December – Self Care & Self Improvement
When the words ‘self-care’ or ‘self-improvement’ are heard, people tend to conjure up different trains of thought, especially if they apply them immediately to themselves. For some of us, the idea of ‘caring for ourselves’ may get confused with ‘caring too much for self” and/or “caring too little for others”. But failing to look out for your own health can result in a decline in physical and/or mental health in so many gradual and insidious ways! And your poor health, or even lack of optimal health, can impact those around you in so many ways.
I would like to conclude this introduction to this month’s newsletter by quoting from page 3 of my book Butterfly Miracles with Herbal Remedies.
The Focus of Our Work
Herbal remedies and other natural modalities can be utilized in two differing ways. The first method is to focus on the immediate now! Someone you love is ill or unhappy today. Your concern becomes making the pain and the distressing symptoms go away, and making them go away right now! This approach accomplishes a great deal of good in people’s lives. It becomes easy to assume that your work is done when the current crisis has passed. This is where the second method comes in.
With natural healing methods our focus should be the building of healthy, disease free, stress resistant bodies and minds, not just fixing the current symptoms. We are looking for root causes and basic imbalances within ourselves. We are seeking ways to eliminate problem areas and become healthy, happy, vibrant versions of ourselves. We must, of course, cope with what is happening in our lives right now. We have to get up and function each day, after all, but at the same time we need to hold in our mind the goal of strong immune systems, and healthy minds and bodies. Try not to lose sight of this goal amidst the stresses of everyday living. It is far better to eliminate the asthma completely than to get really good at coping with frequent attacks.
In This Issue
Roller Bottles
December Essential Oils
Herbal Teas & Accessories
Featured Blessed Waters
Blend – LeGrace
Single – Rose de Mai
Almond Carrier Oil
Mini Starter Kit
Essentials Kit
Salve Sampler
Roller Bottles
Why would you want to put essential oils in a bottle with a roller top? First, they are small and would fit nicely into a purse or even a pocket to be carried with you and used throughout the day! Second, and my favorite way to use them, is to fill them with a carrier oil and then add just a few drops of the essential oil I want to carry with me. While it is not advisable to mix essential oils into a carrier oil for long-term storage, diluted oils maintain their healing properties very well for short lengths of time. These small carrier oil bottles allow you to have both healing and convenience at the same time!
This is one of my all-time favorite blends from among the blends I have created during my years of loving essential oils and learning to blend them together effectively and beneficially. Why is this??
First, it is likely because I absolutely love the aroma of anything with Cinnamon or Cassia—whether in the kitchen on in blending essential oils! But, most importantly, it is because the aroma of this blend in my home or office brings on such wonderful feelings of abundance, bounty generosity, and well-being! There have been times in my life when money—and the serious lack thereof during time of illness or accidents with my husband—the money, sufficient for our growing family’s needs, was seriously stressful. LeBountiful, from the very first day of its use, helped my husband and I think clearly about finances, with less stress and worry. The aroma seemed to assure us that “all would be well” and that there would be enough and even ‘enough and to spare’. And, surprisingly at times, there always was!
Benevolence, charity, kindness, generosity, are other words that this blend brings to mind. I have come to believe that these feelings somehow generate real abundance in our own lives. My grandmother used to quote a phrase similar to the following one. “Cast your bread upon the waters (meaning to be generous to others) and it will return again to you ten-fold”
This is one of the most joyful of the citrus essential oils. It is difficult to be either negative, anxious, or critical of others in the presence of the uplifting aroma of this oil. The aroma of Grapefruit is particularly suited to people who, when tense or under pressure, eat as a means of relieving stress or finding comfort.
Grapefruit oil detoxifies the lymphatic system and is also specific for kidney issues and water retention. Grapefruit has a reputation for burning fat and cellulite.
I am going to go out on a limb here and draw your attention to some interesting cancer research. Grapefruit essential oil contains a high percentage of limonene. Preliminary animal studies indicate the limonene protects against pancreatic, stomach, colon, skin, and liver cancers. A study done at Brigham Young University showed an 80% cancer cell growth inhibition. Purdue University reported that limonene helps 80% of carcinomas in breast cancer to regress, with little toxicity.
