Yoni Oil - Multi-Use & Muli-Amazing

(This post was sitting forgotten in my Drafts folder because I thought I'd published it a couple of months back! Better late and all that...)

Yoni???

This post was going to be "just for the ladies" until I realized that Yoni Oil is so multi-use. Also, I almost passed on trying this oil when I learned where the word "Yoni" comes from:

"'Yoni' is a word derived through Hinduism for vulva and vagina, and sellers make a variety of claims for their own blends of oils – some claim that it will promote 'freshness', others that it will moisturize and some say using this oil can support vaginal health."

The whole Hinduism thing threw me because I try to never knowingly dabble with other religions. Then thinking about the "claims", they sounded a bit, eh - the way things like colloidal silver sounds to me. Just not my thing. However, after reading some reviews, I decided that the product itself wasn't of another religion, just the name. Also, the stuff was dirt cheap the first time I bought it. It's still affordable, even more so because I now have a subscription.

Ingredients & Info.

The set of 3 that I got came scented as Strawberry, Pineapple, and Mango. 

At first, scent was of no importance to my single-gal life - when you think of where this oil is mainly meant to be applied. But, when I read the ingredients, I noticed that each bottle had some differences. See the instructions here for all the scents, with ingredients for the Mango version:

I will talk about some of those ingredients in a bit. The Strawberry has some interesting ingredients:

(Mugwort can be used to relieve itch and bacterial issues. Angelica for moisturizing, regenerative, and skin health. Sea buckthorn for moisture and post-menopausal, um, "vaginal atrophy" - yikes!)

When I got to the Pineapple list, I had to do cover some ingredients that were also in the Mango oil: 

Y'all know I've used a lot of EOs for my skin and hair but... 😕. In case you need help, as I certainly did, here are links to zedoary and Cnidium monnieri. I had to ask even more about the Hong Mei EO and saw in some links that it is also called red mandarin.

Hong Mei Ren (红美人) and Red Beauty are the same mandarin orange variety. They are known for their sweetness, thin skin, and juicy flesh. Hong Mei Ren is a premium Japanese mandarin orange that is also cultivated in Ningbo, China according to Skc Fruits. It's often referred to as "Red Beauty" or "Mandarin Jelly".  (see this source for more info)

Yoni vs feminine sprays/wipes

At first, I was just applying the oil to my undies and panty liners. It was some kind of awesome. I found it to be much nicer than the sprays and wipes I've used. I was never happy with the sprays just because I was breathing in particles every time I used them. The wipes were okay, but they created so much waste. 

The Yoni oil has a pleasant scent but doesn't just cover up odor, it eliminates them. I noticed that there was no noticeable odor in my undies or around my vaginal area when using the oil. And, if you are past a certain age or have experienced pregnancy and/or menopause, you understand how mysterious the female body is! There are so many hormonal and other changes that happen, it can be wild...

Uncomfortable dryness is something else the oil combats - and without messiness. Vaginal dryness is not a problem just for those with a sex life. It can be very unpleasant all around.

(By the way, I did once try another feminine product at the suggestion of a friend: vaginal suppositories. They were made for dryness, odor, and Ph balance. Maybe, but talk about messy. Ugh! I threw those out after one try, and they weren't that cheap.)

The Yoni oil actually works better than everything else I've tried. I love the fact that it takes just a couple of drops of oil to be rid of the various 'issues'.

Other uses

After I'd been using the oil for around a month or so, I accidentally discovered another use. My underarms were really dry after using a new deodorant. I think it was whatever gave the product its "shower fresh" scent. Whatever the reason, I found myself with itchy underarms one day. I took a shower to get rid of the product and applied some lotion. Later that evening, the itching was back. It's as if the deodorant had dried the crap out of my skin. My Yoni oil was on the bathroom counter, so I rubbed a little into my pits and the relief was almost immediate. And the thing about Yoni oil is, it's not heavily oily like some of my other skin oils so it doesn't stain my clothing.

The next morning, I applied more Yoni to my pits while I looked for a replacement deodorant.  I continued using the oil for the two days it took for the deodorant (a non-allergenic cream this time) to arrive. During that entire time, I had no need for deodorant. So, it seems that during the dry fall and winter seasons, I can use Yoni to control pit odor. Of course, living where I do, the summer humidity is crazy, so I still need a good antiperspirant. 

Pretty soon, I was using a little Yoni oil under my boobs (ladies get what I mean) and even dabbing some on my feet every day. A couple of times, I have, in a pinch, used the oil on my scalp. I have tested it on my neck and face. It does no harm, but I already have face creams and oils that work better for that.

