bridge of the nose to unblock tear ducts (avoid eye area).
10. Rub 4 drops Lavender with 1 tsp. V-6 Massage Oil on dry or chapped skin.
11. Rub a drop of Lavender oil on chapped or sunburned lips.
12. To reduce or minimize the formation of scar tissue, massage Lavender on and around the affected area.
13. Rub 2 – 4 drops of Lavender oil over the armpit area as a deodorant.
14. Rub a drop of Lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
15. Rub several drops of Lavender oil into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff.
16. Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a cotton ball and place in your linen closet to scent the linens and repel moths and insects.
17. Place a drop of Lavender oil in your water fountain to scent the air, kill bacteria and prolong the time between cleanings – DO NOT put into aquariums with fish or other living animals.
18. Make your own dryer sheets! Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a wet cloth and throw into the dryer, which will deodorize and freshen your laundry. More on Dryers and Essential Oils and Dryer Sheets Give Me a Headache
19. Put a drop of Lavender oil on a cold sore.
20. Diffuse Lavender oil to alleviate the symptoms of allergies.
21. Spritz several drops of Lavender oil mixed with distilled water on a sunburn to decrease pain and promote healing.
22. Drop Lavender oil on a cut to clean the wound and kill bacteria ad prevent infection.
23. Apply 2-3 drops of Lavender oil to a rash to stop the itching and heal the skin.

Additional Tip: Lavender-Blueberry-Banana Bread Recipe – YUM!

Lemon (Citrus limon)

Lemon has antiseptic-like properties and contains compounds that have been studied for their effects on immune function. It may serve as an insect repellent and may be beneficial for the skin. CAUTION: Citrus oils should NOT be applied to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light within 72 hours.

24. Use 6 drops of Lemon oil and 6 drops of Purification oil in a 4 oz. spray bottle filled with distilled water to use in the bathroom as an air freshener that eliminates odors.
25. Use 1-2 drops of Lemon oil to remove gum, oil, grease spots or crayon.
26. Use 1-2 drops of Lemon oil to add flavor to baked goods or beverages.
27. For homemade lemonade, in a blender mix 2 drops of Lemon oil, 2 TBSP of honey and two cups of pure water. Adjust the amount of each ingredient to suit your own taste.
28. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on a corn, callous or bunion mornings and evenings.
29. To clean and increase the shelf life of fresh fruit, fill a bowl with cool water and 2-3 drops of Lemon oil. Drop your fruit or veggies into the water and stir. Be sure all surfaces of the produce contact the lemon water.
30. Add 10 drops of Lemon oil to a 4oz. spray bottle filled with water and spray counter tops to disinfect surfaces and cutting boards.
31. Soak your dishcloth overnight in a bowl of water and a drop of Lemon oil to disinfect and kill germs.
32. Add a drop of Lemon oil to your dishwasher before the wash cycle.
33. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on your hands after using a public bathroom to disinfect.
34. Use a paper towel soaked with several drops of Lemon oil to sanitize bathroom fixtures.
35. Place a drop of Lemon oil on cold sores, herpes or other mouth ulcers to lessen pain and aid in healing.
36. Put a drop of Lemon oil on bleeding gums caused by gingivitis or tooth extraction.
37. Put a drop of Lemon oil on oily skin or acne to balance sebaceous glands (oil glands).
38. Rub several drops of Lemon with 1 TBSP V-6 Massage Oil on cellulite to improve circulation and help eliminate waste from the cells.
39. Rub two drops of Lemon oil topically to clear athlete’s foot. Read Understanding Fungal Infections
40. Rub several drops of Lemon oil on varicose veins to improve circulation and relieve pressure on the veins.
41. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on a wart morning and night until it disappears.
42. Rub a drop of Lemon oil to clean a butcher’s block or other cutting surfaces.
43. Put 10-15 drops of Lemon oil in each gallon of carpet cleaning solution to help pull out stains and brighten the rug. This also leaves a fresh smell in the room. Or better yet… use Thieves Household Cleaner instead of carpet shampoo and add your Lemon oil to that!

Additional Tip: Lemon Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Recipe

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Peppermint is one of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion. Jean Valnet, M.D., studied peppermint’s effect on the liver and respiratory systems. Other scientists have also researched peppermint’s role in affecting impaired taste and smell when inhaled. Dr. William N. Dember of the University of Cincinnati studied peppermint’s ability to improve concentration and mental accuracy. Alan Hirsch, M.D., studied peppermint’s ability to directly affect the brain’s satiety center, which triggers a sense of fullness after meals.

44. Rub 2-3 drops peppermint with 1 tsp V-6 Massage Oil in the palm and rub over stomach and around the navel to relieve indigestion, flatulence and diarrhea.
45. Add a drop of Peppermint oil to herbal tea to aid in digestion and relieve heartburn.
46. Massage several drops of Peppermint oil with 1 TBSP V-6 Massage Oil on the area of injury to reduce inflammation. Do NOT apply to open wounds!
47. Apply a drop or two of Peppermint oil immediately with a little V-6 Massage Oil to an injured area to relieve pain. If there is a cut, apply the Peppermint oil around (not on) the open wound.
48. Rub 2-6 drops of Peppermint oil on the soles of the feet to reduce a fever.
49. Apply a drop of Peppermint oil topically on unbroken skin to stop itching.
50. For poison ivy or poison oak, apply Peppermint oil on location with V-6 Massage Oil.
51. Inhale Peppermint oil directly from the bottle before and during a workout to boost your mood and alertness, and reduce fatigue.
52. Massage several drops of Peppermint oil with V-6 Massage Oil on the abdomen to relieve nausea.
53. To relieve a headache, rub a drop of Peppermint oil on the temples, forehead, and on the back of the neck.
54. To stop hiccups, apply a drop of Peppermint oil on each side of the fifth cervical vertebra (up three notches from the large vertebra at the base of the neck).
55. Place one drop of Peppermint oil in your glass of water and drink to improve alertness and concentration. Terrific during classes, driving, or when you need a pick-me-up!
56. Diffuse Peppermint oil in the room while studying to improve concentration and accuracy. Inhale Peppermint oil, when taking a test, to improve recall.
57. Rub 4 drops of Peppermint oil with 1 TBSP V-6 Massage Oil on chest and stomach to relieve travel sickness.
58. Place a drop of Peppermint oil in your glass of water or cup of hot water to relieve congestion from a cold. Sipping and inhaling.
59. Add Peppermint oil to food as a flavoring and a preservative. See Cooking with YL Essential Oils for Tips on how not to over-flavor foods.
60. To deter rats, mice, ants or cockroaches, place two drops of Peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place along the path or point of entry for these pests. Read my story onRepelling Squirrels
61. Mix one 15 ml bottle of Peppermint oil into a 5 gallon can of paint to dispel the fumes.
62. Place 1 drop Peppermint oil in a cup of hot water and enjoy in place of coffee.
63. To kill aphids, add 4-5 drops of Peppermint oil to 4 ounces of water and spray the plants, be certain to get the under-side of leaves where they hide.
64. Drink a drop of Peppermint oil mixed in a glass of cold water to cool off on a hot day. Read 4 Ways to Stay Cool Off on Hot Summer Days
65. Rub Peppermint oil on joints to relieve arthritis or tendonitis pain.
66. Place a drop of Peppermint oil on the tongue to stop bad breath.
67. Inhale the fragrance of Peppermint oil to curb the appetite and lessen the impulse to overeat.
68. Remove ticks by applying a drop of Peppermint oil on a cotton swab and swabbing the tick. Wait for it to unhedge its head and remove from your pet.
69. Mix Peppermint oil in a footbath to relieve sore feet. Keep water agitated while soaking feet.