One of the key elements of this amazing blend is the single oil Anthopogon. Anthopogon’s most important characteristic in the realm of physical healing is its effect on the immune system. Could this be—and I believe that it is—because the aroma of this essential oil immediately brings about memories, but not just any sort of memories. Anthopogon blesses our remembering with a focus on the good times and, certainly, on the good of people and the blessings others have been in our lives. This oil, anthopogon, is especially suited to those whose lives have carried them far away from home and heritage. In LeGrateful Heart, anthopogon is combined expertly with other essential oils that lift the spirits and inspire thankfulness and appreciation for others. As a result, LeGrateful Heart is very much suited to those who may have forgotten to remember and be grateful for both persons and lessons learned in the past.
Dissatisfaction and discontentment, focusing on the negative instead of the positive, are destructive to both the immune system and the nervous system. I am sure that this quirk in our systems explains why a blend such as LeGrateful Heart —which is aptly named—both prevents disturbances in these systems and aids in healing when they have occurred.
All of the Orange oils have the same—or very, very similar—therapeutic properties and can be used interchangeably. Orange Blood, Orange Sweet, and Orange Sweet Dark are all derived from Citrus sinensis. Orange Sweet is the most commonly used and the most inexpensive.
Orange is an excellent remedy to alleviate many types of nausea resulting from various situations. It is a great benefit to those women who experience morning sickness during pregnancy. As a midwife, I saw this blessing of orange oil demonstrated many times to the great relief and joy and many mothers-to-be.
Orange essential oil brings peace and happiness to the mind and body and joy to the heart. This oil reestablishes optimism and a sense of humor when they have become lost through abuse or sadness. I have seen the use of orange oil, diffused or sniffed, provide the emotional support needed to overcome sadness while building up the courage to escape situations of emotional and/or physical abuse. Orange oil seems to be courage and peace in a bottle!
Interestingly, orange essential oil is great and cleaning up anything sticky, like gum and sticker residue. I have used it many times in many different situations. It still surprises me how quickly and completely it works while lifting my spirits at the same time!
Many factors play into the healing power of an essential oil. For example, different plant families have different healing characteristics. The part of the plant utilized—leaves or roots or fruits, for example—has a bearing on the healing capacities of the essential oil derived from a particular plant.
In Eastern healing traditions, the vital organs of the vital organs of the body are said to be fed and nourished by the respiratory system as well as by the digestive system. In addition, new ideas are said to be drawn in with the breath, and old beliefs that are no longer serving us well are dispelled on the outgoing breath. The comparison to the activity of the leaves on plants is interesting in light of the healing characteristics that leaf essential oils display! Five of the single essential oils in LeWeightless are distilled from the leaves of outstandingly nourishing herbs. The other three components are fruits.
The fruit of any plant is considered its outstanding achievement and the culmination of everything the plant was meant to accomplish! Emotionally, essential oils derived from fruits represent the plant’s ability to take its energy all the way through to fruition. The energy of the oil is very much representative of “sufficient strength for the day”. This is especially true of the essential oils derived from citrus fruits! Somehow, the citrus fruit oils seem to bring sunshine to the soul! LeWeightless contains the essential oils derived from three very distinctive citrus fruits.
LeWeightless increases metabolism, especially fat burning, and helps to dissolve cellulite. Emotionally, it lightens the weight of our own negativity, which is so often the trigger for “binge” eating or junk food consumption. LeWeightless is used in programs for eating disorders such as anorexia. I simply can’t resist telling you a personal story here. Years ago, when I was struggling to lose quite a bit of excess weight, my daughter handed me a bottle of the LeWeightless blend. (I had created the blend and knew what it was useful for, but apparently, I needed a reminder.) She told me to set the blend on top of the fridge and every time I felt a ‘snack attack” coming on, I should sniff it, then count to 25. The result? I never really reached the count of 25 because I had wandered off, back to the things of my day, without snacking. Result. I dropped nearly 70 pounds very rapidly—and gratefully!
