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How-To Tuesday: Using Catnip For More Than Just Entertaining Your Cat

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Mary Leave a comment

#HowToTuesday- Catnip #EssentialOil from Beeyoutiful.com (1)

Catnip is forever infamous as a treat that rushes our feline friends into a euphoric state of bliss. But, did you know that Catnip is invaluable as an essential oil for the humans in your life too?

Nepetalactone, the active ingredient responsible for the kitty frenzy, is also what makes Catnip exceptional at defending humans from the flying outdoor pests that are waiting to turn us all into an all-you-can-bite buffet. Studies show that a dilution of just 1% Catnip Essential Oil can deter those vile creatures.

Catnip has many more great uses that go far beyond deterring mosquitos!

1) Helps calm and soothe. Catnip’s sedative nature encourages rest and peace. It is a great option to combine with other calming oils to help decrease restlessness and combat insomnia.

2) Soothes the tummy. Catnip can be very soothing to the tummy, particularly when experiencing flatulence. Combine 5 drops of Catnip Essential Oil with 1 teaspoon of Jojoba Oil and rub on the stomach and back. Catnip can also be partnered with essential oils such as Marjoram, Lavender, Spearmint, and Peppermint to bring additional support.

3) Regulate cycles. Does Aunt Flo have a hard time keeping appointments on schedule? Is her visit especially unpleasant? Catnip has been studied to show a positive impact on hormonal health, encouraging regular cycles and balance.

4) Encourages healthy skin. Astringent properties make Catnip a terrific choice in skin care. It helps to tone and tighten skin, as well as decrease the likelihood of infection. Using a concentration of 5 drops to 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil, Catnip Essential Oil can be applied to the skin or wound. (Please test for sensitivity before applying to large areas of skin.)

5) Say goodbye to dandruff. Adding a drop of Catnip Essential Oil to a daily shampoo has been shown to help decrease and even eliminate dandruff. Lather and rinse as normal.

6) Quiet the head. Catnip can be used either by itself or with other oils to help soothe a throbbing noggin. Combining with Peppermint, Marjoram, Ginger, or Lemon may help provide additional synergistic relief.

7) Expel excess water. Massaging the body with a mixture of one teaspoon Sweet Almond Oil and 5 drops Catnip Essential Oil can help encourage elimination of excess water that is being retained.

8) Quit the cramps. Catnip’s sedative effects help to decrease spasmodic events in the body by helping to relax and soothe tensed area. Diffusing Catnip intermittently during a coughing spell could help decrease the spasms during the cough.

9) Spark the brain. Catnip is an incredible support for the brain, helping function to remain optimal, especially in conditions like ADHD, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.

10) Pest control! Use Catnip Essential Oil in bug sprays or on cotton balls on window sills or at doorways to help deter insects from entering your home. Over the years we’ve noticed that mosquitos have seemed to increase in severity and number, and wanting to avoid toxic chemical deterrents, we began using natural bug spray options. Unfortunately, some of these didn’t help as well as we would have liked! But we discovered that adding Catnip in just 1% concentrations to our homemade recipes has worked over and beyond our expectations. (Don’t want to make your own? Our own very effective Bee Outside proudly includes Catnip!)

Catnip Essential Oil offers all this and astonishingly, it’s still considered kid friendly! NOTE: Catnip is not considered appropriate for pregnant women, and nursing moms should check with a Certified Aromatherapist or their own healthcare practitioner to ensure it is appropriate for their situation.

Can you add to our list of ways to benefit from Catnip Essential Oil? We’d love to know how it’s in use in your home!

Eager for more recipes and tips on Essential Oil usage? Our email series 101 Uses for Essential Oils is packed with information you can put to use right away! And don’t miss our list of 6 Crucial Things You Need to Know BEFORE Using Essential Oils.

10 Reasons You Won’t Want To Be Without Cedarwood Essential Oil

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Mary Leave a comment

When we first considered carrying Cedarwood Essential Oil at Beeyoutiful, cheers went up among the men, because its hale and hearty woodsy aroma is definitely favored by the masculine members of our team.

But then the more we Beeyoutiful women learned about and used Cedarwood, we found its benefits and subtle aromatic nuances were delightful for both genders and all ages! It’s a team favorite now.

Considered appropriate to use with children, Cedarwood Essential Oil is a fantastic support for the respiratory system and skin health, and aids in calming and quieting a restless soul.