Additional Tip: Here’s one of Curt’s favorite’s - Peppermint Chocolate Milk Recipe

The Blends in the Essential 7

Joy

An exotic, luxurious blend of Lemon (Citrus limon), mandarin (Citrus reticulata), bergamot (Citrus bergamia), ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), rose (Rosa damascena), rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii), Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), and jasmine (Jasminum
officinale) that produces an uplifting magnetic energy and brings joy to the heart. When worn as a cologne or perfume, Joy exudes an alluring and irresistible fragrance that inspires romance and togetherness. When diffused, it can be refreshing and uplifting.

70. Rub a drop of Joy oil over the heart and on the bottom of each foot to relieve feelings of frustration or depression.
71. Put a drop of Joy oil on the tip of the nose to uplift your mood.
72. Wear a drop of Joy oil behind each ear as a perfume.
73. Rub a drop of Joy oil between your palms and use as an aftershave.
74. Rub two drops of Joy oil on areas of the body with poor circulation to improve blood flow.
75. Rub two drops of Joy oil on the armpit area to use for a deodorant.
76. Rub two drops of Joy oil on the heart and feet to increase libido.
77. Sprinkle a few drops of Joy oil into potpourri to improve the fragrance.

Additional Tip: Make Your Own Shaving Cream (for him or her)

PanAway

A blend of wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), which has an active constituent similar to cortisone; clove (Syzygium aromaticum), which contains eugenol, used by dentists to numb gums; peppermint (Mentha piperita), which is calming for nerves; and helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), which is soothing for localized discomfort. This blend was created by Gary Young following an injury that severely tore the ligaments in his leg.

78. Apply PanAway oil topically on an injured area to reduce inflammation and bruising. Not recommended for use on open wounds.
79. Apply PanAway oil topically to sore muscles after exercising.
80. Rub a drop of PanAway oil on the temples, forehead and back of the neck to relieve a headache.
81. Mix 2-4 drops PanAway oil with 1 TBSP V-6 Massage Oil and massage on location to stop growing pains.
82. Rub 1-2 drops of PanAway oil on arthritic hands to lessen pain.
83. Rub 2-3 drops of PanAway oil at the base of the spine to relieve sciatic pain.
84. For arthritic pets, massage 2-4 drops PanAway oil diluted with 1 TBSP V-6 Massage Oil on location.

Additional Tip: 5 Tips for Getting the Most From Your Essential Oils

Peace & Calming

A gentle, fragrant blend of Tangerine (Citrus nobilis), orange (Citrus sinensis), ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), patchouly (Pogostemon cablin) and blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum) specially designed for diffusing. It promotes relaxation and a deep sense of peace, helping to calm tensions and uplift spirits.

85. Rub 1-2 drops of Peace & Calming oil on the bottom of the feet and on the shoulders before bedtime to get good quality sleep.
86. Diffuse Peace & Calming oil in the room to calm overactive or hard to manage children.
87. Mix Peace & Calming oil with massage oil for a relaxing massage.
88. Put Peace & Calming oil mixed with Bath Gel Base in warm water for a relaxing bath.
89. To help stop nocturnal teeth grinding, diffuse Peace & Calming oil while sleeping.

Additional Tip: Using Aromatherapy to Shift the Energy in the Home

Purification

An antiseptic blend of Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifolia), lavandin (Lavandula hybrida) and myrtle (Myrtus communis) formulated for diffusing to purify and cleanse the air and neutralize mildew, cigarette smoke and disagreeable odors.

90. Diffuse Purification oil to clean the air and neutralize foul or stale odors.
91. Put several drops of Purification oil on a cotton ball and place in the air vents in the home, office, hotel room or other enclosed area.
92. While traveling, inhale Purification oil during flights to protect yourself from pathogens found in the recirculated air.
93. Put a drop of Purification oil on insect bites to cleanse and stop the itching.
94. Apply a drop of Purification oil on blemishes to clear the skin.
95. Rub a drop of Purification oil on the outside of a sore throat when it is first beginning.
96. Rub a drop of Purification oil on a blister to cleanse and disinfect.
97. Put 2 drops of Purification oil on two cotton balls and place in the toes of smelly sneakers to combat odors.
98. Place a drop of Purification oil on each end of a cotton swab and place on top of your cold water humidifier to clean the air.
99. Use a couple drops of Purification in a steam inhaler to help clear sinus issues.
100. Mix 20 drops of Purification oil with water in a 14 oz. spray bottle to repel tiny ants and other insects from your home.
101. Mix 2 drops Purification oil and 1 drop Peppermint oil with 1 TBSP V-6 Massage Oil to cotton swab and rub just inside the ear flap to eliminate ear mites in cats and dogs. Do NOT put essential oils into the ear canal of humans or pets.

Isn’t this amazing? And it’s only  scratching the surface of what can be done. These are absolutely life changing in terms of wellness and in terms of going truely eco-friendly… you can’t get any more ‘Green’ than this!

If you want to save some ‘green’ (i.e., money), you will want to know about this, how to save 24% on all of your purchases by becoming a wholesale customer, click here if that interests you – and let me know if you have any questions or need assistance!

Evelyn Vincent

Evelyn Vincent

Article by Evelyn Vincent, Young Living Independent Distributor #476766

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"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go." ~ Dr. Seuss

Stay Healthy Throughout the Flu-Cold Season

September 1, 2010 in Alternative Therapies, Aromatherapy, Blends, Cold / Flu, Congestion / Respiratory, Diffusing, Foaming Hand Soap, Hand Washing, Kids, Laundry, Natural Health, Natural Household / Cleaning, R.C., Safe Use by Jonell Elder | No comments

The flu and cold season is coming upon us and it is time to get prepared for the sudden change in ones health.  Suggestion, don’t go to the store and buy the “goods” off the shelves, instead, sit comfortably at your computer and order your healthy protection products online.

