In my late 30s and for much of my 40s, I suffered badly from migraines, on account of (in retrospect it seems so clear) a super-stressful job that was too good to leave, even though I knew it wasn’t good for me. But I stayed, for years, until they kicked me out, burning this lavender candle at my desk to soothe my head, and—I’m pretty sure—completely zonk out anyone who entered my office for a meeting. But it really is the most excellent scent: strong and green and deeply sedating.
This essential oil from C.O. Bigelow is extra-powerful too.
And I don’t know if I will be able to resist these Liberty of London lavender sardines for the unmentionables drawer.
The other day, I banged the hell out of my ankle trying to move the sofa back into its space after my dog Mister dive-bombed it and sent it sliding across the floor (this, alas, is a near-daily occurrence). It hurt so much a bruise was imminent, I knew, and I bruise badly. So I went directly to the medicine cabinet and applied Herb Pharm’s arnica oil to the affected area, and it never turned purple and gross. Because I am such a bad bruiser, I have tried other arnicas, and some of them are good, but none are as effective as this stuff. It must be highly concentrated or something, I don’t know.
For those who have trouble with insomnia––particularly due to stress––I use CBD oil and Herb Gardens Sleepy Nights. The CBD oil I use is from http://www.openmindedorganics in Bridgehampton,NY. It’s expensive ($165. per bottle), but I take the smallest recommended dosage ergo one bottle lasts for several months. Since I have been using those two products I sleep eight hours a night, wake up refreshed and energized and even if I wake up in the middle of the night because of noises or having to pee I go right back to sleep. Open Minded Organics carries other products which I have NOT used, but I’m told they are also excellent. CBD oil has really and truly changed my life. My massage person uses lavender oil and eucalyptus oil to promote relaxation and breathing and I am a big believer in both.
I am allergic to lavender! Not horribly so, but enough that I get hives when I come into contact with the essential oil. But I’m also an acupuncturist, so i have plenty of other natural tricks up my sleeve. I WILL get some of that arnica, though. Always looking out for the best products!
I first heard about Arnica oil/pills when a Vet recommended it for my horse! It really does help.
Kim, does arnica help with the headaches? I woke up in the middle of the night with one of those head-SPLITTING aches! (I’m sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the stress of midterm elections…😉)
Ah, yes, dog bruises. Unexplained bruises are often the result of 20 pounds of fury and her enthusastic greetings, which involve running full bore into me and bouncing off me with her legs. If it’s not that, it’s scratches from doing the same.
I would like to add one!
Elderberry syrup. When people are coughing and sneezing around me, I take it to ward off getting sick…maybe it’s in my head, but I think it really works.
Plus it tastes like lollipop so it not a chore:-)
Ok I’m off to vote now 👊!
I agree. Elderberry syrup has helped me many, many times.
you’re a peach kimfrance!
when my boys were very small, 1 tiny drop of lavender oil rubbed over the third eye would put them to sleep in no time. i used this sparingly, for fear it would lose its magic.
Also do it sparingly because lavender and tea tree oil appear to be hormone disrupters and can cause breast growth in boys.
https://www.endocrine.org/news-room/2018/chemicals-in-lavender-and-tea-tree-oil-appear-to-be-hormone-disruptors
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17267908
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26353172
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/essential-oils/index.cfm
Unrelated: Applying some grippy shelf liner under sliding-prone furniture is sometimes a godsend.