Search Results

DISINFECT YOUR HOME NATURALLY Benefits of All Natural Cleaning It's Easy Cleanin' Green! Using ingredients derived from nature can do the same jobs that those chemical-based products do! It’s easy, it’s affordable, and you might even find yourself enjoying the process. Green Cleaning disinfects your home naturally, as well as fills the rooms with a lovely, natural aroma. It’s safe for your home, family, and the planet. Chemical-based cleaners can be tough on our immune system and can even cause allergies or respiratory issues. They can dry out our hands, cause irritations, and some synthetic ingredients contribute to indoor and water pollution... they seem to be causing more harm than good. By using natural ingredients, on the other hand, you are improving your indoor air quality, helping environmental impacts, and might even boost your mood while you are at it! Essential oils are incredibly effective and versatile for cleaning. Many of the antimicrobial essential oils also have uplifting therapeutic benefits like Peppermint, Lemon, and Sweet Basil! How Essential Oils Disinfect your Home Naturally These essential oils are our germ-fighting allies. Citrus oils have a chemical compound in them called d-Limonene. d-Limonene has been studied and found to calm inflammation, get rid of germs (things like bacteria and viruses), support immunity, and clear congestion. These oils are pretty darn handy to have around! While these oils have been studied and proven to support these claims, we cannot make medical claims on product labels unless they are approved by the FDA. So just because it’s not on the label, doesn’t mean they aren’t as powerful as chemical-based cleaners! Science does not have to mean artificial or synthetic. Two easy-to-make essential oil-based cleaning recipes that will give your home a thorough Deep Green Clean! *You can swap out the essential oils or mix and match with any one of the options above. I hope you give these a try and enjoy the all-natural freshness of green cleaning! Check out how easy it is to make in just a few minutes with simple steps in the video below. All the best, Rachel

A Brief History of Essential Oils Maybe our modern love of essential oils is rooted in our ancestral DNA. Topsy Blends offers a wide range of both centuries. They have been used for everything from beauty and healing, to ceremonies and food preparation. (1) The first documented use of essential oils was back in 4500 BC. Ancient Egyptians used aromatic oils in cosmetics, perfumes, and ointments as well as for spiritual and physical well-being.  (1) Though it’s not documented, it’s believed that aromatic oils were also being used in traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine during the same time. Based on the recorded history (starting as early as 3000 BC), “China and India listed more than 700 substances including cinnamon, ginger, myrrh, and sandalwood as being effective for healing.”(2) There are many prized depictions of Egyptians in ancient pictorials on temple walls showing royalty using essential oils. As the story goes, an excavation team found King Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922 and found over 50 alabaster jars that were specially carved for essential oils. Previous thieves of the tomb had taken the revered essential oils, but left the gold! (1) The Way to Health The use of essential oils to combat the bubonic plague dates back to the Middle Ages, particularly during the outbreak known as the Black Death in the 14th century. During this time, people turned to essential oils for their purported antiseptic healing properties in an effort to prevent or alleviate the symptoms of the disease. The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, also fumigated the city of Athens with aromatics to combat the plague, and prescribed aromatic treatments to Greek soldiers. (1) Hippocrates is known to have claimed that the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day.  Count me in! Though essential oils had long been considered prized possessions to be used sparingly and with care, Romans used essential oils with sheer decadence. Not only did they scent their hair, body, and beds, but they also lavishly bathed multiple times a day with their oils and had frequent aromatic massages. (1) As history goes, Roman culture was influenced by Greek culture which was influenced by the Egyptians. At least with their use of these precious aromatic oils!  The Test of Time  We continue to use essential oils in many of the same ways our ancestors did. Today, essential oils are widely used throughout the world for therapeutic purposes ranging from sleep disorders, stress relief, wound healing, aches and pains, skincare, cosmetics, bug bite and sting relief, meditation, and an assortment of aromatic purposes. According to the National Library of Medicine, some essential oils like Lavender, Peppermint and Myrrh are still being used pharmaceutically and soon “could be used effectively as suitable alternatives for many synthetically produced medications.”(2) Perhaps Hippocrates was onto something. Maybe it doesn’t have to be hours of soaking or lavish spa days. Maybe the way to health is as easy as using essential oil-based skincare. Topsy Blends offers a wide range of both natural remedies and luxurious body care made with 100% pure essential oils for cleansing daily rituals proven to stand the test of time. Cheers to good health, Rachel  Your personal aromatherapist  (1) https://essentialoilsacademy.com/history/ (2) Elshafie HS, Camele I. An Overview of the Biological Effects of Some Mediterranean Essential Oils on Human Health. Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:9268468. doi: 10.1155/2017/9268468. Epub 2017 Nov 5. PMID: 29230418; PMCID: PMC5694587. (3) https://www.curioushistory.com/the-history-of-essential-oils/