Try these Thieves product tips around the house for protection from dust, mold, and unwanted microorganisms.

Kitchen
Wipe down counter tops, appliances, and cutting boards with diluted or full strength Thieves Household Cleaner. Add Thieves Household Cleaner to the bottom of the dishwasher as a degreaser or dish soap, or add it to a bucket of water for mopping floors.

Bathroom
Spray diluted Thieves Household Cleaner on shower walls, curtain, tub, sink, toilet, counter top, glass mirrors, and floor. Wipe off doorknobs and handles with Thieves Wipes. Mix Thieves Household Cleaner with Young Living’s Bath & Shower Gel Base for a cleansing, lathering liquid hand soap.

Laundry
Add Thieves Household Cleaner to the washing machine or use it as a spot treatment for clean, fragrant clothes. Spritz a washcloth with Thieves Household Cleaner or take a Thieves Wipe and add it to the dryer for fresh-smelling, anti-static laundry.

Bedroom
Spray diluted Thieves Household Cleaner or Thieves Spray on your mattress, sheets, and pillows for freshness and to eliminate dust mites.

Living Room
Spray diluted Thieves Household Cleaner on silk and live plants, spray or spot treat carpets, and spritz the air with Thieves Spray for a room deodorizer.

Office
Use Thieves Wipes to clean off your desk and other surfaces that are touched often, such as keyboard, mouse, phone, drawer handles, and doorknobs.

For the final touch, diffuse Thieves essential oil blend periodically throughout the day to purify and freshen the air, and to help prevent mold in your home and office.

Thieves Foaming Hand Soap is a balanced mix of ingredients that reduces the disruption of the skin’s natural moisture complex and leaves important lipids in place to maintain a proper moisture balance in the skin.

The essential oils in Thieves penetrate deep into the skin to act as a protective barrier long after you wash your hands.

Thieves Foaming Hand soap can be used by children and adults, including those with sensitive skin, for natural and effective cleansing.

Stay well for less and choose the 3-pack of Thieves Foaming Hand Soap, or purchase the 32 oz. Thieves Foaming Hand Soap Refill.

Don’t send your kids back-to-school with hand sanitizers that contain harmful chemicals -try Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier!

The Thieves Hand Purifier is an all-natural hand cleanser designed to clean and refresh the hands, promoting good hygiene without the use of water. Kids love the scent and easy to use take-along size.

Additional Tip: Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier also makes a terrific underarm deodorant – try a small dab and see for yourself!

The entire Thieves product line offers an array of safe household and personal care products that you can feel confident about using in your home. Because of the purifying ability of the essential oils contained in the Thieves essential oil blend, these products are effective without using harsh or synthetic chemicals like many other products on the market.

Curious about the other Thieves products? Ask me, I love to help others learn how they can live a truly natural lifestyle!

Common Sense Precautions When Using Essential Oils

• Young Living essential oils are highly concentrated. When applying topically, dilute one or two drops of essential oil in one tablespoon of pure vegetable oil. If any skin irritation results, add more carrier oil or discontinue use.

• Black Pepper, Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Marjoram, Thyme, Oregano, and Thieves oil are considered ‘hot’ spice oils, so test skin sensitivity first by applying a small amount on the inside of the arm with a little V-6 Massage Oil.

• Hot essential oils should always be used with a carrier oil, such as V-6.
Dilution with V-6: 2 drops essential oil to 1 TBSP V-6. Yes, you can always dilute your essential more if you like.

• Never dilute essential oils with water when being used topically. Always use V-6 or another pure vegetable oil.

• If essential oil gets into the eyes, use a drop of your carrier oil to dilute, do NOT use water.

• Never put essential oils into eyes, ear canal, or nose.

Following is a shopping list of what to stock your medicine cabinet with, so that you are prepared for the possibility of you or one of your loved ones becoming ill:

  1. Thieves Household Cleaner
  2. Thieves Wipes
  3. Thieves Spray
  4. Thieves Foaming Hand Soap
  5. Thieves Hand Sanitizer
  6. Thieves
  7. Inner Defense-reinforces systemic defenses, creates unfriendly terrain for yeast/fungus, promotes healthy respiratory function, and contains potent essential oils like oregano, thyme, and Thieves® which are rich in thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol for immune support. The liquid softgels dissolve quickly for maximum results.  Take as soon as you feel change in your health
  8. R.C. essential oil blend-contains powerful therapeutic-grade essential oils that are invigorating when applied, especially to the chest and throat area. R.C. is a wonderful blend to diffuse during winter.  May also apply to the chest along with a carrier oil as this may help to reduce cough and congestion symptoms.

Shop Here

The best way to get started with these products is with the Start Living with Thieves Kit which includes:

  • 15 ml Thieves Essential Oil Blend
  • Thieves Dentarome Ultra Toothpaste
  • Thieves Fresh Essence Plus Mouthwash
  • 2 – Thieves Household Cleaner
  • 2 – Thieves Foaming Hand Soap
  • 2 – Thieves Spray
  • 2 – Thieves Hand Purifier Thieves Booklet
  • Lavender essential oil
  • Peppermint essential oil
  • Mail-in 50% off Diffuser Coupon

You will immediately begin saving 24% on products. Read about becoming a Wholesale Customer.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions and if I can be of assistance to help you prepare for the upcoming flu-cold season with natural products and for the year to come for many other situations that may come up in your life.

Jonell Elder, Young Living Independent Distributor Adding Years to Your Life and Life to Your Years

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Article by Jonell Elder, Young Living Essential Oil Distributor

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Massage and Essential Oils

August 25, 2010 in Anxiety, Back Pain, Blends, Calming, Carrier Oils, Depression, Digestion, Emotional Release, Lavender, Massage Oils, Muscle Tension / Fatigue, Pain, Peace and Calming, Peppermint, Relaxation, Safe Use, Sleep / Insomnia, Wellness, Young Living Essential Oils by Jonell Elder | No comments

Massage is a very beneficial therapy, and by adding therapeutic grade essential oils to the massage you get multiple benefits.  If your massage therapist does not stock the essential oils you prefer to use, such as Young Living medicinal essential oils, than always remember to bring them to your appointments.

