SLEEP AIDS – OVER THE COUNTER VS NATURAL PRODUCTS

SLEEP AIDS – OVER THE COUNTER VS NATURAL PRODUCTS
I recently read an ad in a magazine where I came across an advertisement about the wonders of a nighttime “Sleep Aid” that “helps reduce difficulty in falling asleep”.   Well, I don’t have any difficulty sleeping soundly through the night…but was curious about what the ingredients were in the Over Counter (OTC) and if they were really “Safe”.  
 
Their ad says Trouble Falling Asleep”.  Their product (192 tablets):
 
  • helps reduce difficulty in falling asleep
  • Just one tablet per dose
  • Compare to the active ingredients in Unisom Sleep tabs
 
Even though the advertisement did not list all of their ingredients, they did list the main one “Doxylamine Succinate Tablets (25mg).    If you know me, I can hardly pronounce the name but I can google it…..so I did!
 
Are you sitting down?
 
Here is the information I found about “Doxylamine Succinate” from webmd.com
 

Definition and Uses

Doxylamine is an antihistamine, used to relieve symptoms of allergy, hay fever, and the common cold. This medication works by blocking certain natural substances (histamine, acetylcholine) that your body makes. This effect helps to relieve allergy/cold symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Cough and cold products have not been shown to be safe or effective in children younger than 6 years. 
 
But is it SAFE for adults?  Read below and you make your own conclusion!  Information provided by webmd.com  
 

Side Effects 

Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, constipation, stomach upset, blurred vision, decreased coordination, or dry mouth/nose/throat may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including mental/mood changes (such as hallucinations, irritability, nervousness, confusion), ringing in the ears, trouble urinating, easy bruising/bleeding, fast/irregular heartbeat.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including seizure.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
 

Additional Health Hazards 

Although this is not an exhaustive list (might as well be as it is 51 characteristics long) but my goodness:  Again, these hazards are listed from Webmd.com
 
  • An Increase In The Thickness of Lung Secretions 
  • Drowsiness 
  • Dizziness
  • A Type of Blood Disorder where the Red Blood Cells Burst Called Hemolytic Anemia 
  • A Blood Disorder 
  • Extra Heartbeats 
  • Low Blood Pressure 
  • Hallucinations 
  • Seizures A Significant Type of Allergic Reaction Called Anaphylaxis
  • Confusion 
  • Over Excitement 
  • Nightmares 
  • An Extreme Sense of Wellbeing Called Euphoria 
  • A Migraine Headache 
  • Double Vision 
  • Blurred Vision 
  • A Change in Vision 
  • Ringing In the Ears 
  • Dryness Of the Nose 
  • Dry Mouth 
  • Constipation 
  • Increased Sensitivity of The Skin To The Sun 
  • Itching 
  • Hives 
  • Sensation Of Spinning or Whirling 
  • Difficulty Sleeping   (say what?)
  • Low Energy 
  • Excessive Sweating 
  • Chills 
  • Muscle Tremors 
  • Loss Of Muscle Coordination 
  • A Skin Rash 
  • Decreased Appetite 
  • Headache 
  • Throat Dryness 
  • Heart Throbbing or Pounding 
  • Trouble Breathing 
  • Diarrhea 
  • Difficult Or Painful Urination 
  • An Increased Need to Urinate Often 
  • Abdominal Bloating 
  • Nervousness 
  • A Feeling of Pins and Needles On Skin 
  • A Feeling of General Discomfort Called Malaise 
  • Irritability 
  • Intense Abdominal Pain 
  • A Type of Bumpy Skin Rash Called A Maculopapular Rash 
  • Chest Discomfort 
  • Anxious Feelings 
  • Fast Heartbeat 
 
DID YOU NOTICE?     One of the health hazards of Doxylamine Succinate is difficulty in Sleeping?  Isn’t that what the Sleep aid is supposed to help with?   
 
With over 50+ side effects or health hazards in this ONE ingredient in this produce….why in the world would you take it!  
Side question:   Is counting sheep a hallucination?  
 

What I use

At the beginning of this blog article, I mentioned that I did not have any difficulty falling or staying asleep at night.   Want to know what I use to help me sleep if I need something   Only 1 product and it is called “Sleepessence” by Young Living.  
SleepEssence™ contains melatonin and four powerful essential oils to help promote restful sleep and support the body's natural sleep rhythm.  It is an all-natural plant-based product that contains:
 
  • Lavender Essential Oil
  • Vetiver Essential Oil
  • Valerian Essential Oil
  • Tangerine Essential Oil
  • Rue Essential Oil
 That’s it…….night night until the sun comes up!
 
