Foot Zone Focus

Foot Zone Focus June 2026

posted on : June 7, 2026 posted by : lareesbutterfly@gmail.com 0 Comment

Foot Zone Therapy Session Hygiene Issues

Much of the following information (otherwise known as my opinions) is taken from the ‘Standards and Ethics Form’ that each zone therapist registered under my name with the Utah Massage Board must agree to and verify their agreement and willingness to live according to in their practice of Zone Therapy by signing the form. You will notice, as you read, that not all of the following advice is about hygiene. Sorry about that. At least, I am a little bit sorry!

Quality zone therapy sessions require a systematic approach to the acquisition of skills and knowledge, and the self-discipline to always act in a professional and responsible manner. A ‘professional manner’ when touching any part of another person’s body must always include basic cleanliness and concern for proper hygiene. This will prevent the transmission of any ‘disease’ entity between therapist and client and from client to therapist—and then, potentially, to the therapist’s or client’s family members.

  • Your hands are the tools of your trade. Keep your fingernails short and do not use them anywhere on the client’s foot with sufficient force to risk breaking the skin or causing undue pain. So many years ago, Foot Zone Therapy training included the encouraging of a lot more pressure and resultant pain than, with more experience, I came to believe was unnecessary. Often, in my opinion, too intense a session can even be counter-productive! A bit of knowledge of the body from an ‘energy’ standpoint changed my ‘zone’ a great deal!
    In those long-ago days, when I was still a very new and quite inexperienced Zone Therapist, a young boy asked me one day while his foot was in my hands, “Do you have to sharpen your claws before you come to my house?” I learned a lot from that very serious young man and his very serious question!
  • In my opinion, instruments of any kind are not proper tools for the zone therapy technique. NEVER use a tool such as a wooden or plastic object to “work” a signal on a foot. This is my personal criterion—others in the zone community feel differently, I realize. The choice will have to be yours, but I discourage it firmly. A therapist needs to “feel” the signals and needs to control the amount of ‘discomfort’ (pain) she is creating as she does so and as she ‘corrects’ what she has detected.
  • Always maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after each zone therapy session. Good hand-washing is considered to be at least a full minute of thorough rubbing together of the hands with a proper anti-bacterial agent. I have trouble with that ‘full-minute.’ Patience and sitting still are not usual attributes of mine! Of course, I consider a ‘proper anti-bacterial agent’ to include—actually to be—an anti-bacterial essential oil, properly used! Pay particular attention to nail beds and beneath the fingernails. Rinse and dry your hands completely on a very clean towel or a paper towel.
  • Be sure that all towels used during the zone therapy session, in any capacity, are sterilized appropriately. What does ‘proper’ sterilization consist of? Personally, as a therapist and as a midwife, I firmly believe that a good washing in a ‘clean’ washing machine is sufficient. Clean? Aren’t all washing machines clean? For me, having a ‘clean’ machine often means running a couple of empty cycles to eliminate the dirt and grime that my farmer/mechanic/Jack-of-all-trades husband’s clothes may have introduced to my machine. (I run empty cycles regularly to keep from staining clothes that I like and don’t want stained by being washed!)
    Of course, once the towels, etc., are washed in this way, they must be kept in a ‘clean’ condition until they are utilized in a Zone session. Of course, the same towel or cloth must not be used on more than one client between washings. (I hope that each of you understands the necessity to cover your own knees with a clean towel—even if your clothes are clean—before plopping the client’s foot on your leg and, when finished with that client, moving on to the next one or moving around your house or being with your family members.
  • If possible, foot washing facilities should be made available to the client, should they wish to wash their feet prior to the zone therapy session. This, of course, will require you to provide a clean (sterilized?) basin for them to soak their feet in. Once again, the addition of a couple of drops of one of the essential oils featured in this article (and 15% off at Butterfly Express, LLC from June 8th to July 7th) would be an excellent choice.
    Please, do not get carried away with the addition of the essential oil. Butterfly oils are pure and undiluted. Two or three drops will really do the job of killing ‘critters’ while not being irritating to the client’s feet!
    How long does the client need to soak their feet—and how long do you need to soak your hands (which is also a good idea!)? With added essential oils, I would suggest at least 5 minutes or, perhaps, a bit more. A short sideline story: I once had a young man come directly from his job milking cows for his Zone appointment. As soon as he walked through the door, a rather pungent barnyard smell accompanied him! He kicked off his ‘chore boots’ and plopped into my client chair. As you might guess, he was immediately dispatched to sit on the edge of my bathtub for a bit longer than 5 minutes, cleaning his feet. Then he was required to clean the bathtub—thoroughly!
    I am fortunate enough to own an Ionic Foot Bath machine. I have been told that some of these machines are very expensive! Mine is a relatively inexpensive one—$109.00 on Amazon. There are less expensive ones shown on the Amazon site. I have had mine for many years, and it has been worked hard and just keeps on going. I think these machines are an effective way to accomplish a healthy and beneficial ‘cleanse’ of the body. However, the jury is still out as to whether doing such a cleanse and a Zone Therapy Session at the same time is a good idea for every client or not. I suspect that depends on the client and what is in their systems (especially their liver) to be ‘dumped’ just prior to a zone.
  • If a client comes to you with obvious infections on the feet or elsewhere, you will have to decide whether a zone therapy session is appropriate at this time. Whatever your decision, you should encourage them to deal with the infection promptly and thoroughly. Having raised a family, including several boys, I have seen essential oils clear up many types of foot issues very well and quite quickly if treated in the early stages.  However, you might be well-advised to suggest they seek the advice of a medical professional.
    I accompanied my very competent herbal father to a doctor’s appointment one day. He took his shoes off to be weighed and measured. He had a horrible toenail fungus! The doctor asked me what my father was doing with such an untreated condition. I replied that my father was “a free man, competent, and well over 21 (91 years old, to be exact), and this aspect of his health had nothing to do with me!” Dad cleared the problem up quite quickly by soaking his feet with LeDeliverance essential oil in water, and without using the medicines his rather new wife, a nurse of many years, tried to insist on!
  • Always dress appropriately. If you wish to be taken seriously as a professional, you must dress and act the part at all times. In other words, your person, your clothing, and the environment in which you are working must be scrupulously clean.

