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Contender II

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Traditionally used to support a healthy immune response, to soothe fever blisters and fungus issues. Contender II is a new formulation due to sourcing issues with Ravensara - see detail page for more information.

 Info

Contender II
Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium), Hyssop var decumbens (Hyssop officinalis), Melissa (Melissa officinalis)

*Contender II was initially known as "Fever Blister." The Fever Blister blend had Emu oil as a therapeutic component (1 part Emu to 14 parts Contender), then we eliminated the Emu and offered "Contender" with essential oils only so the user could add the carrier of their choice. Late 2019 we were no longer able to consistently source Ravensara, which was a component in the original Fever Blister and Contender blend. After much prayer and research, we replaced that Ravensara with Hyssop var decumbens and call the blend Contender II.

Manuka is similar to Tea Tree oil, but is much less medicinal in aroma. It is also thought that Manuka is more effective than Tea Tree against gram positive bacteria.

Safety Information
Children: Use with caution on children under 2 due to Melissa. Follow dilution guidelines.

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Suitable

Medication: Caution Orally: Diabetes medication, drugs metabolized by CYP2B6 (if unsure, ask your MD or pharmacist), pregnancy

Therapeutic Uses

Contender II essential oil blend may support, aid, ease, soothe, reduce, calm, relax, promote and/or maintain healthy function of the following:
Acne
Allergies
Anxiety
Asthma
Bacteria
Bedsore
Bronchitis

Calming
Candida
Canker Sore
Cold Sores
Cough
Digestion
Eczema
Fever Blisters
Fungal
Herpes genital
Herpes simplex 1 (chicken pox, cold sores, fever blisters, shingles)
Immune system
Infection
Inflammation
Insect bites, deterrent
Liver
Muscles, minor aches and pain
Pain

Respiratory

Ringworm
Scabies

Sinus
Skin, minor scrapes, infections, wounds
Sleep
Stress

Thrush
Vaginitis
Virus (Schnaubelt: Hyssop var decumbens has "perhaps the strongest antiviral effects and is therefore especially suitable for treating herpes and fever blisters.")
Wounds

Fever blisters/cold sores are not the same as canker sores/mouth ulcers. Click here and scroll down for information about Canker sores/Mouth Ulcers.

For mouth sores and fever blisters, Schnaubelt wrote: To treat herpes, the oil or oil blend is applied directly onto the lesions. This can be done with a Q-tip or simply by dabbing a drop onto the lesion with the finger. This is repeated frequently at the beginning of the treatment. (Doing this 5 to 10 times on the first day of treatment is fine.) Fever blisters inside the mouth can be treated in exactly the same way. In this case it is advantageous to use Hyssop decumbens, as its taste and feel inside the mouth is somewhat more agreeable than the turpentine explosions set off by many other essential oils. Even though there is no adverse effect attached to these turpentine explosions, they require a certain amount of getting used to until they are tolerated or even appreciated with a shrug." Schnaubelt Ph.D., Kurt, The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils pages 127-128.

The following quotes are from Kurt Schnaubelt:
"As a nontoxic, powerful antiviral Hyssop decumbens (Hyssopus off. var. montana intermedia) can be used for adults and infants. It can be dabbed undiluted on herpes lesions or fever blisters inside the mouth. It is an excellent component in synergies for sinusitis and bronchitis. As a respectable sympathotonic, the oil eases nervous depression, anxiety, and asthma-related symptoms. To explore, use it in the shower or integrate it into a lotion!" (The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy, page 78.)

"Dabbing is best explained with the treatment suggestion for facial herpes. To treat herpes, the oil or oil blend is applied directly onto the lesions. This can be done with a Q-tip or simply by dabbing a drop onto the lesion with the finger. This is repeated frequently at the beginning of the treatment. (Doing this 5 to 10 times on the first day of treatment is fine.) Fever blisters inside the mouth can be treated in exactly the same way. In this case it is advantageous to use Hyssop decumbens, as its taste and feel inside the mouth is somewhat more agreeable than the turpentine explosions set off by many other essential oils. Even though there is no adverse effect attached to these turpentine explosions, they require a certain amount of getting used to until they are tolerated or even appreciated with a shrug." (The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy, page 78.)

"The recommended course of action is to apply the oils hourly for the first twenty-four hours, if well tolerated undiluted. Once the lesions start to dry out and the skin becomes dry and taut, the application of the oils should be continued in a hazelnut oil base with the addition of vitamin E." (Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils)

Application Suggestions (See Essential Oil Usage for more information and a Dilution Chart.)

