Top Ten Uses for Lavender Essential Oil

Scientific name: Lavendula Augustifolia. Lavender is perhaps the most well-known and least understood of the essential oils. Practically everyone knows that lavender is great for burns, but few understand that there are over 30 (some say 40) different species of lavender and that many of the lavender essential oils are not even lavender, they are lavenda essential oils (smell similar, very cheap to produce, and containing very few if any of the healing properties of true lavender). The best lavender essential oil is from true lavender plants (Lavendula Augustifolia, previously known as Lavendula Officinalis Vera {Vera optional}) grown at altitudes of 5,000 feet or higher. This is the truly universal oil, a natural anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial (being currently tested against MRSA), antimicrobial, hormone balancing, skin cell regenerating, diuretic, muscle feeding, histamine blocking, anti-fungal, and overall body tonic essential oil! A true, pure lavender essential oil will contain properties that will affect all ten of the body's systems and still be gentle enough to use with a newborn baby (remember to dilute appropriately 0-2 years 1 drop essential oil to 3 drops carrier oil, 2-3 years 50/50 dilution, 3+ no dilution needed), earning it the name of The Universal Oil.

1. The first oil to grab for any kind of burn. If the burned area is large and tender to the touch you may want to add 5-10 drops of Lavender to one ounce of purified water in a spray bottle, shake well (and often) and spray the burnt area.

2. Reduces scarring and assists in removing old scars. Simply apply to the affected area several times a day. If you are preventing a scar from forming you have the added bonus of its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties!

3. Insect repellant and great for bites and stings. It soothes the wound, calms the emotions, reduces any inflammation, and has an antihistamine affect. (Note: if you have a known life-threatening allergy to stings please visit the emergency room, but go ahead and apply the Lavender oil on the way.) You can also use it in a sachet to repel bugs that may be hiding out in your dresser or closet.

4. Not only is Lavender great for all skin issues, it has the double benefit of addressing hormonal imbalance skin issues (not just acne, but any way the hormone imbalance may present itself, psoriasis, rashes, cold sores, even boils). While you are using it on your skin it is also prevents wrinkles, scars, and encourages skin cell regeneration!

5. Diffuse Lavender in a sick room, it relaxes both the patient and the caregiver, strengthens the immune system, and it cleanses the air. A great disinfectant, it was carried by soldiers and medics in World War I and II to use on wounds.

6. Assists in reducing the pain associated with migraine or tension headaches. Apply to the back of the neck, temples, and tops of the ears to relax the muscles and the emotions and thus reduce (or eliminate) the headache. Also great for emotional imbalances, mood swings, and depression that often accompany headaches.

7. A drop or two applied to the pulse points of the wrists can drop high blood pressure or calm someone who is overexcited. Great for use before visiting the doctor, not only will it protect you from any germs you may be exposed to, but it will also help calm any fears you may experience by being there. Also great to use before visiting the dentist. You can even apply it directly to a toothache and it will help relieve the pain there!

8. Great for insomnia! Add 5-8 drops to 1/4 cup Be Young Starflake Bath salts (highly crystalized bath salts that are great for absorbing essential oils), then add to a tub of water, soak for 20 minutes (or more), rinse off (because the soak will bring toxins out of the body and to the skin and you do not want to reabsorb them) and you will be ready for bed. Don't want to soak? Put a drop on the back of the neck, temples, and tops of the ears. Add 5-10 drops to one ounce of water in a spray bottle, shake well and often and lightly spray your pillow, bed linens, or just spray around the bedroom. This also works well as "Monster spray" to scare away the monsters who are keeping your little ones from sleeping. It will calm their emotions and allow them to relax and go to sleep.

9. Great for any respiratory challenges, clears mucus, calms spasms, even aids in stopping an asthma attack or in dealing with hay fever challenges. Take a whiff; apply to the chest and under the nose.

10. Marvelous for muscle aches and pains, it feeds the muscles by increasing nitric oxide in the body (a free radical, one of those marvelous chemical molecules produced during lightning storms that makes the world so fresh and alive afterwards); this enables the muscles to perform with more strength. Additionally, it reduces inflammation and muscle spasms.

*Only use essential oils internally that are truly 100% pure, such as Be Young oils. Oils that are cut or synthetic can have dangerous side effects if used internally. Always error on the side of caution and use common sense.

Penny Swann has been working with essential oils and herbs for over 10 years. She writes a weekly article for their newsletter subscribers. She and her mother, Debby, work as health coaches, helping people improve their lives daily in a natural way. Visit their website at http://www.tracesetc.com/ to learn more about improving your health naturally.

