Thursday, January 19, 2012

Drug Free for 7 Months

We aren't big drug users around here.  We have taken something when we get very uncomfortable, but not all that often.  Still, when I think back on all the times we've been very uncomfortable in the last 7 months and all the times we would have taken a pill or downed some syrup or used ointment or spray it adds up to quite a lot of times.

There are SIX of us in this house and we haven't taken (or bought) any prescription OR over-the-counter medication in the last seven months (apart from Advil for my stubborn headaches).  This is true even though we've had (skip the list if it's TMI)

allergies
anxiety
athlete's foot
back pain
bug bites
burns
colds (runny nose, coughing, sore throat)
cramps
cuts/scrapes
digestive issues (every type)
flu (fevers, aches, cold symptoms)
infections (toe)
rashes
toothaches/root canal
etc.

And now, at the risk of sounding like a new age freak, I just have to say that I love, love, love essential oils, which, you may have guessed, we started using 7 months ago.  In that time we haven't taken the kids to the doctor except once (when Evie had an ingrown toenail that worried me.  We held on to the prescription for antibiotics that the doctor wrote out, used oils with antibiotic properties and didn't have to fill the prescription after all.)  There is always something on hand that is completely safe and natural that we can try before taking anyone to the doctor.  And we just haven't had to.

Can you tell that this makes me happy?  Hugely, hugely happy?  We'll use medicine and doctors any time we need to, but I am starting to understand the neighbors of a friend (who I thought were a bit OTT a few months ago) who quit their health insurance policy (except for emergencies or something) because they used essential oils.

I'm glad we have a doctor and access to modern medicine, and I'm even more glad that we pretty much haven't had to use them, or deal with side effects and wait in discomfort to take the next dose, etc.

I haven't mentioned this on my blog, even though it's so important to me (now, though I was quite a skeptic before we tried them).  But now that I have, I will probably share some of the surprises as they come.  I still am regularly shocked when the oils work on a new ailment and I might just post anecdotes at the end of blog posts, like in italics so you can skip them if you don't care.  :)

Do you use oils or know anyone who does?  Do you think it makes me a freak?  Did you know they can be used in place of medicine? (I didn't)  Do you have an ailment that medicine doesn't seem to help that oils might help?  Essential oils are so powerful, especially therapeutic grade oils (we use DoTerra's top quality oils.)  I'm very grateful for them.
In case it's not clear, I'd be delighted to talk to anyone about oils who wants to!  It never gets old. Just drop me a line.

10 comments:

Erin said...

My mother-in-law gave me doTerra's essential oil that prevents you from getting sick (I can't remember what it's called - it is packed) for Christmas, when I was already miserably sick. She also gave me the diffuser thingy so I can use it in my new home. I look forward to trying it. She was using the diffuser with a mixture of the lemon and peppermint, and her house smelled so lovely I am going to have to get some so my house can smell that lovely.

I look forward to hearing about how the essential oils help you and your family!

Annette Lyon said...

I have family members who swear by essential oils, and lots of stories I could tell where they've been helpful (including healing a dog's ear infection--no kidding). So no, you aren't weird.

What does drive me crazy is when some people get almost religious about oils and think they can cure anything.

In my case, no, peppermint and all the other oils I've tried don't touch my headaches. Cloves work on my son's sore throat, but not on mine. And so on.

They're absolutely awesome when they work. And it's great to have traditional medicine to turn to when they don't.

Barbaloot said...

My Aunt just gave us some stuff like that for Christmas. I haven't tried anything, but she's a big fan.

And seriouly-not even for a root canal?!

melissabastow said...

If you write a post about unshaven armpits and how shoes are "man's way of keeping us down" I'm going to stage an intervention. (just kidding......freak.)

Julie P said...

I had to laugh when I read this post because I wrote a similar one a week or so ago! A couple years ago I thought these oils were voodoo, but now we call them "magic potions" at our house. I seriously used them to cure my strep throat last week. I would never have believed it could be done without doctors and a prescription. We use the same brand. I just love them.

Carolyn V said...

I have a little tin full of oils in my fridge. My favorite is the Thieves for my tooth pain. It work every time! ;)

Lara Neves said...

I have a few of them, and I believe in them...I just don't remember to use them. That's kind of how it goes with me, though. I also don't go to the doctor or take my kids there too often...I guess I just like to make everyone suffer.

I for one would love to read your anecdotes! It will help me learn. And remember!

Andi Kate, Children's Author said...

As we've discussed before, we have oils and bat about 50% with them. Our favorites are peppermint and lemon and we use them whenever anyone is sick: to make the illness last less time and for the rest of us to avoid catching it. I use lemon oil on my steam cleaner every time too. And yes, I've used oils for ear infections (basil and melaleuca)--rarely fill the scrip for those. Glad they work so well for you!

Christina said...

My midwife gave me a few different essential oils during my homebirth to keep my energy up and also to keep me calm. I believe one of them is called RescueRemedy. And then for the stitches, all she used was Clove oil to numb me down low, and it worked! I've been wanting to try more kinds ever since.

Christina said...

Oh yeah, just last week I used Eucalyptus oil in the vaporizer to help clear up our colds. Not long after I started it, I could tell my kids were breathing easier.