GERANIUM AFTER SWIMMING
This post is contributed by One Drop member – Deny Sentosa
Kids love swimming. My girl is no exception. But do you know that Chlorine added in the pool can be dry on the skin and hair as well as causing flu like symptoms which follow 24 hours after that. At least that was what happened to my girl often in the past.(Edit: Pool swimming can cause congestion, sinus pain, and sinus headaches. There are two main culprits for these issues: chlorine and pressure changes from underwater swimming.
Bacteria, viruses, or fungi in pool water can enter the nasal passages, which can lead to inflammation and even cause infections. Chlorine, however, is an even more common cause for post-swim sinus problems. The chlorine in pools can cause inflammation in the lining of the sinuses—sinusitis—as well as inflammation in the lining of the nasal passages—rhinitis. This can last as long as one to two weeks, which is definitely not something you want to have to deal with.
Pressure changes in the sinus cavities can block the nasal passages and cause discomfort. When diving and swimming beneath the water, the pressure in your sinuses has to equilibrate with the pressure under the water. When chlorine and chemicals in the pool irritate the nose, mucus becomes thick and the sinuses become plugged. This prevents your sinuses from adjusting to pressure changes and the build up of pressure can cause sinus headaches. Plugged sinus cavities also cause sinus infections because the blockage prevents the clearance of viruses and bacteria that have entered the nasal cavities. In addition, trapped liquid can develop into an infection. This blockage is why swimming often worsens the symptoms of a cold or sinus infection.)
These few months, I have been experimenting and reading. I found one article about Geranium for chlorine. I use my own way to apply instead of following the article.
I apply on her soles AFTER she showers. She smells like flowers. But the best is no runny nose after swimming as well as next day. Geranium is great for liver as well as warming up after swimming.
Update from my Kai: “At Winter Harvest – the assistant Farm manager shared how he personally found Geranium oil drastically alkalizes the very hard water they have.”
Additional information for Geranium:
This oil is great for lymphatic system. Do you know, if you lymphatic system is sluggish, i.e. you’re not active in your daily life, your “waste disposal” system will be stagnant at one place and may cause inflammation. In our body system, lymphatic system is the only organ that needs to be stimulated for circulation. Geranium stimulates lymphatic system so that wastes can be disposed through liver or urinary or integumentary systems. My friend loves to use Geranium on her face as part of her daily skin routines. Her skin is healthy and pores are smaller now. I like to combine Geranium and Patchouli as deodorant (interchangeable with Lime) if I want floral scent as well as stimulating lymphatic system (underarms are one of major drainage in lymphatic system).
Deny is a member of OneDrop. She and her team supports oil users via their blog https://greathealthstartsfromnow.wordpress.com/. If you like Deny’s articles and would like to purchase the Young Living oils, please feel free to get in touch with Deny or sign up directly here.
MY OILY MOTHERHOOD JOURNEY
This post is contributed by One Drop member – Rachel Wong
My journey with these amazing oils started in 2013 when my friend Yanni called me out of the blue one day to have coffee.
She started sharing with me about how the oils helped her cute little Ray Ray recovered from HFMD completely in a remarkable few days. I thought, hmmm, that’s pretty awesome and she asked if I would like to try.
To be honest, I was pretty skeptical at first because I have been involved in MLM before and whilst I learnt a lot, I lost even more financially. Hence, my apprehension; but I was intrigued by the natural benefits of the oils and decided to just put my one big fat toe in first to “try it out”.
So I signed up under Essential Rewards and bought 100PV worth of oils and I was really excited to get started!!! Ya you guessed it, there was no stopping for me after that hahaha! I wanted everything on the shelf and those days, the office was at the Concourse building and the reception was small and the queues were lonnnnnggggg!! It was a very tight squeeze and there was once I had to wait for 3 hours to collect my oils but that didn’t stop me from buying and my friends said I was “off my rockers”!!!
I started researching on the oils on the internet and devoured as much information as I could by reading books, attending classes and practicing RDT on my friends who were willing “guinea pigs” to let me wield my raindrop touches on their bodies and boy, did they enjoy it I must say.
My enthusiasm became pretty infectious, in both the good and bad ways. Good in that my good friends became wonderful oilers as they too saw how the oils have helped improve their family’s health and the visits to the doctors became few and far in between. Bad in that, my very own children (all 4 who are now young adults) would roll their eyes every time I shoved an oil into their hands and say “use this instead of your medication for your headaches and cramps” and they would politely refuse my great offer. So sad hor? But you know, this is one persistent mama. I never gave up and over time, they started using the oils just to stop me from nagging at them. Now, they come to me and ask me for the oils instead!! So I’m proud to say I’m one happy gleeful mama! God works in miraculous ways indeed!
