Preventive Health & Root-Cause Medicine

Learning to “read” your own body is a skill that everyone learned to some degree in days gone by….. much like tracking an animal🐾, interpreting weather signs , or “reading” 🌱 plants in a forest. Failure to do any of these things well could have cost you your life. Now we tend to rely on professionals (or electronics) to work exclusively on our behalf. There are many problems to simply handing over life skills to someone else to manage, not the least of which is personal vulnerability….. I mean, who has a paper map in their car?… and what would happen if your GPS suddenly shut down?

When we wait for someone else to “find” the problem, a slippery slope may result. Just like having low air in a tire, it’s so much easier to air the tire back up and identify and fix the cause of the low tire pressure,  than it is to drive on it until it’s flat and damaged and has to be completely replaced (expensive!!) by a professional. 

Throughout 2021, I’ll be unpacking “health clues you can use” to help you decide which supplements and essential oils may warrant further investigation or perhaps which lifestyle changes your body may benefit from. #wearealluniquelymade

Today, let’s unpack the lunula… finger by finger! 
The entire body is a storehouse of clues….. Especially hands and nails! Fingernails are a snapshot of the last 6 months of a person’s health….. The lunula is the crescent shaped area at the base of your fingernails… and that’s the only part of the fingernail I’m talking about today. Ideally, you want  8 of your 10 fingernails to have prominent lunula. Fewer than 8 prominent lunulas on the fingernails may be an indication of low cellular oxygen or poor circulation overall.

Lunula size also differs among different ethnic groups, and they are commonly absent on children. Keeping an eye on “normal” within your individual body is what’s important. Changes in size of the lunula are ultimately what should raise a hairy eyebrow. Overall, if the lunulas grow in size to cover more than ⅓ of the nail bed, if may indicate an ongoing endocrine disorder or cardiovascular issue. If the lunulas have almost disappeared , it may indicate low blood pressure, a weakened immune system, thyroid gland disorder or a vitamin (B12) deficiency.

The overall color of the lunulas are important too (taking into consideration…. Did you squish it with a hammer recently?!?😣)

Gray: severe fatigue, digestion disorders, and possible nutrient deficiencies
White: healthy and natural. Should be several shades lighter than skin tone.
Purple: poor circulation and lack of oxygen.
Pink: may indicate lower levels of physical activity and lung function
Black: a common symptom of heavy metal poisoning
Half pink/ Half white accompanied by a thinner darker band of color: possible kidney dis-ease. 

Moving on to each finger……
Pinky Finger: the lunula should be nearly invisible. Its appearance may be an indication of the function of small intestines, kidneys, and heart.
Ring Finger: the lunula should be prominent, and may be related to the health of the reproductive and lymphatic systems, and to a lesser extent, the digestive system.
Middle Finger: should also be prominent, and may be related to the health of your brain and vascular system. If your lunula is absent on this finger, it may indicate a potential issue with blood vessels or higher blood pressure.
Index Finger: should also be prominent. If it is tiny or nearly gone, it may indicate issues with your intestine or pancreas (get your glucose checked! Home meters are very inexpensive and do not require a prescription). A tiny or absent lunula on this finger may also indicate a chronic (not acute) upper respiratory dis-ease.
Thumb: should also be prominent, but not more than 25% of your nail bed. It may be an indication of the workings of the lung and spleen.

Matthew 24:28 contains an interesting proverb. “For wherever the carcass is, there will be vultures gathered.” There is a wise lesson here. Seeing one clue does not mean much….. until you put them together with many clues (the difference between one vulture flying over head vs several circling). Clue gathering is a talent, but it’s one we can ALL cultivate…. After all, our ancestors did it with little to no formal education!
Let’s have some fun………knowing what your lunulas just “told” you, how did what they say align with what you already know about your body? AND, which  YL essential oils or supplements is your body asking for based upon these clues?
xoxo~ liz

If you’d like more information in an individualized coaching format, 2021 is the year to do it!

#caringissharing
#applicationofknowledgeispower
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisknowingthyselfwell
#ThanksYL
PS: Do not interpret this post as medical advice…. My intention is not to diagnose, treat, or cure anyone…. only to raise awareness that you are the lone CEO of your body, and you can easily gather the tools to build a healthier life! Consider making 2021 your year to learn to read the roadmap that is your body!

​If you are in the 40 to 60 something age category (as I am), have you noticed that a number of friends or acquaintances of similar age have complained of shoulder joint pain and stiffness? I used to assume that this was the result of normal wear and tear as we age, and sometimes that is the case. Often tho, I run into people who have shoulder pain and stiffness who cannot recall having had a memorable recent injury. Idiopathic (ie: unknown cause) frozen shoulder usually starts out with a dull or achy pain in only one shoulder, with pain that may extend to the shoulder muscles that wrap around the front of the arm that ultimately leads to long term limited mobility of that joint.  It’s a painful and frustrating disorder because there isn’t really a known cure, and it nearly always “unfreezes” on its own within 6 months to 2 years, although injections to surgery are often recommended by western medicine. 

