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Our feet are one of the hardest working body parts we have. I don’t need to say much more than that! Let’s dive into some easy, natural home remedies for treating the feet.  FIRST! Why Do Essential Oils Help My Feet? Even though the skin on the bottom of the feet is thick, it has large pores that absorb essential oils effectively. Once absorbed, the oils can enter the bloodstream and exert their therapeutic properties. Depending on the essential oil you choose, you can soothe aches and pains, treat fungal infections, boost circulation for cold feet, eliminate odor, or reduce swelling.  Here are the top 10 essential oils to use for the feet:  1. Lavender Best For:  Relaxation and Sleep Why:  Lavender is known for its calming properties, making it excellent for promoting relaxation and aiding sleep. It can also soothe sore muscles and reduce stress. 2. Peppermint Best For:  Cooling and Revitalizing Why:  Peppermint has a cooling and refreshing effect that can help relieve tired and achy feet. It’s also useful for boosting circulation and providing relief from foot pain or inflammation. 3. Tea Tree Best For:  Anti-fungal and Antibacterial Why:  Tea tree oil is highly effective against fungal infections, making it a good choice for treating athlete’s foot or other foot-related infections. It also has antibacterial properties that help keep the feet clean and healthy. 4. Eucalyptus Best For:  Refreshing and Deodorizing Why:  Eucalyptus oil can help refresh tired feet and eliminate foot odor. Its anti-inflammatory properties are also beneficial for soothing sore muscles. 5. Frankincense Best For:  Skin Health and Immune Support Why:  Frankincense is excellent for supporting skin health, reducing inflammation, and boosting the immune system. It’s also grounding and can help in stress relief. 6. Chamomile Best For:  Soothing and Anti-inflammatory Why:  Chamomile oil is known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s great for calming irritated skin and relaxing the body. 7. Cypress Best For:  Circulation and Reducing Swelling Why:  Cypress oil is beneficial for improving circulation and reducing swelling in the feet and legs. It’s also helpful for soothing varicose veins. 8. Ginger Best For:  Warming and Pain Relief Why:  Ginger oil has warming properties that are effective for relieving joint pain and muscle aches. It’s particularly useful for cold feet and promoting circulation. 9. Rosemary Best For:  Stimulation and Pain Relief Why:  Rosemary oil can stimulate circulation, relieve pain, and reduce swelling. It’s also invigorating and can help with mental clarity. 10. Lemongrass Best For:  Detoxification and Deodorizing Why:  Lemongrass oil is detoxifying and helps eliminate toxins from the body. It’s also effective in reducing foot odor and promoting overall foot health. Since essential oils are straight concentrated therapeutic plant matter, it is imperative to dilute them into an unscented carrier oil or lotion of your choice before applying them topically.  Add up to 12 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier. Best At-Home Foot Remedies: 3 Different Ways to use Essential Oils to Treat the Feet: 1) Foot Soak, a personal favorite.   Fill a basin with warm water. Add about 6 drops of one (or a blend) of essential oils from above to one tablespoon of carrier oil and add to warm water.  Optionally, mix in Epsom salts for added muscle relaxation and detoxification. Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes. Benefits: Relieves tired feet, reduces swelling, and promotes relaxation. TOPSY TIP: Try a foot soak with The Great Omni Oil ! A multipurpose made-for-you blend that soothes aches and pains while softening overworked feet. So easy to use! No diluting required. :)  2. Foot Massage Dilute up to 12 drops of essential oils to one ounce of carrier and gently massage the oil into your feet, focusing on areas that are sore or tense. Pay special attention to the arches, heels, and toes. Benefits: Eases muscle tension, improves circulation, and provides stress relief. The White Tea Lavender hand, foot, and body lotion makes a nighttime ritual foot rub so simple! The soothing Lavender aroma will help calm the mind and body right before bed for a good night’s sleep. Great for stress release, soothing foot pain, and improving sleep quality.  3) Aromatherapy Compress Soak a cloth in warm water mixed with a few drops of essential oils (like cypress for circulation or lavender for relaxation). Apply the compress to your feet for 10-15 minutes. Benefits: Reduces swelling, soothes pain, and relaxes tired feet. TOPSY TIP:Check out our full selection of high quality therapeutic essential oils ! Added benefit for each of these 3 at home foot remedies: Even though the essential oil is applied to the feet, the aromatic molecules can still be inhaled, providing additional calming effects for the whole mind and body through the olfactory system.  So whether you have tired, achy feet at the end of a long day, cold feet, stinky feet, or swollen feet, there is an essential oil for you. Give one or two of these natural foot remedies a try. Your feet will thank you later!  Questions? Comments? Please feel free to reach out at any time using the contact box below and I’ll get in touch as soon as I can.  Your personal aromatherapist,  Rachel

