Caroline Craven - Certified Life Coach, MS Advocate, Motivational Speaker, Writer & Patient Expert living with Multiple Sclerosis.
Be the Reason Someone Feels Better Today - and make a few bucks!
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Essential Oils and Multiple Sclerosis
What is multiple sclerosis and how might essential oils help?
(I am not a medical professional - these are just my thoughts and those of others)
According to the National MS Society:
"Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves an immune-mediated process in which an abnormal response of the body’s immune system is directed against the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The exact antigen — or target that the immune cells are sensitized to attack — remains unknown, which is why MS is considered by many experts to be "immune-mediated" rather than "autoimmune."
And we know MS as being a royal pain the rear. So how can we learn to live just a bit better? Because sometimes it just takes a "bit"!
With this in mind, it's time to try some natural solutions that might help calm the autoimmune response and find overall health in the body, mind and soul. Time for essential oils!
I have had positive results using several oils for everything from sleep, nervousness to clearer breathing and wanting more energy. I have found better living through essential oils. Quality of essential oils is a must. The highest quality insures the safest and most effective way to use essential oils whether it's ingested or used topically.
Another article: Essential Oils - a deeper look into its benefits
The beginning is always the toughest. Taking that first step. Well, I did and I am not looking back! Essential oils are helping me manage my MS so I can live better. There is a lot to learn about which oils might help you for which MS symptom.
Check out the 10 top smelling essential oils
Time to change your medicine cabinet!
I am excited about continuing to change my medicine cabinet! Essential oils can help with many issues, medical, mental or physical. I started with the Oil solution for allergies, asthma and it sold me! One inhale and ten times better.
Another article: Essential Oils - a deeper look into its benefits
In learning more about essential oils and multiple sclerosis I came across the following protocol for possibly helping with MS:
I found the following protocol on the internet years ago. This is NOT my protocol but I followed it for a bit (7 days) and found it helpful. Every timePlease remember: I am not a medical professional and do not make recommendations just suggestions that you might want to check out further. Sometimes you got to try everything to see what works for you.
a possible MS protocol with essential oils -
While each person presents a unique health situation, I recommend that protocol for each is customized to match their healing requirements. A general rule of thumb for managing multiple sclerosis is to reduce inflammation, sooth nerves, provide a calm energy, provide comfort to aches and pains, and to enliven those numb and tingling areas. With this in mind here is a general Protocol for multiple sclerosis using essential oils, adapted from a variety of sites and personal experience:
Essential Oil Users Have Found The Following To Assist In Multiple Sclerosis Support:
The Life Long Vitality supplements are suggested by some.
Initial Cleanse
Depending upon health of patient, start with the GX Assist and the PB Assist in a protocol of 10 days GX, 5 days PB, wait 10 days and repeat, wait 10 days and repeat. Do this quarterly. This is a cleanse specifically designed for auto immune disease.
Drop 2-3 drops of Frankincense under the tongue 4 times a day for two weeks.
Another article: Essential Oils - a deeper look into its benefits
Ongoing Support:
Continue the Lifelong Vitality supplements
Morning: Topically apply Peppermint to the bottoms of the feet, take internally, and diffuse.
During the day: add 1-3 drops of Lemon to each glass of water. (drink lots of water-use glass containers ONLY) and ONLY if FRESh lemon is not available (fresh is always best!)
Evening: Topically apply Frankincense to the bottoms of the feet, take internally, and diffuse.
Make a mix of following MS recipe:
· 10 drops Helichrysum
· 10 drops Frankincense
· 10 drops Sandalwood
· 5 drops Basil
· 3 drops Peppermint
Rub 1-3 drops of the MS recipe on brain reflexology points, the forehead, temples and mastoids (just behind the ears) and massage 6-8 drops of oil blend from the base of the skull down the spine
-I personally do not take essential oils internally. Everyone is different. Do what you want and feel best for you. Diffusing and topical application seem to work just great for m!
Additional Ideas:
Other ideas (Listen to your body, it will tell you what you need). Consider the following for their benefits:
· If a flare up or an exacerbation occurs layer (topically apply one oil after another with 1 to 5 minutes between) Peppermint and Frankincense on the bottoms of the feet and/or the affected area.
· If discouraged diffuse Citrus Bliss or other uplifting oils.
· To prevent picking up a infectious disease (that might trigger an exacerbation) diffuse OnGuard or Purify regularly. Rub OnGuard on the feet nightly.
