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doTERRA Essential Oils

Empowered Practice Toolkit: Aromatherapy

1/20/2020

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You wake up to the alarm ringing at 5:30am...

 so you can get a workout in before work, not because you want to but because you feel like you have to, because you’ve made the commitment and you want others to value you for your commitment. You shower, get ready, and grab your smoothie for the road as you head off to work (by 7:30a, because your boss notices you arrive early and rewards you with positive feedback). You spend your morning working on projects, attending meetings (trying to meet your question quota so you are acknowledged as being engaged). You eat lunch at your desk to make up for the time you took to have a casual conversation with a co-worker rather than voicing your preference to spend the morning in focused work. The clock nears 5 and you head out hoping to beat the evening traffic. You arrive home to a clean but empty and lifeless apartment and an empty fridge; “I guess it’s takeout again”. You pour yourself a glass of wine to unwind from the day, and turn the TV on for some companionship. Finally, you crawl into bed and read a chapter from the newest self-help book, hoping it will bring the ease and comfort you so dearly desire.

Sound Familiar???

This was MY LIFE for years. Always hustling, not for myself, not because I wanted to, but because I was addicted to the feeling of being busy and to others’ approval of me. Deep within the core of my being, stripped of all the roles and identities I was playing, I didn’t feel worthy of the life I desired. I believed I had to work hard and to suffer in order to be happy and successful “some day”. I believed that putting others’ health before my own was selfless and heroic. I accepted the words other people said about me as my ultimate truth. The candle was burning faster and faster at both ends, and I was running on a constant state of adrenaline wondering when it would give out.

Enter Plant Wisdom

No, alone (meaning without changing beliefs, habits, and lifestyle patterns) even the HIGHEST quality essential oils (or any tool for that matter) will not change your life. What they will do is hold your hand and support your mind and heart as you step out of the rat race and courageously breathe life into the vision you have deep within of your most vital life. 

How???

Well, let’s talk about the chemistry of our emotions. An experience elicits an emotional response in the body that sends signals to the amygdala (our system’s “watchtower” scanning for potential threats to our survival and is intimately connected with our sense of SMELL) which then sends signals to the hypothalamus to release messenger molecules that trigger a biological response, either reinforcing or establishing a new belief (1). Yes! It all happens in an instant and it is THAT powerful. This has been at work since day 1, so over the years most of us have accumulated MANY ingrained beliefs; some of which serve us and some of which hinder us. 

What if there was a tool/s that allowed us to re-route our habitual responses...

That is EXACTLY what we are doing when we utilize aromatherapy with therapeutic grade essential oils (and why I only use doTERRA oils). 

Our sense of smell is our most primal, and connects us to thoughts/emotions/moods/memories/behaviors. So when we inhale the gorgeous aromas of  pure essential oils, they bind to olfactory (smell) receptors (which happen to be highly concentrated in the limbic area of the brain, including the amygdala), instantly creating an emotional and biological response before our “thinking” brain can comprehend what we just smelled! The particular chemistry of the oil will determine which emotions, moods, and behaviors are most highly supported. This is why peppermint and rosemary can aid cognitive function while wild orange uplifts mood and lavender guides us into calm. 

This is why I diffuse orange essential oil (mood lifting and adrenal supporting) while engaging in my morning practice, put a couple of drops of bergamot (oil of self-worth) in my shower, roll on-guard along my spine and the bottoms of my feet (immune and energetic protection), and orange, peppermint, and rosemary at my temples and base of skull around 2p (energy and mood boost, enhanced cognitive function), and put a drop of lavender on my pillow (calming, supports reducing anxiety) before bed almost every day. 

This is how essential oils can EMPOWER us; we take ownership for our health and life visions and begin to consciously choose the tools that support us as it unfolds. 

Are you ready to incorporate plant wisdom into your Empowered Day? Click HERE to enroll at a 25% discount/wholesale pricing.

Have questions? Please email jadiengels@gmail.com; I would LOVE to help you tailor this wisdom to your vision! 