Conifer trees such as Spruce are noted for their ability to maintain their needles in times of cold. There is a definite corollary between this stability and the ability of the essential oils derived from them to aid us in remaining constant when under a great deal of pressure or stress, or when life is being hostile or difficult. Conifers also display the symbolism of an umbrella, which protects the earth and brings energy in from the universe. At night, the animals of the forest lie down under conifer trees for the protection that the trees will provide for them.
The essential oils created from conifers, Spruce being a shining example, have a lot to do with maintaining firmness and strength in our own centers. Any physical ailments on which they have an effect will almost always be driven, at least in part, by a wavering and a lack of faith in our own core beliefs and in our ability to live by them.
The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of Spruce make it beneficial for bone pain, aching joints, arthritis, and sciatica. Spruce should be massaged wherever sore muscles need relaxing and re-energizing. Spruce is an excellent oil for the respiratory and endocrine systems. Spruce is a general gland and organ tonic, but it has an intrinsic affinity for balancing the thyroid function and stimulating the thymus gland
Herbal Teas & Accessories
I love herbal teas! Herbal teas have been a part of my life since the early years of our marriage! I especially like a warm cup of herbal tea onhttps://butterflyexpress.shop/collections/teas-and-accessories a cold winter day or when my tummy is upset, or when I feel a headache coming on, or when my nose is stuffed up a bit, or… I think you get the idea that I find herbal teas useful, soothing, and enjoyable at just about any time.
The three teas spotlighted below are relatively new creations of the wonderful people who work for Butterfly Express.
Bloom Brite Tea
This refreshing herbal infusion has a smooth, fruity flavor with a tangy citrus twist, perfect for sipping hot or iced. Packed with antioxidants and rich in vitamins, Bloom Brite supports digestion, heart health, immunity, anxiety, and stress relief—while promoting calm energy and natural wellness. A delicious way to nourish your body and uplift your mood—one sip at a time.
Contains Hibiscus, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, and Rosehips. What a beautifully varied, nutritious, and delicious combination!
Snifflez Tea
Either someone at Butterfly can’t spell, or this is an intriguing and amusing play on a word that describes this fun and helpful tea combination! I love it and I love this tea!
Snifflez Tea has a smooth herbal flavor with fresh, cool minty notes. Snifflez Tea contains herbs that nourish the body, boost the immune system, and promote general wellness. It is also an excellent tea for times of illness. It contains many soothing herbs that soothe upset stomachs, relieve congestion, and alleviate headaches associated with colds and flu. Enjoy it hot or iced.
This tea contains Echinacea, Elderberries, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Peppermint, Rosemary, Spearmint, Thyme and Yarrow. Caution during pregnancy is advised, although I have used every one of these herbs, separately for healing purposes, during my own pregnancies and experienced only benefit. It is, of course and however, easy to enjoy a warm cup of tea and overdo that pleasure. Caution during pregnancy is always a good idea!
Merry & Bright Tea
This newly created seasonal tea has an absolutely delightful list of ingredients. These ingredients include 3 of my most favorite spices, whether in herbal, spice cupboard, or essential oil form. Even the touch of fennel (which I have never cared for much) adds just the perfect bit of licorice sort of flavor. The flowers, hibiscus and rosehips, with a topping of orange peel, complete this perfectly delightful tea.
Along with being just plain delightful, this is a very nutritious and healing tea. A wonderful burst of Vitamin C leads the nutrition list. The spices provide support to blood sugar levels, circulation, antioxidant and antibacterial properties, assist digestion, support immune health, and reduce inflammation.
Featured Blessed Waters for Self-Care
Five Flower Formula
The original name given by Dr. Bach and used by the Flower Essence Society people for what has become known as Rescue Remedy. Why the name change? The ‘Five Flower’ nomenclature just does not properly illustrate the tremendous power and usefulness of this simple combination when used in trauma situations or even in minor upsets and negative or stressful emotional situations. The results when this remedy is used simply have to be seen to be believed!
I have seen and experienced miracles with this remedy many times and in many situations—physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual! There is one in my car, in my kitchen, in my purse, and even in my office! I never want to be anywhere in the company of anyone without this comprehensive first aid response and emotional healer!