Here are just a few of the incredible ways we’ve already learned to use Cedarwood Essential Oil.

1. Add 7 drops of Cedarwood to 1 teaspoon of Sweet Almond or Jojoba Oil and massage on the chest, neck, back of the spine and heels of the feet to support the respiratory system.

2. To soothe an overstimulated child or adult, diffuse Cedarwood for 5 minute intervals until relaxed. May also mix with complimentary oils such as Bergamot, Cypress, Cinnamon, Frankincense, Lemon, Lime, Lavender, Rose, Neroli and Rosemary.

3. Add 1 drop of Cedarwood to your facial wash to help avoid acne or other facial blemishes.

4. Clean your floors with Cedarwood!

Freshly Cleaned Floors
1/4 cup Vinegar
5 drops each of Lemon, Cedarwood, and Tea Tree Essential Oils
drop or two of liquid castile soap
Mix together and add to mop water.

5. Add 2-3 drops of Cedarwood to your shampoo to chase away dandruff.

6. Mix one drop of Cedarwood and one drop of Marjoram into Sweet Almond Oil, and use the mixture to massage stiff and sore joints.

7. Cedarwood helps to repel bugs and rodents; take advantage of this by dispensing a few drops onto a cotton ball and placing it in areas where pests are seen.

8. To support kidney health, add 3-4 drops of Cedarwood to Bath Salts. Mix thoroughly and then add to the bath water. Soak for 30-45 minutes.

9. Make your own “Cedar Balls” by putting several drops of Cedarwood Essential Oil on a piece of fabric. Put in a lingerie bag or organza bag and hang with clothing that needs protection from moths.

10. Cedarwood is calming and appropriate for kids!

Settle Down Massage Blend
2 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
1 drop Lavender Essential Oil
2 drops Orange Essential Oil
2 ounces carrier oil
Massage on to the back, neck and feet to help bring calm to children and adults.

These are just a few ways we have discovered that Cedarwood has rapidly become invaluable to us. We would love to know how you have used it; please share your ideas with us!

Get your own bottle of Cedarwood Essential Oil here, or as part of our discounted Men’s Magic and Dream Team essential oil combination packs. Cedarwood’s also an ingredient in our kid-friendly blends, Easy Peasy Breathie, Immuni-T, and Bee Focused.
Eager for more recipes and tips on Essential Oil usage? Our email series 101 Uses for Essential Oils is packed with information you can put to use right away!

How-To Tuesday: 8 Simple Ways to Put Black Pepper Essential Oil to Work For You

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Mary 2 comments

1) Black Pepper Essential Oil is kid-friendly and great to use in oil blends! When using topically, always dilute this oil with a ratio of 4 drops of Black Pepper to 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil.

2) Add a drop each of Frankincense and Black Pepper to 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil and massage in joints for support during sore or painful times.

3) Diffuse Black Pepper and Lemon Essential Oils to increase focus and attention.

4) Add 4 drops of Black Pepper to 1 teaspoon of Jojoba Oil and gently massage the abdomen and spine during digestive complaints.

5) For a quick immune booster, add 1 drop Black Pepper, 1 drop Tangerine, and 1 drop Frankincense to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and apply to the chest and bottom of the feet.

6) Dilute 4 drops of Black Pepper in 1 teaspoon of Sweet Almond Oil. Massage the bottom of the feet to provide a warming affect.

7) After a hard workout or an injury, 4 drops of Black Pepper in a teaspoon of carrier oil makes a great massage oil. Apply to the area and then add warm, moist heat.

8) When you are feeling a bit under the weather, take a warming and soothing bath.

1 cup Bath Salts or Epsom Salts

1 teaspoon of Sweet Almond Oil or Jojoba Oil

1 drop Black Pepper Essential Oil

1 drop Tea Tree Essential Oil

1 drop Thyme Essential Oil

1 drop Lemon Essential Oil

Add ingredients to a glass bowl in order listed. Mix thoroughly to disperse oils throughout salt. Run a tub of hot water and add salt mixture, agitating well to dissolve.

Eager for more recipes and tips on Essential Oil usage? Our email series 101 Uses for Essential Oils is packed with information you can put to use right away!

(Almost) Everything You Need to Know About Diffusing Essential Oils

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Toni 2 comments

We’re often asked about how to choose, use, and care for an essential oil diffuser, and we want you to have the information you need to make a great decision! Here are the answers to many of the questions you’ve asked us over the years.

