Gilley's Naturals

09/11/2026

Have you ever smelled cedarwood essential oil? Talk about a sniff that makes your mind think of wonderfully deep, woodsy things. It almost feels like it brings up memories but you've never been in a forest. Weird, I know.

I bought my first tiny vial of cedarwood 50 years ago in a little natural health place in Escondido CA. I would carefully take off the lid and sniff it every once in a while I loved it so much. I even would take a tiny drop and put it on the end of my hair so when I moved my head, I might get just a faint whisper of it. But here's this.....

When I did some recent research on cedarwood this is what I found. "Aromatherapy is the act of using essential oils to enhance psychological and physical well-being. Research has demonstrated that you may want to reach for the cedarwood oil if you’re looking to calm down and relax.

In a controlled study, healthy adult subjects inhaled vaporized cedrol, a major chemical component of cedarwood essential oil, via a face mask. During inhalation, participants had a significant reduction in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate.

Spectral analysis of heart rate variability showed increased parasympathetic activity and a reduction in sympathetic activity, which corresponds to a relaxed, restful physiological state." I don't remember using it for stress (NOW I would) but my body just knew. You have to understand that 50 years ago, aromatherapy wasn't "a thing" so I just stumbled on it and have loved it ever since.

a week or so ago I posted a recipe for men's spray and one of the ingredients was cedarwood. Just think, if you make this spray for him, you might both reap the calming, grounding benefits of that and other calming smells. Besides all this, it's anti-fungal (kills fungus), kills bacteria in your home, helps retore hair growth, keeps bugs away and even more. Here's that glorious recipe again. 5 drops cedarwood essential oil, 3 drops bergamot essential oil,
2 drops sandalwood essential oil, 8 ounces 70 percent alcohol or vodka (I use Everclear). And to sweeten the deal, if you buy any 2 of these 3 oils this month, I'll throw the third in for FREE.
Glass cologne spray bottle

09/07/2026

Have the bugs, mosquitoes especially, driven you out of your mind this summer? In MN, they were as big as B52 bombers and sounded almost as bad. I don't miss that at all but I know how it can be. You can't enjoy any activity outdoors, it's so frustrting and you don't want to use the traditional sprays on yourself and especially not children.

Although it's unusual for someone to experience some of the symptoms of poisoning from bug sprays like Irritation of skin and eyes, Irritability to sound and touch, abnormal facial sensation, sensation of prickling, tingling/creeping on skin and numbness, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased salivation or fatigue (I know, throw all the worst symptoms out there...). So many of those things could be from other things, not easily acknowledged (as in children) and other responses but something all natural is here to save the day.

I will agree, natural sprays aren't generally as effective as store bought, chemical laden ones. And to be honest, my own creation , Buggone, doesn't work for me. Usually this failure would tempt me to get rid of the product but since many other people love it and I have sold so much that, I'm not going to use myself as the standard on it. I quote from the product description here. "Buggone Bug Repellent is the perfect spray for everyone in the family. Created for our first grandbaby (Oriah!), it's perfectly safe for children and may be used directly on the skin.

All natural ingredients of Aloe Vera gel juice for conditioning skin, non-alcohol witch hazel for quick drying, vitamin E for conditioning, Essential oils of Lemongrass, Citronella best known for repellents, Cedarwood that has been used for literally centuries in India, and Eucalyptus, also very effective in natural bug products. No alcohol like Captain Ron's (a very popular natural name at the time) bug spray. This effective spray can be applied as often as needed. According to several past Buggone users, spraying a pants hem may be a good deterrent for ticks. Applied to pets' fur, it's safe even when licked and helps keep your pets free from pesky mosquitoes and again, may be helpful against ticks. You may also spray leather or cloth collars heavily if you choose not to apply directly.

No matter how you use it, you'll find its refreshing and appealing scent is effective against many of the bugs that keep you from enjoying the great outdoors!" I couldn't have explained it better myself, lol.

Buggone Bug Repellent is the perfect spray for everyone in the family. Created for our first grandbaby, it's perfectly safe for children and may be used directly on the skin.All natural ingredients of Aloe Vera gel juice for conditioning skin, non-alcohol witch hazel for quick drying, vitamin E....

09/03/2026

Winter is coming....I know, I know, it's still stinking hot here but cold weather and winter are inevitable. How does your skin do with the drier weather? Will you turn reptilian? Will it seem like dandruff is all over your body? Yuck, I know.

Now is a great time to try our Bergamot Vanilla Mint Lotion. Lots of women love the scent but it's more than that. 98% natural, you don't have to worry about using it because there's nothing in it to cause troubling reactions or long term chemical problems. There are plenty of things beyond our control doing that!

