HOW I BECAME THE "CRAZY OIL LADY" - ITP, ESSENTIAL OILS, AND WHAT I WISH I HAD KNOWN SOONER
If you had told me ten years ago that essential oils would become part of my daily wellness routine, I probably would have laughed.

And yet… here we are.

This month, I’m quietly celebrating 10 years of what I lovingly call “crunchiness.” Not perfection. Not a magic cure. Just a steady, intentional shift toward supporting my body instead of constantly fighting it.

Remission Isn’t the Same as Wellness

Ten years ago, my platelet count was considered normal. I even used the word remission.
But looking back, I can say this honestly: I wasn’t truly healthy.
I was a classroom teacher. I had kids in school. And I caught every single germ that went around.
My immune system was constantly on high alert, and stress was simply part of life. I didn’t question it—I just powered through.

I Didn’t Set Out to “Rewire” My Immune System
When I was first introduced to essential oils, I wasn’t trying to fix my immune system.
I wasn’t chasing perfect health. I was just looking for simple support.
I began using single oils for things like:
  • Stress and emotional support
  • Immune wellness
  • Hormone balance
  • Digestion
  • Sleep
And then something unexpected happened.
I made it through fall and winter without taking a single sick day.

That had never happened before.

Stress, the Immune System, and ITP
Here’s something I wish I had understood earlier in my ITP journey:

Chronic stress and immune imbalance go hand in hand.
Stress doesn’t just affect our mood—it impacts inflammation, hormone signaling, sleep, digestion, and immune regulation. When the body stays in fight-or-flight mode long enough, it loses its ability to self-regulate.
Supporting the nervous system became one of the most important pieces of my healing puzzle.
Because stress was a large factor in the underlying cause of my ITP—calming the body helped it function the way it was designed to.

The Oils I Reach For Most
When people ask where to start, I often share that I didn’t figure this out alone. I began with a starter bundle that gave me a solid foundation—and from that point, I learned which individual oils my body responded to best.  Even after ten years, these oils are still at the top of my list.
Lavender
 Known for its calming properties, lavender supports relaxation, sleep, and emotional balance—key components of nervous system regulation.
Frankincense
 Often called the “king of oils,” frankincense has long been used to support cellular health, grounding, and overall wellness.
Peppermint
 Invigorating and clarifying, peppermint can support digestion, mental focus, and energy—especially helpful during fatigue-heavy seasons.
These oils don’t override the body. They support it.

Quality Matters (More Than Most People Realize)
Not all essential oils are created equal.
When choosing oils—especially if you’re managing an autoimmune condition—it’s important to consider:
  • Plant sourcing and growing conditions
  • Distillation methods (low heat, proper timing)
  • Purity and transparency
  • Whether the oil has been diluted, altered, or synthetically enhanced
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant compounds. How they are grown, harvested, and distilled directly affects how the body responds to them.
Quality isn’t about brand loyalty—it’s about respecting the intelligence of the body.

What I Wish I’d Known During My Platelet Battle
I often say this gently, because hindsight is always clearer:
I wish I had known how much supporting my nervous system mattered.
I wish I had understood that healing isn’t just about what we take—but about creating an environment where the body feels safe enough to repair.
And while essential oils weren’t the only piece of my journey, they became a powerful tool—one I still use daily, ten years later.

If You’re an ITP Warrior Reading This
You don’t have to do everything at once.
You don’t need a shelf full of oils.
And you certainly don’t need perfection.
Sometimes the most meaningful shifts come from small, consistent choices that support peace in the body—one breath, one habit, one step at a time.
That’s not being a “crazy oil lady.”
That’s learning how to listen.

From Personal Healing to Becoming a Certified Aromatherapy Coach
As this journey unfolded, my curiosity turned into education.
What started as personal experimentation and lived experience eventually led me to become a certified aromatherapy coach—not because I wanted another title, but because I wanted to teach responsibly.

Essential oils can be incredibly supportive, but let’s be honest:
  • They can feel overwhelming at first
  • Quality can be difficult to discern
  • And knowing how and when to use them matters—especially with autoimmune conditions like ITP
That’s where I come in.
I love helping people simplify oils, understand quality and safety, and learn practical, gentle ways to use them without fear or confusion. You don’t need to know everything—you just need a trustworthy starting point.

A Resource I Wish I’d Had During My ITP Battle
One thing I often say with a mix of gratitude and reflection is this:
I wish I had known about essential oils when I was actively battling ITP.
That’s why I created a short video sharing a few of my favorite oils and exactly how I would have used them back then to support stress, immune balance, and overall wellness.

If you’re navigating ITP—or simply looking for gentle, natural ways to support your body—you can watch that video here:


My heart is always to educate, empower, and encourage—so you can make informed choices that support your body with confidence and peace.


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Meet Nina Cesena

 
Chronic illness STINKS!  A battle with autoimmune disease left me “immune compromised” after the loss of my spleen, which happens to be an integral part of our immune system.

I won the battle with autoimmune disease and got into remission…but my immune system was still thrashed! I fell unwell ALL. THE. TIME. I was a classroom teacher and a mom of school age kids. Every icky thing that went around seemed to find me. There were winters I forgot what it felt like to feel “well”.  I wondered what my future was going to be like….Was I going to be a victim of my immune system forever?
Then…I began to wonder if there were ways I could support my immune system naturally. I’m a skeptic. If I’m going to try something new, I need to know “how” and “why” it is going to work! I did a ton of research…and tried something I hadn’t tried before.

A few months went by…and I realized I had made it through an entire fall-winter season feeling WELL! That was 7 years ago!!

Now, I live my life confident in the power of my immune system. I don't worry that every germ is going to catch up with me. I don't fear NOT having a spleen!
 
I’ve learned so much since that first winter seven years ago! Chronic illness or a weakened immune system can make us feel out of control and even trapped! I’m on a mission to help others empower themselves to take control and gain freedom.

Come join our group of wellness warriors!
Contact me!

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