Why choose an atomizing diffuser instead of one that uses heat or water?

The nebulizing diffusers that we recommend use only cool air to naturally atomize the essential oils without damaging their molecular structure or powerful therapeutic properties.

Some aromatherapy experts suggest that the beneficial chemical compounds in essential oils (especially the cold-pressed citrus oils) can be altered and damaged by heat. Heat-based diffusers also tend to have a limited coverage area and offer scent alone, rather than the full range of aromatherapeutic benefits found in most essential oils. The heated molecules that do make it into the air tend to be larger and are usually filtered out in the nose rather than passing through into the body.

We choose to offer nebulizing diffusers because they are very efficient, capable of covering far more cubic feet than the water diffusers. The added humidity from water diffusers is typically undesirable, unless you reside in a very dry area and need the extra moisture in a targeted area.

How often should I clean my diffuser?

With regular daily use, you might want to clean your diffuser once a week or so. If you notice a decrease in output, or have been using an especially viscous oil, you may need to clean more frequently. If you intend to not use your diffuser for an extended period or are packing it away for storage, you should always clean it first.

Do I need to clean out my diffuser when switching oils?

Unless you want to make a point of diffusing only one scent at a time, you do not have to clean out the diffuser or empty the bottle when switching.

How should I clean the diffuser atomizer on my Breeze?

Quick clean: Simply diffuse Lemon or Orange essential oils (they’re natural cleaners!).
Deeper clean: First, unscrew the atomizer from the bottle and disconnect from the tubing and air pump ( never submerge the air pump!). Submerge the atomizer nozzle in either hot soapy water or rubbing alcohol for one hour. If you see visible clogs, you might try gently loosening it with a small pointed tool such as a safety pin. If any residue is left after soaking, run rubbing alcohol through the diffuser very briefly (about a minute or so) in a well-ventilated area to help loosen any leftover residue. Let the atomizer dry thoroughly before reassembling and once again diffusing essential oils.

Does the specific oil used affect how often I’ll need to clean the diffuser?

Yes! Some oils are thicker than others and, over time, can gum up the diffuser’s passageways. Oils that are more resinous, such as Myrrh, can build up faster than a more slippery, quick-diffusing oil such as Eucalyptus. You will probably have to clean out the diffuser more often with the “stickier” oils.

How fast do essential oils diffuse?

There is no clear answer to this question, because it depends on many factors, including the viscosity of the specific oil and the rate of air flow in the diffuser. Output will also vary somewhat with oil volatility, humidity in the air, and ambient air temperature.

Can I add water or carrier oils to the diffuser to help extend my expensive essential oils?

NO. If you are using a nebulizing diffuser from Beeyoutiful.com, never diffuse essential oils that have been mixed with anything else! You can diffuse a combination of essential oils, of course, but do not add water, carrier oils, or any other liquid.

If you want to extend the diffusing power of a bottle of a more expensive essential oil, consider pairing it with a more economical kind (such as Eucalyptus or Orange) to stretch it a bit. Of course, make sure the fragrances are compatible!

Water and oil do not mix, and our nebulizing diffusers are not built to diffuse the two together.

Carrier oils are great for “carrying” the essential oils across the skin in topical uses, but the natural composition of carrier oils is much different than that of essential oils and they should never be diffused. Carriers are typically made up of less refined liquid waxes and fatty acids, rather than being a single true distilled oil in the way that most essential oils are. The heavier chemical structure of carriers such as Almond or Jojoba Oil does not lend itself to diffusion and inhalation, and will result in a damaged nebulizer and a sticky mess in the air and on surrounding furniture. (You would probably not disperse a can of non-stick pan spray into the air in your home!)

How large an area can my diffuser cover?

The Breeze can cover 1500 square feet of open area. If your home is divided into smaller rooms, you will likely need to move the diffuser around for best coverage.

Will it hurt my diffuser if it runs when the oil bottle is empty?

No. Because there is no heat involved in the oil reservoir, it won’t be damaged. However, we recommend that you do turn off the machine when not in use, to extend the life of the air pump.

Is there a timer? How can I make it intermittent?

The Breeze has no internal timer; however, you can plug the diffuser into an external appliance timer (available at hardware stores) that then plugs into the electrical outlet.

Will I get the most benefit from my essential oils by running the diffuser intermittently, rather than continuously?