Whether you celebrate Galentine’s day, a day of self love, or go all out for the full meal deal with your special someone, Valentine's Day a great time to focus on giving and receiving the best gift of all, love.♥ Our sense of smell is one of the most powerful tools we can use to encourage love, intimacy, and opening up the heart. Just by smelling and inhaling therapeutic essential oils, you are making an immediate connection with your cerebral cortex that affects your mood and drive. What better way to foster love on all levels than using aromatherapy! Ignite passion, tune in to your own needs and desires, or open your heart. Here are some of the most prized essential oils that help promote love, sensuality and passion: Geranium - A beautiful oil to expand the imagination and intuition. It also helps open the heart up and allow intimate communication. Ginger - A spicy, but sweet oil that helps spice up vitality and libido. Jasmine Absolute - Incredibly floral and sensual oil that is perfect to help inspire love, boost confidence, and release negative self talk. Perfect to promote optimistic energy! Patchouli - This one kinda has a bad rap due to people overusing it, or using it to mask b.o. but it is SUCH a beautiful oil. Earthy, but deeply calming and balancing to the overall system. It truly is one of the best essential oils for opening the heart and has been traditionally used to ignite sensuality for years and years. Rose Absolute - Need I say more? What says LOVE more than a sweet rose. Rose is an incredible healing oil to nurture the heart and promote love on the deepest of levels. Perfect to help mend wounds of the heart, as well as to open the heart up and focus on self love. Sandalwood - This beautiful oil is excellent for supporting inner unity and promoting sensuality. It has also been used for energetic and emotional protection. Vanilla Absolute - Nothing like the sensual, rich scent of vanilla! It has been known to heighten the senses and can be used for all things romance! Ylang Ylang - Another powerful, rich, floral oil. It is excellent for promoting sensual awakening and encouraged feelings of euphoria while also providing peace and balance within. I also have a variety of love potion aromatherapy blends created just for you. ♥ Blossom Multipurpose Oil with Rose, Vanilla, and Lavender in an herbal infusion for skin, ends of hair, nails, and makes for a lovely, sensual massage oil. ♥ Shine Bright Affirmation roll on with Jasmine, Sandalwood and Sweet Orange + an Oregon Quartz Crystal to amplify the energetic properties of the blend. Great for an everyday perfume to encourage self-love, confidence and to lift the spirit. ♥ Lavender Rose Water - a multipurpose spritzer for an air, body and room spray. Perfect for calming the mind and body, opening the heart and embracing your sensuality. No matter how you spend your Valentine’s Day, I hope your love cup is overflowing! Sending you all the best wishes today and always, Your neighborhood aromatherapist, Rachel ♥

A simple routine to revitalize your health. I had no idea how important the lymphatic system was until I had severe underarm pain due to swollen lymph nodes. After researching, developing, and using a lymph circulation support body oil daily, I feel the difference not just in the reduction of pain, but I feel energized and feel healthier than I have in a very long time. Here's what I came to learn... For starters, what is the Lymphatic System? The lymphatic system is a hard-working, complex network of tissues, organs, and lymph nodes all interconnected by lymphatic vessels. It carries waste like bacteria and viruses, as well as transports vital immune cells which are essential in fighting off infections and diseases. Often referred to as the “second circulatory system,” the lymphatic system, unlike the heart, does not have a built-in pump to circulate the lymph. Instead, it depends on body movement, breathing, and muscle contractions to circulate the lymph. When the lymphatic system is stagnant, you can experience fatigue, swelling, painful lymph nodes, bloating/fluid retention, and a potentially weakened immune system. To maintain a healthy lymphatic flow throughout your body and ward off these potential health concerns, it’s essential to exercise, drink plenty of water, and practice a simple, manual lymph massage as frequently as you can. This can be done in the comfort of your own home and only takes a few minutes! Best of all, you can use essential oils to not only enhance your mood during your daily massage but also add many more lymph-loving benefits. Essential oils like Juniper Berry, Geranium, Cedarwood, Lemon, and Peppermint can provide added assistance to get the lymph moving and help boost lymphatic drainage. These essential oils are well-known for their ability to detoxify and cleanse the body, promoting the elimination of waste and toxins throughout the lymphatic system. Juniper Berry  has diuretic properties that help reduce water retention. Peppermint  helps stimulate blood circulation and healthy lymph flow. Geranium, Lemon, and Cedarwood  are wonderful anti-inflammatory essential oils that can help reduce swelling and promote lymphatic drainage, aiding in the release and removal of toxins and excess fluid. To keep you inspired, remember these 5 amazing benefits of doing a daily lymph massage: Immune System Support Reduce Water Retention Stimulate Blood Circulation Reduce Swelling Balance Energy Levels It’s important to dilute essential oils properly before topical use. For daily use, add up to 12 drops of one of these lymph-loving essential oils to 1 ounce of your choice of carrier oil (jojoba, apricot kernel, coconut oil). To make it all the more easy and enjoyable, use a topical made-for-you body oil like the Great Omni Oil! This multipurpose head-to-toe “everything” oil