Gilley's Naturals

07/29/2026

I love it when FB says, "what's on your mind?" when I got ready to post and I always want to ramble, just go into whatever it is I'm thinking about. Today, that question is specifically that I don't remember If I've done a post on rosemary essential oil. SO, if I have, please don't wonder about my memory, I do enough of that without your help, lol.

Let's talk about rosemary after that little rant. It's an amazingly broad spectrum oil that helps with hair growth and regeneration, shows antibiotic properties, may help with joint pain, may increase circulation, repels certain insects, is rich in antioxidants, and may have anti cancer properties! AND it helps lower cortisol, something else I'm thinking about lately.

Dr. Axe says, "Upon observing that both essential oils (lavender & rosemary) enhance free radical-scavenging activity, researchers also discovered that both greatly reduced cortisol levels, which protects the body from chronic disease due to oxidative stress." Cortisol is the stress hormone so it makes sense to think about keeping your levels low whenever possible. When it comes to insects, rosemary oil disrupts the signals that they use to find a host. For glorious hair, want ow make your own healthy, inexpensive shampoo? Start with 6 ounces aloe vera gel, add 3 tablespoons olive oil, 10 tablespoons baking soda, 20 drops rosemary oil,10 drops peppermint oil and gently mix. It won't be a great sudser but really the SLS that makes shampoo so generous with suds is VERY bad for you. This may be one of those things that feels a little uncomfortable to use but it may show great benefits if you're concerned with your hair's health. I'm going to try it and get back to you. An honest, unbiased review.

For pain relief, a little menthol, good quality carrier oil and rosemary, massaged into the stiff or sore area may provide some relief. Keeping the bottle open at your desk or computer or using an inhaler is proven to help with mental fatigue and improve brain function. If you have to concentrate or study, what more could you ask for?

Rosemary has been called "the scent of health" for good reason! It's one of the most popular oils known for body strengthening and healing, fighting everything from bacteria to germs to fungus, this oil is a necessity in your essential oil Arsenal.For clarity of mind, add a drop to a dif...

07/27/2026

Do you suffer from dry skin? There are lots and lots of products for that but can you trust them to be good and not harmful? Not to be a jerk but most big companies don't really care about your health and well being. Huge surprise, I know.

So what are the things you want to avoid? Start with watching for parabens that are used as preservatives so that moisturizer is shelf stable. Then on to fragrances that I've talked about before. Mineral oil is added to so many things but contribute to breakouts and skin issues if you're sensitive to it. Silicones do the same thing to your poor skin! And lastly, something my husband used to haul in his semi, toluene. He was plaquerded for a hazardous chemical. I know. All those things are added for specific issues and none of them are good. It's crazy that then they can list them by other names too!
Your only option is to use something that claim to be organic or natural but then sometimes they don't work as well.

You know what I'm going to say. Gilley's uses a lotion base that's 98% natural. The only things outside of nature are used to keep the moisturizer shelf stable so it's never moldy or rancid (I know, yuck).
Full of things like cucumber peel for skin health and green tea extract to keep skin supple and geranium essential oil for helping skin appear fine and healthy (and it smells so wonderful). If you've ordered before, you may have gotten a small sample in your package so you already know.

Why not give your poor skin a break? Don't forget, if you're not happy with any of our products, I'll credit you for it so you don't really have anything to lose. Many women will attest to it's terrific benefits and have ordered over and over. Try it and see for yourself!

When your skin needs extra nourishment, our Ultimate Moisture is what you want.Without harmful parabens and additives, this formula keeps well with few stabilizers. Contains water cetearyl alcohol (a fatty acid to help thicken), Ceteareth-20 (a 'fatty alcohol' from coconut oil), glycerin, su...

07/23/2026

Have you ever thought about the use of essential oils as opposed to using fragrance oils? There are so many benefits, let's look at them.

Firstly, essential oils are naturally derived from living plants, flowers, roots and leaves, not man made. Our lives are FILLED with man made, unnatural things and deep down (and sometimes not THAT deep) we know that we're missing something in our lives by not spending more time in nature or around natural products. Do you agree?

This is why all Gilley's products are scented or include essential oils because we strive for the natural, most effective use of things from nature. For example, our Linen and Room spray doesn't just smell great, the oils in it are for rest, calm and helping your mind settle down, to provide a minute to sigh. In Calm, the Lavender helps relax you, the Ylang Ylang will help you feel grounded, less frazzled and the sweet Orange is uplifting to mind and body. When you use it as a perfume, you're skipping all the artificial ingredients and going straight to the natural scents that help your body respond. Buggone is full of oils that repel mosquitoes and the Deep Muscle products are MADE of anti inflammatory and body easing oils. And your body responds to them! Our bodies WANT to heal and function better but we have to give them a little help sometimes. Natural products are an easy way to do it.

