In truth, however, it’s something our mothers have been telling us for generations: you are what you eat!
I’d like to add that you are also anything else you ingest or absorb—chemical toxins from the cleaning supplies you use, antibiotics for an infection that was really just a virus that needed to run its course, harmful ingredients in your makeup or skincare products, and so on.
All of these contribute to the environment inside your gut, potentially causing it to become unbalanced and affect everything from your immune system to your mental health.
On the podcast, Melissa outlined four steps to take to improve gut health.
To complement those four steps, here are four ways you can use Mother Nature’s all-natural medicine—essential oils—to heal your gut:
1. Exchange toxic cleaning supplies for all-natural DIY cleaners.
Melissa’s first step to improving gut health is to reduce inflammation by reducing the toxicity in your home.
She recommends making your own cleaning supplies with natural ingredients like vinegar, water, baking soda, and essential oils.
Here are two recipes to try:
Multi-purpose Cleaner— In a 16-ounce spray bottle, combine 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, 30 drops lemon essential oil, and 10 drops lavender. Use to wipe down countertops, walls, doorknobs, and more.
Floor Cleaner— In a large bucket, combine 2 gallons hot water, 2 cups vinegar, 1 tablespoon original Dawn dish soap, 1/4 cup baking soda, 25 drops lemon essential oil, 10 drops wild orange, and 10 drops melaleuca. Use for cleaning larger areas like tile or vinyl floors. If used on wood floors, dry immediately after mopping.
2. Watch what you eat.
Melissa encourages reducing or eliminating gluten, dairy, and soy. This is probably the hardest step to take and might be one to discuss with your doctor or to consult with a nutritionist about before starting.
If you do decide to cut any of these, consider adding this refreshing drink to your day:
Lime Pick-Me-Up—Add a handful of ice cubes to a water bottle or tall glass. Pour 12 ounces (or more) plain seltzer over the ice. Add 1 drop lime essential oil and stir briefly. Drink first thing in the morning or whenever you need to curb a craving for sweets.
Other great combinations to try are 1 drop wild orange with 1 drop ginger or 1 drop basil with 1 drop lime. Make sure to use pure oils that are safe for ingesting, such as doTerra essential oils.
3. Follow the 4 Rs: Replenish enzymes, Remove bad bacteria, Re-populate with probiotics, and Repair the digestive system.
Try experimenting with any of these oils to help replenish enzymes and remove bad bacteria:
Fennel—Add 1 or 2 drops to a veggie cap and take daily for two weeks; add 1 or 2 drops to a glass of cold water and drink daily for two weeks; in a 10 mL glass roller bottle, pair 2 drops fennel with 2 drops of your favorite citrus oil, top off with fractionated coconut oil, and massage over your abdomen daily. Use only pure oils, such as doTerra essential oils, if using internally.
Lemongrass—Add 2 drops to a veggie cap and take daily for two weeks; add 1 drop lemongrass and 1 drop peppermint to a glass of cold water and drink daily for two weeks; in a 10 mL glass roller bottle, pair 3 drops lemongrass with 2 drops peppermint, top off with fractionated coconut oil and massage over your abdomen daily. Use only pure oils, such as doTerra essential oils, if using internally.
Ginger—Add 2 drops to a veggie cap and take daily for two weeks; add 1 or 2 drops to a glass of cold water and drink daily for two weeks; in a 10 mL glass roller bottle, pair 2 drops ginger with 1 drop ylang ylang, top off with fractionated coconut oil and massage over your abdomen daily.
Use only pure oils, such as doTerra essential oils, if using internally.
4. Reduce stress.
Melissa suggests getting enough sleep, practicing breathing deeply, meditating regularly, and moving your body at least 20 minutes every day.
Use these three essential oils to help reduce stress:
Lavender—Diffuse before bedtime; combine 20 drops lavender with 1 cup water in a mister and spritz over your pillow before bedtime; apply 1 or 2 drops to the bottoms of your feet at bedtime
Ylang Ylang—Diffuse throughout the day to lift your mood and help maintain a sense of calm; in a small bowl, mix 3 drops ylang ylang with 1½ cups Epsom salts then add salts to warm bathwater and soak before bedtime or after a workout; add 2 drops to a veggie cap and take daily for two weeks
Vetiver—Apply a few drops to your feet and wrists as you start the day; diffuse with lemongrass during meditation or yoga; add 2 drops vetiver and 1 drop lemon to a veggie cap and take daily for two weeks
Best Wishes,
Rebecca Hintze
(psst get it now for 20% OFF)