Following is a suggestion list of several essential oils and their uses:

  • Frankincense – Excellent for increasing oxygen in the brain, depression, opening pineal gland.  Use on brain stem, back of neck, ears, temples, forehead, third eye and chest.*
  • Clarity – Great for mental clarity, alertness, concentration, vitality, increases energy when tired.  Apply on edge of ears, wrists, neck, forehead and temples (Keep out of eyes!!) (Blend of Basil, cardamom, rosemary, peppermint, rosewood, geranium, lemon, palmarosa, ylang ylang, bergamot, Roman chamomile, and jasmine.)*
  • Joy -  Produces a magnetic energy to bring “Joy” to the heart, mind and soul, supportive for grief, and depression.  Put on heart chakra, ears, temples, shoulders and back of neck.  (Blend of Bergamot, ylang ylang, geranium, rosewood, lemon, mandarin, jasmine, Roman chamomile, palmarosa, and rose).*
  • Awakening - Supports awakening of inner self to assist in making transitions, stimulates creativity of the right brain amplifying the function of the pineal and pituitary glands helping to balance the energy centers of the body.  Put over heart, on wrists, back of neck, temples and forehead.  (Blend of pure almond oil base, essential oil blends of Joy™, Present Time™, Forgiveness™, Dream Catcher™ and Harmony™.*
  • Peace & Calming – Promotes relaxation and a deep sense of peace and emotional well being, reduces anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia.   Great for a peaceful nights sleep, excellent for calming overactive children.  Use on edge of ears, back of neck, chest and temples. (Blend of Tangerines, orange, ylang ylang, patchouli and blue tansy).*
  • Lavender – Calming, relaxing, balancing both physically and emotionally, for depression, reducing mental stress, headaches, great for skin problems, etc. “Swiss Army Knife of essential oils”.  Put on back of neck, brain stem, temples, chest, third eye and ears.*
  • Peppermint – Great for headaches and migraines, nerve regenerating, for stomach aches, nausea, mental clarity, stimulating to the conscious mind, curbs appetite and cools down body temperature.  Put 1/2 drop on back of hand and lick it off, c lose the mouth and place tongue on the roof of your mouth, inhale deeply 4-5 breaths.  Place on location of pain or on stomach area for upset stomach or nausea.*
  • Grounding – Stabilizing and balancing to help us cope constructively with reality.  Put behind ears, wrists, back of neck, brain stem and temples.  (Blend of White fir, spruce, ylang ylang, pine, cedarwood, angelica and Juniper).*
  • Deep Relief Roll On - Excellent for muscle soreness and tension, soothes sore joints and ligaments, calms stressed nerves, reduces inflammation.  Apply on location of pain. (Roll on consists of Peppermint, Balsam fir, Clove, Vetiver, Wintergreen, Lemon, Helichrysum, Copaiba and Coconut oil).*

Now is a good time to get ready to be extra pampered for your next visit to your massage therapist. So get ready and:

Order your essential oils of choice here

If you have any questions and would like to learn more about other Young Living essential oils and their benefits I would be very happy to hear from you.  Please contact me.

CAUTION!! If you ever get essential oils in your eye, NEVER wash it out with water!! Put either V6 oil or any plain olive, almond or whatever oils your have in your kitchen on a tissue and gently wipe your eyes out. This will dilute the essential oil and greatly lessen any discomfort.

Please take note that this information refers solely to products from Young Living Essential Oils and is for educational purposes only. It

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Jonell Elder, Young Living Independent Distributor Adding Years to Your Life and Life to Your Years

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Article by Jonell Elder, Young Living Essential Oil Distributor

Reiki Master, Raindrop Technique Practitioner

Monthly Essential Oil Classes in the greater Seattle area, Everett, WA

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Mold in Your Home?

August 3, 2010 in Allergies, Anxiety, Blends, Congestion / Respiratory, Depression, Diffusing, Family Health, Mold, Natural Household / Cleaning, Pain, Safe Use, Smell / Olfactory, Thieves by Jonell Elder | No comments

Mold in a home can be very dangerous. It can cause health problems that can become very serious and even cause death.  Many people may be unaware that there walls have a deadly mold hiding in them.

Mold spores and the toxins they produce have been linked to many health problems both in humans and animals.  Many people may be having symptoms and be unaware of the possibility that the very reason they are not feeling well may be due to mold in their environment.

Some symptoms may be:

  • allergies
  • congestion
  • respiratory problems
  • fungal infections
  • inflammation
  • emotional problems
  • asthma
  • chronic coughing
  • sinus problems
  • headaches
  • sore throat
  • vertigo
  • depression
  • chronic pain
  • anxiety
  • recurring colds
  • skin rash
  • mental dysfunction
  • memory loss
  • fungal problems

50% of buildings, both old and new, have Mold resulting in a 50-100% increase of it’s occupants having respiratory problems – 2 Studies, Harvard and Johns Hopkins Universities.

1 in 7 Americans suffers from acute fungal sinusitis, resulting from exposure to mold -Mayo Clinic.

Bleach, Ozone, and chemicals typically used for treating mold are ineffective and are hazardous to your health – US EPA and the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

High quality essential oils, can play an important role in helping to prevent toxic mold from occurring. It is so easy to prevent mold by using Young Living oils and to prevent mold from coming back.

Learn what you can do to prevent and eliminate toxic mold in the home and workplace and how we can use nature’s plant kingdom to clean-up and protect our indoor environments.

Read more on how to go about removal and prevention of Toxic Mold.

Do you remember the classic spice scented smell of Grandma’s kitchen? The scent of cloves, cinnamon, and citrus permeating the house helped keep mold, bacteria and viruses at bay. Today household mold is a serious problem.

Diffusing Thieves essential oil blend and cleaning up with Young Livings certified “green” cleaner, Thieves Household Cleaner may be your best solution to combating a dangerous mold situation.  If you have any concerns of the possibility of having a mold problem in your home or in your working environment, I strongly hope that you will give Thieves essential oil and Thieves Household cleaner a chance.  While using, working with, and breathing in these two products, you can be assured that you yourself, your family, friends and pets are in a safer environment and you may feel a tremendous gratitude for your better health.

I look forward to hearing from you and if you would like to get daily essential oil tips, please click here.

To your good health.