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Also consider these oils in supplemental ways:
· Helichrysum – strong regenerative properties for nerve tissue
· Sandalwood – similar properties as frankincense (antibacterial, antiviral, soothing)
· Clove – one of the strongest agents to kill pathogens
Another article: Essential Oils - a deeper look into its benefits
I had never heard of helichrysum before. (I have helichrysum on order!) it's part of the daisy family, asteraceae. I will check it out more on this oil. Looks promising!
There are many benefits to using essential oils for holistic health and wellness. Any time we can find alternative ways to reach a healthy life, it's worth it!
It's time to be aware of what we put in our bodies. And while essential oils are not medicine nor will they "heal" your MS, there are oils that can help some of the symptoms seem not so bad.
Other favorites of mine:
Leg cramps: lemon grass, basil
Sleeping issues: lavender, cedar wood, serenity
Nerve pain: aroma touch, past tense.
What are some of your favorites?
Another article: Essential Oils - a deeper look into its benefits
I had never heard of helichrysum before. (I have helichrysum on order!) it's part of the daisy family, asteraceae. I will check it out more on this oil. Looks promising!
There are many benefits to using essential oils for holistic health and wellness. Any time we can find alternative ways to reach a healthy life, it's worth it!Other favorites of mine:
Leg cramps: lemon grass, basil
Sleeping issues: lavender, cedar wood, serenity
Nerve pain: aroma touch, past tense.
What are some of your favorites?
Another article: Essential Oils - a deeper look into its benefits
Win a FREE Cooling Headband from CoolTure
This is an EASY Contest to enter - but the award is quite valuable.
Yes, you could just go to the website and purchase one - especially right now as they are on sale. And the colors and options are so plentiful!
But wouldn't it be more cool to actually take a picture of you saying #TakeTHATms!
Share it socially and follow @CooltureUSA. That's it and you automatically enter to win a FREE one of these cooling headbands.
In the meantime - let us know what color and pattern you like best:
Here I am sporting my turquoise bandana headband:
So...How do you say #takeTHATms?
Winner will be randomly drawn on August 31.
Creating Your Own Health - Supplements for MS
Time to take charge with your supplements and say #takethatMS! We talk a bit about diet and nutrition but it is time to share some information about supplements for multiple sclerosis. There are a variety of ones to check out if you have MS, and to discuss with your neurologist about the possibility of taking them or not.
The following supplements all have scientific research showing that they have the potential to be helpful for MS patients. This does not mean you should go out and take all of them at once, but definitely do your research and talk with your medical research.
These articles are all fact-checked, substantiated, written by me and posted on Healthline.com.
Vitamin D - Vitamin D May Help Prevent, Treat Multiple SclerosisHigh Dose Biotin - a Study Looking at High-Dose Biotin as a Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis
Medical Marijuana - Marijuana Touted by Some as a Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis
NRF2 activators - How Oxidative Stress Affects Multiple Sclerosis
It is nice to know that there are some steps we can take to creating our own health. There are other supplements we will look into but this is a good place to get started!
What are some of your favorite ways to say #takethatMS?
Remember, I am not a medical professional, and share my own personal experiences and research.
Do Not Disturb - essential for living with MS
Probably one of the toughest boundaries to respect is the need for peace and quiet in order to restore the battery. It is not unusual for an MS patient, or anyone living with chronic illness, to need to seek a "time-out" from others. This is necessary for wellness and this is when the "Do not disturb" sign goes up outside my door!
I'm not trying to be rude or unsocial to family and guests, but after many a discussion they realize how important this little gesture is for someone like me. The ability to just be quiet. No stimulation - no one talking, no one waving their hands, no noises to distract and hurt the brain. Just peace and quiet.
Often the "time out" is just a few minutes. Maybe 15. Depends on how quiet it is but sometimes it may take an hour to recharge.
There are many ways to create a "Do not disturb" sign. Found these animal signs online and its pretty cute, especially if you have kids. In fact if you print these up in black and white and let the kids color them in it allows for more 'buy in' from the entire family. While coloring and decorating the "Do Not Disturb" signs remember to chat comfortably about your need for "time out" now and then. It's not that you have gotten in trouble, but your body will be in trouble if the time out is not taken.
I'm not trying to be rude or unsocial to family and guests, but after many a discussion they realize how important this little gesture is for someone like me. The ability to just be quiet. No stimulation - no one talking, no one waving their hands, no noises to distract and hurt the brain. Just peace and quiet.