The answer depends on your objective. For example, if you’re diffusing Eucalyptus to attempt to kill mold spores in a problem area, or you’re trying to “fumigate” an enclosed space against spiders and other creepy crawlies, then non-stop diffusing for several hours (even a day or more) can be beneficial. If you’re looking for aromatherapy benefits, or to freshen the air in the home, then intermittent is ideal.

Is it safe to diffuse essential oils around children and pets?

Some oils are very kid-friendly (see some suggestions here), and others are decidedly not. Some essential oils are extremely toxic to animals. Please consult a reliable essential oil reference book (here’s our recommendation) or a certified aromatherapist about the specific oils you have in mind, always taking into consideration age, current health issues, and medications when choosing oils. You’ll need to consult an animal-centered resource to see what’s appropriate for your pets.

How readily available are replacement parts for my diffuser?

We keep some replacement parts on hand; please contact us to confirm what we currently have in stock. We do not carry plastic tubing for the Breeze, but it is easy to find at hardware stores.

Product Comparison

Breeze

Pros: Durable, sturdy, hard to break (kid-friendly!). Travels well. Inexpensive. Long run time when drawing from a full bottle. Quieter than some diffusers. One year warranty.
Cons: Requires a stand (included, fits .5oz bottle, also included) for the oil bottle, or else be careful not to knock it over. No built-in timer.

Aromis

Pros: Built-in timer. Sleek, classic design.
Cons: Includes delicate, breakable components. Higher price.

We’ve done our best to answer frequent questions based on our own years of experience using diffusers in our homes. If you don’t see an answer to your question, please give us a call at 1-877-623-3968 or email customercare@beeyoutiful.com and we’ll do our best to help you out!

Want more info?

Read about 6 Crucial Things You Need to Know BEFORE Using Essential Oils.
Sign up for our free 101 Practical Uses for Essential Oils email series.
Read about our essential oils and how they’re made.
See all of our posts about essential oils here.

How-To Tuesday: How To Zap the Ugh Out of Bugs (Three Tricks!)

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Mary Leave a comment

Spring and Summer would be absolutely amazing… if not for the bugs. The stings and bites, the buzzing and dive bombing can all combine to make leaving the house a miserable experience.

We want you to enjoy the great outdoors, and here are three tricks to pull it off!

Use a natural bug spray to deter the bugs.

Not only are biting insects annoying, but they can also carry dangerous diseases that are easily transferred to humans through their bites. Not only does deterring the little critters make for a more pleasant outdoor experience, but it also helps decrease the likelihood of exposure to the diseases they carry.

Bug Repellent Spray

Makes 8 ounces

scant ½ cup distilled or boiled water

scant ½ cup natural Witch Hazel

Essential Oils (We suggest a combination of Cedarwood, Bergamot, Lemongrass, Citronella, and Lemon)

Fill an 8oz spray bottle half full with the water, then add witch hazel almost to the top. Add a total of 40-50 drops of the essential oils, adding more or less to reach your desired strength. Shake well and spray to keep all those nasty little biting suckers at bay!

NOTE: When using any recipe containing essential oils, always skin test a small area to check for possible skin irritation. Omit Cedarwood if using this blend while pregnant or nursing. The Bug Repellent Spray should NOT be used on children under 2 years old.

Soothe the Stings.

My kids are extremely scared of bees and wasps. They can appreciate the important job that bees do, but they wish they were far away.

Wasps, though… oh they just hate them! We’ve found two great ways to soothe the stings, and they’ve helped take some of the fear away as well.

Pick a few fresh plantain leaves (in our yard they grow rampant!) and crush well or chew them up a bit to release some of the soothing properties. Then you can put the plantain leaves directly over the sting. This should soothe it very quickly. If you do not have fresh plantain, you can use dried plantain; soak in freshly boiled water for 5 minutes. Strain and when the wet herb is cool enough to touch, use it as a poultice.

Activated Charcoal poultices can be used to help as well. Mix the powdered charcoal with a little water to form a paste. Apply directly to the sting for relief of both the swelling and pain.

We have also developed an easy way to have charcoal paste always ready in case of an emergency. Mix activated charcoal and water into a thick paste. Then, shape it into little one inch round balls and wrap in saran wrap. Keep them stored in the freezer.