You don't have to use our products of course, with a little research you are able to find oils that can treat a myriad of symptoms and conditions from aches to pain, relaxation, stress relief, and encouraging calm. It only makes sense to use oils more often to counter the effects of our modern world, stresses and conditions. Don't essential oils just make sense?

07/20/2026

Do you love the smell of peppermint? It's one of those sniffs you either are attracted to or try to get away from, agree? You can brush against a plant in the garden and just smell it immediately. So what can all that mintiness do?

Peppermint has significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities. It also works as a strong antioxidant, displays anti-tumor actions in lab studies, shows anti-allergenic potential, has pain-killing effects and helps relax the gastrointestinal tract. When you read about all the things in mouthwash that are potentially harmful, a drop in water and swished can do the same thing while actually being beneficial for your health!

You don't even have to take it orally, just the smell can often be effective. I knew a woman who had peppermint oil in a nasal diffuser and sniffed it before she began work or studying, she felt like it cleared her mind (and probably her sinuses) to change her day's direction or to start a new project. This is truly one of those oils you NEED to have on hand.

It's also great in food. Take a look at some of these delicious recipes and don't forget where to buy peppermint oil. (wink)

Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe Mmm, peppermint patties. These delicious little snacks seem to pop up in the stores around the holidays, and, boy, are they good. But if you’ve ever seen the ingredients list on some of the packaged patties, you already know that peppermint patties aren’t the h...

07/17/2026

Isn't it wonderful to be able to test products before you pay full price for them? We've got you covered.

Our samplers sample bag is just the thing. Six smaller samples and two larger multi-use samples are included. Comes with a colorful bag in case you want to give it to someone as a thank you, a welcome to the neighborhood, I appreciate you, etc. A pretty thoughtful and unusual gift that may be something they really appreciate. Or YOU! Gives you a chance to see if the Patchouli Lotion is REALLY as wonderful as I tell you it is or if the Marigold Eye Cream is as luscious as I claim. The Sampler bag will have 8 of our most popular products in it and you can see what you like, look it up on the website to find uses and ingredients, and then bang, throw it in your cart. Sounds so easy eh? Here it is, I think you'll enjoy opening it up and loving the smells and feel of so many things.

These colorful bags hold 6 sample containers of Gilley's products, which will include many of our best-selling products like Deep Muscle Relief Oil, Fresher Hair Dry Shampoo, Patchouli Passion Lotion, Air Alive, Linen & Room Spray, Stinky Foot Powder, Miracle Oil, 12 Herb Salve and several o...

07/09/2026

Post after post I tell you what Gilley's products have to offer. Not today.

Here are a few common things you will NEVER find in our products. And I mean NEVER.

Things mentioned by skin care experts. "Parabens are one of the best-known no-no ingredients, and yet these preservatives, derived from petroleum, are still incredibly pervasive. Not only are there links to breast cancer, they are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they mimic estrogen in the body, which can lead to hormonal imbalances and infertility. Parabens can enable hallmarks and characteristics of cancer in human breast epithelial cells. Parabens can be listed under different names, but the most common are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben," says Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. According to Dr. Jaliman, parabens are particularly common in makeup and moisturizers." NEVER in Gilley's Natural Products!

Many of us consider a good smell a deciding factor when choosing skincare, but we should actually be making sure that no fragrances have been added before sniffing anything. Synthetic fragrances can also cause issues for some people. "The vast majority of products contain purely chemically produced fragrance compositions, which have been shown to cause allergic reactions on the skin, along with headaches, allergies, dizziness, rashes, cough, skin irritation, pigmentation, and hyperactivity," says Anne-Claire Walch, PhD, pharmacology expert and founder of Brûmée. That's why we ONLY use pure essential oils.

Formaldehyde is popular in hair straightening products, nail polish, and other cosmetics, but it should definitely be avoided, especially in skincare. It's sometimes used as a chemical preservative to prevent bacterial growth, but if humans are exposed to high amounts of this, it has been thought that it puts you at higher risk for developing cancers. (National Cancer Institute. Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk.) Need I say it again? NEVER!

Lastly (for now), phthalates, used in cosmetics, primarily in fragrances, phthalates can also be found in skincare products. Known endocrine disruptors, which also cause hormonal and reproductive problems and birth defects.

So it comes down to....not only what you're PAYING for but what you aren't. We promise to never include any of these (and lots more) in our products. Gilley's, for over 20 years, has NEVER used them and NEVER will.

07/06/2026

Have you ever had to work or sit near someone who smelled like way too much patchouli? I hear people saying this all the time! It's generally a pretty quiet, unassuming fragrance but sometimes, wow. Let's talk about it.

Dr. Axe says, patchouli "fights depression, boosts the immune system, works as a natural deodorant, stops fungal growth, reduces inflammation, enhances mood, strengthens hair, fights infections, treats skin conditions, works as a bug repellent, stimulates hormones and fights a fever." Impressive, eh? And for me, reminds me of a gentler time in the world when all the hippies wore it.