Related articles:

Mold Can Be Hazardous to our Health and Hard to Get Rid Of

Mold & Mildew Can Be Hidden in Corners

Jonell Elder, Young Living Independent Distributor Adding Years to Your Life and Life to Your Years

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Article by Jonell Elder, Young Living Essential Oil Distributor

Reiki Master, Raindrop Technique Practitioner

Monthly Essential Oil Classes in the greater Seattle area, Everett, WA

Read more of Jonell Elder's articles

Purity is Important When Choosing an Essential Oil

July 19, 2010 in Antioxidant, Anxiety, Aromatherapy Perfume, Bath / Shower, Cancer, Chemicals / Toxic, Cold / Flu, Common Questions, Cooking with Essential Oils, Depression, Diffusing, Ecuador Farm, Energy Drink, Gift, Green, Immune System, Kids, Pain, Relaxation, Safe Use, Therapeutic-grade Essential Oil, Utah Farm, Young Living Farms by Jonell Elder | No comments

Have you been thinking about exploring the possible healing properties that essential oils have? Maybe you have made a trip to your local natural food store, or other stores that carry small selections of essential oils. Perhaps you have purchased some essential oils from a store, or online from a company that sells essential oils.

What has your experience been? Are you able to use any of the oils internally? Do you know the history of the company that is providing the essential oils? Do they have their own farms? Do they process the essential oils and put them through strict testing to ensure their potency and purity? It is very important to know these answers.

Why?  If you have purchased inferior or adulterated essential oils, you could very possibly have adverse reactions. This could be a “turn off” for you.  And you may decide not to use essential oils to help you towards achieving optimal health.

So what is your option? Finding a reliable, ethical company that DOES provide quality, safe essential oils, that’s what!!

The Young Living Promise: Plants – Preparation – Purity – Potency

Plants

An oil’s potency can be affected not only by selecting the proper plant to cultivate, but also by where the plant is grown, the quality of soil in which the seed is planted, and even the time of day it’s harvested.

Young Living has extensive experience selecting the correct species of plant for desired oil potency, planting under optimal conditions, using ideal soil and natural methods to encourage growth, and knowing the precise time to harvest each crop. Only those plants that produce the most active and widest array of therapeutic compounds are selected.

Preparation

Once the optimal soil, plant, cultivation, and harvesting conditions have been adhered to, the plants must be distilled properly in order to meet YLTG standards. Young Living uses a gentle, proprietary technique for steam-extracting the most potent essential oils, which remains unmatched throughout the essential oils industry.

To meet YLTG distillation standards proper temperature must be maintained throughout the distillation process, and pressure, length of time, equipment, and batch size are strictly monitored.

Purity

YLTG standards prohibit the acceptance of any diluted, cut or adulterated oils. Every product Young Living produces—essential oils, oil blends, nutritional supplements, or personal care—meets strict purity standards.

Every batch of essential oils is subjected to rigorous, state-of-the-art analysis at the Young Living chemistry lab. Using some of the most advanced equipment in the world, our scientists subject every batch of essential oils to Gas Chromatograph and Mass Spectrometer testing, and heavy metals analysis. Oils that exhibit even the slightest hint of possible adulteration or tampering are rejected.

Potency

The culmination of the preceding three stages, Potency means that the naturally occurring compounds contained in each essential oil product are of the highest and most consistent bio-active levels. Without strict adherence to the YLTG standard in the Plant, Preparation, and Purity phases, the final product would not have the necessary potency to create the desired effect.

Farms (Read more on Young Living Farms)

Young Living has four farms equipped with distilleries—located in Mona, Utah, US; St. Maries, Idaho, US; Simiane-la-Rotonde, France; and Guayaquil, Ecuador, and most recently has set up a distillery in Oman, for distilling the highest quality Frankincense essential oil.  Having our own farms and distilleries allows Young Living Essential Oils to maintain its position as the world’s leading grower, distiller, and provider of pure, potent essential oils.

On our  Young Living farms, the cultivation, harvesting, and distillation processes of each batch of essential oils are carefully controlled. Extensive laboratory testing and independent audits are conducted to ensure Young Living’s quality exceeds industry standards. Experimentation performed on Young Living farms helps guarantee the consistent quality of Young Living essential oils, and allows for increased research and development opportunities.

It’s this hands-on experience of growing, distilling, sourcing, and testing essential oils that led to the development of the Seed to Seal™ process. This method, exclusive to Young Living Essential Oils, ensures that each Young Living essential oil product delivers the quality results customers have come to expect.

Young Living has over 150 essential oils, along with personal care products, pet care products, nutritional products, children’s products, household products and an antioxidant whole food energy drink.  All of our products are infused with essential oils, which not only makes are products unique, but even more therapeutic and beneficial for ourselves, family, friends and our pets.

Young Living therapeutic-grade essential oils and products are free of harmful chemicals and toxins and are definitely “Green”!!  Essential oils may help you physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.  They are mankinds first medicines that God provided to us when he created our earth, by supplying plants, trees, shrubs, flowers and fruits with essential oil life in them.

Our essential oils can be used topically, internally, cooking, breathing them in, along with diffusing. You can be reassured of the quality and safety when using Young Living essential oils and products.  Now you need look no further for quality essential oils.

Pick an ailment or a situation from A-Z, and there is most likely an essential oil that may help your situation. From anxiety, pain, fear, cancer, colds or flus, depression, cuts or burns, to immune deficiency.  But remember, the key to obtaining a change, is with knowing that you have in your hand quality essential oils.

Please contact me with your questions. I will do my best to direct you towards making changes in your life with essential oils and healthy products for you, your family and your friends.

Jonell Elder, Young Living Independent Distributor Adding Years to Your Life and Life to Your Years

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Article by Jonell Elder, Young Living Essential Oil Distributor

Reiki Master, Raindrop Technique Practitioner

Monthly Essential Oil Classes in the greater Seattle area, Everett, WA

Read more of Jonell Elder's articles

Lemon (essential oil) Herb Vinaigrette for Great Tasting Salads

July 2, 2010 in Best Essential Oils, Cooking with Essential Oils, How do I use, Lemon, Lifestyle, Make My Own, Natural, Natural Health, Nutrition / Diet, Quality / Pure, Recipes, Safe Use, Using Essential Oils, Young Living Essential Oils by Evelyn Vincent | No comments

This Lemon Herb Vinaigrette is absolutely amazing! So easy to make and will delight your holiday company any time of year. My friend Debra Lane created this recipe for a cooking with Essential Oils class we held a few years ago. Debra is a chef who totally appreciates natural foods and the value of using food grade essential oils in her dishes. Serve this vinaigrette to your guests and ‘you’ will get raves!

Cooking with essential oils does require knowing the basics as essential oils are extremely potent in flavor. Young Living has the best essential oils for cooking (food grade) – it is very IMPORTANT to note that you CANNOT use other brands of essential oils in cooking or internally – ONLY USE SUPERIOR QUALITY!

Learn more about how to cook with essential oils.

Young Living has two cookbooks with delicious recipes to help you create natural and healthy dishes using essential oils, see the cookbooks here (type cookbook into the search field).