Guys, you listening?

Like I said at the start, I originally meant this to be a ladies-only post. Once I realized the various uses for Yoni oil, I had to open things up for guys. I am sure that a lot of them can use some dryness relief in the groin or underarm area at times. Or maybe the oil would be good for foot odor? All I'm saying is that this oil is too good to be restricted to just ladies.

A caution

Because there are so many versions and varieties of Yoni oil, I can only talk about the one that I used. Once I learned that there was even such a thing, I started seeing all kinds of Yoni oils. I've seen them listed on almost every retailer website, "healing" sites, and on Etsy. I've seen those made using primarily rose or some other type of oil.

This goes for any product you hear about, but if you do decide to look into using Yoni oil, be careful of allergic reactions and other problems. Can you imagine something "breaking out" in that precious area??? 

Finally

I've been using the oil for about 5 months now. I am happy with the results. Right now, I have it at a very affordable price with a subscription, but I will continue to shop around for better prices if this one goes up. 

I usually link to the product I use, but I decided that you can look for the brand I am using and do your own research. Mine is from a no-name type of producer called "Wovarkie". When I do a visual search, I see the exact same bottles on other sites and, sometimes, with what looks like a different brand stamp. So... you know.

Peace

--Free

I Was Not Tornado Ready!

 We are were under a tornado warning right now recently. We were  have been for a couple of days. I have not been prepared, people.

(Um, I didn't finish this post the same day I started it so, use your judgment about the tense.)

 I moved here to the Midwest almost exactly 8 years ago. The first thing I worried about was tornados. We are so close to Kansas, like Palin said, I can see it from my backyard. Like Palin, I exaggerate. BUT Kansas is close and, technically, I live in Tornado Alley. There are tornado sirens and designated shelters. God help me.

Anyway.

When I first moved here, I was terrified of a tornado coming through. Once or twice, we had windstorms severe enough that my neighbors and I congregated in the halls (sturdy walls), ready to make the run to the shelter across the way. My neighbors were all so very nonchalant. Most of them used these occasions to catch up on local gossip. A few of them kept reassuring me that we haven't had "a touchdown" in years. 

I guess because nothing like that has happened for the past two or two and half years, I got comfortable. I was so comfortable that I was sleeping pretty hard this morning - even though we were under a weather advisory. When my phone rang at 6:37, I thought I was dreaming until the third ring. Yeah. 

The call was from my brother (he lives about 12 minutes away in the next town) asking if I'd heard the tornado sirens. I had not. I almost hadn't believed the annoying phone shrilling just 20 inches from my ear.

I snapped right awake, ready to panic. My brother calmed me down and said to just throw on some clothes and go back to sleep. That way, I'd be ready in case of "a touchdown".

"Back to sleep"? Crazy man... I was going nowhere near sleep again soon. I got up and made coffee. Then I tried to put together some things I might need to take to a storm shelter.

G.I. brat here. I'll be sleeping "ready roll".

The first thing I did (I mean, after making coffee) was to put in my dentures. That's a new consideration, right? After that, I dug out my backpack and threw in some essentials: Bible, wallet, sneakers, water, some feminine hygiene items, and my bag of prescription meds. This is when I realized I have no idea in which "place of important things" I'd put my birth certificate...

And that was also the moment I realized that I am not tornado ready. I mean, as far as having stuff in a "Go Bag".  Even as far as knowing where my very important birth certificate was.

Wow. I'd be a lousy girlfriend to Red Reddington, wouldn't I? He'd be calling for Edward with a "wheels up" alert while was running around, trying to decide which face cream to pack - or where I'd even put such a cream.

I kid. A bit.  But I did get motivated later on to find that birth certificate. Typical me. I find motivation in the strangest ways.

Even though I only took about 5 minutes to get my bag ready - you know, after I made coffee - I was not really prepared. For one thing, when I was grabbing meds, I forgot a really important one that I keep in the fridge. I also forgot to pack the syringes for that med. I also forgot to pack anything important to my vanity - other than the teeth. I had nothing for my hair, no lotion, no face creams, and no sunscreen. And, good Lord, I would never be able to get my perfumes into anything but a small carry-on bag...

Yeah, I am not prepared to get on the move in a hurry. 

Now that I am a little less frazzled, I am thinking about all those silly TV shows. You know the ones where someone has to get out of town quickly because of a crazy ex or maybe the FBI is on their way? (Like I said, I'd be a terrible chick for Reddington.) 

