As mother of three and an attorney, I started researching and using all-natural essential oils to find out more about comprehensive, healthier living. I’m an attorney, so I’m attracted to evidence-based results.

Our bodies are organic, and carbon-based.  So are essential oils, which are absorbed through pores and hair follicles, and sent throughout the bloodstream.  Essential oils can actually cross through cell walls, while regular manmade medicines cannot.  Each plant extract has chemical properties that are distinctive; the chemical constituents/properties of the oils are carried in the bloodstream to all areas of the body to bring about physiological change. Oils have been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient societies.  

For example, frankincense, has the following properties:  Analgesic, Antidepressant, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Astringent, Cellular protection, Diuretic, Expectorant, and Sedative, and can be used for many health concerns, such as:  Asthma, Bronchitis, Cuts and Wounds, Dermatitis, Indigestion, Neurological Disorders, Scarring, Skin Disorders, Sore Throat, Stomach Ache, and Tumor reduction.  We all know that lavender is calming, and peppermint is good for an upset stomach, but there are numerous oils which can be used for a multitude of ailments.

There are three ways to use essential oils:

·       Aromatically:  Add a few drops of essential oils to a cool mist diffuser.  This is a great way to change the mood, purify the air, and enjoy a scent without chemicals.  You can also put a drop of essential oil in the palm of your hand and breathe in for instant aromatherapy.

·       Topically:  Applied to the skin.  Essential oils are usually mixed with a carrier oil so they go further and are easier to rub into the skin.  Many people use roller bottles, and apply oils to the bottoms of feet, palms, spine, chest, over the heart, temples, forehead, or wherever they are experiencing pain or discomfort.

·      Internally: Only for therapeutic grade oils.  You can ingest essential oils by placing a few drops in water, juice, or local honey; by filling a capsule; or directly under the tongue.  You can even cook with oils like basil, cilantro, & rosemary!  Dipping the tine of a fork in the bottle is enough to flavor a whole pot of pasta sauce.

I started Essential Oil Boost because, like most families with two working professionals, we often took the path of least resistance…a dryer sheet is easy to pull out and throw in every load of laundry without thinking about what you are doing to your family’s health. But, when I saw the long list of chemicals in dryer sheets and fabric softeners, I cringed. My family had already been using essential oils in other capacities (even to flavor water!) and, as an avid knitter, it seemed a logical progression to create wool dryer balls and use 100% natural essential oils to scent them. The company’s debut product is Have a Ball! wool dryer balls—an environmentally-conscious and healthy alternative to fabric softener and dryer sheets.

Here is how essential oils can help make laundry less of a chore and more of a health-boost:

Essential oils in the washer:

§  Sanitize laundry and powerful stain fighters (think cleaning cloths, towels, kids’ clothes, after family members have been ill)–  Lemon oil, or doTERRA On Guard Protective Blend (they actually make On Guard laundry detergent).
§  Wash away the musty “I forgot wet clothes in the washer” smell– Lemon oil or doTERRA Purify.
§  Deodorize laundry—Lavender, lemon, Citrus Bliss
§  Add to homemade laundry detergent for an all-natural scent
§  Clean the washing machine—Mix vinegar and baking soda with lemon, Wild Orange, or Citrus Bliss
 
Essential oils in the dryer:
All Natural scent.  Most “lavender” laundry products have no lavender in them.  The smells are all synthetic.  A few drops on dryer balls provide a light smell in the scent of your choice. No chemicals. Nothing fake.
 
In 1991, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a document revealing that potent carcinogens are present in fabric softeners and dryer sheets. Included within the long list of chemicals is benzyl acetate, which has been linked to pancreatic cancer. Ethanol, another ingredient, is on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders. Limonene, a known lung irritant, was also prominent, as was chloroform, which is a carcinogen and neurotoxin. Additionally, liquid fabric softeners were found to contain formaldehyde.

Fabric softeners and dryer sheets are specifically designed to impart chemicals onto clothing, instead of being rinsed away. These chemicals will be absorbed by your skin over time. Plus, when fabric softeners are exposed to heat (such as hot water, a dryer, or an iron), toxic vapors can be released into the environment.

Dryer balls bounce around and separate clothing, allowing air to circulate more freely. In addition, the 100% natural wool construction helps absorb moisture from the load, which reduces drying time by up to 25%, uses less energy, and decreases static.
Essential oils can boost our overall well-being; maybe having it all—and having a ball—is within reach.

About the author
Heidi Holland Seamon is an attorney who founded Essential Oil Boost after witnessing the benefits of all-natural essential oils. After extensive research, Seamon incorporated all-natural essential oils into her family’s routine. After witnessing the tremendous benefits to herself and her loved ones, she founded Essential Oil Boost to share the power of all-natural essential oils with others. With the company’s debut product, Have a Ball! 100% wool dryer balls, the company hopes to spread the word about the toxicity of dryer sheets and fabric softeners—and provide a healthy, sustainable, practical, and affordable alternative.
 

More info: https://www.etsy.com/shop/essentialoilboost or www.facebook.com/EssentialOilBoost.