You can even add Bentonite clay to the charcoal and it will soothe the pain even faster. The frozen rounds will keep forever (as long as your freezer lasts). Then, when ever an ‘incident’ happens, just unwrap one, hold it on the sting and watch it work! CAUTION: Charcoal does stain pretty badly, so avoid getting it on clothing or furniture.

Take the itch out of bites.

Make a poultice out of green tea, or simply use a damped teabag to apply to the bites.

Mix a small amount of honey (1 teaspoon) with Bentonite Clay to form a paste. This is sticky but can be applied to the bites for soothing relief.

Rub a slice of cucumber or the inside of a banana peel on the bites.

Spray Laveshmint Hydrating Toner on the itchy areas; the Aloe, Lavender and Peppermint are soothing to the bites.

Mix some Witch Hazel with two drops of Lemon Essential Oil and use a cotton ball to dab on each bite or sting.

Herbal Bug Bite Compress

1 tablespoon Chamomile

1 Tablespoon Peppermint

1 Tablespoon Calendula

1 Tablespoon Catnip

Mix dried herbs together and then steep in 8 oz of freshly boiled water. Use the mixture to dampen a cotton cloth, then drape on the bites to provide relief. Mixture can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Bug Bite Relief Oil Blend

1 drop Basil Essential Oil

1 drop Lavender Essential Oil

1 drop Lemon Essential Oil

1 drop Chamomile Essential Oil

1 drop Spearmint Essential Oil

Add all five drops into 3 ounces of a carrier oil. Apply a drop of the blended oil to the bites or stings.

NOTE: Omit Basil if using this blend while pregnant or nursing. Bug Bite Relief Oil should not be used with children under 2 years old.

Do you know a friend who would benefit from these recipes? What are your strategies to ward off bugs this summer? Share your ideas on Facebook or in the comments below!

3 Ways to Use Essential Oils for Non-Toxic Spring Cleaning (Plus Printable Checklist!)

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Mary 3 comments

Here’s a confession: by this time in the spring, I am about ready to open all the doors and windows and power wash the dust, dirt, and ick of winter away! It is so nice to get the stale air out and the fresh air in.

Like many of you, my work schedule is such that massive cleaning jobs usually end up on the weekends. All seven of us end up pitching in to get projects done before we head for the outdoors and eat up this weather!

These tips have become my go-to strategies, and they’re such an easy way to not only freshen up our house but also ensure it smells as clean and inviting as it is.

Make Your Own Cleaners

This not only saves money, but personally selecting the ingredients (instead of trusting a mysterious chemical mixture!) also guarantees that they’re the ones you are confident about using with your family.

Window Cleaner

1/2 cup Vinegar (preferably White)
1/2 cup Distilled Water
10 drops of your favorite Citrus or Mint Essential Oils

Mix together in a spray bottle; shake well before using.

General Cleaner

2 tsp Castile Soap
2 cups water
10 drops of Essential Oils of your choice (blends could include Thyme and Lemon, Eucalyptus and Peppermint, Spearmint and Tangerine, or your own favorite combination)

Mix together in a spray bottle; shake well before using.

Scrubbing Powder

Baking Soda
Liquid Castile Soap
Favorite Essential Oil (I like Tangerine!)

Mix a little castile soap with some baking soda to make a paste. Add 3-4 drops of essential oil to the paste and use it to scrub tubs or hard stains.

Furniture Polish and Duster

1 ounce Jojoba Oil
4 drops Lemon Essential Oil
4 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil

Use several drops on a soft cotton rag to clean and dust wooden furniture. Note: always test on a small hidden spot prior to using liberally.

Freshen the Laundry

We typically avoid using perfumed products in our house, but let’s face it: between stinky men, long days in the sun learning to homestead, and kids that play hard, sometimes you just need a little smell-good joy in the laundry room! Optimally, every load would dry in the sun and smell like my childhood, but for the days when that cannot happen, I keep my favorite fragrances on hand to make sure our laundry smells it best.

You can add a drop or two of essential oil to your laundry detergent before pouring it into the washer (except for when washing cloth diapers; skip the oils then). Or do like I do: I use a small rag (cut up holey t-shirts work great!) and put a drop or two of my favorite essential oils on it and toss it in the dryer with our clothes.

