Essential Oils and Diffusers

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Lavender is my pick for inhalation in the sleeping space! Never fails me:-)

a reply to: Doxanoxa

Lavender is awesome......very relaxing, soothing ...just about my favorite fragrance.
I used to think it was an "old lady" fragrance LOL

It just doesn't do it for clearing my sinuses though.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

How old is your house and when is the last time you had your ducts cleaned out?

How much water do you drink throughout the day?

As far as essential oils, in addition to peppermint you could try menthol, or maybe use a vaporizer/humidifier like I used as a kid using some vicks vapor rub....

a reply to: Liquesence

The house is over 50 years old.
But, you'd think if it were the ducts, my sinuses would bother me all day and night?

And, yeah, definitely looking into a diffuser....small version of a vaporizer.
Although we may need a larger version for the winter when the air in the house really dries out.

I drink at least 2.5 - 4 quarts of water per day.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

The house is over 50 years old.

If it's been a few or more years I would definitely start with a duct cleaning (even regardless of your sinus issue) just for air quality in general.

But, you'd think if it were the ducts, my sinuses would bother me all day and night?

True, but during the day you're more active than during the night, and depending on how you sleep, and breathe (which is somewhat different than when you're awake), you could definitely notice the effects more including being stopped up the next day.

But yeah, a combination of those two sounds like the best option.

a reply to: Liquesence

That's a great suggestion...will talk to my husband.

originally posted by: Liquesence
a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

The house is over 50 years old.

If it's been a few or more years I would definitely start with a duct cleaning (even regardless of your sinus issue) just for air quality in general.

But, you'd think if it were the ducts, my sinuses would bother me all day and night?

True, but during the day you're more active than during the night, and depending on how you sleep, and breathe (which is somewhat different than when you're awake), you could definitely notice the effects more including being stopped up the next day.

But yeah, a combination of those two sounds like the best option.

Agree regarding the ducts. When one is standing, things can flow freely, when one is laying horizontal and sleeping, things can pool (clog).

I get coupons in the mail constantly for duct cleaning at very low prices. As in $40 for 4 ducts, out the door price. If your house isn't huge, it probably won't be a large expense to have the ducts cleaned. Definitely ask how long you need to stay out of the house after cleaning.

As an aside, I'm so happy to see that avatar back! Love that avatar.

Well, it seems like you have had a lot of suggestions here
HOWEVER, not one person has mentioned contraindications to the use of certain oils, neither has anyone mentioned adaptogen oils or sensitisation over long term use.
Peppermint at night will be stimulating as will Eucalyptus. Safer alternative and a relaxant at night would be Niaouli, for the same clearing effect.

You could be suffering from nasal drip which affects the sinuses at night. You also need to look at the underlying emotional issues.

I have PM'd you as there is a document I have which gives all the contraindications to around 170 essential oils that I teach. I would post it here but I have no idea how as it would be useful for everyone. I used to have it up on my website for free download but recently removed it....and I wouldn't be allowed to link you to it anyhow if it was still there...T&C's and all that

Rainbows
Jane

a reply to: Ameilia
We'll see what happens.....I think we had them looked at a while back.
And, thanks.....the colors in this avatar soothe my spirit.

a reply to: angelchemuel

Thanks for the reply.
I did reply privately to you.

I agree....peppermint especially is an "up" aroma.
And, I also wonder about long-term use....including tolerance and dependence.

I do have a bit of post nasal drip in the morning....but I thought the sinus thing caused the drip, and not the other way around.
When I go to our natural healer next, I will be bringing this up....
In the meantime.....

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Hi again.
With reference to 'tolerance' and 'dependence'.
Tolerance could be replaced with the word sensitisation. What this means is if you overuse an EO over a period of time you will eventually become sensitised to it which means you will start having reactions to it.
For example. A mother of a young boy (aged 7) contacted me because her son could not sleep. He had only slept for 4 hours in 3 days. I said I would see him. Right at the end of the phone call she just happened to mention that "even Lavender doesn't work on him". Alarm bells went off and i asked her how long she had been using it on him. She said since he was born on almost a daily basis. I was alarmed and told her to throw the Lavender as far away from her son as possible and not have anything that contained Lavender around him until I could see him. Right enough he had become sensitised and the Lavender was having the opposite effect on him. He will always be sensitised to Lavender now.
Other reactions can be more serious like breaking out in rashes.