It’s also commonly used for skin care because of its ability to help alleviate skin issues, and it’s considered one of best home remedies for acne, eczema, inflammation, and cracked, chapped or irritated skin. It has cell-rejuvenating properties, which is why it’s often used in anti-aging skin care, and has the power to lessen the look of scars or marks on the skin. It's one of those oils you may safely diffuse in your home, add to pre-made lotions or skin care items or simply use neat on your skin as a natural deodorant. Adding it to a good quality carrier oil gives it dozens of new uses. And of course, it's in my favorite lotion here

Groovy and very cool, this old hippie scent is making a comeback. We've added a light touch of patchouli, a hint of vanilla, and a tad of bergamot essential oils for that reminiscent scent that isn't too overwhelming. Light and conditioning, this quickly absorbing lotion is great all over. F...

07/06/2026

Did ya'll have a good fourth of July? We sure did! Go to Gilleys Firework Extravaganza on FB to see some of the videos, you'll be impressed.

07/02/2026

Does it seem like your house smells off? You can't say what but it isn't good so what do you do. I used to love those Febreze plug ins until I found out they were so bad for me and pets. I tried different plants, essential oil diffusers, candles all to no avail. I came up with a linen/room spray that is terrific!

I'll be honest, it was really for sheets at first, I was hanging them on the line and pewie! So much for going natural.....the linen spray also was meant for helping you relax and drift off but I found it was a terrific room spray too.

I had someone tell me once that she used it on her dog's bed so that when they travelled, the car and hotel room could smell more like home to the pup. I wish she had been my mom to be so thoughtful, ha! But have you stayed in a cheap hotel room and thought the same kind of thing, "I wished this smelled nicer or more like home" etc. Now it can and I'm sure you can think of plenty of other uses too.

A teacher friend told me they used it faithfully in the nurses room in their school because the essential oils in it are made to help you relax. Lavender oil helps your mind stop racing, clary sage and rosewood gently relax muscles and nerves so you're soothed into rest. Safe for linens and clothing! What do you think?

06/30/2026

Have you, or anyone you've known had a toenail fungus? I know, yuck. But many people suffer with it as they get older and the consequences can be altering. I recently saw a man at church limping and asked and he'd had his large toenail removed! I didn't know it was "a thing" but he said it was. It's a way to correct damage done to the nail through years of a fungal infection.

So when I got home I started a regimen with oil of oregano and you wouldn't believe. (I took pictures, before and after but can't get them on the post). Trust me, the results were very impressive. How does it work? I never thought you'd ask. (wink)

Here are some surprising Oregano oil uses, as a
Natural Antibiotic: Dilute it with a carrier oil, and apply it topically to the soles of your feet or take it internally for 10 days at a time and then cycle off.
Battle Candida and Fungal Overgrowth: For toenail fungus, you can make a homemade antifungal powder that can be applied to your skin. Combine the ingredients with about 3 drops of oregano oil, stir and then sprinkle the powder onto your feet. For internal use, take 2 to 4 drops twice daily for up to 10 days.
Fight Pneumonia and Bronchitis: For external infections, apply 2 to 3 diluted drops to the affected area. To prevent internal bacterial overgrowth, ingest 2 to 4 drops twice daily for up to 10 days.
Fight MRSA and Staph Infection: Add 3 drops of oregano oil to a capsule or to the food or beverage of your choice along with a carrier oil. Take it twice daily for up to 10 days.
Fight Intestinal Worms and Parasites: Take oregano oil internally for up to 10 days.
Help Remove Warts: Make sure to dilute it with another oil or mix it with clay.
Cleanse Mold From the Home: Add 5 to 7 drops to a homemade cleaning solution along with tea tree oil and lavender. (Dr. Axe) For toenails I just rubbed a drop or two into the nail and lifted it as much as possible so the oil went around and under the nail bed.

A word of warning here; if you decide to take a drop or two under your tongue, be prepared because it will be like nothing you've probably ever encountered. I can tell numerous stories of people declaring they do it all the time and try ours and come back to report it's one of the hard things they've done. It's awful. Many years ago I experimented with a variety of ways to take it and never found anything that worked well. Capsules melted or broke open in my stomach, I tried hiding them in dough balls etc and you just have to buck up and take it. Our oregano oil is undiluted and that's where the confusion comes when people say they've taken it orally before. Right. Gilley's oil can become a nightmare because if you try to take a drink to get it down, it washes around in your month and creates havoc. Still interested? I would LOVE to find a way to take it orally but it works so well for other things that that can wait til later....much later. Fortunately it works so well for so many other things that you really should try it and find a more natural way to clean, disinfect, heal and encourage healthy growth and repair.

Do you love Italian cooking? Then you'll recognize the smell of our next great essential oil- Oregano. Besides the herb flavoring food, the oil can be used for a whole range of health issues---even the ancient Greeks and Romans used it!Fighting infection is one of the things you'll appreciat...