See some of my favorite essential oil cooking recipes here.

Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

  • Juice of 3 fresh lemons
  • Zest of one fresh lemon
  • 1 cup of Extra Virgin Olive oil
  • 2 TBLS of Shallot, minced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 drop of Young Living Lemon Essential Oil (you may use 1 drop of either Peppermint, Orange, Dill, Basil, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, or Thyme in place of Lemon if you like)
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Fresh Parsley (or herb of choice that complements) optional
  • 1 – 2 TBLS of Blue Agave to taste (keep in mind it’s much sweeter than sugar)

Mix all ingredients into a small mixing bowl, whisk together well. Serve at room temp or chilled over a tossed green salad. Enjoy!

Evelyn Vincent

Evelyn Vincent

Article by Evelyn Vincent, Young Living Independent Distributor #476766

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"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go." ~ Dr. Seuss

Vinegar as a Safe Weed Killer

May 27, 2010 in Application, Chemicals / Toxic, Eco-Friendly, Education, Family Health, Gardening, Green, How do I use, Lifestyle, Make My Own, Natural, Nutrition / Diet, Recipes, Safe Use, Science, Wellness by Evelyn Vincent | 2 comments

Weeds in the garden can compete with crops for moisture, nutrients, light and space, often times they tower over and out-compete plants in our gardens we are so looking forward to seeing grow. Preventing weeds from becoming established in the garden, flower or vegetable, doesn’t have to be a daunting pain-in-the-back chore.

To put things in perspective we first need to look at what a Minnesota study found… that a 12″ wide x 12″ long x 6″ deep piece of soil, contained from 98 to 3,068 viable weed seeds. Many seeds remain viable for decades; Jimsonweed having a 90% germination rate after 40 years in the soil and field bindweed seeds are viable for a whopping 50 years!

The most natural way to eradicate weeds is to prevent them by not allowing the weed to flower – after the flower has faded, the seed forms and eventually falls to the ground, or is carried off by a bird who usually perches not too far away.

Two Safe, Low-Cost, and Effective Weed Killing Tips: the only two you’ll ever need for the home garden

  1. Keep a lookout for flowering weeds. This works really well between weedings and for those weeks when you’re super busy. It’s easy to do a quick 5 minute or less scan every day or two to see if any weeds have developed flowers. Once the weed has flowered simply go over and pluck the flowers off on your way to and from your car, letting the dog in and out, or when you take out the trash. Remember to put the plucked flower in the trash – do NOT leave it laying on the ground and do not throw it in the compost pile. This method is terrific for those who want to minimize their weeding chore over time. What happens over time is the weed seeds in your soil will greatly diminish over time.
  2. Use a White Vinegar Spray. This is a spray you can make at home with ordinary white vinegar and water! Do I also need to say that this is, CHEAP!!! The effectiveness of the vinegar to kill weeds is dependent on the concentration and the plant growth stage (or age). Caution: vinegar WILL kill every kind of plant and lawn grass too – be extremely mindful of where you are spraying and where the spray is drifting on a windy day. It was found that a 20 percent dilution was quite injurious to crops.

Concentrations of Vinegar as a Weed Killer

The concentration of vinegar used is very important. Apparently the ‘age’ of the weed plays a role in successful elimination of the weed. So before you mix up your water and vinegar take note of the time of year and how old the weeds are.

  • Concentrations of 5 – 10 percent are more effective in killing weeds during the early stages, when they are young.
  • Concentrations of 15 – 20 percent are more effective when weeds are older.

In this study, Agricultural Applications of Vinegar, submitted to the Proceedings of Northeastern Weed Science Society, January 6, 2003, spells out  further detail on what was done and the results, easily duplicated in the home garden.

Technical Abstract: The objectives of these studies were to evaluate 1) the efficacy of vinegar to control weeds when used as a directed spray at the base of crops, 2) rates and volume of vinegar required to achieve weed control when broadcast, and 3) soil drench as a method of control for Canada thistle. The injury to corn in the first experiment ranged from 5-35%. The replicated experiments suggested that the foliar application damaged corn more than the basal spray and the 20 % application was more injurious to corn than the 10% application. The corn grain yields did not show significant differences for all treatments from the weed free controls but the coefficient of variability was very high at 55% due to extreme droughty conditions. The crop injury in soybeans ranged from 5 to 45%, with the younger plants showing more injury than older plants. The soybean yields did not show significant differences among the weed free controls and the vinegar treatments. In all the trials weed control ranged from 90 to 100 percent. An investigation of the effect of vinegar soil drench in an established Canada thistle patch was conducted on an Elkton silt loam soil. The results showed 90% reduction in the number of stems and plant biomass in all vinegar treatments compared to the control. The pH of the soils ranged from 5.9 to 6.6 at the beginning of the experiment in October 2001 and declined to 4.7 to 5.2 in the vinegar treated plots a month later. However, the pH in the treated plots ranged from 5.8 to 7.1 by April of the following year. Last Modified: 05/26/2010

Weeds: Should I Kill Them, or Eat Them???

That’s a question only ‘you’ can answer.

Almost always, an edible weed has a much higher concentration of nutrients, vitamins and minerals compared to cultivated vegetables, yes even higher than organically grown veggies.

Weeds are ‘free’ food and they are found everywhere! Native Americans and early Americans ate weeds daily, as do many people today. Take for example, this little story…

Yesterday, while taking my dog for a walk we walked past 3 young teenagers, two boys and one girl, sitting on a bench in the shade. As my dog and I got closer, one of the boys got up and trotted off to a stand of trees, bushes, and weeds between the baseball diamond and the road. My dog who is very social wanted to stop and meet the the pair sitting on the bench so we went over to them and started talking. A few minutes later the other boy who had run off returned with a fist full of Honeysuckle flowers in full bloom and handed a blossoming branch to each of us.

I knew what to do with mine but waited to see what each of the teenagers would do with theirs. I smiled when I saw them gemtly pulling one flower off the stem and sucking on the base. What they were doing is sucking the sweet nectar… I jokingly siad to them, “ah, the human-hummingbird way to get to the good stuff!” They all chuckled.

The part I found interesting is that this is the first place I have ever lived where a larger percentage of the population (western North Carolina) can identify plants and knows what to do with them. Having these easy enough to learn skills is fun and empowering, it opens new doors and helps us to see nature in new ways.

So, whether to kill them, or eat them, pretty much depends on these three criteria:

  1. Is the plant edible (safe to eat)?
  2. Can ‘you’ identify, or at least learn how to, identify properly?
  3. Is the location where the plant is growing in a non-polluted place?