People must try and remember that as much as we love to have these lovely gifts of mother nature, they are 'medicines' in a bottle and should only be used when needed. Once they are in your system, whether that be by inhalation, massage or baths, and you have a reaction...THERE IS NO KNOWN ANTIDOTE! All that can be done is treat the symptoms which can be quite severe right down to liver and kidney failure.
Many of the oils, Eucalyptus being one for example are on the poisons list here in the UK (under the NHS).

Rainbows
Jane

a reply to: angelchemuel

Oh, my!!!!

Does that mean the lavender body cream I use daily could end up being an issue down the road?
It's a name brand in the US....but organic.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Yes it could.....possibly. You see Lavender, being what we call a middle note will last in your system for up to 2-3 days...so why would you want to put it on every day? Ask yourself why would you want to basically 'overdose' on it? Why are you using the Lavender cream besides for the smell?
You could be perfectly fine for a long while, but then one day you could have a reaction to it.
Have a look at the contraindications I sent you, Lavender isn't the safe oil people think it is.
What makes you think that by being organic will make any difference? It doesn't change the basic chemical components of the Lavender.
Rainbows
Jane

a reply to: angelchemuel

Makes sense...and it means I need to look for another cream for my face and neck....ASAP!!!!!
Thanks.
I'm so glad I did this....and may need to do a new thread.

OK....got a nice, I think, 300ml diffuser....and I notice the plug gets warm.
Is this normal?

Scent comes through nicely..
And, the mist is very nice......not messy at all.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Plug shouldn't get warm surely???
Rainbows
Jane

a reply to: angelchemuel

That's what I was thinking....I have a message in to the manufacturer.

So, they replace the unit.....sent a new one....the plug was too warm on it as well. So, I ended up with a refund.

AND....the scent didn't last all night....so the benefits I needed were gone by the time I really needed it: like after 3:00 AM.

So, more research....and found that pillows have a lot to do with snorting, mouth breathing and a good night's sleep.
I bought a pillow wedge, and that seems to have done the trick.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Result!
However, just to point out, you don't need to vapourise Essential Oils for more than about 20-30 minutes. The molecules are in the air and you will have inhaled them.
Top notes will last in your system 24-48 hours, Middle notes 2-3 days and base notes can last up to a week.

Rainbows
Jane

a reply to: angelchemuel

TBH....I just didn't get the results I'd hoped for....and brought the mouth-breathing up when I went to my natural healing practitioner.
She suggested Sinuplex....one just before bed.....seems to be working.
www.metagenics.com...

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Just make sure it's a cool mist diffuser, which just vibrates the water without heating.

With most of the diffusers, they're covered and the mist just comes out of a port or opening, so no, doesn't get water on the table around the unit.

I've found that some oils actually keep you awake, while others aid with sleep.

I think that all essential oil diffusion should include Frankincense due to it's wondrous health benefits.

Something else you may try, which really helps to clean the lungs, is a proper dilution of food grade H2O2 as part of your mist water.

Always use distilled water.

The recipe for it (H2O2), and it has to be diluted properly, is one and a quarter cups of food grade Hydrogen Peroxide (H202) in one full gallon of distilled water to bring the dilution down to 3% from 35%, and THEN, use one and a half cups of the diluted 3% with a full gallon of distilled water.

www.leaf.tv...

I usually dilute it a little bit more when adding to the diffuser, ie: top it up with a little more distilled water.

This adds oxygen therapy to the essential oil diffusion. It's impressive what it does for breathing and sense of smell.

From the research I've done, it might be advised to take Alpha Lipoic Acid supplement before bed, to scour any free radicals that the oxygen therapy might bring about, because too much oxygen isn't good.

People have used this technique to essentially cure themselves from the ravages of emphysema.