A base of several soothing oils combines with the exciting scent of mint and Bergamot making it a great addition to your skin necessities. A touch of vanilla brings all the scents to ground level, creating a richer, more comforting smell. Nongreasy, it is quickly absorbed so you can use it almost anytime and immediately feel the comforting, softening way it glides on your skin. The mint pops your eyes open! Not too heavy, it can be used as a pre-shave lotion to help avoid dry skin and help your shaver glide more easily. After a day in the sun, its refreshing properties are a delight to dry, burned skin too.

You'll love that you can use it and go back to tasks without the greasy, heavy feeling you can have after most lotion. It's wonderful stuff!

This wonderful lotion is 99% natural with no harmful parabens or SLS to worry about. A base of several soothing oils combines with the exciting scent of mints and Bergamot making it a great addition to your skin necessities. Nongreasy, it is quickly absorbed so you can use it almost anytime and imme...

08/31/2026

There is an incredible smelling, easy to make men's cologne/after shave/spray recipe for you to try. Not only will he love it but you will too, especially knowing it's free of the chemicals and toxins used in so many fragrances for men (and women of course). Easy to put together with only 3 essential oils and a little vodka to hold the smell and stretch it's usage, here are the three broken down.

Bergamot essential oil is a scent you may recognize from salons and higher end women's businesses. Research shows it has mood-enhancing effects and that just 15 minutes of inhaling bergamot significantly increased positive mood by about 17 percent versus a control group. In this cologne it can become an emotional uplift, helping wearers feel more confident, alert and/or balanced. Who doesn't want the men in our lives to be more balanced? (Just a little dig, sorry). Cologne formulators love bergamot oil because it’s more than just a scent, it’s a multi-sensory, mood-enhancing, skin-friendly ingredient supported by research, and that’s why it’s included in this homemade men’s cologne recipe.

Next you'll need Sandalwood, an amazing addition because a pilot trial with 32 participants showed inhaling sandalwood oil significantly reduced systolic blood pressure and salivary cortisol during a recovery phase after stress, pointing to calming, restorative effects. That's what Dr. Axe says alongside "Its ability to enhance alertness and reduce stress can enhance morning routines or evening rituals, adding a subtle psychological boost.
In men’s grooming and cologne, sandalwood delivers a powerful trifecta: a long-lasting, rich fragrance; mood-lifting effects; and genuine skin health benefits validated by clinical evidence."

On to the last incredible smell, cedarwood. Can you even imagine these three together? Research has found that "heart rate variability shifted toward increased parasympathetic (relaxation) activity and decreased sympathetic (stress-related) activity, demonstrating a true calming effect when inhaled. When it comes to men’s cologne, cedarwood calms the senses and evokes a mood boost, not just masking odor but enhancing presence." Wow.

So here's that amazing, easy to make recipe I hope you'll try.
5 drops cedarwood essential oil
3 drops bergamot essential oil
2 drops sandalwood essential oil
8 ounces 70 percent alcohol or vodka (I try to use Everclear in these recipes) Shake before each spray just to be sure its evenly combined and a glass container is important because of the strong ingredients and to limit plastic exposure. Have you read about micro-plastics?! OMGosh, it's endless so let's try to minimize whenever possible.

I'm going to try this recipe, how about you? Be sure to let us know how it works and any responses. We all learn together here!

08/29/2026

Do you have an OCD issue with labels on things? Weird, I know. I do, full disclosure, I like to take the labels off most of the things I own. That's one of the things I love about Goodwill. Their labels pull off in 4 sections, lol. So I was taking the sticker off something this morning and thought about ya'll.

Essential oils work as well as Goo Gone, my old go-to fave. I use Miracle oil bc it's such a good blend and smells so good. Just spray it on and wipe off, stickyness and sticker are gone. You can use it several times on something til it's all clean and feels right. Some things need a little soak before they come clean but it will work. Try with any EO you have on hand!

08/25/2026

Good afternoon from a hot, sweaty, crabby friend. I find that this year's heat has made me this way so I spent the morning setting up a new run for the chickens. I feel so sorry for them when it's this hot. Anyway....

Air needs refreshing from time to time, eh? It needs some life, hence Air Alive. Nice transition, right? All essential oils so naturally good for your home, fabrics, diffusers, upholstery, curtains, AC filters and on and on. It is even good as a toilet spray (poopouri) and contains undiluted essential oils (Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Sweet Orange, Peppermint, and Tea Tree) that help clear the air and kill germs naturally. When sprayed above you, it helps clear stuffy heads and sinuses while the natural citrus oils cheer your spirits. Effective in water, it powers your cleaning efforts with germ killers without any residue.

I knew a man who got the smell of ci**rs out of his truck upholstery so his wife would ride with him again. A man who stored furniture in his parents basement and the musty smell about killed him in his new place. Air Alive to the rescue! Then dead fish after a fishing trip left in a car trunk in the middle of summer...someone was going to die over this one. Then cat urine in a the carpet in a new apartment. Voila! You can see how effective it can be and in cleaning water it's awesome. That clean smell and germ killing can't be beat. And here it is

Air Alive (toilet spray) contains undiluted essential oils (Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Sweet Orange, Peppermint, and Tea Tree) that help clear the air and kill germs naturally. When sprayed above you, it helps clear stuffy heads and sinuses while the natural citrus oils cheer your spirits....