Contagious Foot Infections

Perhaps a discussion of foot infections is beyond the intended scope (foot hygiene) of this article, but as we work with feet, it seems like a good idea to me to know a little bit about—and how to identify— the most commonly seen foot infections!   The most commonly seen foot infections include Athlete’s Foot (official name Tinea pedis), Common Toenail Fungus (official name Onychomycosis), Plantar Warts (HPV-Human Papillomavirus), and Ringworm (Tinea corporis).  Perhaps there are others.
These annoying conditions spread easily through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as those found in gym locker rooms, publicly used showers, and in and around public pools.  I don’t suppose I need to tell you that if your client presents with such a condition, the likelihood of your own hands picking it up and then spreading it if you are not careful and conscientious is very high.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s Foot is an all-too-common foot infection.  If you have ever suffered from this condition, you will likely remember too well the itching, burning sensations, as well as the peeling skin that is this nasty infection!  The most common type of Athlete’s Foot begins between the toes.  Too often, because of its location, it is ignored for too long and, as the sufferer walks around barefoot in the gym or public shower, spreads it to others.
Common Toenail Fungus
A fungal toenail infection causes the toenails to become thicker than normal, brittle, and discolored.  The thickening may be tough and hard to trim, or the nails may be crumbling with ragged edges.  In any case, the shape of the nail is often distorted.  The nail sometimes separates from the nail bed in small areas or detaches pretty much everywhere.   There may be little pain or quite a bit of pain.  Sometimes there is a foul odor and debris collecting under the nail.
The color is usually yellow/brown, but I have seen the thickened and brittle toenail, if allowed to become too long between cutting, bump against something, and cause bleeding under the nail.  In these cases, the toenail becomes reddish and/or purplish in color.
Plantar Warts
Plantar warts (Caused by Human Papillomavirus – HPV) are stubborn, rough skin growths triggered by HPV. These warts thrive in warm, moist environments, making spas, gym showers, and swimming pools likely places for transmission from one person to another.  If a client has warts on their feet, they could unknowingly leave the virus behind on your hands or on any towels used.  HPV is noted for lingering on surfaces, including any tub or basin you used for foot cleaning or soaking.  This will, of course, put your next client and yourself at risk.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection that forms circular, very distinctive, itchy rashes that can affect any part of the body or the foot.  Personally, I have never seen a client with ringworm on their feet.  Many years ago, as an LDS primary nursery teacher, I saw a raging case of ringworm on a visiting child!  I am quite proud of the fact that we, my husband and I, as nursery leaders, kept it from spreading to the other children!

Contraindications for Working on the Feet?

The infections mentioned above are quite common.  While most people are courteous enough not to come to you with such things affecting their feet, you will need to decide whether or not you wish to work on those feet at this time.  Be courteous about your refusal AND be helpful to them in clearing the problem up, if you can.  I have personally seen and worked with every one of the conditions discussed above using essential oils, AND I have never caught such a condition from a client or even a family member!
I always soak my hands—and their feet—in water with essential oils added if I have decided to work on the client’s feet despite what I see!  Soak in water with oils added.  DO NOT apply an essential oil with a carrier oil when treating any type of fungal infection!  Carrier oils are made up of larger and very different molecules than most essential oils.  Such a carrier oil is quite likely to feed a fungus!
Another small side-note here, and my personal opinion and practice:   I do not, as a general rule, apply a salve or carrier oil to my client’s feet before the session.  I understand that doing so makes the zone easier on the therapist’s hands.  However, if there is a fungal infection, even if undetectable in an early stage, the salve or carrier oil may produce an environment that encourages the growth of the fungus.  Your personal choice.  If the client has soaked his feet prior to the zone, the foot is softer and more pliable anyway.

