Oily Princess

DoTERRA reminds us that sharing our story is the best way to attract others that would like to learn more about the benefits of Essential Oils.  It makes total sense, honesty attracts people and being able to relate to someone on a deeper level makes us more comfortable whatever the situation.  

Its 4:30am and I have Balance and Peppermint diffusing, I have DigestZen massaged into my tummy, and my very own Princess Georgia blend rubbed between both feet.  I figured this was the perfect time to explain why.  Especially since March, Endometriosis Awareness Month has to an end (but awareness should never end), and the Endometriosis is really the root of the reason I considered dipping my toes into the EO world in the first place. 

I have to start by saying, a year ago I'd have laughed in your face (politely) if you suggested I'd be blogging about EOs. Because I, Jorja Lindley love drugs!  I love drugs so much, and modern medical intervention has saved me so often that there has never been any room in my life for hippy-dippy naturopathic, holistic voodoo magic.  I have always believed in magic, but the drugs work so why risk wasting time trying anything else?  We go with what makes us comfy, and there's nothing wrong with that.  There's also nothing wrong with using drugs (prescription and over the counter) to help cope with a debilitating physical and mental illness!  Perhaps that was my biggest draw to doTERRA as a brand and as a support system; they don't preach or push an ALL natural lifestyle on their customers and employees, they are happy to walk hand in hand with Western medicine.   And that's how it goes in our house.  

About 6 months ago I caved and let my dear mommy friend, cover my table in little bottles and tell me why I should give them a chance.  She had recently begun building her own business around doTERRA's products, and she'd always supported my small business so I wanted to show her the same love.  When entering the essential oil world you're to ask yourself what you'd most like help with, or what aspect of your life would you like more support for, and you go from there.  For me it was Endometriosis, it's always Endometriosis.  

For those of you who don't yet know, Endometriosis is a chronic disease causing the Endometrial cells lining the inside of the uterus, to grow outside the uterus and adhere to surrounding organs.  Once outside of the uterus, the cells can not be flushed out with a period once a month so they simply accumulate.  Forever.  Throughout a woman's menstrual cycle the ovaries (hormones) send signals to the Endometrial cells to react (expand and contract) and that's what causes the monthly cramps and mood swings and cravings.  The Endometrial cells outside of the uterus also react the hormones, and that expanding and contracting is what causes an array of symptoms, depending on where the cells have attached themselves.  (More on that later.)

Meg went out of her way to share her story with me, and answer all my super skeptical questions, and (most importantly) brought me Starbucks so I felt obligated to sign up and purchase SOMETHING.  Honestly, that was my reason for purchasing my first doTERRA products.  I loved Meg, she loved these oils, if I bought something she'd never 'bug' me about them again!

I ordered ClaryCalm, doTERRA's own specialty 'Monthly Blend for Women'.  It features Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang and Vitex Berry essential oil, all of which are meant to help stabilize hormones and mood, and ease the discomforts of 'that time of the month'.  So why not!  I also ordered a bottle of Citrus Bliss, another doTERRA proprietary blend, combining Wild Orange, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Lemon, Tangerine, Mandarin, Clementine, and a little Vanilla.  It just smelt good, I am absolutely a citrus person.  

My package arrived 5 days later and I used them right away.  I'm also a sucker for good packaging, and doTERRA's packaging is on point, which (embarrassingly) had me more excited to try them out.  ClaryCalm was not a magical revelation (like I was expecting, lol).  I liked the scent and the idea behind it, and while I thought it may have been helping with the minor day-to-day discomforts, it did not touch the pain of and Endo-flare.  Only prescription narcotics can numb that pain (but make me far too loopy to confidently parent so I avoid it as much as possible), so who was I kidding?  (More on ClarySage later.)  That Citrus Bliss, though?  That is the bottle that sold me.  That is the bottle that made be a believer.  

Aromatherapy is using essential oils to help improve physical and mental wellbeing through our sense of smell. Whether the essential oils are dropped into a diffuser, used during therapeutic massage, or just huffed right out of the bottle the scent is what triggers positive reactions in the brain, leading to positive reactions in the body.  Smelling Citrus Bliss made me happy, instantly!  There will always be essential oils that simply speak to different people in different ways, and Citrus Bliss was screaming my name.  All citrus essential oils can be used to help boost emotions and energy, and anyone denying they don't need a boost is a big fat liar!

For me, the next thing on my doTERRA to-do list was finding help with my anxiety.  While my anxiety and panic disorder is technically a whole other illness, it was initially triggered by my undiagnosed physical illness, and it continues to be triggered by my Endometriosis symptoms.  Postpartum, my anxiety got much worse.  It wasn't due to the natural stresses of new parenthood, but the fact that my hormones were simply fucked right up even after giving birth. PMDD was a new diagnosis I received, and it's basically PMS x's a billion.  The physical pains and aches that come with the female cycle aren't necessarily worse, but the unbalanced hormones lead to deep cravings, intense mood swings (which is never experienced before), and anxiety.  As luck would have it!  