I am a Christian and one of the ways I use the oils is to pray over them and use them as anointing oils as I pray for the sick and for those who need counsel and help. In the Bible, this is how the Israelites would use the oils to anoint their newborn and for embalming the dead. The oils were also used to heal the sick and fill the tabernacle with the sweet aroma of the oils and spices. It is so heartening for me to know that what works so many thousands of years ago still works today.
For me personally, the strong work ethics and the integrity of Young Living’s Seed to Seal promise convinced me that Young Living products is the best in the market so far. Yes, there are many good companies out there but because I have experienced the goodness of the oils, I can give them a thumbs up with great confidence. Back in 2015, I witnessed the entire process and even participated in the production when I visited the Idaho Farm for Winter Harvest together with a bunch of energetic like minded oilers thanks to Kai who organized it in a jiffy! It was most memorable and the experience is deeply etched in my mind and heart and that’s what spurs me on on this “oily” journey to continue to share and help promote well being and good health naturally to everyone I meet.
It’s hard to not talk about the oils. On my travels with my friends, to them I have earned the nickname “Dr Oily” hahahaha!!! It’s funny how they come to me for my arsenal of oils whenever they are not feeling well during our holiday and it’s also so comforting to me when I see them recovering so much faster without medication.
It has been an awesome 4 years so far and I know for sure, for many more years to come. Honestly, ranks and the monetary rewards are not important to me at this point. Helping others to see that there are alternatives to better one’s health and live a prescription and chemical free lifestyle gives me more satisfaction and joy.
God created everything naturally. Man corrupted it all. It’s good to go back and live our lives the way God intended, for us to enjoy the goodness and benefits of His creation manifested in these beautiful oils.
If you like my articles and would like to purchase the Young Living oils, please drop me a message at raykuan.tan@yahoo.com. I would love to support you in using the oils for yourself and your loved ones.
DIRTY SECRETS: CHEMICALS IN YOUR HOME
This post is contributed by One Drop member – Kaye Ng
Before i started using Young Living, I never realized how much of an organ your skin is. Yes it is a barrier, but it also ABSORBS! This is why when you have a muscle ache you apply pain relief creams right? Because you do believe that the “medicine” will enter and help soothe the pain. When you have a mosquito bite, the ointment will ease the itch and reduce inflammation. Yet on the other hand, we do not watch the chemicals we touch when we clean out the grime in the kitchen, and what really is in that foundation that you wear on your face all day long?
It has been for many generations that women esp have been known to die from the items they put on their face.
Taken from this article by CNBC News:
“In the meantime, U.S. marshals seized more than 12,000 tubes of Age Intervention Eyelash , a product designed to promote eyelash growth, after the FDA determined it was an “adulterated cosmetic” and potentially dangerous. (The product contained bimatroprost, a prescription drug used to to treat elevated pressure inside the eye). And the state of Minnesota took it upon itself to officially ban the use of mercury in mascara, eye liners and skin-lightening creams. (Most makeup companies have phased out use of mercury, but it’s still used in some products as a preservative.)”
When I had my kid, it was instinctive to buy the all the baby shampoos and soaps. The safest of the safe because you want to put the mildest thing on them. WHY? Why do mothers do that? I know I did because I did not want any chemicals to enter her pure body. But the question is, what has changed that when we grow older, we forget and allow our bodies to absorb EVERYTHING? Is it simply because our liver is now more mature and ready to break down these harmful chemicals? Maybe, but should we really be abusing our organs like that. Toxins build up and while we may not GLOW from the chemicals like in movies, it does affect our health in MANY MANY ways.
I have always loved this article and info-graphic. So here is sharing this one with all of you. I will do another on makeup on another post! So before u read the article and I end my post, think abt this. Skeptics worrying abt applying essential oils which are naturally derived from nature, versus those green bubble chemicals that you are applying all over your skin. Doesn’t seem to add up to me.
7 Toxic Chemicals Hiding In Your Home And How To Reduce Exposure!
Your home can be your safe haven from all the germs and bacteria that you encounter in public places. When it comes to safeguarding your health, even the toughest antiseptics and antibacterial cleansers could actually be hurting, not helping. While cleanliness and good hygiene is a preventive measure of sickness and disease, your health is at risk due to the exposure of a number of toxic chemicals hiding in the home.
The nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) has found more than 80,000 chemicals are used in everyday goods, and each year, an estimated 2,000 new ones are introduced for use in such everyday items as foods, personal care products, prescription drugs, household cleaners, and lawn care products. These chemicals can be hiding in your bathroom cabinet, under your sink, laundry supplies, and through every square inch of your home. You can renovate your home and do some home improvement by identifying these seven harmful chemicals, their effects, and what you can do to reduce your exposure.
Infographic by Body Logic MD and Owain Lloyd-Williams, a UK-based writer and creative content author on behalf of BodyLogic MD.
- Bisphenol A (BPA)
What It Is: BPA is a common food contaminant used to make polycarbonate and epoxy resins, two common synthetics used for food and drink containers and the linings for food and beverage cans, and coating on receipts.
What It Does: The chemical is a synthetic estrogen that can disrupt the endocrine system, according to the EWG, that has been linked to a wide variety of ills such as infertility, breast and reproductive system cancer, and behavioral changes in children, among many others.
How To Reduce Exposure: You can avoid BPA by choosing fresh, frozen, or even homemade versions of canned foods. It’s best to limit your consumption of canned food, particularly if you are pregnant. You can also say “no, thanks” when your cashier asks if you would like a receipt.
- Dioxins
What It Is: This is a family of toxic chemicals that share a similar chemical structure and induce harm through a similar mechanism. Incineration of waste produces high levels of dioxins along with the bleaching of paper and wood pulp.
What It Does: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has characterized this chemical as likely human carcinogens that are expected to increase the risk of cancer. It can lower sperm quality and damage the immune and reproductive system.
How To Reduce Exposure: The most simple way to avoid dioxins is to cut back on your consumption of fatty meat and dairy products. You should also avoid chlorine-based bleach and bleached paper products, such as disposable diapers and toilet paper.
- Flame Retardants
What It Is: Chemical fire retardants are added to manufactured materials, such as plastics and textiles, to meet flammability standards. Although not all flame retardants present concerns, these types do: halogenated flame retardants and organophosphorous flame retardants. They contain chlorine or bromine, and phosphorous bonded to carbon, respectively.
What It Does: These toxic chemicals are known for their impact on thyroid hormones disruption, female infertility, and can lower sperm count. According to EWG, one class of flame retardants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), have been taken off the market due to toxicity concerns but have been replaced with “chlorinated tris” (TDCIPP) and chemical mixtures such as Firemaster® 550. However, these chemicals can lead to deficits in motor skills, learning memory, and behavior in children.
How To Reduce Exposure: Fire retardants can be found in furniture, carpet padding, and even in some baby pillows. You can reduce exposure by dusting and using a heap filter vacuum cleaner, since they tend to bind to dust. Using a face mask when cleaning carpets is also advised.
- Lead
What It Is: This chemical is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust, says the EPA. Lead is found in the air, the soil, the water, and even inside your home. Lead and lead compounds are widely used in a variety of products found in the home such as paint, ceramics, pipes and pluming materials, solders, gasoline, batteries, ammunition, and cosmetics.
What It Does: Chronic exposure to lead can lower IQ and lead to brain damage, cause hearing and vision impairment, disrupt hormonal development in fetuses and premature birth, and lower sperm count. Lead is toxic to everyone, but unborn babies and young children are at risk for health problems because they’re smaller, growing bodies are more susceptible to absorbing and retaining lead. It can act like a poison when absorbed by the skin.
How To Reduce Exposure: Lead can show up in water, so it’s best to get a lead-removing water filter. It’s best to avoid old paint that is chipped to crumbling. To avoid lead found in soil, don’t wear outdoor shoes indoors.
- Organophosphate Pesticides
What It Is: These organophosphate-based pesticides are used as a form of agricultural insecticide in the U.S. on fruits and vegetables. The breakdown of OP pesticides occurs when they are exposed to light and air. However, it is not known whether they ever degrade fully, says the Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health at UC Berkeley, School of Public Health.
What It Does: OP pesticides chronic exposure has been linked to Parkinson’s Disease, neurotoxic effects, decrease in male testosterone, and linked to a variety of cancers. This is a common but deadly pesticide.
How To Reduce Exposure: Eating organic can help reduce the presence of this insectide. Organic farmers do not use synthetic pesticides like organophosphates on their fields. If you can’t go organic, it’s best to dry your produce with a clean towel or paper towel to remove remaining pesticide residues. Also, remember to throw away the outer layers of leafy vegetables like lettuce or kale.