 
To me, there is no way I am going to take a sleep aid that can have known health risks.  If I need to take anything it will be Sleepessence . What say YOU?
 
 
A picture containing text, food, sweet, stack Description automatically generated
 
 
If you are convinced to try Sleepessence to help you have a better restful night’s sleep, become a member of Young Living and take advantage of 24% off of retail prices.  You can do that via my website:   www.garyrathbun.com .  Sign up, become a member, have Sleepessence delivered to your door, and grab your blankee….because you are going to have a restful night!
 
 


Just Slow Down

Just Slow Down
  DAE7R6yNg_E
This is a reprint of an article found in Grand Season – March 2022 (www.grandseason.com) that resonated with me.   Some very good tips on how to manage your life better and ENJOY THE MOMENT!
 
Patience is one of the most valuable tools that you have at your disposal.  But patience is a skill that you need to continually cultivate.  If you need to work on being more patient, work on cultivating it with these ideas!

  •  Let go of the gas and slow down

 
When you catch yourself speeding through life, take action and slow down.  Drive the speed limit and watch how others rush past you!  Be spontaneous and take the long drive home to enjoy the journey.

  •  Practice active listening

Really listen to the person in front of you, rather than already having pre-formulated responses in your mind.  When you are patient and take the time to listen to others, you not only give yourself the opportunity to learn from them, but you also allow the person to be heard.

  • Take a “Deep” breath 

If you catch yourself facing adversity, give yourself the space to take a step back and take a deep breath.  Consciously choose how you react to the situation at hand by shifting your perception; try to look at the bigger picture.  It’s only a bump in time, not forever!

  •  Be aware of your surroundings 

There may be a person in need of assistance nearby.  You can practice patience by taking the time to stop and hold a door open for another person; to help a person carry their groceries to their car, or even send a smile their way to remind them they are not alone.  Being of assistance to others is a great way to practice patience.

  •  Practice gratitude  

Take the time each day to practice gratitude.  By making a list of 5 things you are grateful for from your day, you will start to see the gifts and synchronicities that come along your way.  By practicing gratitude, you can begin to see that everything is interconnected, and when faced with adversity, you start to look at it as a learning opportunity rather than a “problem.”
 


9 Reasons to Drink Lemon Water in the Morning

9 Reasons to Drink Lemon Water in the Morning
This is a repost of an article by GreenMedInfo on February 24, 2022.   I found it fascinating about how many ways "Lemon" can support your health....and taste good too!  Do restaurants know about all of these benefits or do they just offer Lemon to augment the taste of water or tea?

Not too often though do we carry a Lemon in our wallet or purse, so the best way I found to have some "Lemon" around is to carry a small 5 ml bottle of pure lemon essential oil from Young Living.  Easier to carry and a convenient way of having "Lemon" available when you are out and about!

Think of using Lemon all the time...not just in the morning!

Here is the article:

Did you know that lemons have more potassium than apples or grapes? This interesting fact is just one of the many reasons why drinking lemon juice every morning can impact your health.

Starting your day with lemon juice is an excellent way to boost vitality, increase energy and cleanse out your system. The first thing you put in your body each day can have a big impact on your productivity and mood.

That’s why it’s recommended to start the day with a warm jar of lemon water. You can use anywhere from one-half to a whole lemon each morning. 

Note:  for the Lemon Essential oil - just 2 drops does the same as a whole lemon

1. Boosts Your Immune System

Since lemon juice is filled with vitamin C, it provides a natural and powerful source of immune health. When you are tired, stressed or overworked Vitamin C levels are the first to go down.

2. Supports Digestion

In addition to supporting healthy digestion, lemon juice helps rid the intestinal tract of toxins. Lemons are filled with vitamins and minerals which help to alleviate things like heartburn and bloating.

3. Cleans Out Your System

Lemon juice is packed with powerful vitamins and minerals that flush harmful toxins from your system.

4. Decreases Inflammation

Much disease stems from inflammation and drinking lemon juice frequently helps reduce the acidity in your body and thus decreasing inflammation.

5. Helps Improve Weight Loss

Lemon juice contains a lot of pectin fiber which helps fight hunger cravings.

6. Clears Up Your Skin

Because lemon juice is high in antioxidants the Vitamin C helps to decrease blemishes and wrinkles. The overall detoxifying nature of lemons also contributes to clear skin.

