Oily Hacks: Double Duty Products

Today, Jaynelle Leek-Binns – Tree of Life founding member and fearless leader – shares some of her top Oily Hacks. And believe us, she knows her stuff, so ... These. Are. Good.  

The last two weeks we’ve shared easy ways to use every last drop of your fave Young Living products. Check them out! And thanks again to our contributors Cynthia and Lindsey!

Today, I am continuing our Oily Hacks series with 20 (!) Young Living Products with more than one purpose! I call them our Dynamic DuOils, and I hope that by the end you’ll be singing my tune and trying these tips. Finding new ways to use a product you love is always a win-win and a toxic-free choice.

Did you know that you could use Young Living Lavender Lip Balm 3 different ways in your diaper bag?! Check out all of our Double Duty Products! 

1. Seedlings Wipes

Clean Savvy Mineral makeup brushes. Quickly remove makeup at night and cleanse your skin.

2. AlkaLime Powder

Make a paste with water and apply to skin for soothing benefits.

3. Mineral Essence

Apply topically to sooth skin.

Pro Tip: Can apply behind the knees(where the skin is thin) at night for kids who won’t take it.

4. Lavaderm/Misting Spray

Comb through to detangle hair. Use Lavaderm instead of Misting Spray with Savvy Minerals

5. Lavender Lotion

Use just a dab as leave in conditioner.

6. Lavender Lip Balm

Keep in your diaper bag for:

• diaper changings
• sun exposure
• aid the skin after a fall on the playground

7. Mirah Shave Oil/Seedlings Baby Oil

Add to your cosmetic bag for:

• deep conditioner for hair
• eye makeup remover
• cuticle oil
• light face primer before makeup
• razor bumps/burns

8. Rose Ointment

Keep in your bathroom for:

• smooth lips
• dry winter noses
• flyaway hairs and frizz

9. ClaraDerm

Facial moisturizer and primer for Savvy Minerals makeup.

10. Art Toner

Spray on hair for frizz control and beautiful shine.

11. Tender Tush

Soothe stretch marks and help to tighten skin.

12. Animal Scents Ointment/Rose Ointment

Use these versatile ointments in two ways:

• Coat inside your nose with q tip to help protect from toxins and outdoor exposure.
• Apply to the feet and elbows at nighttime for beautiful skin in the morning

13. Thieves Dishwasher Detergent

 Use as a scouring scrub for pots, pans, grout, sink or anything stubborn.

Pro Tip: Add a drop of lemon or orange oil for an extra punch!

14. Thieves Dentarome Plus Toothpaste

Stay fresh & clean, use as a deodorant.

15. Thieves Hand Purifier

Use to remove permanent marker and pen off of surfaces. Use to wipe down tech devices and sunglasses.

16. Thieves Household Cleaner

Achieve a deeper clean by using in carpet-cleaning vacuums - I have even seen it remove pink nail polish from carpet! Also use as stain remover for clothes or a boost in your automatic dishwasher.

Pro Tip: Use to soak and clean jewelry, but not recommended for pearls. Add baking soda for an extra punch.

17. Thieves Mouthwash

Soak oral night guard or retainer for cleansing.

18. Thieves & Lavender Foaming hand soap

 Use as facial wash.

Pro Tip: Thieves can be great for stubborn skin.

19. Thieves Dish Soap

 Clean glass stovetop (just a dab). It is the only thing that works on mine! Be sure to make your product last longer by dispensing in a foaming pump.

20 Thieves Spray

Use under your arms on  hot days and inside your shoes. Keep in your bag as an "on the go" spot remover.  

Did we miss any of your Double Duty Products? If so, keep the conversation going and share below!

Postpartum Oils

As a mom to FOUR littles 5 and under (5, 3, 2, and 6 months), I have had the opportunity to have two non-oily pregnancies and two oily pregnancies, and WOW at the difference! Actually, one of my favorite ways to use oils is post-pregnancy – because I need ALL the help I can get.

Essential Oils for those super sweet (and intense) newborn days. 

Emotional Support

Hormone support is more important than ever postpartum. Young Living offers many essential oils that can help you maintain a healthy endocrine system.

Frankincense Vitality is my personal favorite. I take it daily as a dietary supplement. On days that I forget, I can definitely see a difference in my mood. Its aroma is calming to me, and when I feel overwhelmed or things get chaotic, it helps keep me grounded.