- Perfluroinated Chemicals (PFCs)
What It Is: PFCs are fluorine-containing chemicals that make materials stain- and stick-resistant. They break down very slowly in the environment and are often characterized as persistent, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. PFCs may be used to keep food from sticking to cookware, make sofas and carpets resistant to stains, male clothes and mattresses more waterproof, and sometimes they’re used in food packaging, including some firefighting materials. These large group of manufactured compounds are used in aerospace, automotive, building and construction, and electronics since they can help reduce friction.
What It Does: PFCs have been associated with breast cancer, disrupting sex hormone levels and sperm count, harm the immune system, and cause kidney problems.
How To Reduce Exposure: Cooks can reduce exposure by using ceramics and glassware instead of non-stick pans. You can look is there are any PFCs in stain-resistant carpets, cleaning products and cookware.
- Phthalates
What It Is: Phthalates are a group of chemicals used as plasticizers that provide flexibility and durability to plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), according to EPA. They are commonly used in applications that include building materials, clothing, cosmetics, perfumes, food packaging, toys, and vinyl products –flooring, shower curtains, and rain coats. These chemicals are also used in medical applications like blood transfusion bags and tubing, intravenous fluid bags and tubing, and other medical devices.
What It Does: They can damage the reproductive system, decrease sperm count, increase diabetes risk, and can induce early puberty in girls.
How To Reduce Exposure: You can avoid phthalates by not using PVC plastics and plastics marked with recycling label #3. Steer clear of products that have “added fragrance” on the label. Also, eat more organic fruits and vegetables.
Should you like to purchase the Young Living oils, please drop me a message at kaye@onedrop.sg or sign up here. I would love to support you in using the oils for yourself and your loved ones.
WHO AND WHAT IS THIEVES?
This post is contributed by One Drop founder – Kai Tan
It is perhaps one of the most baffling names used on any essential oils. If you don’t know the story, it simply does not make sense at all.
History has a true tale that in the 1800s, some thieves took to stealing from the dead and dying who suffered from the deadly black plague. How they survived being near these unfortunate dead was nothing short of a miracle – they used nature’s best gifts for protection. In this case, they had rubbed the spices of Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus Radiata, Rosemary plus the fruit Lemon – all over themselves; having heard of the natural protective elements in them. When they were eventually captured and their secret spilled, the “thieves blend” ironically became heroic. And today, this powerful mix has become an essential oil blend that allows the very essences of these ingredients to be richly distilled and used to support the immune system.
Thieves, naturally became the most popular essential oil blend in Young Living. It was very quickly transformed into an extensive range of home care products that families are desperately looking for, that provides strong cleaning yet remains completely safe when our families get in contact with it.
Toxic free. Plant-based. Essential oil-infused.
Chuck out the chemicals [Click here to read how they are silently eating into our homes]. And for holy moly sake – switch over to be safe.
Let’s not bore you with all the technicalities here. I’ve compiled here some tips and astonishing learning facts instead of the Thieves range that will make your head turn!
1. Thieves Household Cleaner
- Soak heavily greased pots and pans with 1-2caps of the solution plus hot water. Add some baking soda in and grease scrubs off easy
- It’s so green and clean you can use 1 cap of this with a tub of warm water for a smelly foot soak. Think dettol but sans the harshness.
- Oh quarantining your little bubs from school germs? Creative mums have actually found this useful for a quick little soak and scrub too.
2. Thieves Laundry Soap
- Laundry soaps typically do not completely wash off after several rinse. Normal chemical based laundry soap therefore leaves traces of harsh cleaning chemical in the fibers of our clothing that are irritating the skin as you wear them.
- If you are dealing with sensitive skin issues, replacing harsh commercial cleaners with Thieves Laundry Soap will support your skin health.
3. Thieves Spray
- Keep this handy in your handbag. Public toilet seats, baby changing tops can do with some sanitising
- Travel with the Thieves Spray. You never know when you need a purifying spray down – motion sickness mess, travelling on a plane or train with a sneezing few; or stuck in a seat with a funky smelling passenger.
- Have a cat like mine that throws up fur-balls on carpets, table tops or bed? Thieves spray works like magic.
4. Thieves Hand Sanitiser
- The active ingredient in most antibacterial products including commercial hand sanitisers is triclosan – an antibacterial agent that kills bacteria and inhibits bacterial growth. But not only does triclosan kill bacteria, it also has been shown to kill human cells.
- Stick to the plant-based Thieves Hand Sanitiser for a natural on-the-go clean-up.
5. Thieves Fruit and Vegetable Spray (or Soak)
- A healthy diet begins with lots of fruits and vegetables, but some of your family’s favorites may contain startling amounts of harmful pesticides. In developing children, pesticide exposure contributes to neurological problems, which impair learning, memory and attention.
