*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that when you purchase an item your price stays the same, but I make a small commission to help run my blog. See more information here.*
But first, before we even get started. *clears throat* Here's my mandatory FDA disclaimer:
Personally, I don't care what the FDA approves or doesn't approve, but for the sake of following the rules, that's all said and done and tied with a pretty little bow on it. And now that all that is out of the way...let's talk about essential oils.
You've probably already heard lots about them as they're the latest and greatest "craze". I almost didn't jump on board that train, because let's be honest. Sometimes the latest craze is just that—a silly trend that doesn't last. But as someone who's already skeptical of most doctors and the pharmaceutical community in general, I'm learning to be more open-minded to sources of new information and alternative methods. I know for a fact that medicines either 1) do not work for me at all or 2) they might work for me but with SERIOUS side effects. My medicinal experiences are my own, and not everyone responds the same. I would never discourage any one from taking medicines if they are necessary. The major thing here that I'm arguing for is DO YOUR RESEARCH AND KNOW THE PROS AND CONS. That's all I'm going to say about it, but if you're debating whether or not to start meds or how to handle AIP with meds, then check out "To medicate or not to medicate... that is NOT the question" from Slightly Lost Girl and/or how to go about handling researching your own medical health in Stretching Your Health Care Dollars from Alt-ternative Autoimmune.
As far as essential oils go, I started doing research and discovered there might be some merit to them after all. The main idea is that they work mainly through aromatherapy so you either diffuse or apply topically to the area that might benefit from a specific oil. Different oils have different properties that may or may not have therapeutic benefits for specific body areas or ailments.
I also started researching brands. I found Native American Nutritionals, and I've fallen in love. (Note: At the time of posting, I am not an affiliate of this brand, nor was I asked to review their products or paid to advertise for them. I simply love their oils and their company.) You can read about the company and their guarantee, mission statement, and philosophies at the link and decide for yourself. There are lots of other brands of oils out there. In my opinion, NAN oils are the best quality for your dollar from a great company that sources well, doesn't involve any multi-level marketing programs, and has fast shipping at a great price. They also have a list of Comparable Blends on their site, so you can easily find oil blends similar to the other companies.
Now for the specific oils in my recipe. This blend is designed to help with psoriasis—plaque, scale, flake specifically, but it may also help ease minimal psoriatic arthritis pain. (This blend may also help ease ezcema, but skip the clove and peppermint. For just dry winter skin, use just lavender oil.) Each oils has multiple benefits, but I've specified below why I picked each one for the body butter.
*Please note: This recipe is for TOPICAL APPLICATION ONLY and should not be consumed!*
Now the question I know everyone is wondering. Does it actually work? I can't promise it will work for you, but I can tell you that it worked beautifully for me. Last week, my left ear was covered in scale and flake and the crease behind my ear was cracking. I had spots of scale on my knuckles and aching in my finger joints. I made the body butter and started applying it twice daily: once in the morning and once in the evening. In less than two days, barely any of the scale on my ear remained and the cracking was almost completely healed. The body butter is also super moisturizing and makes your skin feel amazing. A friend at work also commented that my skin looked more taut. Taut skin means less wrinkles, so I'll take it!!!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.*You can also read my blog disclaimer here, specifically #1.
Personally, I don't care what the FDA approves or doesn't approve, but for the sake of following the rules, that's all said and done and tied with a pretty little bow on it. And now that all that is out of the way...let's talk about essential oils.
You've probably already heard lots about them as they're the latest and greatest "craze". I almost didn't jump on board that train, because let's be honest. Sometimes the latest craze is just that—a silly trend that doesn't last. But as someone who's already skeptical of most doctors and the pharmaceutical community in general, I'm learning to be more open-minded to sources of new information and alternative methods. I know for a fact that medicines either 1) do not work for me at all or 2) they might work for me but with SERIOUS side effects. My medicinal experiences are my own, and not everyone responds the same. I would never discourage any one from taking medicines if they are necessary. The major thing here that I'm arguing for is DO YOUR RESEARCH AND KNOW THE PROS AND CONS. That's all I'm going to say about it, but if you're debating whether or not to start meds or how to handle AIP with meds, then check out "To medicate or not to medicate... that is NOT the question" from Slightly Lost Girl and/or how to go about handling researching your own medical health in Stretching Your Health Care Dollars from Alt-ternative Autoimmune.