was originally developed as a lymph circulation support oil, but it has a myriad of amazing benefits and daily uses. How to do a Simple Lymph Massage at Home A full body lymph massage only takes about 4 minutes, it feels wonderful, and the benefits will not go unnoticed. You can use just your hands to perform this simple lymph massage, but using a lymph-supporting essential oil topical blend can enhance your results and add many other wonderful health benefits! Step-by-Step Lymph Massage: Neck: • Starting at the neck, Place your fingers just above your collarbone. Stroke Downward: Gently stretch the skin downward, moving towards the collarbone. Repeat this motion about 10 times on each side. Neck and Shoulder: • Behind the Ears: Place your fingers behind your ears. Stroke Down: Gently stretch the skin downward towards your collarbone. Repeat this motion about 10 times on each side. Armpits: • Lift Your Arm: Raise one arm to expose your armpit. Circular Motion: Use the opposite hand to gently massage the armpit in a circular motion for about 10 rotations on each side. Arms: • Start at the Wrist: With your arm relaxed at your side, use your opposite hand to gently massage from the wrist moving upwards towards the elbow.  Repeat this motion from elbow to shoulder. Do about 5-10 strokes per section. Abdomen: • Clockwise Motion: Use both hands to gently massage your abdomen in a clockwise circular motion. Start from the right lower side, move up towards the ribcage, across to the left, and then down. Legs: • Start at the Ankles: Sitting or standing, and use both hands to gently massage upwards from the ankles towards the knee. Repeat this motion moving upwards from the knee to the upper thigh. Do about 5-10 strokes per section. Additional Tips: Breathing:  Deep breathing can enhance the lymphatic flow. Take deep, slow breaths during your massage. Gentle, Upward Motions are Key: Using gentle, upward motions towards the heart encourages healthy lymphatic flow and promotes absorption. Make sure the pressure is light, as the lymphatic vessels are close to the surface of the skin. It should not be painful, only enjoyable and relaxing.  Using a Lymph-Loving Body Oil = Added Benefits! Gently massage The Great Omni Oil  into areas where lymph nodes are concentrated, such as the neck, armpits, and groin, using the same light, circular motions. This is best used on tender or puffy areas to help eliminate waste and toxins. Mindfulness: It's a great time for self-love and repeating body-positivity affirmations! "I will allow myself to enjoy perfect health." Consistency:  Daily lymphatic massage can yield the best results over time. Sometimes it's hard to make time for it. To start, aim for 2-3 times per week. Warm Up:  A warm shower or bath before the massage can help relax your muscles and enhance the benefits. Doing this simple massage not only promotes healthy lymphatic flow but also encourages balance and harmony throughout your whole body. I hope you give this a try and experience the joy of fresh flowing energy! Questions? Comments? Please feel free to reach out via the comment box below! I always love to hear from you. Wishing you good health. Your personal aromatherapist, Rachel Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new health regimen, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

Loving our Skin at Any Age Aging is a natural, humanly occurrence. I’m trying to move away from the term “Anti-Aging” in both my personal and business life. I fully believe in the power of affirmations, and whether it’s conscious or unconscious, if we see continue to see the term “Anti-Aging”, we will grow resentment towards the natural aging process…if we haven’t already! It’s normal for our skin to gradually lose its elasticity and thin itself out. This is part of the skin’s natural aging process. However, there are many different factors of life that can cause the skin to start aging more rapidly and cause premature signs of aging- as well as the contrary! There are also factors that will help slow down the aging process of your beautiful skin! What Causes Premature Aging of Skin? Free Radicals are a large contributor to signs of premature aging. They are molecules that are produced by environmental exposures, like tobacco and radiation (ex. UV rays from the sun and tanning beds). Our body also produces free radicals when it starts breaking down the food we eat.(1) Some of these free radicals are obviously an integral part of life, and some free radicals aren’t even bad. We can’t live without sun and food! The good news, is that we can avoid excess free radicals by incorporating more antioxidants into our diets and in our skincare! Yay for us! What are Antioxidants? Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances that may provide protection against the effects of damaging free radicals on the cells in your body, including your skin. One of the best antioxidants I have found is Vitamin E (tocopherol). “Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is present in the skin and found in various foods, such as vegetables, seeds and meat. It helps the skin look younger by boosting collagen production and in turn reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Unlike other vitamins, skin derives more of its benefits from vitamin E better through topical treatments than through oral supplements.”