With so much love and belief in your vision,

Jadi
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EO Spotlight: Rosemary

10/18/2019

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I say this all the time, and I’m going to say it again (because if you are anything like me, sometimes you’ve got to hear something many times before it hits you in just the right way and integrates!): we live in mentally/attention demanding times. We live in the Information Age, and according to a Fast Company article, Americans take in the equivalent of 174 newspapers-worth of information daily (1)! 

With a constant barrage of advertisements, articles, social media highlights, and emails, it’s no wonder we feel a little mentally frazzled. I hope that gives you a breath of relief; it’s not just you, and it’s likely not dementia! That doesn’t solve the problem of daily experience though, does it? 

I have personally experienced brain fog and memory challenges as a result of a lifestyle that kept my body in a state of chronic stress. And as someone who really prided herself on her memory skills, this created even more stress! 

What I’ve learned through my own experience and that of clients is that if the mental fog is a byproduct of hormonal imbalances, which is extremely common (especially amongst women), there is no quick fix or magic bullet. It takes time, and the willingness to make many lifestyle changes that will allow the body to feel safe and to come back into thriving balance. 

While this can include changes in diet, exercise, work, relationships, and perhaps most importantly, changes to the way we think about and perceive the world we are interacting with, there are also natural, supportive resources we can incorporate as allies. 

Enter rosemary essential oil.

Overview:

Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the aromatic plant that is native to the Mediterranean (2). It is a member of the mint family and shares with it cooling and stimulant properties (2,3). While rosemary may be most associated with food dishes including lamb, chicken, or potatoes, it is actually a powerhouse herb that has many beneficial uses. 

Personally my FAVORITE use of the oil is to inhale it directly from the bottle and to rub into temples and the base of my skull when feeling mentally foggy or spacey. It’s memory enhancing properties can be especially helpful when you are studying or rehearsing; according to one source (4) simply inhaling rosemary essential oil is enough to transport 1, 8 cineole (primary chemical constituent) into the bloodstream, directly impacting acetylcholine neurotransmitters, influencing learning, and cognition, and memory up to 75% (p. 208)! 

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Chemistry:

In addition to 1, 8 cineole, it’s main chemical constituents include linalool (think lavender and basil) and terpinen-4-ol, giving the plant analgesic, stimulating, expectorant, and neuro-supportive properties (3). 

Uses-Aromatically (add 3-4 drops to diffuser):

  • For respiratory support
  • Combine with lavender to reduce nervousness/mental tension
  • Combine with basil or peppermint to reduce fatigue ​

Uses-Topically (dilute with carrier oil and apply)

  • apply to the chest during cold/respiratory infections
  • apply to the bottoms of feet for issues with prostate health, nighttime urination, liver or kidney issues, MS, or bell’s palsy
  • apply under nose for support with memory, focus, fatigue, nervousness, depression, addiction, or jet lag
  • Apply directly to area of bone/joint pain
  • Apply to scalp as an invigorating massage and to reduce hair loss and dandruff (the DIY’s are endless!)

Uses-Internally (add 1 drop to 4 oz. water; veggie cap)

  • May be taken internally to support nervousness/mental tension, for support with nighttime urination and prostate health, liver/kidney health, or cellulite reduction
  • Can be added to your favorite savory dish to enhance aromatics and to boost health benefits ​
As you can see, pure, therapeutic grade, properly harvested and extracted oils are much more than a pretty smell; used properly, they can be incredibly potent health allies! 

I hope that you found this spotlight helpful as you continue to build your Empowered Practice toolkit, and as always please feel free to comment or reach out with any questions! 

I love supporting you!

Jadi

P.S. - Enjoy learning about how to fully utilize your EO's? Click Here to read on! 


