No essential oil blog worth its salt would forget to talk about Frankincense in the month of December! As everyone knows, Frankincense - along with Gold and Myrhh - was brought as a gift for the baby Jesus. Frankincense comes from trees in the Boswellia family.  Frankincense essential oil comes from distilling the resin tapped from the bark of the tree.

Frankincense is wonderful to use on yourself. There are many great recipes on Pinterest and on various blogs for DIY skincare using this oil. In addition, it can be used neat (non-diluted) on blemishes on most skin types. Rumor has it that warts and skin tags aren’t fans of Frankincense. It’s also great for anxiety - think of it as a way to restore a spiritual connection to God or the Universe. 

It has many great benefits for your horse, too. Of course, if you wear it on a diffuser necklace around your horse, you and your horse will get the aromatic benefits. Your horse will also benefit from its skin-healing properties, so be sure to keep this in your tack locker for bug bites and other blemishes that horses sometimes deal with. 

When horses are grieving (yes, of course horses grieve!), it can be comforting when diffused in the barn.  

Do you take riding lessons?

One of the best reasons to take riding lessons is that your trainer can see some things your body is doing that you can’t.

Horse doesn’t back up in a straight line? It’s because you’ve dropped your right shoulder.

Horse’s back is hollowed out? It’s because your pelvis is closed.

Your body directly impacts your horse’s movement.

If you have a stiff lower back like I do, the best thing you can do for your horse is to use Panaway to keep your muscles loose. Don’t forget your neck, it’s stiff from all that time spent on your phone!

Why is Panaway so effective? Let’s look at what’s in it:

• Wintergreen has a high level of methyl salicylate, the natural form of aspirin.

• Helichrysum contains neryl acetate, known to help inflammation and pain.

• Clove is high in eugenol, which is known for its analgesic properties. It’s warming, too!

• Peppermint, thanks to menthol, is cooling and helps with pain.

If the Wintergreen in Panaway is a little too intense for you, dilute it with some V-6 Vegetable Oil or Fractionated Coconut Oil. Cool Azul Pain Relief Cream is also a great addition to your tack locker!

Your horse will thank you!

Whether you received Raven or RC in your starter kit, your respiratory wellness (and that of your horse) is covered!

Although the blends Raven and RC only share two common essential oils (Eucalyptus Radiata and Peppermint) they both support respiratory health. I’ll explain why.

The following chemical components appear in both Raven and RC blends:

• The oxide 1,8 cineol is a major component of Eucalyptus Globulus and Eucalyptus Radiata and is known for its support of the respiratory system. (1)

• Alpha-pinene is a bronchodilator and found in Myrtle, Pine and Cypress (found in RC) and Ravintsara and Lemon (found in Raven).

• Menthol, the major component of Peppermint, is known for its ability to reduce respiratory discomfort.(2)

If you want to know how an essential oil will benefit you, look no further than the chemical components that comprise it.

If I lost you with all that science stuff, fear not Dear Reader. Here’s how to use Raven or RC to support the respiratory system (works for you AND your horse):

1. Add a few drops to some coconut oil and rub on the chest. The coconut oil, being a fatty vegetable oil, will slow down the absorption of the essential oil. Simple and free of petroleum by-products.

2. Make an essential oil inhaler using 15 drops of Raven or RC and keep it handy at the barn.

3. Put 1-2 drops in your palms, rub them together and inhale (or invite your horse to inhale).

CAUTION!

1. Do NOT put these oils undiluted under your nostrils (or the nostrils of your horse!) as the oils are very strong when not heavily diluted by a carrier oil.

2. Methyl salicylate (Wintergreen) is considered a banned substance in some competitive equine sports. Be sure you know the rules and regulations of the organizations you’re part of.

3. Methyl salicylate is the natural form of aspirin. Considered toxic to cats, don’t use around your feline friends. It’s in lower concentrations when in blends, so I use Panaway on my neck when it’s bothering me, but I would never diffuse that blend or use it on my cat. I only diffuse Raven or RC for short periods of time when at home, and I’m always sure my cats are out of the room when I do so.

I hope you found this helpful! Breathe easy, my friends.

Sources:

(1) Anti-inflammatory properties of the monoterpene 1.8-cineole: current evidence for co-medication in inflammatory airway diseases.

(2) Nasal inhalation of l-menthol reduces respiratory discomfort associated with loaded breathing.