Often the "time out" is just a few minutes. Maybe 15. Depends on how quiet it is but sometimes it may take an hour to recharge.
Have fun with your sign! Here are some from Pinterest that gave me a little chuckle:
Bottomline: Be in control of your own health. Set boundaries. Ask people to respect them. Remind them gently. Take care of YOU!
and #takethatMS
If you do one thing this summer...
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MS in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Our Tour is about to start! A scenic float trip down the snake river. Camera is ready and so am I. We arrived two days ago. The weather cooperated and the Tetons showed their stuff.
More to come...watch this spot!
We took a leisurely hike yesterday to Christian Pond. The MS stayed at bay and I was able to walk the whole way. It was not a long hike but we are at some elevation. And it was Gorgeous!
The boys played with a frisbee that Tauck gave them as part of their care package for the tour. We start in Jackson Hole, travel to Yellowstone then on the Cody and Mt Rushmore.
I took a solo lunch yesterday with cheddar cheese soup and a Pako IPA from a local brewery. The weather has been cool but I've been wearing my Arctic Cool shirts just in case. Just knowing that they can cut the heat a few degrees... I'm going to be away from internet and wifi and unplugging for a few days. Then I'll be back!
More to come...watch this spot!
Peeing One's Pants - Really?
The day has come.
Diapers? But I want to Snaughle with confidence!
Really?
Yes, really. Nervous bladder nelly here has recently been living in her disposable diapers and pads. These things are nasty for the environment. They must be. And if you wear one once but not soil it, well, that's kind of gross to reuse it. And then the red rash comes. I bathe. I clean. I dry. But one day in those disposable wraps will get me every time. Especially now that it's bikini weather.
But wait, I can't completely bash the disposables. Without them I would be a mess! Like just last week when I was serving jury duty in Burbank, California. Usually I have a doctors release. And I did this year. But it came the day after Memorial Day. How could I at least not try this year as I have been recently blessed with better days? Think of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers over the course of history and what they have done or are doing for their country. Time to step up to the plate Ms Craven. Time to step up to the plate.
Well I made jury duty and the case was dismissed by noon. Phew, I made it! And hadn't peed my pants. I took advantage of the restroom then went to my car and drove ten minutes to the Los Angeles River. And decided to do a little fly fishing. I wasn't really feeling it. Body and mind were out of sync. I watched the water for a bit. Made a few castes. Then headed back to car. Either way, Uh oh. Bad choice. Quickly I got to the front seat of my car. Time for the coffee cup. My bladder needed evacuating NOW! And I could tell the diaper wasn't going to hold it all. I hadn't had anything to drink. Where was this all coming from? So I tactfully positioned myself over the cup and then proceeded to overflow all over the front seat of the car. The diaper was used, the mess was mopped. Well, That was interesting. I cleaned myself off best I could and realized how thankful I was not to have been in the courtroom. Ack!
So, although my disposables have saved me time again, the desire for reusable protective underwear is intriguing. And now very accessible via Wearever:
Here is a great program that we took part in back a couple of years ago in 2015. The promotion is not valid anymore but what a great way to help MS patients.
Check out this program with MS Foundation and Wearever:
This is great news! Talk about a win win for everyone. MS Foundation partnered with Wearever back in June 2015 to raise money to support MS Foundation’s efforts. Wearever is a health and wellness apparel brand with lines of incontinence underwear that assist those living with incontinence maintain their dignity while also being protective, comfortable and affordable. These innovative undergarments can be washed and re-used 250+ times, saving the user hundreds of dollars on disposables.
Wearever is donating $1 for every purchase of men and women’s undergarments made in June back to MS Foundation.
Thank you Wearever for helping us all with MS live a better live with our various illnesses. We appreciate you!This great program has ended so but we can still act today and see how we can help our bladders!
UPDATE: the panties came and I am sporting the smooth and silky as we speak. Go ahead, make me laugh and snaughle! While I know the underwear won't hold a pint I do know that I can leak with confidence! And that's a huge confidence builder. In fact I'm going a walk right now and now plastic diaper on my bum.
Thank you MS Foundation for all you do to help us With MS. Check out their website and to see all the great events, research and activities going on around the U.S.
Let's do this!
Diapers? But I want to Snaughle with confidence!
Really?