Success
Flower Essences, which is what Success is made of, are an interesting energy modality to use. They are subtle, gentle, and considered safe for everyone, including children, elderly, and pets. They work to release negative emotional patterns and bring healing to the physical body by addressing underlying emotional stressors. Success contains 10 individual remedies to help heal emotional drivers that contribute to weight gain and negative body images.
LeGrace Essential Oil Blend
How did I not remember that LeGrace was created for the grief of losing a loved one? (We lost a son, just about a year ago.) I think the aroma of this blend has just become my go-to oil at this time in our lives. As I usually do when writing articles such as this, I go find the essential oil and sniff it for a moment. LeGrace is now on my wrist and will be diffused in the rest of my house and my pillow will be saturated with it tonight and for the indefinite future!
What I wrote in the past and is on my website are the words, “LeHeartSong and LeGrace are excellent companion oils when working with grief issues of any sort.” It has long been a habit of mine to give a bottle of LeHeartSong oil to someone who has recently suffered a loss or is lost in depression or grief. My pattern here will change, with both oils being used in the future!
Moving on from the personal, grief and loss are only a part of the beauty of this blend! This blend can bring us the assurance that we are right where we are supposed to be and all is right in our personal world. We can relax and enjoy our lives, while still accomplishing all that we need to and living to our full potential. We can begin to express and receive love without our fears getting in the way.
LeGrace, because it regulates the electrical impulses of the heart, has a regulatory effect on heartbeat, pulse, and blood pressure LeGrace can be effective for heart arrhythmias, tachycardia, and high blood pressure. Some of you may know that I have experienced heart issues in the distant past. LeGrace was created by me and utilized with good results at that time. How could I have forgotten the synergy of this amazing blend?
Rose de Mai Essential Oil
Rose oils have the highest frequency of any essential oil according to both lore and science. As the frequency of the body rises to meet rose oils, wonderful things happen in the body. All rose varieties are considered “heart opener” essential oils, and as such are among the best oils to use in times of emotional crisis. Rose oils also have wonderful healing properties for the skin. In addition, they are helpful for broken capillaries, wrinkles, dry skin, and eczema. Best of all, they are usually appropriate and beneficial for use with even very sensitive skin.
This rose oil is extracted from Rosa centrifolia rather than the more commonly used Rosa damascena variety. This variety is commonly called the ‘cabbage rose’ or, by some, the ‘hundred-petaled rose’. The multi-petaled intricacy and detail of rose essential oils, and this variety in particular, are chemically very complex, with more than 400 identified chemical constituents. Although many of these constituents are present in only minute amounts, each contributes to the sublime aroma and to the healing components found in this beautiful essential oil.
Almond Carrier Oil
Almond oil is a very popular carrier oil. There are several reasons for this choice. Almond oil is inexpensive, absorbs readily and relatively quickly into the skin, and does not need to be stored in the refrigerator if it is something you will use every day and, therefore, will use up fairly quickly.
The most important reasons, however, is that it is rich in nutrients that are beneficial to the skin. These nutrients include vitamins A, B, and E. In addition, almond oil contains heart healthy fats, potassium and folic acid. Some people like to use Almond oil in cooking to replace some of the less healthy (or not healthy at all) cooking oils available in supermarkets today. I like Solid Coconut Oil for most of my cooking, however. I like the slight coconut flavor it provides. I use Almond Oil from time to time, where the flavor of coconut might not be appropriate or desired.
Mini Starter Kit
This fun little kit contains 6 popular and essential oils that would benefit any person or household. These are LeBreezey, LeDeeper, LeDeliverance, LeMillenia, and Lavender officinalis. Included are small bottles of the two carrier oils, almond and coconut, discussed above. Miracle Salve, that amazing healing salve developed for use with serious widespread burns, is also included. This salve is amazingly effective for so many uses.
This month the Mini Starter kit comes with a bonus $10 Butterfly Express gift card. It would make a great gift for someone you want to learn to enjoy the wonderful world of essential oils as much as you do!