(1) How to Use Vitamin E for Skincare I use Vitamin E in many of my topical products to slow down the oxidization process naturally, instead of using non-natural preservatives. It is a vital skin nutrient in my Radiant Face skincare line! Vitamin E is one of the main ingredients in my Rose Bud Under Eye Antioxidant Serum. In addition to the Vitamin E, this under eye serum is an antioxidant powerhouse comprised of organic Rose Buds, Therapeutic Essential Oils, and Eyebright Herb Extract. Before bed, I use this cream under my eyes, on smile lines, and any blemishes I have. If you are looking to give your skin some extra TLC, slow down free radicals, and boost your youthful glow, this is a great product to try! Love your Skin! No product will completely eliminate or prevent the fact the our skin will wrinkle with time. Our skin does so much for us on a daily basis to protect us. One of the most helpful things you can do for your mind and body is appreciate all your organs and all their hard work- they are functioning without us even having to consciously think about it! In addition to a daily gratitude practice, take good care of your skin with healthy eating, exercise, and all natural products with quality ingredients. If you are looking for an all natural skincare routine, you might just want to check out these antioxidant skincare goods! (1) DermApproved/ Elfakhani 2013

Essential oils to get grounded, centered, balanced, connected, and focused WHY YOU CAN'T STAY GROUNDED Being grounded is an innate skill that all of us are born with, so why is it so hard to feel balanced, centered and connected all the time?! It can be difficult to maintain a sense of connection with the earth and its natural, balanced rhythm when you are trying to keep up with countless to-dos, your environmental surroundings, the online world, you know…life! When we are feeling out of sync, we can use aromatherapy as a powerful method to ground ourselves. Using essential oils can help us emotionally and physically connect with the present moment, as well as find balance mentally, spiritually, and energetically. RESULTS OF LOSING YOUR GROUND When you aren’t grounded, you may feel more emotionally vulnerable. You can easily be thrown off balance by someone else’s energy. The more sensitive and empathic you are, the more prone you are to picking up emotions and energy from outside yourself, which can make it all the more difficult to stay rooted. When you are grounded, it doesn’t quite matter what is going on around you; you feel more connected with the Earth, but not as influenced by Earth’s happenings. Instead of the leaf that gets blown away in the wind, you are like a tall, strong tree rooted deep underground. No matter what is happening above the soil, you remain balanced, at peace, and grounded. ESSENTIAL OILS FOR GROUNDING Some of the most grounding essential oils are distilled from wood. The trunk of a tree provides balance and core support to the tree, as well as conduct water and nutrients to it’s leaves, stems and flowers. Could it be a coincidence that oils extracted from wood can also support us by conducting our energy and providing us with spiritual and emotional balance? By using essential oils, you are working with nature, returning to center, and using the energy of the Earth to support you. This gives us a sense of connection and oneness to our Earth, as well as within ourselves and our relationships. Three powerful oils derived from trees are Sandalwood, Palo Santo, and Cedarwood. These oils help us center our energy, and help those of us who are sensitive and easily influenced to find a sense of our authentic self. All three of these oils are excellent emotional and physical support aids. They are holistic wound healers, that can help heal body ailments and aid emotional suffering, anxiety and depression. Sandalwood and Palo Santo essential oils encourage acceptance, help quiet the mind, and support inner unity; which makes them perfect meditation and spiritual tools. Creating an even deeper connection within the earth, we have the roots of the plant. The roots main purpose is to anchor the plant to soil, and absorb water and nutrients that are vital to the plants growth. Oils extracted from roots can strengthen ourselves to help us tap into what we need; security, peace of mind, strong sense of self. Essential oils extracted from roots can support us through times of high anxiety and fear and instability. One of the most notable oils distilled from roots is Vetiver. With roots that can grow over 8 feet deep, Vetiver can connect us with Earth and Earth’s energies. Vetiver is a great example of an oil that brings peace of mind and clarity. It helps us focus and is great for those who experience ADHD. It helps replace anxiety, fear and instability, with feelings of oneness and strength. HOW TO USE GROUNDING OILS Essential oils distilled from wood and roots ground us and help us connect with ourselves and with our source. There are many ways to use aromatherapy for grounding. Since these oils are the essence of wood and roots, they tend not to be good oils to choose for a diffuser. They oils are viscous in nature and tend to clog diffusers. TOPICAL - You can simply take a about a teaspoon of unscented lotion on your palm, a single drop of the grounding oil of your choice, rub together, inhale deeply, and apply remaining oil on arms, legs, or feet. They are also excellent in sprays, lotions, and perfumes. SPRAY AND INHALE - I have special grounding Spirit Spritzer Aromatherapy Sprays and aromatherapy inhalers. (Just click on the photos below!) You can also always request a specialized custom blend by me! Feel free to contact me for more details! Grounding Aromatherapy Sprays and Inhalers #grounding #aromatherapy #groundingessentialoils #whatoilsaregoodforgrounding #earthconnections #woodessentialoils #howtogroundwithessentialoils #balancewithessentialoils #sandalwooodessentialoil #palosantoessentialoil #benefitsofgrounding