See the full list of topics.

In This Issue

Tea Tree Essential Oil
LeMelaPlus Essential Oil Blend
LeNoMore Essential Oil Blend
LeDelivernace Essential Oil Blend


Essential Oils for the Spleen
Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea Tree

Tea Tree has been in use as an antiseptic for centuries. It was used by soldiers and sailors in World War II in the treatment of tropical infections.

THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES: antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, immune stimulant, antibiotic, antiparasitic, vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, decongestant, analgesic

EMOTIONAL – SPIRITUAL – MENTAL ASPECTS: The aroma of Tea Tree can help us replace a victim mentality with a desire to understand why events and circumstances happened as they did. Then, with this better understanding, we can begin to make changes in our thoughts and in our lives that will be beneficial to us. The best description I have ever found for the effect of Tea Tree on emotions and spiritual growth is a ‘cleansing of our inner selves’. Please note that, sometimes, this ‘cleansing’ can feel a bit uncomfortable at first. By its very nature, Tea Tree can bring both tolerance and growth into our lives.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS: Tea Tree essential oil is effective against some of the nastiest microbes on the planet. Tea Tree can prevent sepsis in wounds and can be used to treat boils, sores, cuts, insect bites, and stings.

The only way to kill a virus is to weaken or rupture its protective shell, called a cyst. Tea Tree oil has been shown to be effective in this capacity, which greatly shortens the duration of viral infections.
Tea Tree is also a mild tissue regenerator, making it a sensible choice for rashes, nail or skin fungal infections, wounds, cold sores, acne, athlete’s foot, ringworm, head lice, vaginal thrush (dilute very well here), and candida.

MelaPlus Essential Oil Blend

LeMelaPlus

The Latin name of Tea Tree is Melaleuca alternifolia. Thus, the name of this essential oil blend which is composed of Tea Tree and six other essential oils. One of these additional essential oils is Niaouli, Latin name Melaleuca viridiflora. As you can see from the Latin name, Niaouli is also a member of the Melaleuca (Tea Tree) family. Another ingredient in LeMelaPlus is Cajeput. The Latin name of Cajeput is Melaleuca cajeputi. Yes, cajeput is yet another close cousin to the more common Tea Tree. Other essential oils in this blend include Clove, Lemon Myrtle, Mountain Savory, and Rosemary.

AROMATIC CONSIDERATIONS: LeMelaPlus can be diffused to dispel odors, but to be enjoyed in the air around you, there will need to be a certain affinity for the smell of Tea Tree and Tea Tree’s cousins. Not my favorite aroma, but worth it as LeMelaPlus, diffused into the air, rids the area of air born bacterias.

EMOTIONAL – SPIRITUAL – MENTAL ASPECTS: LeMelaPlus has a wide range of emotional healing capabilities, as do most essential oil blends. This is due to the variety of single oils used—some from various families and various parts of the plant, etc. This blend, when inhaled or diffused, certainly clears the mind! LeMelaPlus can be helpful for people who are stuck in a situation they are afraid to leave but also find it impossible to stay in, as it encourages swift and decisive action. This blend also seems to minimize the tendency to look back and second-guess a choice once a choice has been made.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS: LeMelaPlus is strongly antiseptic. It prevents the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other infectious agents. LeMelaPlus can be used for athlete’s foot, toenail fungal infections, and to disinfect just about any surface, including a Zone Therapist’s hands and a client’s feet. It can also be used for disinfecting cuts, scrapes, and wounds. This is especially nice with children because the things they cut themselves on are often quite gross. A drop applied to insect bites will keep them from getting infected.

NoMore Essential Oil Blend

LeNoMore

AROMATIC CONSIDERATIONS: Like LeMelaPlus and LeDeliverance, LeNoMore contains some very potent anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and anti- just about any nasty disease critter you can imagine. However, except for the Mountain Savory found in LeMelaPlus , they are a very different set of essential oils. Of course, this gives this formulation a much different aroma and healing capacities than either LeMelaPlus or LeDeliverance.

EMOTIONAL – SPIRITUAL – MENTAL ASPECTS: I am particularly fond of the aroma of Patchouli. However, the Spikenard in this blend overrides, to some extent, that beautiful aroma. However, the amazing emotional properties of Patchouli are still felt, even strengthened, by the synergy of this blend of highly antiseptic single oils.