Yes, really. Nervous bladder nelly here has recently been living in her disposable diapers and pads. These things are nasty for the environment. They must be. And if you wear one once but not soil it, well, that's kind of gross to reuse it. And then the red rash comes. I bathe. I clean. I dry. But one day in those disposable wraps will get me every time. Especially now that it's bikini weather.
But wait, I can't completely bash the disposables. Without them I would be a mess! Like just last week when I was serving jury duty in Burbank, California. Usually I have a doctors release. And I did this year. But it came the day after Memorial Day. How could I at least not try this year as I have been recently blessed with better days? Think of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers over the course of history and what they have done or are doing for their country. Time to step up to the plate Ms Craven. Time to step up to the plate.
Well I made jury duty and the case was dismissed by noon. Phew, I made it! And hadn't peed my pants. I took advantage of the restroom then went to my car and drove ten minutes to the Los Angeles River. And decided to do a little fly fishing. I wasn't really feeling it. Body and mind were out of sync. I watched the water for a bit. Made a few castes. Then headed back to car. Either way, Uh oh. Bad choice. Quickly I got to the front seat of my car. Time for the coffee cup. My bladder needed evacuating NOW! And I could tell the diaper wasn't going to hold it all. I hadn't had anything to drink. Where was this all coming from? So I tactfully positioned myself over the cup and then proceeded to overflow all over the front seat of the car. The diaper was used, the mess was mopped. Well, That was interesting. I cleaned myself off best I could and realized how thankful I was not to have been in the courtroom. Ack!
So, although my disposables have saved me time again, the desire for reusable protective underwear is intriguing. And now very accessible via Wearever:
PROMOTION NOT VALID ANYMORE
This is great news! Talk about a win win for everyone. MS Foundation partnered with Wearever back in June 2015 to raise money to support MS Foundation’s efforts. Wearever is a health and wellness apparel brand with lines of incontinence underwear that assist those living with incontinence maintain their dignity while also being protective, comfortable and affordable. These innovative undergarments can be washed and re-used 250+ times, saving the user hundreds of dollars on disposables.
Wearever is donating $1 for every purchase of men and women’s undergarments made in June back to MS Foundation.
Thank you Wearever for helping us all with MS live a better live with our various illnesses. We appreciate you!This great program has ended so but we can still act today and see how we can help our bladders!
Thank you MS Foundation for all you do to help us With MS. Check out their website and to see all the great events, research and activities going on around the U.S.
Let's do this!
Posted with Blogsy
Guest Post "Just Another Haircut?"
Just another haircut?
by Jennifer Digmann
A British survey conducted by the hair care line Tresemme found that the average woman spends a staggering $50,000 on her hair over her lifetime. In addition, each year we women spend an average of $800 between shampoos and conditioners, styling products and haircuts. Plus, those of us who color our hair tack on another $330 a year.
Outrageous, isn’t it?
What’s worse is that after I read this statistic, it simply served as a reminder that I needed to make a hairappointment. After all it has been almost 6 weeks since I went short with my hair. Okay, maybe it is not as short as some people expected, but it is short to me.
Since being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis more than 16 years ago, my hair length is just another causality of this progressive disease as I’ve had longer hair (middle of my back) most of my life. My hair being cut short is kind of like my driving, working and walking –none of which I am able to do anymore.
Please understand that I haven’t just given in to the disease. I have had oodles of physical therapy to maintain as much as possible, but it gradually has taken these things from me.
Because my arms and hands don’t function as well as they used to, I have made concessions to the disease. It started with simplifying my hairstyle (keep in mind I am a child of the lots-of-Aqua-Net-big-hair 80s, so you can imagine what I mean). Then Ibegan to ask my husband, Dan, for help. And while he could blow dry and flat-iron my hair with the best of stylists in town, how fair was that daily demand to him? So I have learned to accept and appreciate my natural curls. But it was not until the haircut I received 6 weeks ago that I felt totally confident with my “do,” and with doing it myself.
My stylist, Elizabeth, put all of the pieces together in one hairstyle. A little shorter than shoulder length, minimal styling products, wash-and-go curly hair. And you know what? I love my cut! Plus, I have been getting lots ofcompliments on my new shorter style. Yeah, sure that wasn’t why I did it but going shorter and being complimented on my hairdo is a nice perk.
More than anything, cutting my hair has allowed me to regain control over something that my body was letting MS take away. I’ve regained control over my hairstyle, which I like. Bonus, it boosted my confidence, which I love.
Originally posted 12/18/13
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