HOW SELF LOVE PROMOTES BETTER HEALTH With Valentine's Day around the corner, you may be bombarded with advertising and promotions with gift-centered romance themes. I’m not much of a romantic, but I am all about love. It’s impossible to fully love another unless we love ourselves. This is the main reason why I feel Valentine's Day is an added reason to reflect on self -love. Self-love may seem selfish to some, but by filling up your own cup of love, it becomes effortless to share your love and attention with everyone else around you. There is no better way to foster love than by taking moments out of the day to mindfully breathe, turn attention within, and recenter thoughts onto feelings of gratitude for all that we have. This could be in the form of meditation, writing in a gratitude journal, while stretching, or simply spending quiet time alone focusing on the things we love about ourselves, our family, and those we encounter. Essentially, no distractions. No phones or TVs, just experience sweet solitude and silence. Gratitude = Peace, Acceptance, Oneness, and of course, Love. This daily gratitude practice is all the more powerful when accompanied by an aroma that brings you joy and comfort. Our sense of smell is one of the most powerful tools we can use to encourage love, intimacy, and opening up the heart. Just by inhaling essential oils , you make an immediate connection with your limbic system which governs the regions related to emotions and memories. Whether you are looking to release negative self-talk, have more emotional balance, or ignite your sensual spirit, you can use a therapeutic essential oil from the list below to encourage self-love. Essential oils also help keep us present. So when stress and worries get the best of you, turn to one of these essential oils to help refocus your attention which will allow more space for inner stillness. Stress and unhappiness often arise when we are focusing on the things we don’t have or putting blame on someone or something else outside of us. Take your power back. The more we choose to look for things we are grateful for, the more ease and comfort we have in our mind and heart. If you are in a relationship, make mental notes daily of the things you love about the person you're with. Verbally express them. Make them know you are grateful for their presence and actions. The more you share your gratitudes of the simple things like taking out the trash, making coffee in the morning, or making the bed, the more you encourage them to take these loving actions. Of course, be sure to return the favors! If you are feeling lonely, turn this feeling into all-empowered Aloneness. Aloneness is the opposite of codependence. It’s knowing you are whole and complete exactly where you are. The more you love yourself, the more others will love to be around you! Embracing aloneness is a state of being while feeling lonely is an emotion. According to numerous studies, “people who set aside time to be alone tend to be happier. They report better life satisfaction and lower levels of stress. They are less likely to have depression.”*1 Key takeaways , coupled or not, spending quality time alone, even for a few minutes a day, to focus on the various aspects of life to be grateful for, not only gives you more peace of mind and less stress, it encourages love on all levels. Using therapeutic essential oils coupled with a daily gratitude practice amplifies and supports mental and emotional health which in turn amplifies self-love. May your heart overflow with love today and every day, Rachel Resources *1 - Amy Morin. 2023 5-ways-solitude-can-make-you-more-successful-backed-by-science

Our feet are one of the hardest working body parts we have. I don’t need to say much more than that! Let’s dive into some easy, natural home remedies for treating the feet.  FIRST! Why Do Essential Oils Help My Feet? Even though the skin on the bottom of the feet is thick, it has large pores that absorb essential oils effectively. Once absorbed, the oils can enter the bloodstream and exert their therapeutic properties. Depending on the essential oil you choose, you can soothe aches and pains, treat fungal infections, boost circulation for cold feet, eliminate odor, or reduce swelling.  Here are the top 10 essential oils to use for the feet:  1. Lavender Best For:  Relaxation and Sleep Why:  Lavender is known for its calming properties, making it excellent for promoting relaxation and aiding sleep. It can also soothe sore muscles and reduce stress. 2. Peppermint Best For:  Cooling and Revitalizing Why:  Peppermint has a cooling and refreshing effect that can help relieve tired and achy feet. It’s also useful for boosting circulation and providing relief from foot pain or inflammation. 3. Tea Tree Best For:  Anti-fungal and Antibacterial Why:  Tea tree oil is highly effective against fungal infections, making it a good choice for treating athlete’s foot or other foot-related infections. It also has antibacterial properties that help keep the feet clean and healthy. 4. Eucalyptus Best For:  Refreshing and Deodorizing Why:  Eucalyptus oil can help refresh tired feet and eliminate foot odor. Its anti-inflammatory properties are also beneficial for soothing sore muscles. 5. Frankincense Best For:  Skin Health and Immune Support Why:  Frankincense is excellent for supporting skin health, reducing inflammation, and boosting the immune system. It’s also grounding and can help in stress relief. 6. Chamomile Best For:  Soothing and Anti-inflammatory Why:  Chamomile oil is known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s great for calming irritated skin and relaxing the body. 7. Cypress Best For:  Circulation and Reducing Swelling Why:  Cypress oil is beneficial for improving circulation and reducing swelling in the feet and legs. It’s also helpful for soothing varicose veins. 8. Ginger Best For:  Warming and Pain Relief Why:  Ginger oil has warming properties that are effective for relieving joint pain and muscle aches. It’s particularly useful for cold feet and promoting circulation. 9. Rosemary Best For:  Stimulation and Pain Relief Why:  Rosemary oil can stimulate circulation, relieve pain, and reduce swelling. It’s also invigorating and can help with mental clarity. 