- Thieves Fruit and Veggie Soak contains Young Living’s three exclusive essential oil blends—DiGize, Thieves, and Purification; that effectively washes and cleanse fruits and vegetables.
- Thieves Fruit and Veggie Spray contains Thieves and Lime Essential oils; offering ease to clean your fruits on-the-go!
6. Thieves Aromabright Toothpaste
- Fluoride has been in the spotlight as a chemical that our current lifestyle is allowing a higher than usual amount in. Many are beginning to source for alternatively oral care that does not include fluoride. Thieves Aromabright Toothpaste offers a fluoride-free alternative.
- Many have found the this toothpaste have helped them effectively upkeep gum health and some have reported bleeding gums to have stopped.
7. Thieves Mouthwash
- This fluoride-free mouthwash offers excellent support for the gums and teeth
- Gargling the Thieves mouthwash has kept scratchy throats or ulcers at bay
- Small amounts of the mouthwash has also been used to disinfect cuts and scratches
8. Thieves Dental Floss
- Formulated with the power of Thieves essential oil blend, Thieves Dental Floss efficiently and effectively keeps bacteria at bay.
- The floss is saturated twice, locking in double protection to freshen your breath and providing longer-lasting results to promote healthy gums.
9. Thieves Foaming Handsoap.
- Another triclosan-free home care product that provides the protection and cleanliness without the harmful chemicals
- SLS and Paraben in typical commercial handsoaps contain ingredients that have been extensively researched to be hormone-disrupting. The Thieves Handwash offers none of these tough ingredients to safe-keep our health.
Should you like to purchase the Young Living oils, please drop me a message at kai@onedrop.sg. I would love to support you in using the oils for yourself and your loved ones.
YOUNG LIVING INDONESIA OPENING
This post is contributed by One Drop founder – Kai Tan
This day will mark a sweet sweet beginning for the Grand Opening of the Young Living Indonesia office. It has certainly been the dream and wish of many from as long as 3 years ago, to have the essential oils become part of families all over Indonesia.
As a a culture that richly adores traditional spices and herbs, essential oils with their uplifting and nourishing properties can only be easily welcomed into homes and infused into all aspects of daily life in Indonesia.
(Photo courtesy of Kitty Chen)
And oh are we proud to have more than a thousand One Drop Indonesian members! This number is rapidly growing under the passionate and heart-centered leadership of some of our best leaders. A day before the grand opening, One Droppers from all around Indonesia gathered for an evening of gorgeous food, fellowship and appreciation of each person’s amazing contribution to the growth of this market.
From left to right: Kitty Chen, Deny Sentosa and Norce Putri (Photo courtesy of Kitty Chen)
We took the opportunity to particularly acknowledge these 3 ladies – Deny Sentosa (our no-nonsense Dr and Platinum leader), Norce Putri (our inspiring and driven Gold leader); and Kitty Chen (our God-centred and super joyous Gold leader). Their persevering attitude to serve, to love and to rise above all odds has been nothing short of miraculous. It was an opportunity to celebrate the anointing of leadership upon these wonderful ladies that many may not understand can be a lonely journey. I have watched them (and also many other amazing One Drop leaders) humble themselves to work unacknowledged, sought to stick to principles and values and not take short cuts; and just love and love on their teams even when unappreciated. And I am truly humbled we have the privilege to become friends, to work alongside; and to cast our vision of serving and empowering others to be stewards of their own wellness.
Indonesia – having now become a registered office, means you may easily share nature’s best kept secrets (essential oils of course!) with friends and family based in the country. Sharing doesn’t get easier as Indonesia offers a super no-frill membership at only 100,000 Rps (approximately SGD10). The classic Premium Starter Kit which is an absolute steal for 10+2 oils (Stressaway + Aromaease) is definitely available too. These allow someone to get the product at member prices and begin to enjoy the benefits of the oils in every home around the world. Exactly as Gary Young has envisioned.
The Young Living Indonesia address is at:
PT. Young Living Indonesia
Gedung Agro Plaza Lantai Dasar
Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said Kavling X-2, No.1
Jakarta 12950, Indonesia
Contact the office at
Telephone: 021-80825999 (Hunting)
Email: orders.ID@youngliving.com
Member Services: custserv.ID@youngliving.com
View the Indonesia price list here.
If you are looking to register as a member, look up a One Drop leader here or member as your referring Enroller and Sponsor to be supported by the One Drop Team!
