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Oil of Oregano

In October I hosted an Oil of Oregano class for our Ladies Night Out. If you’re local, below is the group for upcoming get-togethers. We talked about the herb & made our own oil of oregano. Below I’ve added my notes from the night along with instructions. If you make your own, I’d love to hear from you. And if you love it but don’t want to bother making your own, you can purchase it in my shop, link below.

HISTORY

According to Greek mythology, the goddess Aphrodite created oregano as a symbol of happiness for her garden.  The word “oregano”  comes from the  Greek words oros and ganos, meaning “ joy of the mountains”.

The Greeks used oregano in marriage ceremonies to provide joy and at funerals to provide peace to the departed & banish sadness. The Greek physician Hippocrates used oregano for antiseptic purposes and to protect against respiratory ailments and gastrointestinal distress. Ancient Greeks believed that oregano could also be used as a poison antidote. They also used it to treat skin irritations & infections.

Medieval Europeans would chew on oregano leaves to alleviate rheumatism, toothache, indigestion, and cough. 

Oregano later made the journey to China. There, it was also used for medicinal purposes. The Chinese used it for fever, vomiting and upset stomach.

Oregano is most often used in Italian cuisine. It is a key ingredient in tomato sauces and on pizza, pizza sauces, vegetable dishes and for adding flavor to grilled meat. There, it was discovered by WWII soldiers who brought it back to the US.

BENEFITS

As you see, Oregano has been used for so many different ailments. To sum it up, Oregano is a natural antibiotic, a powerful antioxidant & anti-inflammatory. 

It’s been used for stomach issues (nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, etc), a natural pain reliever (arthritis, muscle & joint pain/soreness), to treat ear infections, yeast infections, skin infections, and so on.

OILS

Infused herbal oil means combining medicinal properties of herbs into a specific carrier oil. This extraction process is called infusion. It is where herbs or plant matter are chopped and steeped in carrier oil for weeks or months to get the most out of said herbs or plant matter. There are a variety of oils that can be used as carrier oils (olive oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, etc). 

Essential oil is where the plant matter is distilled or pressed to draw out the essential oils of the plant. It takes a lot of plant. It takes about 10lbs to make this 5ml bottle of essential oil.

Here is where you get to create a powerful duo. Just add essential oil into any herbal infused oil and you would be able to maximize the healing properties from both the essential oil and the herbal infused oil.

Click photo to purchase
Click photo to purchase

HOW TO

Fill your jar with dried oregano and use the end of a wooden spoon to crush the herb to release the essential ois. Leave about an inch from the top. Make sure your herbs are completely dry to avoid mold. And if you’re not growing your own, I suggest purchasing from a small business. Commercial plants just aren’t cared for the same and may contain other chemicals used in the growing or drying process.

Completely cover the oregano with your choice of carrier oil. We used EVOO for our class. Don’t shake but flip around to mix everything well. Close up tight & label (don’t miss this step). Add what your concoction is & the date.

Set your concoction in the sun for a day to warm. Flip or roll it around gently a few times.

Store in a cool, dry place for 6-8 weeks. The longer, the better. Flip or roll it around every once in a while.

Strain your mixture into a clean jar with a clean cheesecloth. Don’t forget to squees that last little bit out, it’s the best part. This is when I add my essential oils. Make sure to mix well and let it sit for another couple days to completely infuse .

Now you can transfer some into dropper bottles or keep it in the mason jar, it’s up to you.

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Itch & Sting Roller

We live in the woods so we go through this one often. Mosquito bites, stinging grass, ant bites, etc. I promise you’ll love this one.

  • 10ml roller bottle (or spray bottle)
  • 10-15 drops Tea Tree
  • 10-15 drops Lavender
  • Use a dropper to fill with ACV
  • Shake well before each use.
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Hormone Support Roller

Years ago I made a list of all the hormone support oils. I gathered the oils that I had at the time and made this. Over the years I’ve added Lavender and then Geranium to add their benefits.