08/21/2026

If you've ever smelled Ylang Ylang essential oil you'll remember it. It's called the "flower of flowers" for a reason. Sweet, flowery, even historically used in perfumes (Chanel #5) it deepens the scent of almost anything to a new level. Besides just an amazing scent, there are many other uses for this amazing oil like Increasing blood flow, relieving inflammation, fighting parasites, regulating heartbeat,
healing cardiac problems, lifting someone’s mood and lowering anxiety and promoting healthy intestinal function just to name a few benefits.

It can be added to a diffuser to make everything smell amazing, added to hair products for it's hair restorative elements, to lotions for added dry skin benefits and on and on. So versatile! And so beautiful to smell. Drop it on a wool dryer ball for a rich floral scent too. Let your mind wander! Have a great weekend, enjoy the summer and relax.

Sometimes referred to as “the oil of the heart”, its distinct scent is essential for many emotional needs. In aromatherapy Ylang Ylang Essential Oil is well known as an antidepressant and sedative, helping support emotional balance. One to two drops with a carrier oil massaged into feet can be a...

08/19/2026

I remember 0ver 50 years ago in the northern Michigan woods tasting my first wintergreen leaf. I was in heaven! Where had this taste been for the last 18 years?! lol

It was amazing but the scent of wintergreen essential oil is almost (almost) as refreshing. It's my favorite of the mint family and used in many of Gilley's products to enhance scents and bring a little grounding to a recipe.

Dr. Axe (my go-to guy) says beyond other benefits, "The taste and smell of mint can help reduce cravings and signify satiety, which is why many people find it comforting to chew minty gum after a meal or between meals.

If you feel the afternoon munchies coming on or the tendency to overeat, try sniffing wintergreen oil or gargling it in your mouth. You can try applying a couple drops on your temples, chest or clothes, too." This is something I'm going to try since I already love the smell. Just a sniff can be helpful in clearing the cobwebs in your head too. But beyond my eating issues, it's a natural antibiotic that can be added to cleaning water, gargled, dropped on a toothbrush, added to bathwater, used for stiff, sore muscles (it's the main essential oil in our Deep Muscle products!) and a lot more.

Experiment for yourself(and of course let us know) and get it here!

Wintergreen has enjoyed popularity for many centuries, especially among Native Americans. Treating respiratory tract infections, chewing the leaves for increased endurance and respiratory capacity, helping them run longer. Ojibwes and Mohawk were known to drink wintergreen tea as a healthful medicin...

08/19/2026

Would you like to an incredible smelling hand wash that sudses without chemicals and doesn't dry your skin out? I'm going to make one, let me know.

Send a message to learn more

08/14/2026

If you have a kind of serious wound have I got a thing for you.

When there's a wound that needs attention, Gilley's Wound Heal has just the right combination of powdered herbs to help. Cayenne is quick to help stop bleeding and pain (you'd think it would burn but it doesn't!!), comfrey leaf speeds healing, goldenseal is anti-bacterial, plantain fights inflammation while slippery elm bark soothes and protects. These powerful, herbs can be applied directly to open cuts and wounds and are absorbed into the skin.

We have several remarkable stories of gaping wounds healing quickly after being packed with Wound Heal, one after a chainsaw accident. My husband hit his knee and came in with a boot bull of blood. I went out to warm up the car for the 20 minute ride to the nearest clinic and he said to just stitch it up myself....right.... I'd just made some wound heal so I suggested trying it out overnight. We packed it with the powder, then used 12 Herb Salve to cover it and it wasn't bleeding or hurting!! Bandaged it overnight and the next morning, voila. It had absorbed the powder and was closed considerably. Repacked and butterfly bandaged it and again at bedtime, same thing. It was healing so fast we were amazed. I had a picture (Polaroid) of him holding his three fingers next to it on the third day and it was almost closed. Can you imagine?! We were dumbfounded. I had two other people tell some similar stories that were incredible involving injuries and they were both so relieved it was on hand. How can you anticipate needing something like that? Last year I cut the ends off two of my fingers and dipped the finger ends in it to help speed up the healing after stitches. Healed beautifully!

Bleeding and pain are quickly stopped. The blend of herbs helps fight infection and speed healing so this little bottle is a great addition to any household for emergencies. Let's hope you never need it but if you do....

When there's a wound that needs attention, Gilley's Wound Heal has just the right combination of powdered herbs to help. Cayenne is quick to help stop bleeding and pain, comfrey leaf speeds healing, goldenseal is anti-bacterial, plantain fights inflammation while slippery elm bark soothes an...