7. Helps Fight Infections

A glass of warm lemon water is perfect to help fight off infections. Not only does it boost your immune system it helps to prevent things like sore throats brought on by viral infections.

8. Gives You an Energy Boost

As lemon juice improves digestion it provides your body with an energy boost when it enters your digestive tract.

9. Excellent Source of Potassium

Potassium is important for brain, nerve, and heart health and lemon juice is filled with it.

Add lemon water to your daily routine to start the day with a detoxifying and refreshing warm drink. You won’t regret incorporating this powerful anti-inflammatory beverage into your life. Trust us.

Don't have Lemon essential oil to carry in your purse?   Visit my website:  www.garyrathbun.com and clikc the "SHOP" button to get started! 


Fun Ways to Use Essential Oils with Kids

This is a reprint of a blog post from Young Living Australia, but it is so good I wanted to share with you!

  • Fun Ways to Use Essential Oils with Kids Header

Fun Ways to Use Essential Oils with Kids

Kids love essential oils! Maybe it’s the cute bottles or perhaps it’s the whole new world of aromas to explore. No matter the reason, the littlest members of the family always pop up when it’s time to fill the diffuser.

Essential oils can be so versatile so why not let your kids join in and get creative? Here are just a few fun ways to use essential oils with kids!

1. Slime

We promise the next time your child yells ‘I want to play with slime’ you’ll be just as excited as they are! Plus, adding essential oils is an easy way to introduce your little ones to aromatherapy. Win-win!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup non-toxic white glue
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1–2 tablespoons multipurpose sterile solution (contact solution)
  • 6-8 drops Kidscents® GeneYus™ essential oil blend
  • Natural food colouring

Instructions:

  1. Add glue to a bowl.
  2. Add natural food colouring of choice.
  3. Mix in baking soda until smooth.
  4. Add 1 tablespoon contact solution and mix slowly – the glue mixture will start to become stringy as it hardens to form a ball.
  5. Pick up the mixture and knead with your hands until it becomes smooth. If it remains too slimy and won’t come together, add ½ tablespoon of contact solution at a time until it is smooth.
  6. Add essential oil and mix until combined.
  7. Get playing! Set out placemats to keep things from getting too messy.

2. Play Dough

Kids ready for the next activity? We’ve got you covered; play dough is another great way to get creative while using essential oils.

Here is what you’ll need!

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil and water in a medium saucepan.
  2. Stir over medium heat for about 5 minutes until play dough has reached the right consistency.
  3. Let cool, then knead in essential oils and food colouring until it is distributed evenly.
  4. Store in container.

3. Bath Time

Want to take bath time to the next level? Try this low-toxin DIY to create a foamy, fluffy bath! The best part? This kid-friendly bubble bath is also parent-approved, so you can treat yourself to some bath time bubbles as well!

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Pour all ingredients into a container and close lid.
  2. Shake well to thoroughly blend.
  3. Add one half of the container to warm bathwater.

4. Diffuse

At any time of the day, you can have a bit of fun by popping on your child’s diffuser!

Each essential oil blend can be SO different from the other; you can make the aroma sweet, spicy or even soothing – the possibilities are endless! They’ll have a hoot with Feather the Owl, a cute kids ultrasonic diffuser

Plus, they’ll have a blast helping you create new blends and giving them fun names.

Here are a few blends to try!

Schools Out Blend

Playtime Blend

Essential Oils Diffuse

5. On-The-Go

Want to help inspire positivity wherever your child may be?

Kidscents® KidPower™ Roll-On is a unique, everyday blend formulated to help inspire feelings of confidence, courage, and positivity at home, at school or on the playground.

This is a kid-friendly formula so they can apply on-the-go and on their own!

6. Sleep Time

Who said bedtime can’t be fun? Help your child settle in and sleep tight with the power of essential oils.

Simply diffuse or massaging Sleepyize™ essential oil blend directly before a nap or bedtime. Carefully blended with a variety of soothing oils, this peaceful aroma promotes an atmosphere conducive to a calm, restful sleep. Yes, please!

7. Instant Lemonade

Do your kids have a massive, sweet tooth? You’re not alone! Why not switch out the fizzy drink and try this DIY Lemonade recipe they’re sure to enjoy. Plus, you can get them involved in making it.

Ingredients:

Simply add all ingredients to a tall glass, stir together and voila!

8. Monster Spray

Bedtime can be a struggle for everyone! Whether it’s monsters in the closet or under the bed, reach for this DIY monster spray and you’ll have them ready for sleep in no time. Plus, it will have your child’s room smelling amazing – you’re welcome!