A simple routine to revitalize your health. I had no idea how important the lymphatic system was until I had severe underarm pain due to swollen lymph nodes. After researching, developing, and using a lymph circulation support body oil daily, I feel the difference not just in the reduction of pain, but I feel energized and feel healthier than I have in a very long time. Here's what I came to learn... For starters, what is the Lymphatic System? The lymphatic system is a hard-working, complex network of tissues, organs, and lymph nodes all interconnected by lymphatic vessels. It carries waste like bacteria and viruses, as well as transports vital immune cells which are essential in fighting off infections and diseases. Often referred to as the “second circulatory system,” the lymphatic system, unlike the heart, does not have a built-in pump to circulate the lymph. Instead, it depends on body movement, breathing, and muscle contractions to circulate the lymph. When the lymphatic system is stagnant, you can experience fatigue, swelling, painful lymph nodes, bloating/fluid retention, and a potentially weakened immune system. To maintain a healthy lymphatic flow throughout your body and ward off these potential health concerns, it’s essential to exercise, drink plenty of water, and practice a simple, manual lymph massage as frequently as you can. This can be done in the comfort of your own home and only takes a few minutes! Best of all, you can use essential oils to not only enhance your mood during your daily massage but also add many more lymph-loving benefits. Essential oils like Juniper Berry, Geranium, Cedarwood, Lemon, and Peppermint can provide added assistance to get the lymph moving and help boost lymphatic drainage. These essential oils are well-known for their ability to detoxify and cleanse the body, promoting the elimination of waste and toxins throughout the lymphatic system. Juniper Berry  has diuretic properties that help reduce water retention. Peppermint  helps stimulate blood circulation and healthy lymph flow. Geranium, Lemon, and Cedarwood  are wonderful anti-inflammatory essential oils that can help reduce swelling and promote lymphatic drainage, aiding in the release and removal of toxins and excess fluid. To keep you inspired, remember these 5 amazing benefits of doing a daily lymph massage: Immune System Support Reduce Water Retention Stimulate Blood Circulation Reduce Swelling Balance Energy Levels It’s important to dilute essential oils properly before topical use. For daily use, add up to 12 drops of one of these lymph-loving essential oils to 1 ounce of your choice of carrier oil (jojoba, apricot kernel, coconut oil). To make it all the more easy and enjoyable, use a topical made-for-you body oil like the Great Omni Oil! This multipurpose head-to-toe “everything” oil was originally developed as a lymph circulation support oil, but it has a myriad of amazing benefits and daily uses. How to do a Simple Lymph Massage at Home A full body lymph massage only takes about 4 minutes, it feels wonderful, and the benefits will not go unnoticed. You can use just your hands to perform this simple lymph massage, but using a lymph-supporting essential oil topical blend can enhance your results and add many other wonderful health benefits! Step-by-Step Lymph Massage: Neck: • Starting at the neck, Place your fingers just above your collarbone. Stroke Downward: Gently stretch the skin downward, moving towards the collarbone. Repeat this motion about 10 times on each side. Neck and Shoulder: • Behind the Ears: Place your fingers behind your ears. Stroke Down: Gently stretch the skin downward towards your collarbone. Repeat this motion about 10 times on each side. Armpits: • Lift Your Arm: Raise one arm to expose your armpit. Circular Motion: Use the opposite hand to gently massage the armpit in a circular motion for about 10 rotations on each side. Arms: • Start at the Wrist: With your arm relaxed at your side, use your opposite hand to gently massage from the wrist moving upwards towards the elbow.  