Topical: Dilute with a carrier oil (for cold sores/fever blisters - see testimonies #11, #12 and #14 below regarding the use of Emu oil as the carrier), unscented lotion or unscented cream and apply on area of concern or as desired. Consider using a roll-on applicator for ease of application of prediluted oil. Maximum topical use is 24%.

We suggest that adults follow the General Guidelines found on the Dilution Chart, which is:

2-3% for daily application

Up to 25% for short-term use

Children: Use with caution on children under 2 due to Melissa. For children over 2, please follow the Dilution Chart on the Babies and Children page.

Inhalation: Diffuse or use a personal Nasal Inhaler

Internal: Contender II is suitable for internal use within safe parameters if such use is deemed appropriate. We feel that internal use is rarely *needed* and should only be used with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. In our experience, essential oils are generally more effective used topically with proper dilution or inhaled. Kurt Schnaubelt Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much. Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils. It is not a matter of using "French" or "British" methods, it's a matter of experience and appropriate application.

Click here for information about internal usage.

Testimonies
The following anecdotal testimonies have not been reviewed by the FDA.
The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure disease.
Information shared on the HEO website is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice given by your trusted health care provider.
We believe that essential oils are provided by the Lord to support our health and well-being.
The Lord is our wisdom, protector and healer.
(Genesis 1:29-30, Ezekiel 47:12)

1. I have used a myriad of different natural remedies for fever blisters over the years, but Linda's Contender is the best thing I've ever tried. I've very happy with this blend and am telling my friends! Thanks, - F.M.S.

2. Contender works like nothing else for fever blisters! - Sarah

3. Since I was very young I'd get fever blisters and it seemed like a long process: first the tingle and itch, then the painful throbbing blister that lasted days, and then the drying up and scab that lasted several more days until it finally went away. With the more recent fever blister I got, I felt the itch in the morning, and by evening it had formed a large blister. I started applying your Contender blend on it that first day, so then that night when it formed the blister, I applied it again every time I thought about it. By the next morning, it was already to the drying stage and had completely disappeared in just a few more days. So a process that normally took my body 2-3 weeks to complete was done in a week. I think I could have sped the process up it I'd started applying the blend at the first sign of the itch instead of midday, and if I'd kept applying it after it began to dry up. - Sherri

4. My young daughter gets a lot of fever blisters, and when I see one coming on, I apply the Contender blend and it nips it in the bud. - Sarah

5. My dad tried my Contender blend and he was sold. He said it was the best thing he ever used for his fever blisters, so he asked me to order some for him. - Elizabeth

6. I just have to thank you so much for the Contender blend! I never get sores on my lips but had one recently that was dry and very stubbornly refused to go away. I bought your Contender blend, and in less than 24 hours, it was healed! - Carol

7. I recently diffused the Contender oil over night and it shut the blister down. The next day, I couldn't even see it anymore. - Joleen

8. I have been using Contender. I start applying it at the first sign of a fever blister, and they have not developed. I'm sure it just stopped them. I am very prone to them and so far so good with it. - Diane

9. Wow! I've tried over-the-counter products and other oils (including the more expensive Melissa) for my cold sores and nothing has come close to the success I had with Contender! I began applying it a few times a day at the first tingle, and a true cold sore never even developed! None of the "blister" stage, no scab, no pain! Thank you for this amazing oil! - Diane

10. Thanks for your Contender Blend; it works great when I catch a fever blister early. When they start without my awareness, it takes longer (sigh). Hopefully I'll never develop a sensitivity to this blend. It works best of anything I've tried since I started it 6-8 months ago. - Wendy

11. I use your Contender blend ever so often and have had great success for fever blisters, as do others in my family. I just recently purchased a new bottle and lo and behold a blister started to form. I applied immediately, but this time no results. It continued into 2 huge ones. Has anything changed or can I become immune? - Lynda S.
[HEO's Response: I’m so sorry it didn’t work for you this time. The blend formerly had Emu oil in it (1mL in a 15mL bottle), and now it is just the essential oils so that the user can add the carrier oil of their choice. That’s the only change to the formula. It is a very good anti-viral blend and can help us “contend” with many health issues, so I'd expect it to work. Did you use a carrier? By using a carrier, we help the oils to better absorb and avoid any risk of skin irritation.
Lynda's Response: I did not use Emu as a carrier and will try that the next time and let you know the results.]

