ANCIENT WISDOM PART 3


ANCIENT WISDOM

Wellness with the 12 Scriptural Oils

This post is contributed by One Drop founder – Kai Tan

(continues from Part 2)

MYRTLE

Historical Uses:
Myrtle was associated with Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. Further, the brave soldiers, athletes and nobles were honored with its leaves. In ancient Greece, it was priced for its medicinal properties too. Myrtle has been researched by Dr. Daniel Penol for normalizing hormonal imbalances.






Healing Properties:
  • Supportive of the respiratory system, skin, and hair, it has been researched for its effects on glandular imbalances and its soothing effects when inhaled. It is also helpful for meditation and lifting the spirit.
Uses:
  • For respiratory support, apply Myrtle essential oil to the sides of your nose
  • To help support your endocrine system, apply Myrtle essential oil to the thyroid area and to the soles of your feet.
  • Myrtle resonates with the heart chakra (interestingly relating to the chest again) and is useful for “letting go” of the past. Inhale and diffuse in meditation and quiet moments of healing.
ONYCHA
Historical Uses:
Onycha was traditionally known for its comforting and soothing properties as well as its benefits for the skin. Ancient people used it to improve complexion and to help nourish the skin. Onycha was a prized aromatic mentioned in Exodus 30:34: “And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight.”




Healing Properties:
  • Supports the digestive and urinary systems.
  • Supports and maintain healthy blood sugar levels
  • Support healthy sinuses and respiratory system (especially when inhaled)
  • Used to soothe skin irritations
Uses:
  • Mix Onycha essential oil with carrier oil, such as olive oil, and rub on chest to help support respiratory system
  • Apply a few drops to chapped or cracked skin to help support healing
  • Onycha can be combine with Rose and V6 as a highly uplifting blend for massage and self care.
  • Rub Onycha over the stomach and abdomen to release blocked emotions
ROSE OF SHARON (Cistus)

Historical Uses:
Rose of Sharon (or Cistus) is also known as the “rock rose” and was noticed by shepherds thousands of years ago. Sheep and goats grazing in the fields would pick up the gum of the shrub in their coats and shepherds noticed that it would heal cuts and scrapes faster when they rubbed their hands in the gum trying to get it out of the coat!





Healing Properties:
  • Calming and uplifting, it is helpful for meditating and counseling.
  • Traditionally, cistus has been used for respiratory support.
Uses:
  • Rub along the spine or apply to the soles of feet
  • Apply 4-5 drops of Rose of Sharon oil to the spine or to the sole daily to help support immune
  • For respiratory conditions, dilute several drops of Rose of Sharon with carrier oil and apply to the chest area. Cup your hands and inhale after.
SPIKENARD
Historical Uses:
Spikenard is highly regarded in India as a medicinal herb. It was one of the precious oils in ancient times, used only by priests, kings, or high initiates. References in the New Testament describe how Mary of Bethany used Spikenard to anoint the feet of Jesus before the Last Supper. In Jesus’s time, a box of Spikenard Oil can cost a year’s wage. According to Dietrich Gumbel, PhD, Spikenard is very good cardio system support.




Healing Properties:
  • Supports sleep, hormonal and circulatory system.
Uses:
  • Supports skin issues by applying topically.
  • Supports digestive system by massaging the oil (diluted in V6) in a clockwise position around the abdomen.
  • Tibetan herbalists use Spikenard oil for the purpose of hair growth and colour restoration
  • Spikenard is a good oil for use at the time of approaching death. It can give one the courage needed to seek release from this life and move forward to the new. It is also regarded as an oil of forgiveness. It can help us come to terms with the experiences of our life and to feel at peace with those who shared our journey with us. Gently apply on heart or base of feet.
  • Spikenard can also be inhaled or applied for emotionally doing a clean sweep and beginning again. It is not about repair of attitudes or relationships.
Lastly, here is a wonderful piece written in the Young Living Blog with regards to using the 12 Oils of the Ancient Scripture for healing from sexual abuse. While this may not have relevance to many, the information of how each oil can be applied for emotional clearing may offer valuable use in your pursuit for emotional wellness.

May you find great healing and joy as you discover and unveil for yourself the depth and richness of each of these oils.
Kai is the founder of OneDrop. She and her team supports oil users via https://www.facebook.com/groups/sgonedrop/. If you like Kai’s articles and would like to purchase the Young Living oils, please feel free to get in touch with Kai here or sign up directly here.

WHO AND WHAT IS THIEVES?


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


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)



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!

MAKEUP & ITS’ TOXINS


MAKEUP & ITS’ TOXINS

This post is contributed by One Drop member – Kai Tan

Most girls love their make up too much to read into the ingredient list.

Whilst some love their full scale mascara-foundation-blusher-bronzer-eyeshadows shimmerbangbang, others just like their straight-forward minimalistic powder at least for work or dinners. Either way, knowing what is layered upon our skin every day or on those once-in-a-blue-moon occasions MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

Girlfriends do not let girlfriends run amok with harmful.

Period.