  • 10ml Roller Bottle
  • 8 drops Dragon Time
  • 6 drops Progessence Plus
  • 4 drops Copaiba
  • 4 drops Endoflex
  • 3 drops Ylang Ylang
  • 3 drops Lavender
  • 2 drops Geranium

Grab all these oils here: Hormone Support Oils

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Bedtime Linen Spray

Bedtime Linen Spray

So easy.  I love making my own sprays because they’re so simple.  Right before bed I’ll spray this on my pillows, sheets and myself.

Recipe:
15 drops of Lavender
10 drops of Cedarwood
1 drop of Chamomile
Fill with spring/distilled water.
(My tap is spring water, I wouldn’t use city tap)

I’ve also made this with 25 drops of Dreamcatcher & water ✌🏼

Shake & spray.  That’s it!


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Easy All Natural Lip Balm/Chapstick

Easy All Natural Lip Balm/Chapstick

OMG y’all this is the easiest thing to make.  I will never buy lip balm from the store again!  So start saving your empty tubes now.

I have changed this recipe so many times and this is the winner!

Ingredients:
Beeswax 15 grams
Shea Butter 10 grams 
Cacao Butter:  15 grams
Carrier oil: 15 grams
Essential Oils: 20-30 drops*
*You can use any combo your little heart desires.  Here are a few ideas:
– Vanilla & Peppermint
– Cinnamon, Vanilla & Honey
– Orange, Tangerine & Vanilla
– Peppermint & Rosemary
– Vanilla & Honey
Use your creativity and make up your own blend.  Start small and add more oils as needed.

 
Instructions:
Start melting the beeswax and cacao butter first since they’re they take the longest to melt.  Then add in your carrier oils.  Once everything is completely melted, remove from heat then add your essential oils.
I use a tadka pan over a pot of boiling water but you can use any kind of double broiler or the microwave.  If you’re going the microwave route just make sure you keep a close eye on it and only melt at small increments.
Yes, it’s that easy!!  If you’re just refilling some tubes you can use a medicine syringe and add the leftover to a microwavable container to melt and use later.  Or if you’d like to make a larger batch, check out this kit below 👇.  My only tip is to work quickly, once all ingredients have been added it will harden fairly quickly.


Click photo for Amazon link

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All Purpose Cleaning Scrub

All Purpose- All Natural Cleaning Scrub

I keep this cute container next to my sink at all times.  We use baking soda for anything that needs a little scrub or soak.  The last time I filled it up I decided to add a cap full of Thieves household cleaner to it and it is amazing!!  Just make sure to wisk it to distribute the cleaner evenly and avoid clumps.  This is also a great laundry boost.  I use it for my sinks, showers, counters, dishes…. everything!  It’s amazing how far this Thieves cleaner can go.

Baking Soda
Thieves Household Cleaner

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Facial Serum (3 ways)

** Final updated recipe at the bottom of this page**

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  So I grew up with oily skin.  I kept trying to fight it by drying it out.  I even had a medicated face wash that dried my skin out so bad I started bleeding.  So one day I heard something that really made me think.  They said “the best way to combat oily skin is to stop drying it out.  The more you dry it the more your skin freaks out and becomes more oily.”  Well yea, that makes sense.  Everything I tried only lasted a few hours.  So I did a bit of digging and found the oils that are nutritious for your skin and face.

  • Carrier oil:  Here you can find out about different carrier oils and which one would best fit your needs.  I like to use multiple in some of my recipes.
  • Frankincense:  Oh what isn’t Frank good for?  It’s just an overall magic oil.  I suggest you google ‘benefits of Frankincense on face’.  It’s another great oil for anti-aging, aids in healing, it’s an astringent, evens skin tone, etc.
  • Lavender:  Lavender is another powerhouse oil.  It also helps even skin tone, soothes skin inflammations, supports skin aging, etc.
  • Copaiba: Well, honestly, I put this shit on everything (in the Frank’s red hot old lady voice LOL).  Every roller bottle I make I add this to it.  When you add it to other essential oils, it intensifies that oil.  Plus it reduces the appearance of blemishes, promotes a youthful, radiant glow, also aids in skin irritations, etc.
  • Roller Bottles:  I like using these because they’re cute, easy to travel with and you use less when you’re not pouring it into your hand.