Idiopathic frozen shoulder (called “50 year old shoulder” in Eastern Medicine)  happens much more often in women than in men, usually between the age of 40 and 60yrs old…… coincidentally around the time hormone production really wanes… specifically estrogen.

When estrogen production decreases significantly, the flexibility of our connective tissue is affected. We may see it visibly as crepey looking skin, but make no mistake…. Your joints are being affected too….. In this case, specifically the shoulder capsule.

Learning what I’ve learned over the last many years, I’ve chosen not to go down this path by doing the following things:
💪Regular full motion exercise (lots of shoulder work)
💪Yoga (faith based for me)
💪Supporting my hormones fully thru perimenopause (early stage) and menopause. I use Progessence Plus (on my forearms and on the carotid artery points on my neck nightly, and I also alternate between PD 80/20 and Femigen (one capsule a day works for me). According to my labwork, tho I am in menopause, my estrogen and progesterone levels have been maintained at healthy levels to keep my body functioning well. (I highly recommend hormone/thyroid labwork on at least a yearly basis if you are wanting physical confirmation of what’s working and what’s not working for you!… if you do not have a way to get this done, please message me and I can help you.)

We are all built very differently, and are at different stages in our lives. If you support your hormones with a Young Living product(s)….. Tell me, what have you found that works for you, and how do you use it?
xoxo~ liz

#sharingiscaring
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisknowledge
#caringforyourselfsoyoucancareforothers
#ThanksYL

🎶🎶 Sleeeeep in heavenly peace……🎶 🎶

Roughly 1/3 of the US population has at least occasional problems either falling asleep or staying asleep, and over time, sleeplessness will become a tremendous health problem if not addressed properly. (emphasis on the properly!)

There are more than 2 handfuls of common reasons why people have trouble sleeping (way more than I can cover here today). 

What’s concerning are the number of people who ultimately turn to prescription medication to help get a “good night’s ” sleep. We have been conditioned to believe that if a doctor writes a prescription, the benefits surely outweigh the risks. While this is sometimes true, it’s not always the case. “Sleeping pills” are what we call ‘fast movers’ in pharmacy…. ie: they are a popular item. 

Not so fast….  let’s take a look at a few lesser known truths about some common (Ambien, Klonopin, Lunesta, Restoril, Xanax, Sonata) prescription sleep aids:
😴None of these are approved by the FDA for long term use, yet people are on them for years.
The sleep achieved using any of these is not natural, refreshing, or restorative. The sleep you get  is an artificial sleep and your body recognizes the difference. Our body does its repairing and recovering during “natural sleep”, and that doesn’t happen to any appreciable degree when using the above medications. (In addition, by their very definition, they are an additional toxin the body must now work extra hard to clean out.)
😴All of the above prescription meds also block the body from being able to produce melatonin (the very hormone that helps us sleep). This is one of the reasons this group of prescription medications become addictive…. because your body produces less and less melatonin the longer you are on them.
😴Melatonin “deficiency” is a bigger problem than just not being able to sleep without a pill…. normal melatonin levels are necessary for immune function, having energy throughout the day, having healthy breast tissue, effective brain function, supports healthy cardiovascular function, improved GUT (yes!) health, eye health, and pancreas function (Just to name a few! 😍) 
😴Additionally, several of these prescription sleep aids also deplete a body’s stores of Calcium and Vitamin D over time (which will ultimately affect your bones and about 400 other necessary functions in the body) 😬

I am thankful that we have natural choices instead of that which is advertised as  ‘simple’ solutions in nearly every form of mainstream media you see. 
My favorite Young Living products that help me have a restful restorative night’s sleep are RutaVala (on the base of the big toe and in the belly button! and Immupro …. it’s back 🙌). I also love Frankincense and Peace & Calming!)
What’s your “go to” for a good night’s sleep? 
xoxo~ liz

#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisagoodnightssleep
#ThanksYL
#Godgaveuswhatweneedinthegarden

Let me preface this post by saying it’s never a good idea to get your hand in the way of a sharp object! That said, life happens.

One of the reasons I embraced YL 7 years ago was this: preparedness. We live on a farm,  and minor accidents are not an  uncommon thing. I’ve gotten really good at triaging what “we can fix ourselves” and what needs bigger attention by professionals who stitch for a living. 

