Essential oils class 101 - My History

My journey began with me going crazy – as all good journey's do!

But truly, right after my third baby girl was born, I was pretty certain I was going crazy. Things were showing up where they didn't belong (“why did I put the ketchup in the freezer...again!?!”) And even more so then they should, just because I had a newborn and two small children.

The world around me would spin. I couldn't focus, I was so tired it hurt to breath. Every joint in my body ached, my ears buzzed constantly and my blood pressure would sky-rocket at the first point of stress. My poor husband had no idea what to do with his previously emotionally stable wife gone completely insane, and I felt like I was failing my family. I had a large lump in my throat that made it feel like I had swallowed a pill incorrectly...all of the time. I would forget things, important things, like buckling my small one into her car seat or the fact that I was currently cooking dinner. I gained 30 lbs in a matter of about 6 weeks, all while exercising regularly and eating well – and having changed nothing. Scratches wouldn't heal, my hair was falling out, my nails were all breaking. Something was WRONG.

Eventually, I was diagnosed with a pretty bad thyroid problem. I was put on medication, that helped some. My numbers went back to where they were supposed to be...but most of my symptoms remained in one way or another. Apparently, that is pretty common. Sure, your body wont physically eat your thyroid so long as you are on medication. However, those nasty symptoms? Yeah, there is nothing we can do about that.

So I started looking for alternatives. I have always had pretty “hippie” leanings, I come by it honestly as my mother is much the same as I. You can read more in depth about my journey here, and here, and here.

But to make a long story shortish, I found my way to trying out some essential oils. I was certain they would not work – after all, these things are just all hype and placebo right? But seeing as I had a huge goiter, I figured that couldn't be fixed by the placebo effect, and I was willing to try anything.

The suggested protocol for Hashimoto's (or low thyroid) is clove oil, lemongrass oil and peppermint oil applied topically on the thyroid twice a day – and for auto-immune: Frankincense oil, I did one drop under my tongue morning and night. (But if you are not comfortable taking it internally you can also just put a drop on the back of your neck.)

I got my first oils on a Monday – I was due to start my period on Wednesday and usually start one day early so I was expecting it on Tuesday...I didn't start until Saturday. I am NEVER late. (Well, unless a new baby girl is on the way. And that was truly not the case!) That was my first hint that these oils were doing something to my hormones.

It took about a month to see the beginning of what would be truly staggering results (according to my research, while some things feel better automatically, most hormone based issues take about a month to see results). And even then it was gradual. I realized one day that I kept starting big projects around the house...ones that had been bothering me for a really long time. And I was finishing them! Then one morning it dawned on me, that I had not felt the goiter in a while. You know how when you have a really bad headache, that is all you can think of? And then when it finally gets better, you don't always notice right away? It felt like that, I had gotten so used to dealing with it, that it took me a bit to realize it had gone away.

Then one day, I woke up in the mood to run. Yeah, I am not crazy, I just wanted to run! I was so used to every joint in my body aching constantly that exercise had gone from something I enjoyed to something I physically couldn't do...and that pain was gone! So I learned to run, just because I could, and the motivation was there for the first time in my adult life!

About 6 weeks into using the oils everyday, every single one of my low thyroid symptoms had almost entirely disappeared. I was feeling better then I had in years, and the goiter was 100% gone (And has not returned).

So yeah, I started believing in these hippie oils just a little bit. I decided to sign up, not to sell them or make money, but to just be able to get them at a good price. (I started with Doterra, only because that was a company I trusted, and I knew I could get the starting support I needed from someone locally. I have loved the company far more then I ever expected! I am not against other oil companies at all – Doterra is just whom I happen to use.) After I signed up, I started taking the multivitamins, just a half dose and wow, they have made a HUGE difference in my energy level during the day and my patience level with kids! They have also reduced my water retention and bloating, and I believe they help keep my whole system running a lot more “smoothly” if you know what I mean.

Since I signed up, I have used essential oils to:

End sickness in my kids before it even starts – first sign and I oil them up! Even when all three were in school (three different classes) and when everyone around us is sick, my kids have been healthy. We have not gone beyond the first signs of sickness since I started using the oils. I am amazed! A few weeks ago, Kaylee started showing signs of pink-eye (lots of eye goop, etc) and I used melaleuca around her eyes (not in them!) and on-guard on her feet a few times a day. Her eyes were 100% better in two days and never developed beyond those starting symptoms.

They have helped my husband to sleep – and he loves that he gets a foot-rub every night! It has become my ministry to him.

They have calmed my toddlers' tantrums (“Mama, can I have Balance oil? It helps me not to cry!”)

Calmed my 8 year old's anxieties (She loves Roman Chamomile and asks for it almost every night.)

They have completely taken away my terrible menstrual cramps. This has been remarkable!

Quieted my regular stress headaches.

Calmed the painful buzzing in my ears

Soothed tummy-aches (in all of us)

Helped to take away sore muscle/joint pain (Apparently I have arthritis at the ripe old age of 32)

Healed sunburns (very useful since we get them a lot now that we live by the beach!)

And so much more (that I wont bog you down with at the moment...there is time!)

But truly, one of my favorite things – is that as a mom, I was constantly listening to my kids ailments and had to say “I'm sorry your ______ hurts or you are not feeling good, but there is nothing I can do about it. You are just going to have to deal with it” Now there is ALWAYS something I can do about it. They feel loved and taken care of, and I don't feel like I am helpless to make my kids feel better. 

These oils are tools. Tools to help us feel like there is something we can do to make life BETTER. Instead of waiting on doctors, or feeling like depression, pain or sickness is taking over our life, there is a tool to help! Not all of them work the same way for everyone, and it can take some trial and error to find out what works best for you. But oh, when that balance is found, it truly can change your life! I feel like they have helped my body become what God intended it to be – and no, I am not trying to be overly dramatic or “sales-y” I promise. I truly feel that way. After all – The Bible does tell us to anoint the sick with oil (James 5:14, Mark 6:13, Exodus 30:25 – and dozens more)

My desire for all of you in the next couple of days, is that you can take the info you learn here and channel it into empowerment to find a way to truly feel your very best. Even if that is just motivation to add exercise, drinking more water and other healthy habits into your life that you have been putting off for way to long. I truly pray that this can be a launching point to not just accept a life riddled with pain and exhaustion, just because of a diagnosed condition or a world that feels out of your control. I would love to be a part of your journey to feeling better everyday. Don't take “you will just have to deal with it” as an answer.

Through-out this class, please feel free to ask as many questions as you like. I ask that you always do your best to keep things respectful, know that if you have any concerns that you would like to keep private you can message me and I will do my best to answer as soon as I can.

I will post multiple small snippets of info a day, some video's – some links to articles, some pictures or useful (or funny) things I have collected. (If you want links to any references, then please feel free to private message me and I'll get that info to you as soon as I can) I'll number my posts so that you can read them in order – or if you would like to see them all in one place, I'll post them all in order on my blog www.thebottomrail.com by the end of everyday

Take a deep breath, you are not alone in this. Let us delve into this adventure together. Are you ready?