What you need:

Add all ingredients into a glass spray bottle, mix and sprits to keep those monsters at bay!

There you have it – 8 fun ways to use essential oils with kids!

Looking to try some of these creative activities? Check out our KidPower™ Collection!

This collection has been carefully created with your little ones in mind, featuring pure essential oils to encourage feelings of positivity wherever your child may be whether it’s at home, school or even on the playground.

 

 


This is My Wheaties Now!

 
 
A picture containing text, sign Description automatically generated
 
 
 
I love cereal in the morning! 
 
Do you remember eating “Wheaties” for breakfast…or maybe even as a snack during your lifetime?   I sure did because Wheaties had sports figures on the front of the box and I figured if they ate it….so should I!  
 
Unfortunately, I did not turn into ANY of these athletes, but not from the lack of trying!
 
Those were the days when I did not care what Wheaties were made from or what was in them (a.k.a. ingredients).  All that mattered at the time was does it taste good and who was on the cover!
 
Fast forward many years and now I care what the ingredients are because they have an effect on my body systems more than they did in my early years.  I’m not talking about how much I weigh, but more about how my body reacts to the ingredients in the cereal…like alertness, digestion, and appetite…..stuff like that!
 
So, I started reading the labels on ALL of the cereal boxes, especially my beloved Wheaties, and I was floored by what they put in these products!   I asked myself, did “athletes” really eat this stuff?  I could not believe my eyes when I saw how much sugar, bioengineered wheat, and chemicals they used to make the cereal….just so it would taste good!   Those marketing people, I tell you!
 
NO MORE WHEATIES FOR ME!
 
This started my journey to find the healthiest cereal around….after all, I love cereal and it is 95% of what I start my day out with!   
 
Well, my journey ended when I was told by a friend about Young Living’s Einkorn Flakes Cereal.  In doing more research I found out that most, if not all cereals, use hybridized wheat (known as “bioengineered”).  This hybridized wheat is being used because it produces a bigger crop; therefore, they can produce more cereal!   Makes economic sense, but not health sense!
 
Einkorn wheat comes from the original ancient way of growing wheat.  Often called the “staff of life” grain is one of the oldest varieties of wheat known to man.  Prized for its compatibility with the human body, einkorn has retained its simple, primitive genetic code with only 14 chromosomes, compared to the modern-day hybridized wheat, which has 42 chromosomes.  
 
For you math majors that is 3 times more chromosomes than Einkorn…..that could not be good for you right!   Bringing together Einkorn and oats creates a great taste and crunch that your whole family will enjoy!  
 
What Young Living has done is be true to their "Seed to Seal" guarantee, even for food products!  Einkorn is perfect for those who appreciate and support traditional farming practices, non-GMO crops, and foods free from artificial flavors (those nasty chemicals I mentioned earlier), colors, and preservatives!
 
So just don’t take my word for it….let’s compare the ingredients of Wheaties and Einkorn….so you can see the difference!
 
  
Einkorn Ingredients*                                      Wheaties Ingredients*
Text, letter Description automatically generated                A close-up of a document Description automatically generated with low confidence
 
*Picture was taken from the box
 
Notice the Wheaties ingredients disclose the box contains “Bioengineered” food.  ----that’s the wheat folks!
 
If that was not convincing enough, let’s compare the Nutritional Facts!
 
Einkorn                                                           Wheaties
Text, table, letter Description automatically generated                                Table Description automatically generated
 
Pretty close but notice the + 5grams of added sugar and -3 less grams of protein for Wheaties!
 
 
NOW can you tell why I ditched eating Wheaties and switched to Young Living’s Einkorn Cereals!
 
 
Summary
 
I finally found my go-to cereal and Young Living’s Einkorn Flakes are my “Wheaties” now!  I know what is in the ingredients, I know where the wheat comes from, and I believe in the farming practices that Young Living uses…..I have been to the farm!   No “bioengineered” foods for me!
 
If you are thinking about switching to the Einkorn cereal, even if it is not Wheaties, then visit my website:  www.garyrathbun.com and become a member (it's free) and to discover how you can save 24% off of retail prices + free shipping too!   Or DM me, and I will help you through the process!
 
Finally, below is a picture of my breakfast this morning.   Einkorn Cereal, organic frozen berries, and Ningxia Red.    Ningxia Red is a powerhouse anti-occident by itself, but that is another story!    

 
Read Older Updates Read Newer Updates