Repeat this motion from elbow to shoulder. Do about 5-10 strokes per section. Abdomen: • Clockwise Motion: Use both hands to gently massage your abdomen in a clockwise circular motion. Start from the right lower side, move up towards the ribcage, across to the left, and then down. Legs: • Start at the Ankles: Sitting or standing, and use both hands to gently massage upwards from the ankles towards the knee. Repeat this motion moving upwards from the knee to the upper thigh. Do about 5-10 strokes per section. Additional Tips: Breathing:  Deep breathing can enhance the lymphatic flow. Take deep, slow breaths during your massage. Gentle, Upward Motions are Key: Using gentle, upward motions towards the heart encourages healthy lymphatic flow and promotes absorption. Make sure the pressure is light, as the lymphatic vessels are close to the surface of the skin. It should not be painful, only enjoyable and relaxing.  Using a Lymph-Loving Body Oil = Added Benefits! Gently massage The Great Omni Oil  into areas where lymph nodes are concentrated, such as the neck, armpits, and groin, using the same light, circular motions. This is best used on tender or puffy areas to help eliminate waste and toxins. Mindfulness: It's a great time for self-love and repeating body-positivity affirmations! "I will allow myself to enjoy perfect health." Consistency:  Daily lymphatic massage can yield the best results over time. Sometimes it's hard to make time for it. To start, aim for 2-3 times per week. Warm Up:  A warm shower or bath before the massage can help relax your muscles and enhance the benefits. Doing this simple massage not only promotes healthy lymphatic flow but also encourages balance and harmony throughout your whole body. I hope you give this a try and experience the joy of fresh flowing energy! Questions? Comments? Please feel free to reach out via the comment box below! I always love to hear from you. Wishing you good health. Your personal aromatherapist, Rachel Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new health regimen, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

One topic that has been coming up lately is essential oils for hair growth. After going through a serious round of Covid a few years ago, I ended up losing about half my hair! Eek! I haven’t talked about it until now…I’d love to share my research with you on this topic if you or someone you love also has experienced hair loss and looking for a natural way to regrow those lovely locks. The root of hair loss can be difficult to determine. If you’re losing hair unrelated to genetic reasons, it could be from other factors like health, medications, environment, diet, stress, or how tightly you wear your hair. Your healthcare professional can hopefully help you determine the cause. In my case, I had an intense multi-day fever that contributed to clumps of hair falling out for what felt like weeks on end. This started happening a few months after the fever.(1) After completely freaking out, I decided I needed to do something about it and researched like crazy. My search led me to discover a 2015 study shared by world-renowned aromatherapy expert and educator, Robert Tisserand. The study was on hair growth performed with 100 participants.(2) Half of the participants used Rosemary essential oil and the other half used the drug Minodoxil. After 6 months of use, a dermatologist met with each participant and found the Rosemary group had more hair growth, less hair loss, and no side effects (unlike the medicated participants)! I was sold. I tried it. And after consistent use, my hair is back and thicker than it has ever been in my life! Woohoo, Rosemary! I continue to use Rosemary in my shampoo anytime I wash my hair (about 2 times a week). So now you might be wondering how to use it for hair growth! It’s so simple. All you need to do is add a few drops of Rosemary to your usual dollop of shampoo, massage into scalp, and rinse as usual. That’s it! Rosemary is refreshing, uplifting, and not only helps encourage strong healthy, hair, but helps with dandruff too! So many reasons to love Rosemary! It's a versatile essential oil that can be used for an assortment of daily household, skincare, and aromatherapy needs. You can find pure therapeutic-grade Rosemary Essential Oil here! If you have any questions about using Rosemary or anything else you care to share, please feel free to reach out anytime using the contact box below! I always love to hear from you. Resources: (1) Pinnacle Dermatology - Alexandria. Pinnacle Dermatology | Healthy Skin Blog. (n.d.). https://www.pinnacleskin.com/blog/decoding-hair-loss-after-covid (2) Tisserand, H. (2021, April 9). Rosemary Essential Oil is a promising alternative for hair growth promotion!. Tisserand Institute. https://tisserandinstitute.org/learn-more/rosemary-essential-oil-hair-growth-promotion/