I’ve heard it said that “your oils are expensive “. True. They can be pricey,  but quality products generally are. Let’s compare pricing here: 
(We have a high deductible to meet, so all expenses would have been out of pocket)
Plan A: 
💰A trip to the ER for a stitch up while company was in from out of town (time)
💰A covid test (personally not a fan of this)
💰Time waiting in the emergency room with a bunch of other people who might actually be sick.
💰💰stitches (according to this article, on insurance,  it’s 500$ per stitch  https://www.advisory.com/…/why-does-a-hospital-stitch… )
💰Avoiding a conversation as to what recommended toxins I should be adding to my body for the next 10 days. (priceless)
💰💰💰💰💰💰= roughly 1000$ or more (based on the link above, with insurance it probably would have been about 5 stitches)

OR
Plan B:
👀 Taking a look at my wound and recognizing that it was stitch worthy but relatively superficial.
* Applying the practical knowledge gleaned from reading and listening to others in our Young Living community. #PricelessEducation
*Having the tools on hand and having confidence in them. (Add Thieves foaming hand soap and Inner Defense to the list here)
💰 I estimate that I spent about 100$ on Plan B. 🙌🙏💗 #winnerwinner
Economics. Are our oils worth it? You betcha! 
Have a blessed Tuesday!
xoxo~ liz

#frugalhealthandwellnessningja
#becauselifehappens
#betterthanbalingwireandducttape
#savingmoney 
#ThanksYL
#goodmedicine
PS: this post does not constitute medical advice!😘

This past weekend, I co-hosted our 3rd annual Guns ‘n Poses (yoga, health and wellness topics, and firearms instruction) event for our YL family. #memberperks Personal self care empowerment comes in many forms and it is something I deeply truly love about the Young Living lifestyle…..thru the application of what we learn from one another, we become more adept at being our own CEO of the temple that is our body.

My teaching topic for the event was frequency and how it relates to fear and how to raise your own frequency should you find it faltering. Fear is one of the lowest frequency emotions.  

Here are a few tidbits to chew on:
⚡️ Frequency is a term that measures electricity. It’s not hoo hoo stuff… it’s physics and biology. If you’ve ever had an EEG or EKG the frequency of your heart or brain has been measured.
⚡️ Certain emotions drive the body’s frequency up or down. High frequency emotions are Joy, Freedom, Love, Empowerment, Happiness, Enthusiasm (and many more). 😃
Low frequency emotions include worry, frustration, doubt, anger, guilt, and others……. including fear. 😱Fear (chronic or acute) is one of the most damaging of all emotions….. especially the chronic variety. 
⚡️ Chronic fear is incredibly stressful to the body, and has been found to be equivalent to a pack of cigarettes a day habit…. not a place any of us wants our body to be in. Chronic fear is also quite hard on the immune system. 
The Bible says…. over 365 times…. “fear not.” We are to have a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7) This is not simply a suggestion, it’s also a health tip. 😉 We need to strive to live within  the higher frequency emotions and feelings so that we may retain a sound and strong mind and body. 
Lord knows this is something we need to be sharing far and wide right now! #2020hasbeenahotmess

Quick tips on raising your body’s frequency:
⚡️ Work on getting your body more alkaline. (Fear and an acidic body tend to go hand in hand). Low voltage/frequency = low pH
Have you tried Alkalime (YL item #3199) ? It works to settle the belly, but it also gently raises the body’s pH. 
⚡️ Positive thoughts drive positive emotions. Be kind, especially to yourself. We often tend to be our own worst critic. Words are powerful. Speak to yourself in love. Look into podcasts by Dr. Caroline Leaf if this is a struggle.
⚡️ Exercise! Grab your bottle of Motivation essential oil and use it if exercise is hard for you. The more you do it, the easier it will become. (promise!!)
 ⚡️  Ditch processed foods and focus on eating foods that have a positive electrical charge… Living whole foods!
⚡️  Make sure you are continuing to remove toxins from your lifestyle. Toxins are frequency zappers! We all have access to the cleanest products on the planet in the way of Thieves Household cleaner, our YL body and skin care products…. not to mention our Savvy Minerals (standard cosmetics are LOADED with toxins).
⚡️ Make sure you spend a little time in nature every single day, and disconnect when you are doing so (disconnect regularly even if you cannot get outside) ! (Leave your phone or laptop indoors while you enjoy the gifts God gave us). Electrically speaking, this is called “grounding”. 
⚡️ High frequency oils are also very very helpful. Idaho Blue Spruce, Sacred Mountain, Rose, Joy, Forgiveness, Frankincense, Gentle Baby and Helichrysum are all in the higher frequency list. Apply topically or diffuse.  Diffusing any of these may be helpful in group situations too. (I call this my stealth happiness tool in group settings)

We are blessed to have all these tools available, making ourselves and our sphere of influence a less stressful, fear reduced environment. 
What’s your “go to” in times of high stress or fear? I utilize all of the above depending on the situation, but my “go to” oils are Stress Away, Sacred Mountain, and Frankincense. 
xoxo~ liz

#fearnot
#sharingiscaring 
#frequencyhealing
#goodmedicine
#knowbetterdobetter