Soothing Your Throat and More…

by Dawn Depke

Would you like a better alternative to gum and other breath fresheners? Did you know that chewing gum wastes digestive enzymes? Since most of you are pretty health conscious I will assume you know that most of the sweeteners used in gum and other breath fresheners are artificial and, well, let’s just say “not so good for you.”

I myself am always looking for fun new health products that enhance my life. It wasn’t until the past year that I found one already sitting in my linen closet. There was a package of “Thieves Hard Throat Lozenges” sitting there, just waiting for me to use them. Since moving to California where the winters are so different than the cold, dry Midwest, I didn’t have a use for throat lozenges anymore. I don’t like to waist money or product, so I figured out an innovative use for these poor lonely throat lozenges, not to mention the fact that organic, therapeutic grade essential oils are one of my favorite natural remedies, I had to find a new use for them. They became my immune boosting; fresh breath, germ killing, throat soothing remedy for airplane flights, conferences and when I have to public speak. They taste good, they kill germs in my mouth so I find it a pleasant breath freshener and immune booster and they are really quite soothing to an even healthy throat.

For those of you that aren’t familiar with Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils, let me share that they are highly concentrated amounts of the oil of certain plants, roots, trees, & flowers that have been scientifically proven to kill bacterial, virus, microbes, parasites, fungus, have anti-spasmodic & anti-tumoral, and many more effects on the human body. They smell amazing, and work in by inhaling them, rubbing them into the skin & ingesting them. If you remember back to my article “Rub-a dub, dub what’s in my Tub” you will recall all of the information I shared on why it is critically important to use organic, natural personal care products. Same goes for gun, breathe mints & throat lozenges. These conventional products are loaded with chemicals unless you buy them at a Natural Health food store or on-line with a reputable natural, organic company.


I think it is important and fun to share how they were awarded the name “Thieves”.

Thieves essential oil blend was created based on the historical tale of four thieves in France who protected themselves from the black plague with cloves, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing victims of the killer disease. When captured, they were offered a lighter sentence in exchange for their secret recipe. In modern days, these same herbs and essential oils have been found to be an effective barrier against topical and airborne microorganisms. The Thieves oil blend includes clove, cinnamon bark, rosemary, lemon, and Eucalyptus, and radiata and has been specially blended to offer the same kind of defense as it did in the fifteenth century. Thieves oil has been university tested and found to be highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health. (information provided by www.youngliving.com/ddepke Sue Chao, Craig J. Oberg, D. Gary Young, “Effect of a Diffused Essential Oil Blend on Bacterial Bioaerosols,” J. Essent. Oil Res. 10, 517-523 (Sep/Oct 1998).

I love that historical tale, but more importantly I love getting positive results from the products I take. If you suffer from sore throats, colds, bad breathe or know someone who does, please share this article with them. If you travel, public speak or just like something in your mouth, I’d suggest trying Young Living’s Thieves Hard Lozenges. (They come in chewable formula for the young and elderly as well). Please feel free to ask me any questions about this article at Dawn@DepkeWellness.com.

In Joy,
Dawn Depke