White Angelica is the other essential oil I use for emotional support after delivery. I apply it to my wrists and wear it as a perfume. It has so many amazing oils in it that support the endocrine system such as bergamot and geranium.

Self-Care

It is so important to take care of yourselves, mamas. I know how easy it is to take care of everyone else first, but try to make a little time for yourselves—even if it’s just five minutes after you (finally) get all the kids in bed.

ClaraDerm Spray: I can’t say enough about it. I tell every pregnant woman I meet about it. Really, don’t have a baby without it. It’s a spray of fractionated coconut oil and lots of oils for skin support: lavender, myrrh, frankincense, tea tree, Roman chamomile, and helichrysum. I used it to prep my skin prior to birth, but I also used it to soothe my skin after I delivered. What’s so great is that mamas who have C-sections AND vaginal births can use it to sooth their skin postpartum.

Super B Tablets: Did you know Super B contains all 8 B vitamins and nutmeg essential oil? And did you know how important those vitamins are for energy? My upline actually shared the awesomeness of Super B with me after my last pregnancy when I mentioned that I needed some help maintaining energy levels. Even better—it also helps with mood support!

Bonding

We hear so much about the importance of skin-to-skin contact after our babies are born. I love to diffuse oils during skin-to-skin and to apply them topically to my chest.

Joy: During those first nursing sessions, I like to apply Joy topically to my chest. This blend includes citrus oils like lemon and tangerine that have such bright, happy smells, but it also has flowery oils like Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, and Rose. It is just such an uplifting aroma and can invite feelings of togetherness, which makes it a perfect addition to those first few bonding sessions. My husband even uses Joy during his skin-to-skin time with the babies.

Gentle Baby: Momfession time—Gentle Baby is not my favorite smell. Blasphemous, I know. However, it can be really soothing and calming to both moms and babies, so I choose to diffuse this one during skin-to-skin time.

Newborn Care

First, let me say that newborn skin is so…new. I would always suggest diluting oils with a carrier oil (my favorite is YL’s V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil because I find it light and not as greasy as other carrier oils) if you choose to use essential oils on your babies topically. A general guideline for dilution in newborns is 1-2 drops per 10ml of carrier oil.

I used Frankincense and Valor on both my oily babies: drop of frankincense to the top of their heads for grounding and a drop of Valor on their spine to promote and support healthy proper spinal alignment.

I hope you enjoyed learning about the oils that have helped me navigate life postpartum.  What oils or oily products are on you must-have list?

Join Our Team

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Top 10 Essential Oils for Pregnancy

My little boy is 2 and embodies the phrase “Oil Baby.” You may not have heard this term before (I hadn’t before he came along), but it has definitely become common in my vocabulary. I was introduced to Young Living Essential Oils a couple years before he was even a "twinkle in our eye," as they say, and when I became pregnant I was very cautious of anything I used. I work in a Children’s Hospital (specifically the ICU areas) so I’m a little more paranoid than most, but I quickly discovered that there were several oils that made me feel better than I had ever before. So you could say, he was an Oil Baby even before he was born!  

My Oil Baby!

And now with #2 on the way, I’m enjoying this one (almost) as much! Let’s be honest, with a 2-year-old and a full-time job, sleep isn’t quite as attainable. So I may be a little sleep deprived…ok, maybe a lot, but other than that I feel great! But, like I told the OB, I just don’t tell other pregnant women for fear that they may assault me in the Waiting Room! 

But today, I’m sharing my top 10 Oils (and a few products) that I can't live without while pregnant! But quick disclaimer first: I am not a medical professional and I cannot confirm nor deny whether these are safe to use during pregnancy, always check with your primary doctor.

My Top 10 Favorite Essential Oils for Pregnancy

1. Thieves 

Thieves is great for immune support during pregnancy. 

I was working in the Emergency Room when I was pregnant the first time, and not just the ER, but the waiting rooms of the ER with all the sick kiddos. Let me just say throughout my entire pregnancy I did not get sick once! I put it on the bottoms of my feet every day before work. Oh and added bonus…it helps with stinky feet ;) 

2. Peppermint

Ward off congestion and exhaustion with a little Peppermint. 