My favorite Laundry Aids
Lemon
Orange
Spearmint
Lemongrass
Bergamot

Diffuse Away The Winter Blues

While I prefer to have my windows thrown open, occasionally the pollen, spring storms, pesky bugs, and fluctuating temperatures make me keep the windows tightly shut! Thankfully, my diffuser brings a little bit of spring inside. Keeping my favorite happy blends or recipes available brings cheer and can help cleanse the house of hidden germs as well.

Recommended to Diffuse during Spring Cleaning

ProMiSe Blend
Cedarwood
Lemon
Any Citrus or Mint

Hello Spring: a child-safe blend for diffusing

Tangerine
Lemon
Spearmint
Black Pepper

Add 10 drops each of Tangerine, Lemon, and Spearmint with 2 drops of Black Pepper for a cheery blend. Diffuse to not only add a bright cheery aroma, but help cleanse the room.

For many more tips and recipes, follow our Essential Oil board on Pinterest. Be sure to get our printable Spring Cleaning Checklist, too! It’ll help you stay on track as you move from room to room in your house.

We would love to hear your favorite recipes and tips, too! Make sure to show us how you are using Beeyoutiful’s Essential Oils; tag your social posts with #BeeYouEOs so we can see.

Ciao! Time to go clean,
Mary

Encourage Vitality with Herbal Spring Cleaning for Your Body

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Mary Leave a comment

spring cleaning herbal tea from Beeyoutiful.com

Grandmothers have known for centuries the power of both culinary and medicinal herbs to aid the body in cleansing and restoring vitality. Encouraging vitality is often a completely different concept than the traditional viewpoint of Western medicine, which typically reacts to a disease but doesn’t encourage wellness from the start. In centuries past, traditional elders knew the importance of aiding the body in keeping well.

It was just this past fall when I read the value of using springtime herbs to help eliminate the toxins accumulated over the wintertime. I think it’s brilliant that each spring, the right herbs to create a cleansing tonic pop up in our yards! I laugh because these healing herbs are the very “weeds” most people spray to kill.

In the midst of my current herbalist coursework, I have found that often things we consider a nuisance in our manicured lawns are herbal gifts ready to nourish and revitalize our bodies. I hope you will join me in appreciating the beauty and wisdom of spring herbs, and have a cup of delicious Spring Cleaning Tea to encourage health and vitality.

Dandelion Leaf: supports and nourishes the liver, helping to eliminate toxins easier
Red Raspberry Leaf: rich in vitamins and nutrients to ensure the body is nourished, historically used to support and soothe the body through times of illness and can also be used to encourage vitality
Nettles: a great source of calcium and other trace minerals; studies also show that is can help support the body during seasonal allergies
Rosehips: one of nature’s best sources of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals that cause damage to the body and its systems
Hibiscus: delicious and full of anti-oxidants and Vitamin C, great for building the immune system
Calendula: extremely rich in antioxidants, also has been seen to be effective in maintaining a healthy digestive tract and thus lending strength to the immune system
Lemon Peel: another great antioxidant source that adds a punch of flavor

Spring Cleaning Tea Recipe

2 parts Dandelion Leaf
2 parts Red Raspberry Leaf
2 parts Nettles
1 part Rosehips
1 part Hibiscus
1/2 part Calendula
1/2 part Lemon Peel

Mix all the dried herbs and then store in a glass jar. Use 1 tablespoon for 8 oz or 1 cup for gallon. Boil distilled water and then remove from the heat. Add tea and cover. Let steep for 15-20 minutes, then strain and sweeten with honey or stevia.

Beeyoutiful’s Kid-Friendly Essential Oil Zone

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Mary One comment

Beeyoutiful not only has an amazing adult team working together to bring great products to you, but we also currently have a small army of kids with us. When we all get together, there over a dozen little ones 10 and under, all playing together and getting into everything.

As you can imagine, we also have our share of sniffles, sneezes, upset tummies, and overstimulated and sometimes even sad littles ones. Essential oils are one very prized part of our toolbox to help support our wee lot.

Beeyoutiful's Kid-Friendly Essential Oils

Step into our world for a bit and see how we use essential oils with our kiddos! (Be sure you’ve read about the things we think you should know before you begin using essential oils for any age.)

It can be hard to know which essential oils are appropriate for these young ages. After much researching and reading, we’re sharing a list of the oils that we personally use in our homes, along with a few tips on how we use them with our children.