I'm with Floridians

There is no one I've ever known who could clear out the way those fictional TV characters do. I would never be able to leave that fast. Ever. Just for a normal, taking-my-time move, my hair and skin products alone require a separate logistics plan.

 I would need a couple of days, at least, just to think about which clothes to take. There would be none of that dumping a drawer into a suitcase for me. I can't just be willy nilly dumping things into a bag. I'm a woman who keeps underwear separated into "The Good", "The Bad", "The Ugly", and "Keeping Only Because I am a Hoarder".

Best bugout bag ever

Seriously, this tornado warning situation was a needed wakeup call - literally and figuratively. This is the day that I am going to put together a realistic Go Bag.

Stay Safe out there, folks.

Peace

--Free

P.S.: As I was posting this (with the tornado scare over - for now), we are under a heat advisory.... 🙄

**UPDATE (to the update?)** Dental Update #12 Almost 3 Weeks In

 I wrote this original post 7 days ago and... I'm back with more good news. I am eating salads almost every day and sometimes twice a day now. I can chew the peppers and onions and thick pieces of tomato. It is glorious. 

What I have learned is that it is all about the adhesive. I think I mentioned before that I had to try a couple before I got what I like. I settled on a powder, and I learned how to use just the right amount: enough for a good hold, but not so much that it's caked on. If I don't use my adhesive properly, I have trouble chewing and enjoying some foods.

There are a couple of things I've noticed and have to be careful of. While I'm mostly protected from brain freeze when eating cold things (because of the top palate), but I can also accidentally swallow something that is too hot. If I don't feel the heat on my palate, a hot food or beverage can hit me wrong going down my throat. I know, I know and, yes, I do realize it when it hits my tongue, but...

All in all, I can say that I really got lucky in choosing a great dentist. My teeth have been working well and my diet is so much healthier now that I can chow down on veggies. I'm not going back to eating as much meat as I always did, but it's nice to have a piece of turkey, chicken, or pork chop every now and again.

I will say it one more time for the folks in the back: don't hesitate to get started on your dental journey!

****************

If I said at one point that I would do a diary about having my teeth, I lied. I tried to keep a daily record for my dentist and ended up only noting the highlights. In the 18 days that I have had these teeth, these are the main highlights:

• Days 1-4: I felt like crying. A lot. I couldn't eat anything. The teeth felt too big, and my tongue was taking up too much room, blah, blah, blah...
• Day 4: I ate a potato chip. Best chip ever.
• Switched from using liquid adhesive to a thick paste.
• Learned that the better your dentures fit, the thinner your adhesive should be.
• Switched from a thick paste to a powder. This has been much better.
• Day 9: Ate part of a sandwich of tomato, avocado, and spinach.
• Learned that it's not what I eat, but how I eat. I can eat almost anything - but some things require a bit more care.
• Day 12: My jaw and face muscles have gotten used to having dentures. The teeth don't feel as big and my tongue is back to normal. The gagging issue has greatly improved.
• Day 15: My dentures stopped feeling like dentures and started to feel more a natural part of my mouth.

It kept getting better and better. I still and not able to eat whole raw carrots and broccoli, but will be getting some to slice thin and eat with a bit of dip. I think the best day I had was when I was able to pull out the walnuts that have been in my freezer for over a year. I made some brown sugar bread with them and... heaven. Pure heaven.

There are still days when I wake up and think, "This is my life now". Mostly, though, I am just thankful to be able to chew food thoroughly.

I've run into a couple of more things that are normal for people with dentures. One is that I've had to go back for minor adjustments. Another is that it's as easy to develop bad habits with dentures as it is with natural teeth. I have been tempted to sleep in mine and have to fight that urge. I must say, though, that it's easier to reach all the nooks and crannies when brushing dentures! 

Sounds like that dental lisp...
(source link)

This will most likely be the last post dedicated to dentures. If I can offer any advice, it would be:

• Almost everybody has a hard time adjusting
• As soon as you are able to eat with dentures, do not be tempted to eat without them
• It really does get easier, bit by bit. You might feel that you are never going to be even close to normal again without your natural teeth. I think everyone feels that way for the first several days or weeks.
• For encouragement, go search out videos with "dentures vs food" or "food vs dentures". There are a lot of wonderful people who share their experiences and helpful tips.
• Check out the Subreddit for dentures. Great group of helpful people offering a lot of encouragement and advice.

So, yeah. I am at the point where I have accepted that this really is my life now. I am very glad to have a beautiful smile again. I am very blessed to be able to eat and enjoy food again. Just remember, you can't make the journey if you don't start the journey.

Peace

-- Free