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Resources:

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  1. https://www.fastcompany.com/3051417/why-its-so-hard-to-pay-attention-explained-by-science
  2. https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-rosemary-oil
  3. The Essential Life (5th ed.). (2018). p.145
  4. Snyder, M. (2019). The essential oils hormone solution: Reclaim your energy and focus and lose weight naturally. Penguin Random House: New York, NY, p. 208.
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EO Spotlight: Wild Orange

10/11/2019

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Wild Orange essential oil, in combination with citrus oils (e.g., lemon, grapefruit) are among the most commonly purchased oils. Many love to add them to flavor water, and to diffuse them to create an uplifting energy.

While lemon was one of the first oils I incorporated, I held off on Wild Orange thinking, “Meh, they probably have the same effects.” And while both oils are extracted via cold pressing the rinds, and both oils share D-Limonene as their main chemical constituent, their interaction with my body chemistry creates a totally different outcome! Wild Orange has been an incredibly supportive oil for me in reducing the physical impact of stress and overwhelm (e.g., exhaustion, headaches, lowered immunity), and has had a potent and immediate effect on lowering the severity of anxiety and panic. 

DoTERRA’s Wild Orange is harvested in Brazil, as the climate provides ideal conditions for producing citrus fruits. Purity and potency of the oils aside, another aspect that I really appreciate about this company is the amount of love and care that goes into the growing and harvesting of the plants. In the case of Wild Orange, the oranges are grown by small, local farms that the distributors have worked with for over 40 years and one of the leads at the distribution center’s family has been crafting citrus essential oils since the 1870’s (1). Here’s a video if you are interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBIVTFbx65E

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As you can see, wild orange is an incredibly versatile oil, with energizing, sedative, antiseptic, antidepressant, and immunostimulant properties; it can be used aromatically, topically, as well as taken internally. Here are some of the top ways to use the oil (2): 

Top Uses: Aromatic

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  • Inhale straight from the bottle (MY FAVORITE!) to support reducing feelings of stress, anxiety, and panic, depression, and irritability 
  • Place 1 drop of wild orange and 1 drop of peppermint in cupped hands, rub together, and inhale to increase focus and concentration 
  • Place 1 drop in cupped hands and inhale to reduce digestive discomfort stemming from anxiety
  • Inhale from the bottle to shift feeling drained to productive (HELLO!)

Top Uses: Topical

  • Dilute with carrier oil and rub oil on bottoms of feet for immune/cold support
  • Dilute and apply to pulse points for menopausal support
  • Dilute and apply to stomach for a gentler digestive support than mint oils​

Top Uses: Internal

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  • Add 1 drop to a glass of water for immune support and to support the body in detoxification
  • Take 1-2 drops under the tongue before bed to support sound sleep
  • Add 1-2 drops to a veggie cap and take for digestive support, heartburn, or sluggish bowels

BONUS: Non-Toxic Cleaning!

  • Add 5-10 drops to DIY all-purpose cleaner as a degreaser and wood polisher (CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE)! ​

CAUTIONS: Citrus Oils are Photo-Sensitive

Citrus oils are photo-sensitive, meaning they can increase the risk of skin burn/irritation when exposed to the sun after application. Keep skin exposed to citrus oils out of direct sunlight for at least 12 hours after application.

I know there are a lot of products and supplements on the market today, and many make incredible claims. It is increasingly important that we become educated consumers! Using oils is no different. We’ve got to do our homework, and continue to stay engaged in choosing what feels best for us. Don’t discount direct experience; let your body be your guide. And let me know if there is anyway that I can support you in that process! 

With so much love,
Jadi

Resources:


  1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBIVTFbx65E
  2. The Essential Life (5th Ed.). (2018). Total Wellness Publishing, LLC. (p. 158).
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EO Spotlight: Basil

10/1/2019

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I have to say, basil isn’t one of those oils that I immediately fell in love with aroma-wise, but (similar to DigestZen) it has proven to be one of the biggest powerhouses in supporting my health. 

Basil (species name: Ocimum Basilicum) essential oil is steam-distilled from the basil herb; a part of the mint family. We usually encounter this aromatic herb in certain dishes like margherita pizza, or Thai curries. Although it is best known for its culinary properties, it is actually one of the most universally applicable oils; in fact, the word basil is derived from the Greek word meaning “king” (1).  