Beeyoutiful’s Kid-Friendly Essential Oils

Bergamot
Black Pepper
Cedarwood
Chamomile
Citronella
Clary Sage
Frankincense
Geranium
Ginger
Lavender
Lemon
Myrrh
Orange
Patchouli
Spearmint
Tangerine
Tea Tree
Thyme

We’ve also bundled some of the most popular kid-friendly oils for respiratory support here.

How We Use Beeyoutiful’s Kid-Friendly Essential Oils With Our Children

Calm Down Rub

1 drop Chamomile
1 drop Tangerine
1 ounce Sweet Almond Oil

Gently massage child all over, or focus on applying the blend to the spine, base of the neck, abdomen, and bottom of the feet.

Tummy Love

1 drop Spearmint
1 drop Ginger
1 ounce Sweet Almond Oil

Mix and rub gently on abdomen, back of the neck, and spine, or rub on bottom of the feet during times of nausea or upset tummies.

Breathe Easy Baby

1 drop Lemon
1 drop Spearmint
1 drop Cedarwood
1 ounce of Sweet Almond Oil

Mix and rub on the chest and over the spine of the child to help support respiratory health.

Sweet Sleep

Add equal parts Cedarwood and Lemon to a diffuser. Diffuse at 15 minute intervals as child falls asleep.

How to Massage Your Baby

Mix 1 drop of Lavender Essential Oil with 3 Tablespoons of Jojoba Oil. Make sure baby is lying on a warm and comfortable surface, and that your hands are warm (if you’re cold, wash your hands in hot water to warm them up).

Use gentle, steady pressure and a calm, comforting voice while touching your baby. Keep continual contact with the baby’s skin. Discontinue massage if you or the baby experience stress or unpleasant emotions; massage should be a tender way for baby and parent to bond and encourage healthy development.

Know a parent who could benefit from this information? Want to remember it for later? Use the buttons below to share it, pin it, tweet it, send it!

6 Ways to Travel Well and Stay Well (Especially With Kids!)

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Mary Leave a comment

Along with fun and excitement, traveling also brings a measure of stress on a body’s health and well being. It takes a toll with later nights, strange beds, hectic (yet fun!) schedules, and exposure to more people and places and thus more germs. There is nothing worse than being out of town and sick, except being out of town, sick and without your favorite supplies. It’s doubly awful if the ones who succumb are young children!

Our family had a stomach bug catch us several years ago on the tail end of a long trip for my husband’s job. Having Tummy Tuneup, Activated Charcoal, Essential Oils, and Vitamin D on hand helped kept me from getting sick too, and we were able to get home quickly and recover.

Here are the strategies and items that I consider absolutely crucial in my family’s travel arsenal.

When I get to our hotel room, I immediately plug in our diffuser. Optimally, I can add Eucalyptus Essential Oil and Bandito Blend into the Breeze and then we can go out for a couple of hours, giving the essential oils time to do their disinfecting jobs. But, since I have littles, I will usually turn instead to a child-friendly combination of Lemon, Spearmint, Tangerine and Thyme to diffuse. Those oils are less irritating to their little systems but still are effective at going after bacteria.
I always bring a small travel size spray bottle. When I arrive, I add several drops of Spearmint, Thyme and Tangerine Essential Oils and then fill with water. I use this to wash down all the surfaces in the hotel. You can also pull down the beds and spray the mattresses, if necessary; just spray lightly and then allow to air dry. That, combined with diffusing into the air, will cleanse the room of the majority of potential threats.
Before we go out in crowds, we prevent, prevent, prevent! If it’s summer, I usually skip the Vitamin D. But if it’s winter or we already seem a bit unwell, we dose up with Cod Liver Oil for extra Vitamin A and D. A dose of an elderberry syrup is next. And finally, we never travel without our probiotics! Our choice is usually Tummy Tuneup because it is easy to dose the little ones, and it’s shelf-stable so I don’t have to worry about keeping it refrigerated.
In case our tummies go sour, we keep extra Tummy Tuneup, Activated Charcoal, and essential oils on hand. Our favorites are Spearmint (for anyone under 10), Peppermint, and Oregano, each well diluted in a carrier oil and massaged on the feet, lightly on the abdomen, and down the spine. We open a capsule and put Tummy Tuneup powder under the tongue. I use Charcoal to both treat and prevent the spread of upset stomachs; it’s highly absorbent and can quickly bind to toxins and move them out of the digestive system.
If a nose is running, we dose up with our Berry Well and Vitamin D [LINK] and then keep a paper towel handy with a few drops of either Spearmint or Peppermint to assist in breathing. (I use Spearmint for children under ten and Peppermint for ten and over.) We also brew a big cup of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea to sip. All you need is your hotel room’s coffee maker and you are all set with hot water to make enough tea for everyone.
Cuts and bruises! Busy travel days in unfamiliar environments can lead to more accidents and injuries than normal. I clean well with soapy water and then slather on some Miracle Skin Salve. For stings, bites, and sunburns, I bring along a baggie of dried Plantain (at home we often use the fresh leaves, but in urban areas it can be scarce or there is a possibility of pesticides). For fresh plantain, just chewing it up a bit and applying the crushed leaf to the sting or bites brings almost immediate relief. You do that with dried plantain as well, or you can make a poultice with hot water and the dried leaves.

