Nicole Barczak

All Things Head

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Whether it's seasonal issues, stress-related tension, or something more serious, when your head is uncomfortable it can feel impossible to function. And while we're not here to diagnose or treat anything, there are a lot of ways we can support ourselves in this area - both daily and acutely. Here are some of our best tips for handling the bumps in the road when it comes to keeping your head on straight!

image FAVORITES FOR ALL THINGS HEAD

  • Peppermint, Wintergreen, Copaiba, Frankincense essential oils
  • PanAway, M-Grain, Deep Relief essential oil blends
  • Stress Away, Lavender essential oils (great for stress/tension components!)
  • Raven, R.C. and Lemon (for congestion-related needs)
  • Ortho-Ease Massage Oil (works great as a carrier in roller blends for extra oomph!)
  • CBD Muscle Rub (a fan favorite!!!)
  • CBD Drops (can use topically or most people drop under the tongue)
  • Cool Azul Pain Relief Cream (for anything that is painful!)
  • AminoWise, Grapefruit Bergamot or Lavender Lemonade Vitality Drops - for hydration!

Most often our complaints about our heads are that we need a little soothing. Something is causing pressure, tension or a feeling of pulsating in our heads and we need it to stop! When we have acute immune system needs, all that stuffiness or congestion can build to create lots of tension in our heads. Or if we've been stressed, locking our jaws and holding our shoulders tense, the surrounding muscles can't relax. This also creates tension in our heads and necks. Or maybe there are dietary triggers that make you sensitive to light, sounds and scents. Either way, there are some really great (and simple!) recipes to soothe things down so we can keep going.

DIY Rehydrating Spritzer Because a lot of times dehydration is the issue when it comes to head tension!

  • 4 oz NingXia Red
  • 1 scoop AminoWise
  • Grapefruit Bergamot Vitality Drops
  • Mineral Water of choice or organic coconut water
  • Optional: ½ tsp Golden Turmeric powder Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!

image Soothe & Settle Peppermint Tea

  • 2 drops each Copaiba, Frankincense Vitality
  • 3 drops Peppermint Vitality
  • Raw local honey
  • Optional: echinacea or chamomile tea Add honey to a mug, then add oils. If using tea, steep the tea in a separate mug or carafe until cooled slightly, then add to the honey and oils. Note: If you just have Peppermint Vitality, you can add a couple drops to a mug of tea!

Everyday Wellness Tonic For when your head tension is related to an acute immune system need!

  • Splash apple cider vinegar (with ‘the mother')
  • 1-2 drops Cassia essential oil or Cinnamon Bark Vitality
  • Small sprinkle cayenne pepper
  • 1 drop of Thieves Vitality
  • About 2 oz apple juice or NingXia Red

image DIFFUSER & ROLLER RECIPES FOR HEAD TENSION Soothe It Diffuser Blends

  • 4 drops each Peppermint, Spearmint, Lavender
  • 4 drops each Frankince, Lemon, Lavender
  • 5 drops PanAway, 4 drops Peppermint

Head On/ Tension Roller - Great for when your head and neck are needing some tension release and TLC!

  • 10 drops each Copaiba, PanAway or Cool Azul, Peppermint, Frankincense
  • Carrier of choice or Ortho-Ease Massage Oil
  • Optional: 2-3 droppersful Cool Mint CBD drops
  • Optional: 15 drops Wintergreen (ages 8+)

M-grain Magic Roller - For soothing when you're feeling sensitive to light/sound.

  • 25 drops M-Grain, Copaiba
  • 10 drops Lavender, Peppermint
  • Carrier of choice or Ortho-Ease Massage Oil
  • Optional: 2-3 droppersful Cool Mint CBD drops

Post Workout Roller - Great for soothing sore muscles!

  • 20 drops Peppermint
  • 10 drops Cypress, Copaiba, Clove
  • Carrier of choice or Ortho-Ease Massage Oil

Little Chompers Roller - For teething little ones or when littles need head tension support.

  • 10-20 drops Copaiba, Lavender
  • 10 drops Clove
  • Carrier of choice

Breathe Easy Roller - for when congestion is causing head issues too!

  • 20 drops Raven or Ravintsara
  • 10 drops Lemon
  • 10 drops Purification
  • Carrier of choice

SPRINGTIME SURVIVAL + AIR QUALITY NEEDS Sometimes when pollen starts flying or the air quality goes down, our heads can feel fuzzy and full. The irritants and allergens in the air that are affecting other parts of the respiratory system will absolutely affect our heads as well! In addition to the tips + recipes listed below, here are a few other ideas to help combat those irritants:

  • Lavender, Lemon & Peppermint (LLP): this trio is THE springtime blend! Diffuse it, roll it on your chest, neck and even just inside the nostrils to help combat the pollen. Keep it on and around you 24/7! If you need a little more, add Copaiba or Tea Tree to the mix.
  • Lavender Vitality: a Lavender swipe on the inside of the cheek or a drop under your tongue a few times a day is another great springtime habit. Lavender is nature's antihistamine!
  • AllerZyme capsules: this enzyme complex is ideal for individuals with dietary sensitivities, so it can also help with seasonal needs!
  • Use the DIY Nasal Salts, Sinus Support Steam, Changing Seasons Oral Spray and capsules listed below to decrease sinus pressure!

SINUS RECIPES & DIYS Sinus Support Steam Pot When you're needing some relief from the pressure that spring can cause your sinuses, give this tried and true trick a go!

  • Bowl of very hot, steaming water
  • 2-3 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
  • 2-4 drops Dorado Azul Essential Oil Add essential oils to the water (start with the lower end and add more as desired). Place a towel over your head and sit with your head above the steam bath to open the airways

DIY Nasal Salts

  • 10 drops Lavender essential oil
  • 15 drops Copaiba essential oil
  • 8 Tbsp of ultra fine salt (unprocessed, no iodine)
  • Ceramic Neti pot Mix well and store in a sealed glass jar. To use, dissolve 1 tsp of salt mixture into 1&1/2 cups of distilled water (or water from a Berkey filter or boil and cool some water), then add to your Neti pot and use as needed.

Changing Seasons Oral Spray

  • 10mL glass spray bottle
  • 1 drop each Lavender Vitality, Copaiba Vitality, Peppermint Vitality
  • 2 drops Orange Vitality, Lemon Vitality
  • Splash Thieves Mouthwash, optional
  • Filtered water Add all ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well. Spritz into your mouth daily or as desired!

DIY Season's Change Capsules

  • 2oz glass dropper bottle
  • 30 drops each Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Copaiba Vitality
  • Olive oil to desired dilution (about 2 Tbsp) When you're ready to make a capsule, fill an empty vegetable capsule with a dropperful of the blend and take as desired.