I began creating products with essential oils to meet my need for health solutions that avoided the many chemical and pharmaceutical remedies that I became allergic to after being over-medicated with antibiotics as a child and later poisoned by pesticides while living in Florida in my early 20’s. I was left chemically sensitive to petrochemicals, organophosphates, and formaldehyde, with widespread allergies to foods, drugs, toiletries, cleaning products, even textiles and home furnishings – all of which caused me significant respiratory distress, aches and pains, daily fevers, frequent rashes and sores, hair loss, and struggling with profound fatigue. The everyday world became hostile territory.

Living in a Hostile World

I became the girl who needed to live in a bubble, fearful of going to unknown places or even eating at a friend’s home because I didn’t know what allergen or toxin I might be challenged by. Grocery shopping – actually, any shopping – became an obstacle course as I sought to avoid known triggers. At work nearby co-workers couldn’t wear perfumes and none could use hairspray in the restroom. Office cleaning routines and products had to be modified for my area. More than once I was the “canary” alerting my employer to unhealthy air quality/contaminants before anyone else noticed a problem (once including a chemical spill in the other end of the office building from my cubicle.) I was grateful for their accommodations but it caused strain on relationships with other employees who considered me “high maintenance.”

The medical industry was unable to properly identify the cause of my distresses (“there’s no disease or syndrome that has all of your symptoms”) and, other than to recommend psychotherapy for stress and possible hypochondria, their treatment consisted of adding more drugs to try to alleviate my symptoms…until I became allergic to those as well. Traditional medicine failed me again.

A Different Approach Than Traditional Medicine

Obviously, a different approach was needed. A therapist referred me to a holistic chiropractor – still considered questionable medical professionals back then – and I began my journey back to health by digging deep until we uncovered the likely source – the fumigation of my rental house, which had resulted in all of us roommates getting sick; the others rebounded after about a week, but I didn’t.

Stripping away the pharmaceutical props and embracing an entirely organic diet for several years finally quieted down my body and cleared my brain fog enough for me to take charge of my health, listening carefully to my body, tackling the process of cleaning out my environment, much as I had my diet. I switched to natural cleaning products based on coconut oil and enzymes. I embraced the use of microfiber cloths and “elbow grease.” I eliminated carpets, drapes, and upholstered furniture that can outgas toxic fumes for many months, and harbor molds and other allergens. For a while I even gave up most cosmetics! Some family and friends thought I was obsessed, but I knew I was really fighting for my life.

Gentle Health Solutions That Nurture and Support

I’ve come far but continue to fight for my health, systematically searching for, or developing, gentler health solutions that nurture and support my body in healing itself. As those around me saw the steady improvement in all areas of my life, they became open to exploring and sharing parts of my journey. They welcomed my gifts of various essential oil products, even actively seeking solutions amongst what I made for myself. That spurred me on to learn even more and I dove deeper into botanicals. Soon, I was being repeatedly encouraged by family, friends, and even some of my business clients, to share my knowledge and products with a broader audience. The world is in desperate need and few have the time or inclination to make solutions for themselves.

Thus, Focilo was born. I am not a medical professional and my recommendations can’t be considered medical advice. What I am is a knowledgeable person with a passion for problem solving and willingness to consider alternatives. I welcome you to share the journey to better health and a less toxic home.