This blend, mostly as a result of the inclusion of patchouli, is especially suited to people with strong constitutions who rarely pay any attention to their health as they pursue the goals they have set for themselves. Almost without warning, they eventually collapse, both mentally and physically. If you know someone like this, LeNoMore should be your choice as an antiseptic, should they injure themselves.

Elemi, a relative newcomer to the world of essential oils, is known throughout the world as “poor man’s frankincense”. The emotional impact of Elemi is a perfect match for and enhancer of Patchouli and Spikenard. Elemi, in a blend or singly, should be diffused in times of stress or mental exhaustion.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS: One of my favorite uses for this blend, in the past, was to prevent mold growth. Long ago, before my dear father and husband pulled out the sheet rock in the north-facing bedroom of our home and increased the insulation in those walls, the damp and cold of winter would promote mold growth in the metal slider grooves of the windows in that room. In the fall, I would wipe out those windows with a cloth soaked in water and LeNoMore. If I remembered to do it a couple of times during the winter, I saw no mold at all, ever.  LeNoMore is certainly one of the most effective essential oils to use as a disinfectant in any capacity.

Deliverance Essential Oil Blend

LeDeliverance

LeDeliverance can be used in so many ways, I am not even going to attempt to list them all here!

LeDeliverance is one of the most potent antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal combinations available from Butterfly Express, llc. o(anywhere else)! LeDeliverance can be used, diluted, or diffused in the home as a cleaner and air purifier to fight viruses and airborne bacteria.

There is a variation of LeDeliverance called LeDeliverance Plus that you may want to consider as well. LeDeliverance Plus is the same basic formulation as LeDeliverance except that garlic essential oil has been added. Garlic, in my opinion, is nature’s strongest antibiotic.

AROMATIC CONSIDERATIONS: An excellent use for this blend is to diffuse it in the home every day during the cold and flu season to eliminate airborne bacteria and viruses. This has proven to be an effective way to keep illnesses of just about any sort from spreading from one family member to another.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS: The many uses of LeDeliverance for treating illnesses include being effective for use with respiratory infections, sore throats, strep throats, dental diseases and infections, cold sores, canker sores, cuts, and general infections of any sort.

This is one of my favorite treatments for athlete’s foot and toenail fungus, and infection from slivers. Apply faithfully, undiluted, for plantar warts and even for other types of warts. This takes a little time—usually, more than a little time, so be patient with the process.

Frequent and consistent use of LeDeliverance also strengthens the immune system. LeDeliverance is an expectorant and helps the lymph system to drain. This is a very effective and well-formulated blend. In my opinion, every household should have it on hand.

List of Topics

Tip: Use the “find on page” or ctrl+F to quickly find where these topics in this blog.

acne, 
air born, 
air purifier, 
analgesic, 
anti-bacterial, 
anti-biotic, 
anti-fungal, 
anti-inflammatory, 
antibacterial, 
antifungal, 
antiparasitic, 
antiseptic, 
antiviral, 
Athlete’s Foot, 
atmosphere, 
bacteria, 
basil, 
beneficial cleanse, 
boils, 
cajeput, 
candida, 
canker sores, 
carrier oil, 
cold sores, 
cold season, 
Common Toenail Fungus, 
contagious infections, 
cough, 
cuts, 
decongestant, 
debris, 
dental diseases, 
Deliverance, 
Deliverance Plus, 
disinfectant, 
Elemi, 
emotional healing, 
energy standpoint, 
essential oil, 
expectorant, 
flu season, 
foot hygiene, 
foot infection, 
fungal infection, 
fungus, 
garlic, 
general infections, 
hand-washing, 
head lice, 
immune stimulant, 
immune system
insect bites, 
inner selves, 
infections, 
infectious agents, 
inner growth, 
Ionic Foot Bath, 
itching, 
Deliverance, 
Deliverance Plus, 
MelaPlus, 
NoMore, 
Lemon Myrtle, 
lymph system, 
Melaleuca alternifolia, 
Melaleuca cajeputi, 
Melaleuca viridiflora, 
mental exhaustion, 
mental healing, 
microbes, 
mold growth, 
Mountain Savory, 
nail beds, 
nail fungus, 
Niaouli, 
odor, 
Onychomycosis, 
Patchouli, 
Plantar Warts, 
respiratory infections, 
Ringworm, 
Rosemary, 
rough skin, 
salve, 
scrapes, 
sepsis, 
slivers, 
sore throats, 
Spikenard, 
spiritual growth, 
strep throat, 
Tea Tree, 
tissue re-generator, 
toe nail, 
toenail fungus, 
tropical infections, 
vaginal thrush, 
viral infections, 
virus, 
vulnerary, 
warts, 
wounds, 
Zone,

About The Author

lareesbutterfly@gmail.com

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