12. I love this blend, and I feel that the Emu is a key component [when dealing with fever blisters]. Emu has a richer feel to it than coconut oil and has its own anti-inflammatory properties. It helps the blend to soak in and is soothing to the lips. - Janine

13. I had a nasty case of athlete’s foot that I couldn’t get rid of. I put 1 drop of Contender on it and it went away and never came back. It’s a strong antifungal. - Sarah

14. Several months ago I broke out in the worst case of what I found out were cold sores. I’d had them once before but not nearly this bad. It was a full blown eruption covering my lips in a day or two; it was extremely sensitive and painful. My lips were swollen to 3x the size and began to crack, blister and ooze. I read about Contender II and tried it mixed with aloe vera but didn’t notice much change. It wasn’t until I tried Contender II with Emu oil that I found any relief. Emu is definietly a key component! The next time I felt them coming on, I applied the Contender II+Emu consistently for two days, and the cold sores never erupted. I am very grateful because it really was miserable. - Jenny

15. I had two 'eruptions' just before going on a 3-week trip. I had a 2mL sample size of Contender, so I put a drop on each (undiluted). Nothing changed. I reapplied several times with no notable change. I'd read the testimonies about adding Emu, so I added Emu to dilute the blend to the suggested 24% ratio. After one application, both eruptions responded. The inflammation quickly reduced, and I reapplied several more times through the day. By the next morning, they were gone. There was not a sign of either one! In my opinion/experience, Emu is a necessary component for a fever blister. - Linda

16. My husband has used your Fever Blister oil blend [Contender II] for years now and it has worked like nothing else! Like night and day difference for him compared to any other product!!! - Becki

17. I have nothing but excellent reviews for Contender II on canker sores, including stopping them completely when I feel that first tingle. I believe it is the Melissa in the blend that is the most potent but who can afford Melissa alone? - Leslie

Safety

Medication: Incompatibility Oral use: Acetaminophen, Antidepressants CYP2B6 substrates, Diabetes, Ephedrine

Melissa Oral Caution: Diabetes medication, drugs metabolized by CYP2B6.

Pregnacy: Avoid oral use during pregnancy or lactation.*

Melissa contains Citral, which is a strong sensitizer. Suggested dilution for topical use is 6 drops per fluid ounce (0.7%). Avoid use on hypersensitive or damaged skin. Not typically used topically on children under age 2.

*Robert Tisserand reported at a Clinical Safety Aromatherapy conference (2013) that there is a possibility that Citral (in Lemongrass) may affect tooth and bone development in the fetus. "Citral impairs reproductive performance in female rats by reducing the number of ovarian follicles (Toaff et al 1979). The effect, however, was seen only after a series of six monthly ip injections at a dose of 300 mg/kg. This is equivalent to injecting ~ 25mL of lemongrass oil into a woman's abdomen. Based on other research, we have restricted citral exposure in pregnancy" (Tisserand, Robert; Young, Rodney, Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, Elsevier Health Sciences UK 2nd Edition 2014, pages 149.).

Avoid contact with the eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oils are both lipophilic and hydrophobic. Lipophilic means they are attracted to fat— like the membranes of your eyes and skin. They are also hydrophobic, meaning they do not like water. Applying a carrier oil will create another fat for the essential oil to be attracted to other than the membranes of the eyes or skin. Tisserand suggests: "With essential oils, fatty oil has been suggested as an appropriate first aid treatment, though the advantage of saline [eyewash] is that the eyes can be continually flushed, and this is less easy with fatty oil.” We are not aware of a case where essential oil in the eyes caused permanent injury or long-term discomfort, but if you feel concerned, please call your health care provider.

References
Battaglia, Salvatore, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 2002.
Purchon, Nerys; Cantele, Lora, Complete Aromatheapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness.
Schnaubelt Ph.D., Kurt, The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy, pages 78, 127-128, Inner Traditions/Bear & Company.
Schnaubelt, Kurt, Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils.
Tisserand, Robert; Young, Rodney, Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, Elsevier Health Sciences UK 2nd Edition 2014.
Worwood, Valerie Ann, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, New World Library, 2016.

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May the Lord guide you continually, preserving your health and watering your life when you are dry. May you be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring full of hope for your future in His care.
From Isaiah 58:11 & Jeremiah 29:11