10. Lemongrass Best For:  Detoxification and Deodorizing Why:  Lemongrass oil is detoxifying and helps eliminate toxins from the body. It’s also effective in reducing foot odor and promoting overall foot health. Since essential oils are straight concentrated therapeutic plant matter, it is imperative to dilute them into an unscented carrier oil or lotion of your choice before applying them topically.  Add up to 12 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier. Best At-Home Foot Remedies: 3 Different Ways to use Essential Oils to Treat the Feet: 1) Foot Soak, a personal favorite.   Fill a basin with warm water. Add about 6 drops of one (or a blend) of essential oils from above to one tablespoon of carrier oil and add to warm water.  Optionally, mix in Epsom salts for added muscle relaxation and detoxification. Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes. Benefits: Relieves tired feet, reduces swelling, and promotes relaxation. TOPSY TIP: Try a foot soak with The Great Omni Oil ! A multipurpose made-for-you blend that soothes aches and pains while softening overworked feet. So easy to use! No diluting required. :)  2. Foot Massage Dilute up to 12 drops of essential oils to one ounce of carrier and gently massage the oil into your feet, focusing on areas that are sore or tense. Pay special attention to the arches, heels, and toes. Benefits: Eases muscle tension, improves circulation, and provides stress relief. The White Tea Lavender hand, foot, and body lotion makes a nighttime ritual foot rub so simple! The soothing Lavender aroma will help calm the mind and body right before bed for a good night’s sleep. Great for stress release, soothing foot pain, and improving sleep quality.  3) Aromatherapy Compress Soak a cloth in warm water mixed with a few drops of essential oils (like cypress for circulation or lavender for relaxation). Apply the compress to your feet for 10-15 minutes. Benefits: Reduces swelling, soothes pain, and relaxes tired feet. TOPSY TIP:Check out our full selection of high quality therapeutic essential oils ! Added benefit for each of these 3 at home foot remedies: Even though the essential oil is applied to the feet, the aromatic molecules can still be inhaled, providing additional calming effects for the whole mind and body through the olfactory system.  So whether you have tired, achy feet at the end of a long day, cold feet, stinky feet, or swollen feet, there is an essential oil for you. Give one or two of these natural foot remedies a try. Your feet will thank you later!  Questions? Comments? Please feel free to reach out at any time using the contact box below and I’ll get in touch as soon as I can.  Your personal aromatherapist,  Rachel

One topic that has been coming up lately is essential oils for hair growth. After going through a serious round of Covid a few years ago, I ended up losing about half my hair! Eek! I haven’t talked about it until now…I’d love to share my research with you on this topic if you or someone you love also has experienced hair loss and looking for a natural way to regrow those lovely locks. The root of hair loss can be difficult to determine. If you’re losing hair unrelated to genetic reasons, it could be from other factors like health, medications, environment, diet, stress, or how tightly you wear your hair. Your healthcare professional can hopefully help you determine the cause. In my case, I had an intense multi-day fever that contributed to clumps of hair falling out for what felt like weeks on end. This started happening a few months after the fever.(1) After completely freaking out, I decided I needed to do something about it and researched like crazy. My search led me to discover a 2015 study shared by world-renowned aromatherapy expert and educator, Robert Tisserand. The study was on hair growth performed with 100 participants.(2) Half of the participants used Rosemary essential oil and the other half used the drug Minodoxil. After 6 months of use, a dermatologist met with each participant and found the Rosemary group had more hair growth, less hair loss, and no side effects (unlike the medicated participants)! I was sold. I tried it. And after consistent use, my hair is back and thicker than it has ever been in my life! Woohoo, Rosemary! I continue to use Rosemary in my shampoo anytime I wash my hair (about 2 times a week). So now you might be wondering how to use it for hair growth! It’s so simple. All you need to do is add a few drops of Rosemary to your usual dollop of shampoo, massage into scalp, and rinse as usual. That’s it! Rosemary is refreshing, uplifting, and not only helps encourage strong healthy, hair, but helps with dandruff too! So many reasons to love Rosemary! It's a versatile essential oil that can be used for an assortment of daily household, skincare, and aromatherapy needs. You can find pure therapeutic-grade Rosemary Essential Oil here! If you have any questions about using Rosemary or anything else you care to share, please feel free to reach out anytime using the contact box below! I always love to hear from you. Resources: (1) Pinnacle Dermatology - Alexandria. Pinnacle Dermatology | Healthy Skin Blog. (n.d.). https://www.pinnacleskin.com/blog/decoding-hair-loss-after-covid (2) Tisserand, H. (2021, April 9). Rosemary Essential Oil is a promising alternative for hair growth promotion!. Tisserand Institute. https://tisserandinstitute.org/learn-more/rosemary-essential-oil-hair-growth-promotion/