As far as essential oils go, I started doing research and discovered there might be some merit to them after all. The main idea is that they work mainly through aromatherapy so you either diffuse or apply topically to the area that might benefit from a specific oil. Different oils have different properties that may or may not have therapeutic benefits for specific body areas or ailments.
I also started researching brands. I found Native American Nutritionals, and I've fallen in love. (Note: At the time of posting, I am not an affiliate of this brand, nor was I asked to review their products or paid to advertise for them. I simply love their oils and their company.) You can read about the company and their guarantee, mission statement, and philosophies at the link and decide for yourself. There are lots of other brands of oils out there. In my opinion, NAN oils are the best quality for your dollar from a great company that sources well, doesn't involve any multi-level marketing programs, and has fast shipping at a great price. They also have a list of Comparable Blends on their site, so you can easily find oil blends similar to the other companies.
Now for the specific oils in my recipe. This blend is designed to help with psoriasis—plaque, scale, flake specifically, but it may also help ease minimal psoriatic arthritis pain. (This blend may also help ease ezcema, but skip the clove and peppermint. For just dry winter skin, use just lavender oil.) Each oils has multiple benefits, but I've specified below why I picked each one for the body butter.
- Native American Nutritional First Aid Blend: Contains Rosemary (reduces pain especially arthritis, beneficial to dry/flaky scalps, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, helps tone and remove dryness), Tea Tree, Clove Bud, and Helichrysum italicum (anti-inflammatory, lowers stress levels, helps wounds and cuts heal quicker, antimicrobial/antiseptic, helps keep skin smooth and retain moisture, promotes cell health,
- Lavender Oil: Pain relief, antibacterial, antiviral, helps speed up the healing of cuts and other skin issues
- Peppermint Oil: Stress-reliever, pain relief, cooling to skin which can help relieve dandruff and skin irritation
- Clove Bud Oil: Anti-septic, stress reliever, warming and pain-relieving
- Tea Tree Oil: Antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiseptic, boosts health, improves health of skin especially dandruff, can provide relief from aches and pains
*Please note: This recipe is for TOPICAL APPLICATION ONLY and should not be consumed!*
Now the question I know everyone is wondering. Does it actually work? I can't promise it will work for you, but I can tell you that it worked beautifully for me. Last week, my left ear was covered in scale and flake and the crease behind my ear was cracking. I had spots of scale on my knuckles and aching in my finger joints. I made the body butter and started applying it twice daily: once in the morning and once in the evening. In less than two days, barely any of the scale on my ear remained and the cracking was almost completely healed. The body butter is also super moisturizing and makes your skin feel amazing. A friend at work also commented that my skin looked more taut. Taut skin means less wrinkles, so I'll take it!!!
10 drops NAN First Aid essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil
5 drops clove essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil
Melt tallow over low heat until liquid. Remove from heat. Add coconut oil and stir thoroughly. Add oils and stir thoroughly. Pour into the bowl of your stand mixer or into a glass bowl if using a hand held mixer. Whip the mixture on the highest speed without splashing until it starts to thicken. Slowly increase the speed until the mixture starts to solidify. Whip until all set but a light, whipped texture. (If using a hand mixer, you may want to use a cold glass bowl or allow the mixture to cool to room temp before starting.) Store in an airtight, glass jar. It is not recommended to use plastic or metal with essential oils.
5 drops peppermint essential oil
5 drops clove essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil
Melt tallow over low heat until liquid. Remove from heat. Add coconut oil and stir thoroughly. Add oils and stir thoroughly. Pour into the bowl of your stand mixer or into a glass bowl if using a hand held mixer. Whip the mixture on the highest speed without splashing until it starts to thicken. Slowly increase the speed until the mixture starts to solidify. Whip until all set but a light, whipped texture. (If using a hand mixer, you may want to use a cold glass bowl or allow the mixture to cool to room temp before starting.) Store in an airtight, glass jar. It is not recommended to use plastic or metal with essential oils.