So here’s the spiel on some of the most common toxic substances found in make up and personal care products :

1. PARABEN (METHYL, PROPYL, ETHYL, BUTYL) :

Found in deodorants, lotions, lipsticks, shampoos, scrubs
– Parabens can mimic estrogen and act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors in the body’s cells.
– Parabens have been found present in breast tumors and are possibly linked to breast cancer.
Safe Cosmetic Reference

2. TALC:
Found in baby powder, body and shower products, lotions, feminine hygiene products, eye shadow, foundation, lipstick, deodorants and face masks
– Some talc may contain the known carcinogen asbestos that may be linked to cancer
Safe Cosmetic Reference

3. PHTHALATES :
Most frequently used form in cosmetics include dibutylphthalate (DBP), dimethylphthalate (DMP), and diethylphthalate (DEP).
Found in nail polish and in the fragrances in cosmetics
– Phthalates are endocrine/ hormone disruptors
Safe Cosmetic Reference

4. LEAD:
– 99% of cosmetic contains lead
Lead in lipstick was presumed an urban legend until 2007, when the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released the report A Poison Kiss, with the results from an independent laboratory that tested 33 popular brands of lipsticks for lead content. The findings – 61 percent of lipsticks contained lead including L’Oreal, Cover Girl and even a $24 tube of Dior Addict. This is a known carcinogen!
– Exposure to lead also has been linked to neurotoxicity, hormonal and fertility issues
Safe Cosmetic Reference

5. BISMUTH:
Cosmetic companies use bismuth because it hides flaws, adds a radiant glow to the face and is a dirt-cheap filler! It also has binding qualities, so the make-up will “stick” to your skin and last all day.

– Causes itchiness when wearing products containing bismuth, most noticeably when person sweats. This can often lead to nasty rashes and severe acne.

Bioaccumulation is a real challenge for the modern woman.

It is defined as the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other chemicals in an organism.

Bioaccumulation occurs when an organism (like us!) absorbs a substance at a rate faster than that at which the substance is lost by catabolism and excretion. Because of the wide-range exposure in our lives, not just from cosmetics but from food, medication, pollution etc – it is no longer just a matter of “it’s just a small amount”.

If switching out your full palette of cosmetics pinches the heart, why not just start with ONE item today.

The newly launched Savvy Minerals would be a good clean option to indulge in!
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.

STRESS AND YOUR BODY


STRESS AND YOUR BODY

This post is contributed by One Drop Founder – Kai Tan.

Do you often feel like you have a residential rock band that lives inside your head? That head throbbing drives you up the wall! Perhaps you frequently turn and toss in the nights when sleep just escapes you? And when you finally do, you fiercely clench your teeth or just about to turn your molars into sawdust as you grind those teeth at night.

Forgetfulness, trouble focusing your attention, changes in appetites, irritability, neck and back pains, palpitations, falling ill frequently – all are but a small portion of the long list of symptoms often accompanying STRESS.

Here’s a quick run-down of what stress does to our bodily systems. When you realise the magnitude of what stress can impact, you may have a better understanding the urgent and dire need to modulate the levels of stress we allow ourselves to experience daily!

1. Nervous System

– When stressed (physically or physiologically) the body automatically goes into “Fight/ Flight/ Freeze mode” to deal with perceived threat
– The parasympathetic system signals the adrenal glands to release adrenaline & cortisol (hormones)
– These hormones cause heart to beat faster, raise blood pressure, change digestive process etc
– When the sympathetic system is heightened sleep is affected

2. Musculoskeletal System

– When stressed, muscles tense up.
– Prolonged contraction of muscles causes headaches, migraines etc

3. Respiratory System

– Stress can make you breathe harder or cause rapid breathing (hyperventilation) which can bring on panic attacks

4. Cardiovascular System

– Acute stress (stress that is momentarily) causes increase in heart rate & stronger contractions of the heart muscles
– Blood vessels that direct blood to the large muscles & heart dilate and increases the blood pumped to these areas of the body
– Repeated episodes lead to inflammation of the coronary arteries ~ thought to lead to heart attacks

5. Endocrine System

– When stressed, the brain signals the adrenals to produce Cortisol & Epinephrine (stress hormones)
– When these are released, the liver produces more glucose, blood sugar for the body to have energy to perform “fight-flight” reactions

6. Digestive System

– When stressed, the brain produces Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH) that causes you to lose appetite
– CRH leads to production of Steroids & Adrenaline; which can cause over-eating
– Stress affects digestion and what nutrients your intestines absorb

7. Reproductive System

– In men, increased cortisol can impair testosterone and sperm production and cause impotence
– In women, stress can cause irregular painful or absent menstrual periods.It can also reduce sexual desires
Scent is a powerful way to affect our experiences of stress. Go to this blog post to find out more what you can do with your toolkit of essential oils!
Kai Tan is one of the 4 original founders of One Drop – a Singapore grown YL team that is fast growing around the world with more than 10,000 members. She is a certified health coach with Institute of Integrative Health (NYC). Follow her on her blog, email her at kai@onedrop.sg or start your young living journey with her here.

 
Read Older Updates Read Newer Updates