  For this I love using the roller bottle.  But I’ve used empty YL bottles too.  I add 15 drops of Frankincense and 7 each of Lavender & Copaiba.  Then I fill the rest with carrier oil(s),  Shake and enjoy.

Obviously when you buy your essential oils, make sure to use my link 😘


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Update:  

One of my favorite things about making my own products and using Young Living is that I can alter my product to match what my needs are.  So lately I’ve been using hemp seed oil as my carrier oil and I love it.  So here’s my updated recipe that I’ve been currently using:

Hemp Seed Oil:  Moderates oil production, moisturizes & soothes inflammation and has anti-aging properties.

Fill your 15ml roller bottle with hemp seed oil and leave just a little room for your other oils.  Add 15 drops of Frankincense, 7 drops each of Lavender & Copiaba and lately I’ve been adding about 4 drops of Tea Tree.  That’s it.  Shake to mix and enjoy. 


FINAL UPDATE!!

Here’s my current glow-up face oil.  Remember, we are aging and our skin is always changing so my routine has grown and changed with me.  It’s fun making our own products to match our needs.

10-15 drops Frankincense
5 drops Copaiba
5 drops Lavender
3 drops Tea Tree
3 drops Blue Tansy
Fill with YL CBD Beauty Boost
or 1/2 Beauty Boost & 1/2 carrier oil of your choice (I prefer jojoba oil)

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Dry Shampoo

DIY Dry Shampoo

I wish I could go days without washing my hair. But the truth is, I’ve always had oily hair. So years ago I discovered dry shampoo and was thrilled. But… a) they come in areosol cans, b) I had to hold my breath when using them and close my eyes because the smell is so strong and c) it’s effing expensive. Anyway, this was a big ‘NO’ all around. So I decided to find a healthier, cheaper option and here’s what I now use …. corn starch… yup, cheap, easy and natural. I just fill this airtight container with a few tablespoons of cornstarch, about a half tablespoon of cocoa or cacao powder (if you have dark hair) and a few drops of my favorite essential oil. I like to use peppermint because it pairs well with the cocoa. But that’s it. I shake and apply with a large makeup brush. When you get it on the brush just tap the excess off so you don’t use too much.

You can purchase these items on Amazon:

  1. Corn Starch
  2. Cacao Powder
  3. Large Makeup Brush
  4. Airtight Jar (this one is super cute)
  5. Peppermint Essential Oil

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All Purpose Cleaner

All Natural- Everything Cleaner

Alright, so here it is.  This is the cleaner I use for EVERYTHING!! 

Yes, everything!  Counters, mirrors, toilets, showers, wood, glass, marble, everything!!  

I save a ton of money, room and not to mention, my health.  Have you ever stopped and looked at what’s in your cleaning products?  I mean we’re ‘cleaning’ with harmful chemicals.  That doesn’t make sense does it?  So here’s what I use:  I fill my spray bottle most of the way with water, add a capful of Thieves household cleaner and about 10 drops of lemon & Thieves essential oils.  It works great and smells amazing.  Plus, I don’t feel like I have to wash my hands or use gloves when using Thieves cleaner.

Thieves is a very concentrated all natural cleaner that lasts a long time… like I said, I use about a teaspoon in this bottle.  And there’s no warning labels to call poison control if swallowed.  They will, however, tell you do drink a lot of water if ingested (which is never recommended btw).

If you’d like to learn more about Thieves all natural cleaner, please ask.

And, you can purchase a bottle for yourself here.