Essentials Kit
As the name of this kit implies, the oils in this kit are among the most popular for use with common conditions and situations that may be encountered in daily living. These are LeBreezey, LeDeliverance, LeMelaPlus, LeMillenia, LeSunburst, LePaine, and LeTranquility. They are among the earliest of the blends that I created as Butterfly Express, LLC, came into being. I would not even like to think about not having any one of these blends available, ready to my hand, at any time.
The kit also comes in a beautiful wooden box, which will hold 25 essential oils in a small and easy-to-store space.
Salve Sampler
The Butterfly Express product line includes a wide variety of salves, lotions, and carrier oils. Created one at a time for specific uses, the list has become extensive enough to be a bit intimidating to some folks, I suppose. This sampler kit would be a good place to become acquainted with the strong points of these four basic and very useful salves!
BHM is a very effective, all-purpose salve. The 12 herbs in this salve are very beneficial in healing injuries or many types of issues with bones, muscles, skin, and deeper tissues. This salve greatly speeds up the healing process!
BHM Plus Salve has all the same herbs as the BHM salve, with 4 additional herbs that are specific to infections and suppurating sores. This is a very potent salve! It is better at drawing out infections than anything I have ever seen on the market—both herbal and otherwise. The experiences, over many years, that I could relate to you are varied and would be almost unbelievable.
CM Salve is a basic salve for healing non-open wounds such as breaks and sprains. It is particularly good for rashes and skin irritations of many varieties. CM can be layered with Arnica oil if there is swelling. Consider using the BHM salve instead of or along with this one for injuries.
Miracle Salve was given this name because, from the very first day of its creation, it worked miracles. This salve was made specifically for treating burns and has been used on everything from mild sunburns to very severe burns. If I were to only have 1 herbal salve in my home it would be this one. Miracle Salve contains 5 very amazing herbs, Comfrey, Lobelia, Mullein, Oregon Grape, and Plantain.
List of Topics
Tip: Use the “find on page” or ctrl+F to quickly find where these topics in this blog.
abundance,
almond,
analgesic,
anorexia,
anthopogon,
anti-inflammatory,
antibacterial,
antioxidants,
anxious,
appreciation,
arthrtis,
BHM,
BHM plus,
blessed waters,
blood pressure,
blood sugar,
bloom brite tea,
bone pain,
bountiful,
bounty,
breast cancer,
breezey,
burns
cancer,
carcinoma,
carrier oil,
cassia,
cellulite,
cinnamon,
circulation,
CM salve,
colds,
color,
comfort,
comfrey,
congestion,
courage,
crisis,
deeper,
deliverance,
detoxifies,
digestion,
digestive,
discontentment,
dissatisfaction,
echinacea,
eczema,
elderberries,
emotion,
endocrine,
energy,
essential oil,
essentials kit,
eucalyptus,
fat,
fat burning,
fennel,
finances,
flu,
folic acid,
frequency,
generosity,
ginger,
grace,
grapefruit,
grateful heart,
happiness,
heart arrhythmia,
heart health,
heartsong,
herbal,
herbal tea,
herbs,
hibiscus,
immune system,
inflammation,
joints,
joy,
lavender,
lemon balm,
lemongrass,
limonene,
liver,
lobelia,
lymphatic system,
melaplus,
merry and bright tea,
metabolism,
millenia,
mini starter kit,
miracle salve,
money,
morning sickness,
mullein,
nausea,
nervous system,
optimism,
orange,
oregon grape,
paine,
pancreatic,
peace,
peppermint,
plantain,
potassium,
rescue remedy,
respiratory,
roller bottles,
rose,
rose de mai,
rosehips,
rosemary,
salve sampler,
sciatica,
self-care,
self-improvement,
sensitive skin,
skin,
skin,
snifflez tea,
spearmint,
spruce,
stomach,
strength,
stress,
success,
sunburst,
tachycardia,
thyme,
thymus,
thyroid,
tonic,
tranquility,
upset stomach,
vitamin c,
vitamins,
weightless,
wellness,
wrinkles,
yarrow,
About The Author
lareesbutterfly@gmail.com
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