While these items don’t chase away every chance of sickness, they do make any downtimes on trips a lot less stressful. Have we missed any of your favorite tips or products? We would love to hear your travel tips!

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Health

Behind The Scenes: How Beeyoutiful Essential Oils Are Made

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Toni Leave a comment

How Beeyoutiful's Essential Oils Are Made

Don’t you love to go behind the scenes and discover how things are made? We do, and we thought you might like to know a bit about how a plant product is turned into an essential oil.

All of Beeyoutiful’s Essential Oils are produced utilizing only steam distillation or cold pressing with no additional ingredients (that’s why we can call them Essential!). We also provide a few blended products such as Tension Tamer that include essential oils, and these are clearly labeled as diluted with additional carrier oils.

Most of our oils are extracted using steam, while the citrus oils (such as Orange, Lemon, and Tangerine) are released through pressure.

Steam Distillation

1. The plant material is placed on a screen in a steam still. Steam from a boiler is introduced under the screen where the plant material is held. The steam vaporizes the essential oil in the plant material. Both steam and oil vapor rise to a condenser.

2. The steam and oil are condensed to a liquid, and fed to a receiving vessel.

3. The essential oil rises to the top of the liquid in the receiving vessel. It is separated from the condensed steam liquid (water or hydrosols). The water may be returned to the boiler and reboiled into steam.

Cold Pressing

1. The whole fruit is scarified, which means the peel or rind is mechanically pierced to open the sacs containing the essential oil.

2. The whole fruit is then pressed which squeezes out the juice and oil.

3. The oil and juice, which contains the peel and other fruit solids, are centrifuged to separate the liquids and solids.

4. The oil liquid layer is then separated from the juice liquid layer.

What about chemicals?

Further physical processing such as filtering and distillation of either the steam distilled or cold pressed essential oils may follow, if it’s needed to remove any remaining debris, waxes, etc. However, we NEVER use chemical solvents or additives in anything labeled as 100% pure essential oils. When we say it’s a pure oil, we really mean it!

Plant Quality & Species

The plants we use are obtained from many sources, and we carefully select the species and quality of those plants. The final quality of an essential oil involves many factors, so we start at a high level by weeding out things like old stale plant parts, and insisting on choosing the specific plant species used.

When you purchase an essential oil, always look past the common names (Chamomile) and insist on a label that bears the Latin binomial or scientific name (Chamaemelum nobile) so that you know exactly what’s in the bottle. Not all varieties of the same kind of common plant will have the same therapeutic properties.

Product Standards

Even a very pure oil could be completely dead, containing little to none of the active constituents that would make the oil valuable for health-building purposes. Each kind of oil will have different functional properties and we have a set of standards in place for each one.

A partial list of the components that may be analyzed include Specific Gravity, Refractive Index, Optical Rotation, Flash Point, Infrared Absorption (as published in FCC), Solubility, Taste/Odor, Color/Appearance, Heavy Metals and Predominant Active Chemical Components. We employ state-of-the-art analytical equipment that allows highly specialized analyses, such as Gas Chromatography and Infrared Spectrometry.

As a general guideline, we follow the specifications used by the Essential Oils and Flavor Industry and published in The Essential Oils by Guenther, as well as Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. These texts, as well as other sources of scientific information, detail specific physical and chemical properties of a particular oil.

Once an oil passes all of our quality checks, it’s bottled, labeled, and ready for use in your home medicine kit!

For more information on how to use Essential Oils, we recommend The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy. Consider signing up for our email series that includes 101 Ways to Use Essential Oils for free weekly tips sent straight to your inbox!

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