This is good for those early days when you feel a little (or a lot) woozy. And it can help alleviate head pressure and congestion that comes along with pregnancy. Oh and when you feel a little sleepy but you don’t have the option of a nap because a 2-year-old is running around your house? Breathe a little of this to perk you up! 

3. Lemon

Say goodbye to the queezies with Lemon. 

I’ve heard many women comment on lemon oil helping with the queezies. I didn’t know about this the first time around, but I definitely used it this time! And personally I love the taste and smell much better than peppermint. Lemon is also a great one to have around to keep your spirits up and help you stay positive!

4. DiGize

DiGize is great for all stomach discomfort. 

Anyone who does not have this oil in their possession (pregnant or not) needs to get a bottle. DiGize has saved me so many times! This stuff supports normal digestion and promotes healthy intestinal function and gastrointestinal system comfort -- after every meal. It also helps with that burning sensation you can get when you've eaten a few too many slices of pizza...you know that fun feeling that usually takes hold in the latter part of pregnancy…not looking forward to that…

5. Peace & Calming

Take the edge off of pregnancy stress with Peace & Calming. 

I used this my entire pregnancy on a daily basis. I started off using it for deodorant because I didn't want to come in contact with all that aluminum and other yucky stuff. I loved the smell and I mixed it with coconut oil. I’m convinced this is why my baby was ridiculously calm and chill as an infant, but can’t say for sure. Regardless, it kept me at peace to better handle all the stressors of being pregnant—and just life in general!

6. Gentle Baby

Add this to your daily regime to reduce your stretch mark risk. 

Gentle Baby helps prevent stretch marks. Unfortunately, I was not diligent the first go-round with this daily regime, but I learned my lesson. I’ve been using it like crazy for Pregnancy #2! I actually just whipped up some body butter made with Raw Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and Gentle Baby, and I love it!  Smells great and it’s super smooth and creamy.

7. Lavender

Lavender is great for so much! Try it for congestion, skin support and more. 

Lavender is the “Swiss Army Knife” of oils; it has so many uses and it’s so gentle I always felt ok using it. It promotes healthy respiratory function, the body's natural response to skin irritation and so much more! When in doubt, I pull out that lavender!

8. ClaraDerm Spray

Keep this handy for "down there" issues. 

This is a wonderful blend of oils combined with a carrier oil all in a super convenient spray bottle. ClaraDerm spray is great for all those “down there” issues that no one wants to talk about. It’s also great for prepping and recovering from labor and all the unspeakable things that happen with that!

9. OmegaGize

Help your pregnancy brain with OmegaGize. 

These are great capsules to help your pregnancy brain. Many people recommend taking fish oil while pregnant to help you and the baby. OmegaGize is a great alternative. Many fish oils go rancid quickly, sometimes before you even buy them. The way these capsules are produced and packaged you don’t have to worry about that, and they’re infused with essential oils to help you absorb the nutrients even more efficiently.

10. True Source

True Source vitamins are derived from the true source!

I absolutely love these vitamins! I did hours of research the first pregnancy to make sure these vitamins measured up to the prenatal vitamin standards. I also discovered many other tidbits of info along the way such as many synthetic vitamins can be dangerous to have too much of, like Vitamin A. So the great thing about these is they’re not synthetic and come from the true source! You can tell when you look at them too, the colors naturally reflect what they're made from. The one minor drawback: the set of 3 capsules can be hard to stomach in the beginning, but they are well worth the struggle! I feel great, my hair and nails grow wonderfully, and, the best part, I don’t have the negative side effect that arises from most other prenatal vitamins…the constipation. But even if you did, you could use peppermint or DiGize noted above to support your digestive system!   

Learn More

So as I was saying my little boy is an Oil Baby. I’ve used Young Living Essential Oils with him from the womb and now he asks for them! When he doesn’t feel good, he’ll go find the oil bottle and hand it to me. And I’m sure this next one will be the same way, except she’ll have Mom and big brother “oiling her up” to face the world. I wouldn’t have it any other way! 

If you would like to learn more about how my family incorporates essential oils into our everyday life, I would love to talk to you! Feel free to contact me at creationsbyrae@outlook.com or 408-250-0648.  Or if you're ready to just jump in, visit my website, youngliving.org/rachelzachary to sign up!  

Oily Mommas: What are your go-to pregnancy oils?