During the summer holidays, children often consume sweets like soft drinks, popsicles, and ice cream. These sugary treats can create an acidic condition in the blood, tissues, and organs, which in Oriental medicine is known as a "Yin" or expanded condition. By mid-September, it's common for children to develop colds or the flu, as the body tries to eliminate the excess toxins through discharge. However, another issue that can arise, often unnoticed, is head lice. Lice are drawn to the warm, moist scalp where they can bite and lay sticky eggs that adhere to hair strands like Velcro.
Pharmacies typically offer chemical-based remedies and special combs to remove lice, but there is a safer, more natural alternative: organic essential oils. Research from Iceland has shown that essential oils like anise, cinnamon leaf, thyme, tea tree, peppermint, and nutmeg can be effective against head lice when added to shampoo and rinse solutions.
DIY Lice Recipe
You can create your own lice treatment blend by mixing the essential oils mentioned above. Add about one teaspoon of your blend to an equal amount of shampoo, massage it into the scalp, and cover the head with a disposable shower cap for 30 minutes. After rinsing, apply 1/2 cup of Thieves Fresh Essence mouthwash to the hair and scalp, massaging it in for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. This natural treatment will penetrate the lice and their eggs, eliminating them without the use of toxic chemicals.
Be sure to wash all bedding, towels, and clothing that may have come into contact with lice to prevent re-infestation. Also, be cautious in places like movie theaters and airplanes, where you might rest your head and risk exposure.
Recommended Essential Oils: Thieves, Tea Tree, Idaho spruce, Palo Santo, Lavender, peppermint, thyme, geranium, nutmeg, rosemary, cinnamon bark, and Purification.
Suggested Blend:
4 drops of thyme
2 drops of lavender
2 drops of geranium
This blend can be used as both a treatment and a follow-up scalp scrub. The addition of lavender makes it gentler for children, while thyme provides the necessary strength to eliminate lice.
It's important to use high-quality, organic essential oils, like those from Young Living, which are distilled in stainless steel to avoid impurities that can cause adverse reactions. Using essential oil diffusers can also be helpful for children and adults with colds.
Top 11 Tips:
Boost Focus: Use peppermint or rosemary essential oil in a diffuser while studying or doing homework. These oils are known to enhance concentration and mental clarity.
Reduce Stress: Lavender essential oil is excellent for calming nerves. Diffuse it in the evening to help unwind and promote a restful sleep before school days.
Energize Mornings: Start the day with a refreshing blend of citrus oils, like lemon or orange. Adding a few drops to a diffuser can invigorate the space and help kickstart your morning.
Enhance Mood: Use a blend of bergamot and ylang-ylang essential oils to boost mood and combat any back-to-school jitters. A few drops in a diffuser can create a more positive atmosphere.
Promote Healthy Study Habits: Create a calming study environment by diffusing chamomile or sandalwood essential oils. These oils can help maintain a focused and relaxed mindset.
Support Immune Health: Blend tea tree or eucalyptus essential oils with a carrier oil and apply it to the chest to help support respiratory health and boost the immune system during cold and flu season.
Improve Sleep: Create a bedtime routine with a lavender or cedarwood essential oil diffuser. These oils are known for their relaxing properties and can help improve sleep quality. Lavender promotes restful sleep, while other oils purify the air and help remove elements that can disturb the body.
Clear Mental Fog: For a quick mental boost during schoolwork, inhale a blend of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils. This can help clear mental fog and improve clarity.
Create a Calming Atmosphere: Add a few drops of frankincense or geranium essential oils to a diffuser to create a peaceful environment that can help with relaxation and stress relief.
Refresh the Classroom: If you're a teacher or have a classroom space, use essential oil sprays with oils like lemon or lavender to keep the space fresh and inviting.
Encourage Healthy Habits: Promote a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep to keep energy levels up and support overall well-being.
Reference: Essential Oils Desk Reference
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