I've been on the same anti-anxiety medication since high school, and I was at the max dosage of that particular drug. Instead of adding a ton of another prescription, I wanted to give the essential oils a try.  My main goal though, was to avoid the emergency panic attack drugs (Ativan is a heavy as-needed drug, and can be highly addictive) as much as possible.  My next doTERRA order included their Balance and Serenity blends, and Vetiver.  The blends were both well suggested for dealing with stress and anxiety, and Vetiver is compared to an (all natural) Xanax or Ambien.  I mixed the 3 in a roller bottle with a carrier oil (which helps the essential oils spread and absorb better, and extends the life of each bottle!) and that became my Princess Georgia potion (eventually DigestZen was added).  I roll it on the bottoms only my feet when I feel the anxiety creeping in, sometimes on my chest between my boobs, where I often carry anxious feelings. 

If I'm being honest, there are still times when the sick kicks in so suddenly, and the panic takes over so instantly, I still take those emergency drugs.  The doTERRA essential oils work, but require a little more patience for the relief, where as narcotics are pretty instant.  It also took me almost 5 months to really have enough confidence in the effects of the essential oils, where I can now turn to my little roller bottles first, and not the orange pill bottles.  And that's been my biggest essential oil feat!  When I get sick I used to fumble through my drawers for the right meds (Ativan, Gravol, Imodium), but now I have my essential oils on the bathroom counter (or in my purse) ready to be put to use.  And now I have the confidence to allow my body the time it needs to naturally settle itself (most of the time).  

My next order went back to focusing on my Endometriosis again, more so my physical side effects.  Because my Endometriosis has always concentrated on my stomach and bowels, I have dealt with chronic morning sickness, nausea and diarrhea.  An Endo-flare for me usually means way too much time spent in my bathroom, on or in front of the toilet. ZenGest (DigestZen) is the doTERRA tummy blend, recommended to help ease nausea, diarrhea, constipation, motion sickness and indigestion.  (Yes!  Some how it can help one person pooping too much, and help someone not pooping at all at the same time!)

Peppermint is also now my best friend.  My Endometriosis comes with nausea, my anxiety comes with dizziness, and they're both so settled by simply inhaling Peppermint.  Peppermint is in all of my diffuser blends, especially mixed with that Citrus Bliss for an amazing happy energy boost!  And now that I've entered the joyous world of (chemically induced) Menopause, Peppermint is becoming an even bested friend.  Many essential oils don't come with a physical sensation when applied (there are a few 'hot' oils though) but Peppermint is a very chilly gift.  And menopause requires chilly!  When the uncalled for heat creeps in I roll it behind my neck and down my arms.  It's a less bulky and better smelling version of the cold wash cloth over my shoulders!

And that brings me back to ClaryCalm, the oil that started it all.  I have avoided Lupron treatment (the drug inducing menopause) for years having heard such awful things about it, but when I was told it was mandatory prep for my long-awaited hysterectomy I of course agreed, and I brainstormed all the ways to battle the inevitable side effects.  I am only one month into treatment and my surgeon made the mistake of 'reassuring' me that the first month is the easiest, but ClaryCalm has become a daily drop for me.  Again, it doesn't touch the physical aching and cramping, but it has been a savior for my hormones.  Which is a savior for anyone that has to spend any amount of time with me.  Lupron seems to leave my chest constantly heavy with the urge to cry, sad tears or happy tears or angry tears, and no one has time for constant crying!  A dab of ClaryCalm on the inside of my ankles (the uterus pressure point!) and it does give my hormones and my emotions a sense of balance.  

Ta da! 

I stared sharing my essential oils journey very naturally via social media, because I was proud of my success with the doTERRA products, and I knew I had so many followers that suffered the same way I do.  I said I'd never 'sell' doTERRA, but eventually it just made sense!  Officially representing the company put more meaning and determination behind all of my shares, and the sense of joy and pride I feel when an #alwaysessential follower shares their love for the products I'd helped them find, is both surprising and a gift.  The world and all its problems won't be saved by essential oils, but it is nice to feel as though I have helped someone and their family by introducing them to these little bottles in hopes that they'll receive as much benefit as our family has. 

And again, it's still surreal to hear myself say (type) such things. 

If you have any interest is learning more about doTERRA and their essential oils, any questions about helping battle your own Anxiety Monster or illnesses in an all-natural way, please visit my little Facebook page below, and send me a message.  I want nothing more then to help if I can!

https://m.facebook.com/groups/1685002571716735?ref=bookmarks

Or send an email to alwaysessential@gmail.com