Ancient Greeks believed this oil opened the gateway to heaven (1), and if you’ve ever experienced migraines, dizziness, earaches, nausea, and/or other adrenal-related symptoms and applied this oil, you probably know they were onto something! 

The primary chemical components of basil include linalool, methylchavicol, and eugenol, giving this potent, pure oil stimulating, neurotonic, regenerative, steroidal, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and digestive properties (1). 
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Linalool, the primary constituent of basil, has been demonstrated to interact across multiple receptors of the monoaminergic system of the brain (including neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and the adrenergic system) when taken internally, suggesting it’s potential in mood balancing and reducing feelings of sadness (2). 

Top Uses:

Basil’s top uses include (1): 
  • Diluting and applying topically under the nose, across forehead, back of the neck, adrenal area and bottoms of feet to support the adrenals
  •  Applying behind the ears, back of neck, and swabbing the very outer part of the ear canal to provide relief from earache
  • Applying under the nose to regain sense of smell
  • Applying with wintergreen, spearmint, or peppermint to provide relief from migraines
  • Applying to the spine and bottoms of feet to support the body in relieving muscle spasms, inflammation, rheumatism, and gout 
  • Diffusing to create mental focus and emotional relaxation 
  • Adding 1 drop to 4oz of water or to a veggie cap to ease abdominal discomfort and cramping
  • Create an insect repellent spray by adding a 10-15 drops to a (glass) water spray bottle; you can also apply (diluted) topically to a bite! 

I personally used basil 2x daily for over a year to support adrenal health, and continue to use it any time my body is undergoing added stress: illness, infection, menstruation, emotional/mental overwhelm. I notice its soothing, neurotonic effects almost immediately!

I hope you find this information helpful as you continue to grow your natural remedy arsenal. 
To continued relief from overwhelm and supporting the body in its infinite potential to HEAL,
Jadi

References:


  1. The Essential Life 5th Ed. (2018). Section 3: Natural Solutions, Basil (p. 80-81). 
  2. https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-basil-oil​

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EO Spotlight: Ylang Ylang

7/19/2019

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*Me, deeply inhaling over my diffuser*, "Ughh, smells SO.GOOD." 

Ylang Ylang (pronounced e-lang, e-lang) essential oil comes from steam distillation of the draping, yellow, fragrant flowers of the Ylang Ylang Tree, native to islands of the Indian Ocean, Madagascar being one of them (remember, to get the most potency from the constituents of each oil, it is IDEAL that they are harvested where they grow indigenously; doTERRA follows this protocol. In fact, Madagascar is one of their Co-Impact Sourcing sites, which you can learn more about, here). 

Because of its fragrant floral aroma, Ylang Ylang trees are known as "perfume tress" and their flowers have been used for centuries in rituals and ceremonies such as weddings; in more recent decades, they've been used in the creation of perfumes, beauty, personal care, and food products (1). 

Each essential oil contains many, many chemical constituents, which is why each oil has a wide variety of applications. The main constituents of Ylang Ylang (or Cananga Odorata, its species name) include Germacrene D, and Beta-Carophyllene, both of which fall into the sesquiterpene category, and tend to have a calming, soothing effect. In fact, a recent review of the research on applications of C. Odorata essential oil included (2):
  • a reduction in stress index upon inhalationreported by participants in comparison to a control group (who received peppermint)
  • a sedative effect in systolic and diastolic blood pressure upon inhalation
  • a potent free radical scavenger (aka holds potent antioxidant properties)

As you can see, indigenously grown, properly harvested, pure Ylang Ylang essential oils has many possible applications! Here are a few:

Aromatically: 
  • Inhale straight from the bottle to support a calm, uplifted mood
  • Diffuse 3 drops of Ylang Ylang combined with a citrus oil (my FAVE combo is adding 2 drops Wild Orange) to provide a calming, uplifting aroma in any room. (FYI: this is not the oil to diffuse when you are needing to do mentally focused work; rather when you are looking to create, peace, ease, and to release tension). 
  • Add a drop to pillow and linen sprays to promote feelings of calm and relaxation 
  • Create an aromatherapy steam facial for yourself by boiling water, pouring into a large bowl, and adding 1 drop of Ylang Ylang and resting face over bowl. Your skin and your nervous system will thank you <3

Topically:
  • As Ylang Ylang is very supportive in skin and hair health, you can add 1 drop of the oil to your non-toxic conditioner or create a deep conditioner of your own by putting 1 drop of the oil in a tbsp of fractionated coconut oil and applying to scalp (double up with longer, thicker hair)
  • Add 1 drop of Ylang Ylang to your favorite non-toxic moisturizer or serum to support health of skin
  • Add 1 drop to 1tbsp of fractionated coconut oil or unscented lotion and massage into areas of tension (BONUS: Ylang Ylang is an aphrodisiac, so feel free to incorporate this massage into an intimate moment with your partner or as a self massage); you may also apply to pulse points to support a calm, uplifted mood

Internally:
  • Add 1 drop to 4 oz. of water or take in a veggie cap with 1tsp carrier oil for antioxidant support; REMINDER: internal use is only recommended with oils that have been rigorously tested for impurities. The essential oil industry is a part of the larger supplement industry that is largely unregulated. As there are at present no regulatory standards for a therapeutic grade oil, DoTERRA has created their own standard. It is quite rigorous and includes both independent and in-house laboratory testing of EVERY batch of oils for consistency, potency, purity. You can check your own bottle by typing the SKU number on the bottom of your bottle HERE !

Alright, that's the basics of this gorgeous oil. I hope you found this helpful! Feel free to download the image and keep a growing library reference of uses that support you! 

Big Love,
Jadi

References:
1. https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-ylang-ylang-oil
2. ​https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4534619/
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The Nourished and Free Method

5/28/2019

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The Nourished and Free Method is a 30 day program created by Founder of the Nourished and Free Collective, Meg Doll, RHN, myself, and the other leaders, to support your health, holistically. 

It includes 30 days of recipes, journal prompts, at-home exercise and yoga classes, as well as in-depth essential oil education (and our favorite ways to use each of the products)! 

As most of our team works in the health and wellness field, and each of us have certainly experienced our own health challenges, busy schedules, and societal conditioning that suggests self-care is "selfish", we've poured our hearts into making this program accessible and truly a pure act of Love and Empowerment. 

When intentioning to create a daily routine that supports your overall Life Vision, I've found that some structure or system can be really helpful, at least in the beginning; once there is less mental effort involved in creating the habit, intuition can come in more fully <3. Here's our Structure: 


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What's Included in the 30-day Program?

Here's What's Included with The Nourished and Free Method: 
  • ​ 30 days of emails, including new daily health habits and educational health videos
  •  4 online group coaching calls 
  •  2 at-home workouts
  •  2 yoga videos
  •  5 real food recipes
  •  Weekly DIY recipes
  •  Weekly journal prompts
  •  Weekly guided meditations
  •  doTERRA’s Daily Health Habits collection, which includes: 
    • Lifelong Vitality supplements – the foundational supplement program and doTERRA’s #1 selling product that is made up of bio-available food nutrients, omegas, antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals all delivered to the body in a balanced and absorbable way.
    • Terrazyme – a blend of 10 active whole food enzymes that supports your body in properly digesting, absorbing, and eliminating food. 
    • PB Assist: a probiotic made with a double layer capsule of pre-biotic fibre and 6 strains of probiotics to deliver 6 billion CFUs. 
    • Deep Blue Rub – natural muscle soothing rub made with a blend of therapeutic grade essential oils that have powerful anti-inflammatory benefits.
    • Lavender essential oil 
    • Lemon essential oil 
    • Frankincense essential oil 
    • On Guard essential oil blend
    • Balance essential oil blend 
  •  Lifetime access to the Nourished & Free Community (read all the benefits of being a Nourished & Free member here)
  • ​Ongoing support from the Nourished & Free Leaders + the community of like-minded women you will be a part of as a member

How do I participate? 