That’s right, it’s officially snuggle weather It is no wonder spicy, warming scents remind us of the holidays. They bring us warmth just when we need them most during the cold, wintery months. So, cozy up with a pair of fluffy socks, a soft blanket, and warming essential oils! HOW DO ESSENTIAL OILS WARM US UP? In essential oil terms “warming" refers to warmth in two ways- emotionally and physically. Emotionally, these oils can be used to generate motivation, confidence, and energy. This is done by inhaling the spicy notes of these oils’ therapeutic aromas. Great to diffuse on these darker, colder days when we need a little extra help tackling the day’s to-dos. Physically, they increase blood flow! These oils are considered “rubefacient” which means they are known to promote blood circulation, open the blood vessels, and literally warm the area with increased localized blood circulation, which is excellent for topical pain relief. My top 5 essential oils for warming Try one of these favorite warming oils topically to increase blood flow for cozy comforts: Please note- warming oils can be irritating to the skin. These essential oils are not an oil to use willy-nilly on the skin! They are powerful, heavily concentrated plant matter and are to be used with care and caution. It’s best to use proper dilutions when using topically. MY FAVORITE WAY TO WARM UP WITH ESSENTIAL OILS If you want to get super cozy this winter season, try the Sweater Weather essential oil blend! It’s a perfect balance of sweetness of tangerine, lemon, & orange with the warming spice notes of clove, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. It truly smells like holiday happiness in a bottle. You can use this blend in a diffuser, on diffuser necklaces or diffuser bracelets, simply inhale out of the bottle, OR dilute for topical use for aches and pains! Whichever oil you try, I hope it brings you a sense of ease and comfort. Feel free to reach out at any time with questions! You can email me at topsyblends@gmail.com :) All the very best to you this holiday season, Rachel, your neighborhood aromatherapist.

It's the holiday season! The "happiest season of all! "The most wonderful time of the year!" *Queue all holiday songs* Manage stress during the holidays, or any season at all! It really the most wonderful time of the year?? For most of us, this season can bring both joy AND a whole lotta stress. Perhaps it’s the heavier workloads, large family gatherings, traveling, gifts to buy…the lights are nice though, right?! If you are stressed, you are not alone. Practicing mindfulness is key for keeping the holidays more merry and less stressful. Tips for calming the mind and body over the months of holiday happenings. Take moments each day dedicated to gratitude. Write or make mental notes of a few things you are grateful for. Grief and stress can EASILY take over our mind in an instant. Discontentment and stress are often fueled by something we feel we are lacking. By flipping the inner narrative's perspective to gratitude, we feel more peace. Bringing attention to what you do have (health, abilities, a thing you love about yourself) can drastically shift your mood to a feeling of more contentment. You can even do this while lying in bed for a minute before your snoozed alarm goes off! Another easy way to recenter the mind is to focus on the breath for a moment. Are you feeling rushed? Are you taking short breaths, or deep, belly breaths? Taking long, diaphragmatic breaths can lower stress levels. Our mind is often piling on more tasks, guilt of things we haven’t yet accomplished, people to take care of, etc. Taking a moment to focus solely on our breath and nothing else for a full minute can help calm our entire being. Lastly, this time of year can feel like SOO many things are happening. With more social events and family gatherings taking place over the holidays, it can feel harder and harder to catch up on mental and physical health. Perhaps the biggest challenge of the holidays is balancing all these gatherings, work, home life, and health. One of the nasty sides of holidays is the feeling of being obligated to attend something. If there are too many events on your plate, and you don’t want or need to attend one of them, what’s the worst that could happen if you don’t? Take a moment to evaluate which events you feel GOOD about going to and which ones you don’t. It should be your choice! It’s for your mental and physical health after all. :) The biggest take away, slowww downnnn. I write a lot of these tips as reminders for myself. They help me release tension in my mind and thus, in my shoulders, low back, feet…you get the idea! I hope they help you too. To make these action steps all the more effective, try pairing them with your favorite stress-relieving essential oils from the list below! It truly just takes a minute to practice retraining negative or busy mental chatter. Of course, it helps to stop and evaluate your thoughts as often as possible, especially as soon as you start noticing your mind slipping into stress mode. Start with a minute and see how good you feel! As Anthony De Mello puts it so simply “Awareness Awareness Awareness.” YOU are the only person who can truly calm your mind down. It’s our mind and subconscious thoughts that we need to become more aware of. The more aware we are of the stress we often cause in our own mind, the easier it is to let the thoughts we don’t want pass through and take less control of us. Over the next month (and months to come) I hope you have more and more peace of mind, moments of stillness, and an ever-growing list of things to be thankful for. Wishing you quality rest, rejuvenation, and cozy holidays, Rachel