Resources to learn plant (edible weed) identification:

Botany in a Day by Thomas J. Elpel

Audubon Wildflowers: a Fieldguide to North American Wildflowers for iTunes / iPhone

Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb (more advanced, highly recommended!!!)

Join your local Native Plant Society – between going out with native plants enthusiasts on field trips and Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, you will be headed for the discovery of a lifetime!

Take classes with a local herbalist – stop by your local natural foods store and ask them if there are any herbalists in the area who have classes. many herbalists have day long classes and teach how to harvest, wildcraft, prepare (for cooking and medicine making) herbs found in common places. These are fun!

With economic times being as they are, food and health costs reaching new heights, and the fact that commercially cultivated produce does NOT no longer containing the nutrition it had up until around the 1950s; I encourage you to participate in the above. It’s fun to learn new things, get out and meet new people, and to feel healthier and empowered!

So… ditch the RoundUp, and remember to kill your weeds wisely!

Related articles:

Appreciation of Tsuga: an Essential Oil Profile

Gardeners: Look More Closely at the Root’s and Soil

The Best Way I Know to Clean Greener: effective, easy, and cheap

Can Nutrition Affect Behavior: how we become what we eat

Health: the New Status Symbol for Americans

Where is the Dirtiest Place on the Body?

Food and Produce Ingredients: when an ingredient is disguised

Evelyn Vincent

Evelyn Vincent

Article by Evelyn Vincent, Young Living Independent Distributor #476766

Buy Essential Oils and Products Here

Helping families make informed choices!

Subscribe to my "Oil Tip of the Day" and eNews

How to buy at wholesale prices

Become a Young Living Essential Oil Distributor with the YLC Team

See other articles by Evelyn

Evelyn's Class and Webinar Schedule

Contact Evelyn

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go." ~ Dr. Seuss

Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs: do they save us anything and the health risks, is it worth it?

April 21, 2010 in Chemicals / Toxic, Eco-Friendly, Education, Family Health, Green, How do I use, Kids, Men's Health, Natural Health, Natural Household / Cleaning, Pregnancy, Safe Use, Wellness, Women's Health by Evelyn Vincent | No comments

Going ‘Green’ and saving money is big business these days which means we have new choices to make and new challenges to consider. One happens to be the light-bulbs we choose to use in our homes. While we might save $30 a year using the compact fluorescent light-bulb it’s extremely important to know and consider the safety and the safe disposal of these. But, are these things really ‘Green’ and worth having???

I learned about this two years ago when my first compact fluorescent light-bulb died, it didn’t even last a year, the fixture it was in was hardly ever used, and it was never bumped. I was disappointed about the short lifespan, I had heard these types of bulbs lasted much longer than incandescent, I had incandescent bulbs that lasted much longer than this expensive compact fluorescent. The compact fluorescent bulbs are suppose to have a lifespan between 8 and 15 times of an incandescent bulb (this bulb had nowhere near that lifespan), I probably got a dud.

I was about to toss the bulb into the garbage like usual when I thought…

“I wonder what these bulbs are made out of???”

Fluorescent light-bulbs are made of a glass tube containing a low pressure mixture of gases including mercury. The tubes are coated with fluorescent chemicals. When the current is switched on, the starting mechanisms at each end of the lamp produce electrons that excite the gases inside the tube and make them release ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This UV radiation hits the fluorescent coating, which produces light. The color of the light produced depends on the chemical composition of the coating. Some fluorescent lamps emit more blue light than conventional incandescent lamps and therefore simulate daylight better.

It turns out they contain mercury, it was a good thing that I wondered and looked into what was in them, I would have been upset to later find out that I contributed to putting mercury into a landfill. While this type of bulb may save electricity, I certainly do NOT find it eco-friendly at all; in it’s production or in it’s use and disposal.

I also discovered… If your ENERGY STAR qualified CFL product burns out before it should, look at the CFL base to find the manufacturer’s name. Visit the manufacturer’s web site to find the customer service contact information to inquire about a refund or replacement. Manufacturers producing ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are required to offer at least a two-year limited warranty (covering manufacturer defects) for CFLs used at home. In the future, save your receipts to document the date of purchase.

What you need to know to use compact fluorescent bulbs safely

  • They can pose  health risks through their emitted ultraviolet and blue light, the radiation could aggravate symptoms in people who suffer skin conditions that make them sensitive to light.
  • When individuals are exposed to the light produced by some single-envelope compact fluorescent light-bulbs for long periods of time at distances of less than 20 cm, it could lead to ultraviolet exposures approaching the current workplace limit set to protect workers from skin and retinal damage.1
  • Can damage proteins and DNA in the skin and eyes, especially ultraviolet radiation with short wavelengths (UVCs).
  • Some people are particularly susceptible to UV radiation and become sunburned even after extremely low exposures or show abnormal allergy-like skin reactions.1
  • Have a glass envelope which filters out ultraviolet radiation but, in some cases, some UV radiation can get through. Using double glass envelopes dramatically reduces the amount of UV radiation emitted.
  • Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) emit light and some UV radiation, but their electronic circuitry – like any electronic or electric device – also generates some electromagnetic fields. In contrast to conventional incandescent lamps that only generate low frequency electric and magnetic fields, compact fluorescent lamps generate both low and intermediate frequency fields. The exact frequency range depends on the type of lamp.
  • Some people suffering from various health conditions not related to the skin claim that the use of fluorescent lamps aggravates their symptoms. Such a link is not supported by scientific evidence yet. The concerns have been attributed to different characteristics of energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), namely flicker, the ultraviolet radiation and blue light they produce, and electromagnetic fields.
  • Flicker in general can induce migraine and even seizures in some epileptic patients.
  • There is some evidence that blue light in general can aggravate retinal diseases in susceptible people.

  • Photophobia, an abnormal sensitivity to light, is induced or aggravated by different light conditions.
  • Several drugs cause skin problems when used in combination with exposure to light. Compact fluorescent lamps are unlikely to be a problem. In the treatment of some cancers, several drugs are used that are activated by exposure to light and that can cause skin problems in some patients.

(Double envelope fluorescent lightbulb shown in image to right.)

Mercury: its impact on humans and the environment

Mercury is a heavy metal, sometimes known as quicksilver, that occurs naturally in the environment in different chemical forms. The pure form, elemental mercury, is liquid at room temperature and slowly forms a vapour in the air.

Because mercury is one of the basic chemical elements, of which all things are made, it cannot be broken down or degraded into something else. Once released into the biosphere through natural events or human activities (see Question 4), mercury readily moves and cycles through the environment. Soil, water bodies and the sediments underneath them are believed to be the places where mercury comes to rest until it is ultimately removed from the biosphere again.