This program was created by over 20 Health and Wellness experts and is valued at over $2000, but all that's required to participate in the Nourished and Free Method, and to receive all of the above, is purchase of doTERRA's Healthy Habits Kit ($156 USD). 

HERE ARE THE STEPS: 

​1. CLICK HERE: (you will be directed to doTERRA's new enrollment page)

2. Click the drop down to select where you want your products delivered, and preferred language

3. Fill in your personal information on the "About You" page 

IMPORTANT NOTE: You should see my name Jadi Engels and ID (3096407) appear as your Sponsor. 

4. Select the "Healthy Habits" enrollment kit for purchase 

This kit includes all of the products you will need to participate in the Nourished + Free Method, and will also secure a Wholesale Membership, giving you 25% off for an entire year. 

5. Finalize your shipping and payment information and then click "Process Order Now and Continue" 

6. Email me (jadiengels@gmail.com) letting me know you've enrolled so I can add you to the course! 
Enroll Now!

The Nourished + Free Method is enrolling until January 31st, and will run live from February 3-March 4th! 

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Why doTERRA?

5/27/2019

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In the past decade we have seen the holistic health world GROW, EXPAND, EVOLVE! And it continues to do so! And it's a great thing! 

While essential oils are a part of this, they aren't "new". Essential oils have been used for thousands of years; in fact, modern archeological testing of ancient mummified bodies in Egypt have dated the use of oils such as juniper, camphor, and myrrh back to 3000 BCE, suggesting use in burial rituals. Similarly, Ancient Greece, Rome, Iran, and India utilized plant extracts in beauty care products, massage and spa treatments, as well as in medical procedures such as surgeries and for health promotion in the form of supplementation! 

Fast forward to today, tremendous research is being done on the potential healing potency of essential oil constituents. Scientists from many fields and continents continue to contribute to refining the practices for growing, harvesting, distilling, and utilizing these beautiful plant given gifts. But with any new or emergent field, there is often a lack of universalized standards, and therefore, quality assurance is SUPER IMPORTANT. 

Research being conducted on therapeutic uses for essential oils is being done with therapeutic grade oils, so if you are using them for more than a nice smell, it is important to attain the highest quality oils you can. Look for companies that support indigenous and organic growing practices, and undergo rigorous testing for purity and quality assurance (such as Gas Chromotography/Mass Spectrometry) through independent lab testing and share the results with the public. 

As you might've guessed, doTERRA oils check all of these boxes. So my mind is happy! But that isn't actually what drew me to their use...

I had use some other popular brands of essential oils in the past, and really enjoyed their smell, but didn't experience any transformative effects. Then in 2016, I found myself in India on a yoga/meditation retreat in the Himalayas. My body was having a challenging time with the climate of hot hot temps during the day and super cold temps in the evening (plus all the travel and the 12 hour time difference ;) ). I was experiencing a sinus cold and had a terrible headache, and had been for the better part of the last couple of days. One of the beautiful women on the retreat handed me a roller bottle and said, "here, rub this on the back of your neck and on your temples". "What is it?" I said. "Peppermint essential oil", she said. I was willing to try it, but based on my experience in the past, wasn't expecting much. 

In less than a couple of minutes, my headache was completely gone and I was SUPER intrigued! I began to explore and loved how intuitive the doTERRA oils are, especially the blends (my first favorites were Balance and Serenity <3 <3). 

