
Lavender Essential Oil
A panacea with a reputation for thousands of years
Lavender Essential Oil is the most popular. Its features sound very good to be true: a panacea with a reputation that goes on for thousands of years. Many of the properties of lavender are due to its basic action on balancing body functions and emotions. Lavender has been used for over 2,500 years. Ancient Persians, Greeks and Romans added the flowers to their bathwater to help wash and purify their skin. In fact, the word “lavender” comes from the Latin word “lavare,” which means “to wash”.
Phoenicians, Arabians, and Egyptians used Lavender as a perfume, as well as for mummification – mummies were wrapped in garments dipped in Lavender. In Greece and Rome, it was used as an all-around cure, while in Medieval and Renaissance Europe, it was scattered all over stone castle floors as a natural disinfectant and deodorant.
Lavender was even used during the Great Plague of London in the 17th century. People fastened lavender flowers around their waists, believing it will protect them from the Black Death.
An important figure the French scientist Rene Maurice Gattefosse badly burned his hand and quickly immersed it in lavender essential oil, the nearest available cool liquid. He was amazed at how quickly the burn healed, with no sign of a scar. This was a strong sign to continue his researchand become the father of aromatherapy in 20th century.
High-quality Lavender Essential Oil has a sweet, floral, herbaceous, and slightly woody scent.
Genus Species: Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula officinalis
Part of the Plant Used: Flower
Basic therapeutic properties
Analgesic, antidepressant, antiseptic, decongestant, deodorant, facilitates menstruation, balances hypertension, stimulates the nerves and generally the nervous system, balancing, relaxing.
Aromatic Affect on the Mind
Calming, relaxing and balancing. Eases anger and frustration.
Psycholical Influence
Lavender Essential Oil is soothing, balancing and calming, helps in mood swings, depression and premenstrual tension. Its calming, relaxing effect can be used to facilitate meditation. The balancing properties of lavender restore harmony to the aura.
Spiritual Influence
Greater intuition and clarity.
Chakra
Promotes opening of the heart, third eye and crown chakra.
Volatility index
High note
Blends well with
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Specific benefits and uses
Muscular pains and aches: Lavender essential oil is used with excellent results in massage and aromatic baths.
Sleep aid: A few drops in the bath or one or two drops on the pillow help fight insomnia. You could also use it to spay your bed linnen for a better sleep.
Flu and cold: Lavender is also useful in treating flu and cold. It works not only against the viruses that cause the infection but also relieves many of the symptoms. To boost the effects, try adding lavender oil to a diffuser and breathing in the vapors as well as putting it on your skin.
Headaches: A cold lavender compress or two drops on the temple relieves headaches.
Minnor Burns and cuts: it heals small burns at an incredible speed. It is also good for use in antiseptic solution for small wounds.
Insects: Lavender repels the insects. It has been found to be offensive to many types of insects, including moths, mosquitoes, and midges. Add a few drops into a teaspoon of carrier oil and rub onto exposed skin when you go outside and you can prevent getting bit. You can use it also as an after bite to reduce irritation, pain and swelling, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. For best results and easy use you could put it in a blend of essential oils (with Basil, Peppermint, Geranium etc), carrier oil and put it in a roll on small bottle.
Skin: Rub lavender oil on dry or sunburned skin. It is widely used in skin care and perfumery where its delicate floral fragnance is very familiar.
How to use it:
- Apply several drops (2-4) on location
- Apply to chakras/vitaflex points
- Directly inhale
- Diffuse
Safety Precautions
Avoid it in early pregnancy, especially if there is a history of miscarriages.