Being an element, mercury cannot be broken down or degraded into harmless substances. Mercury may change between different states and species in its cycle, but its simplest form is elemental mercury, which is harmful to humans and the environment. Once mercury has been liberated from ores or from fossil fuel and mineral deposits hidden in the earth’s crust and released into the biosphere, it can be highly mobile, cycling between the earth’s surface and the atmosphere. Soil surface’s, rivers/lakes/streams, and bottom sediments are thought to be the primary biospheric sinks for mercury.

For the environment, the form of mercury influences how readily it can move within and between the atmosphere and oceans, and how far it can travel in the air. For instance, elemental mercury vapour can stay in the atmosphere long enough to travel around the world, whereas other forms of mercury may fall back to earth relatively close to their source.

Mercury and its compounds are highly toxic substances for both humans and organisms in the environment because it can accumulate in organisms.

The harmful effects that different forms of mercury can have on living things are greatly influenced by bioaccumulation (build up inside an organism) and biomagnification (build up along the food chain).

All forms of mercury can accumulate in organisms. However, methylmercury is taken up at a faster rate than other forms and bioaccumulates to a greater extent.

Mercury in fish is passed on to the predators at the top of the food chain (e.g. humans, seabirds, seals, otters, eagles and ospreys) and how much they accumulate depends on the type and size of fish they eat.

Methylmercury is a poison to the central nervous system, affects reproduction, pregnant women should avoid foods and products containing mercury as it can affect the health of the unborn child, the kidneys are the organs most vulnerable to damage from inorganic mercury, mercury is reducing microbiological activity in our soils, there are indications that climate change might also increase the levels of methylmercury in water in some areas, and its accumulation in fish.

Some of the mercury vapor inside fluorescent light bulbs becomes bound to the inside of the light bulb as it is used. The EPA estimates that the rest of the mercury within a CFL – about 14 percent – is released into air or water when it is sent to a landfill, assuming the light bulb is broken. Therefore, if all 290 million CFLs sold in 2007 were sent to a landfill (versus recycled, as a worst case) – they would add 0.16 metric tons, or 0.16 percent, to U.S. mercury emissions caused by humans.2

Clearly, we do NOT want to add any further mercury to our lives, or the environment!

The Problem with Disposal

Now that we have a ‘hazardous’ material in our homes and now that regulations are making Compact fluorescent lamps the only lightbulbs we can sell and buy, we have a big problem on our hands. How do we safely dispose of these hazardous items?

I just searched Earth911.org to find local recycling centers in my area for compact fluorescent lamps and found it is extremely inconvenient to dispose of them responsibly and safely. Take a look here at the number of places that take collection of these bulbs for the entire southeast. If this isn’t the most irresponsible thing I’ve seen I don’t know what is!

I do not like that proper disposal centers are not very well established and PROMOTED; more emphasis is always put on convincing us to buy things, rather than how to dispose of them responsibly when we are through with them. We can expect to see in the future news reoprts of mercury oozing from landfills and damages to humans and wildlife due to the lack of education on these bulbs. And we wonder why the health of this country is appalling.

While it’s nice to think that most of us ‘will’ handle these bulbs responsibly, I think we also know that a large portion of the population is just going to pitch them wherever.

How Do You Clean-up After a Fluorescent Bulb Breaks

Because CFLs contain mercury, the EPA (EnergyStar Mercury fact sheet) recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:

1. Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room

  • Have people and pets leave the room, and don’t let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
  • Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or longer.
  • Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

2. Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces

  • Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder if using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with a metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
  • Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass pieces and powder.
  • Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
  • Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

3. Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rugs

  • Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with a metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
  • Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments or powder.
  • If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
  • Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

4. Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding, etc.

  • If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
  • You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you you were wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials of the broken bulb.
  • If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.

5. Disposal of Clean-up Materials

  • Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next trash pickup.
  • Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
  • Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.

6. Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Ait Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

  • The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.
  • Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the windows open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

My Comments About the EPA Guidelines (above) for Broken Bulb Clean-up and Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

  • If this is the best lighting product they have in their arsenal, I think they need to go back to the drawing board because this item is by no means Green, eco-friendly, or even worth manufacturing in my opinion. I find it an environmental and household hazard.
  • I do NOT feel that these guidelines are adequate or safe.
  • I think that the US government is completely out of their minds for allowing this type of item to be manufactured and made available to the consumer.
  • If they think the above guidelines are going to be completed well by the average consumer, they ARE out of their minds!
  • If they even think that, without adequate promotion of this content, all consumers are going to know these details they’re out of their minds!
  • What about the pieces of glass and powder we miss during clean-up??? We ALL know that when a regular lightbulb breaks that we find tiny pieces for months afterwards (even the best of cleaner-uppers miss some).
  • Geez, this sounds a lot like dumping our garbage in the ocean and thinkinng it will simply go away… it’s not, it will come back to bite us all in the butt!
  • And, what about us, our kids, and our pets after we clean-up the mess… we sit on the floor, kids and pets play, lay, sit, and sleep on our floors… to think for even a second that these extremely hazardous lightbulbs should be allowed in the home without adequate safety education FIRST, and EASY access to proper disposal… I know they ARE completely out of their minds!!!

This whole thing with the lovely little sugar-coated label of “EnergyStar” on fluorescent bulbs has to be one the worst products made available to the consumer since asbestos floor tiles, and agent orange in household pesticides (to name just two)… they’ve GOT to be kidding to think this is a great idea!

This whole thing reminds me of an old advertising poster/magazine article…

“DDT is good for me-e-e!” Magazine advertisement.

How many of you are old enough to remember those scenes and ads on TV showing them spraying towns and cities with DDT to take care of mosquitoes… while everyone, children included were outdoors playing and directly getting sprayed?

Fortunately, my mother and aunt forced us to come in and stay indoors when the spray truck came by – I suppose instinctually they knew we were being lied to back them (just like we continue to be lied to for profits) that this stuff is perfectly fine to have and use.

We do NOT need to have anymore hazardous materials forced down our throats and be conditioned into believing they are good for us.

I’m getting pretty sick and tired of the manipulation and lies for profits.

How about you?

Related articles:

Hidden Sources of MSG

Food and Product Ingredients: when an ingredient is disguised

High-Fructose Corn Syrup: what’s wrong with it?

1 “Energy-Saving Lamps & Health” GreenFacts Website

2 EnergyStar.gov

Evelyn Vincent

Evelyn Vincent

Article by Evelyn Vincent, Young Living Independent Distributor #476766

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"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go." ~ Dr. Seuss

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