Then in May of 2018, I experienced an extremely intense gastric episode that brought me to the ER. While nothing was diagnosed, it was the most intense, sharp pain I've experienced in this life, and it took weeks to recover from. It was at this point that I was introduced to Meg Doll, holistic nutritionist and founder of the essential oil community, The Nourished and Free Collective. As part of my gut healing protocol, she recommended putting doTERRA's digestive blend on my stomach as well as ingesting a "tea" with hot water and 1-2 drops of the oil each day. Once again, I felt relief immediately; it was the most profound result of all the things I was using (including celery juice, bone broth, and other supplements). 

It was at this point that I became extremely interested in the doTERRA brand, their research, and the potential for a broader use of these oils in my life. For the last year, I have been easing in, one oil at a time, and have been and continue to be SO IMPRESSED with their impact on my ultra sensitive system. 

My current passion is EMBODIED FEMININE; embracing our female physiology, the ebb and flow of our cyclical nature, and honoring that in all I do. It feels like something that is generally ignored in our modern culture and to great detriment; we see the epidemic levels of female reproductive challenges from post-birth control syndrome, to endometriosis, to PCOS, to further up the chain issues like adrenal and thyroid disregulation. It's time to get back to nature, to honoring our rhythms and cycles. And I have found holistic nutrition, yoga, and essential oils to be amazing allies on this path.

So if you are on a journey of recovering from chronic burnout, overachieving, striving, and doing, and would LOVE support in creating the habits of restfulness, ease, stillness, and receiving, I AM HERE FOR YOU! I would LOVE to support you. Please email jadiengels@gmail.com for more information.
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What are Essential Oils?

5/27/2019

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Essential oils, also known as Volatile Aromatic Compounds, are the part of the flower, plant, root, or tree/resin that give that plant matter is aroma or scent. They are lipid soluble and "volatile" in that they can change their state (from liquid to gas) quickly!

These compounds exist in high concentrations in the plant, are potent, and serve many functions beyond its aroma including protection from harsh environmental conditions and even healing the plant from bacteria and viruses! 

Over 3,000 aromatic compounds have been identified, each with unique chemical properties, or the active ingredients that create the aroma and beneficial uses of the oil. Each oil has hundreds of these chemical compounds, which is why one single oil, like Lemon, has literally 100's of uses!

doTERRA harvests these amazing plant compounds from a network of farmers across the globe so that the plants are grown in their indigenous climates; it also offers an opportunity to support the growth of developing countries (see Co-Impact Sourcing). (P.S. I cried the first time I watched the video on how Frankincense resin is harvested; SO MUCH LOVE and CARE goes into it and I feel connected to all beings on the planet when I open the bottle and take an inhale). 

​Depending on the plant, the oils are gathered through steam distillation, cold-press, or solvent extraction methods, and because doTERRA oils go through an extremely rigorous 3-tiered battery of tests, they can be utilized in three ways: 

1. Aromatically (inhaling from the bottle or diffusing): this is also known as the German method, as German scientists were first to promote the benefits of aromatic essential oil use. Have you ever inhaled a pure grade essential oil and felt an immediate difference? I have, daily! It is because the molecules travel through our olfactory system and immediately to our Limbic Brain (center of the brain for motivation, emotion, learning and memory). This is one of the reasons that pure therapeutic grade essential oils can be supportive for emotional/mental health. 

2. Topically (physical application neat or with carrier oil): Also known as the English method, based on Madame Maurgerite's work that essential oils are absorbed trans-dermally. Historically this has been a popular way to utilize oils via beauty products and massage therapy. When adding essential oils to a carrier oil, the concentration decreases but because they are fat-soluble, absorption increases! 

3. Internally (physically ingesting the oil): Also known as the French method, as it was promoted historically by several French aromatherapists for health maintenance. If utilizing oils internally, be sure to check that they are GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the FDA (the doTERRA website denotes this for each oil safe for internal consumption). Additionally only use pure, therapeutic grade oils in this way, as the industry is not yet regulated, and many oils have potentially toxic synthetic ingredients, and fillers added to them.

Have questions about incorporating essential oils into your holistic health routine? I've been so grateful for their support in my own journey and would be happy to share and serve yours in any way I can! Please email me: jadiengels@gmail.com 
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