Win in the battle against pollen and perennially runny noses Spring Sneeze-in is upon us! This short blog is your guide to a win in the battle against pollen and perennially runny noses. With 5 tips to boost your immune system & 10 natural at-home remedies to help you thrive amongst the spring sniffles. It’s about to be the time of year when we all want to go outside and rejoice that the snow has retreated back to tippy top of the mountains where it belongs and away from my freshly planted flowers! I don’t know about you, but I always jump the gun on planting my garden flowers. Every. Single. Year. I get way too excited on the first sunny day after months of Oregon rain. But alas, with the pretty flowers and sunnier days ahead, come the allergies. BOOO!! Allergies! Literal tears are flowing. I have some handy tips that will help you enjoy springtime to its fullest. These tips are easy, natural, and most importantly, they WORK. For starters, what are allergies and why do 40-60 million Americans annually feel like we’re chopping fresh onions when we’re outside?! Allergy symptoms are caused by your body attempting to do its best to protect you from allergens like grasses, plants, animal dander, bee pollen, dust mites, etc.*(1) Your immune system is scanning these allergens as evil intruders. The allergic reactions you may experience are your cells sending out histamine in which blood vessels expand and cause symptoms like runny noses, itchy/watery eyes, headaches, sneezing, and coughing.*(1) Gee, thanks body! In its defense, your body is on your offense team. It’s just tryin’ to help. To keep allergies at bay, it’s best to support your body in all its tireless efforts to keep you healthy. We can do our part to support our immune system by clearing allergens from our environment and quickly calm these allergy systems with all-natural remedies. Here are ways to support our immune system plus 10 easy, natural tips to clear up allergy symptoms. 5 Ways to support our over-worked immune system naturally: Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is paramount to good health. Stress management. Way easier said than done, but take time out of your day to practice mindfulness and mental relaxation. Essential oils work wonders for stress release! Wash bed linens frequently to prevent allergens and dust mites for accumulating. Bonus- freshen the sheets between washes with Nightly Ritual air & body spray to reduce dust mites and help relax and calm the mind before bed. Use all-natural skincare products. Products made with synthetic ingredients and fragrances are filtered through your blood, which can be harder for your body to process and in turn makes your immune system work much harder than it needs to. By switching to you support both your skin and your body’s immune system. Use all-natural cleaning products for many of the same reasons above! By using essential oil-based cleaning products you are using natural antibacterial agents to remove germs, purify the air (instead of masking the air with non-natural fragrance odor), and also support your immune system. Clean & dust regularly. Think of it as when you use non-natural cleaning and skincare products, you are stressing out your immune system. We don’t want that- My mind does more than enough stress I’d prefer to manage, thank you very much! ESSENTIAL OILS FOR ALLERGIES and how to use them Essential Oil Steam - Calm inflammation and clear your respiratory tract by adding 1-2 drops (no more than that!) of Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, or Respiratory ReLeaf to a bowl of hot water. Close your eyes, cover your head over the bowl with a towel, and breathe deeply in and out for as long as possible. Try to do 2-5 minutes for the best results. Aromatherapy inhalers are the BEST if you are out and about. Particularly the Breathe Easy inhaler. So handy. Diffuse leafy, respiratory-supportive essential oils like Eucalyptus, Ravintsara, Peppermint, Basil, Fir, or the Respiratory ReLeaf blend. This supports your immune system AND helps neutralize airborne allergens in your home. Flush sinuses with water saline solution with a Neti Pot. Use an aromatherapy room spray! Bergamot Forest works wonderfully as an anti-allergen room mist. Herbal Tea: Drink Nettle or Eucalyptus Mint Tea (Traditional Medicinals has a great Breathe Easy tea!) Take an aromatherapy bath. By adding 6-8 drops of Lavender or Eucalyptus to 1 tablespoon of castile soap or a carrier oil of your choice, you can ease stress and tension while opening your breath and supporting your immune and respiratory system. Rub it on. Super stuffed up? Try applying the ReLeaf Rub on your chest, throat, and a small amount under the nose to clear sinus congestion and act as a traditional vapor rub. Sinus Relief Tissues! Add a few drops of Eucalyptus or Respiratory ReLeaf essential oil to the cardboard sides of a tissue box to clear your sinuses every time you grab for a tissue! Try a daily aromatherapy shower by adding a few drops of Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Peppermint, or Respiratory ReLeaf to the shower flower, out of the direct stream of the shower and create a spa-like steam that opens airways, clears sinus congestions, and awakes the mind and body. Essential Oil Steam Shown Here So, why do essential oils work to help with allergy relief? Essential oils are made up of molecules that relieve inflammation, coughing, phlegm/mucus, runny eyes, and congested airways.*(2) The 2 key components are 1,8 cineole (found in oils like Eucalyptus) and Terpinen-4-ol (found in oils like Tea Tree). 1,8 cineole helps clear breathing and calm inflammation. Terpinen-4-ol is a well known antihistamine, helps reduce inflammation, and relax the muscles. *(2) These are just a few of the benefits that essential oils and natural remedies can offer to support your immune system and give you the relief you need this spring. Questions?! Email me topsyblends@gmail.com and I’m happy to offer more in-depth information and personalized support depending on your needs. With wishes of good health and wellness, Rachel, your neighborhood aromatherapist *(1) https://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergic-reaction-causes#1 *(2) - Jennifer Peace Rhind - Aromatherapeutic Blending