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Lavender Essential Oil to the Rescue

Whenever I travel I always take an "emergency kit" of essential oils with me. One of the essential oils I find most useful to have on hand is lavender. Thinking back to the times away from home when I've had to use it, many incidents come to mind. The most dramatic was the time in Florida when my husband was checking under the hood of the car and the radiator cap exploded into his face, hitting him on the forehead. The water bubbled up and his entire upper body was scorched.

I immediately doused him with undiluted lavender oil, then applied aloe vera gel, which I also had with me. I kept reapplying the lavender until the soreness subsided and also gave him a couple of Aspirins for the shock. Luckily, we had access to a swimming pool close by, and got there as soon as we could.

My husband stayed neck deep in the pool for about twenty minutes. When he came out, there wasn't a mark on his body except for where the radiator cap had struck his forehead. Our friends who witnessed this said it was a miracle - they had never seen burns heal like this.

One time when I was telling this story, a lady told me that this same type of accident had happened to her husband and he had to spend time in the hospital with third degree burns. Thank goodness for lavender!

Another time lavender came to my rescue was when my son picked me up at the Vancouver airport, saying we'd have to hurry to get to an emergency clinic, as he had just been stung by a bee. He has a history of violent allergic reactions to bee stings; each one getting a little worse. His hand was already swollen to twice its normal size and the swelling was rapidly moving up his arm. Fortunately I was wearing a pendant that contained lavender and I immediately applied it to his bite, stopping the swelling and eliminating the rush. We didn't go to the clinic.

Over the years I have used lavender on numerous people who have had bad reactions to insect bites. It nearly always helps. It is also great for taking the itch out of mosquito bites.

Lavender is also one of my standbys for treating headaches. Just a drop rubbed into the temples and another under the hairline at the back of the neck will usually do the trick.

These are just a few of the many uses I've found for lavender in my travels. Now you know why I wouldn't leave home without it!

Joy Watson - Joyessence Aromatherapy Centre Inc.

Joy Watson is a CFA Certified Aromatherapist/Instructor, Massage Therapist and Reflexologist with over 25 years experience in practicing and teaching holistic healing. She is a member and Past President of the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists and has been actively involved with their Education Committee since its inception. She is also a member of The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA).

Joyessence Aromatherapy Centre Inc.
http://www.joyessence.on.ca/

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Lavender Oil Review

Lavender oil is an essential oil that is commercially important to the perfume and cosmetics industry. Lavender is especially fragrant, which is why it is extensively used in perfumes, shampoos, hand creams and various soaps. As there are various species of the lavender shrub around the world, the oil itself will differ somewhat in density. Lavender that is harvested from the foothills of the Himalaya's are particularly prized in the world of aromatherapy.

As a plant, it is actually a rather short shrub that occurs in many regions including Africa, South Asia and the Mediterranean. Strangely enough, it is part of the mint family (Peppermint, Spearmint). The part of the shrub that lavender oil is derived from is the flower. Naturally fragrant, they are normally found to be violet, white and even blue. Like all essential oils, it is harvested via distillation. While many other types of essential oils are harvested from the leaves or stems of the plant, lavender oil is harvested only from the flowers.

It is arguably the most popular essential oil in the world of aromatherapy. Its scent has a number of properties that are beneficial to us. Breathing in this fragrance tends to have a calming and relaxing effect. As such, it is especially good when used after a long day at the office. The fragrance also helps with respiratory ailments and it is rubbed unto the temple as a means of reducing headaches. Lavender oil is frequently used in massage oils due to its naturally calming properties. Funnily enough, it is also an all natural insect repellent (Mosquito repellent especially), a fact that many people are not aware off.

As an alternative medicine, it has many uses. It has mild antibacterial and antiseptic properties that can be used as a natural remedy for wounds and cuts, mild skin burns as well as insect bites. Because of its insect repelling properties, lavender based shampoos and hair conditioners are an effective treatment against head lice. It is also used for asthmatic problems when applied to the chest. Women undergoing pregnancy utilize this oil to strengthen their contractions. While it is deemed perfectly safe for humans, there are a few among us that may be allergic to lavender oil. It can also be toxic to our cells (Cytotoxicity) at specific concentrations (0.25 percent).

Studies have uncovered some evidence to suggest that lavender oil may induce Gynecomastia, which is breast growth in young males. It does this by suppressing male hormones. As such, some girls have experienced very early breast development with extensive use of lavender oil. However, such cases are generally very rare.

If you are looking for Lavender Oil in the UK, do drop by our website. We have an entire range of essential oils at very reasonable prices.

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Lavender Essential Oil: The Top Ten List of Healing Uses

I've waited long enough! If David Letterman isn't going to do a Top Ten List of healing uses for lavender essential oil, then I suppose it's up to me. But first, a few quick things to know before use.

The genus Lavandula comes from the Latin word lavare meaning "to wash," and L. angustifolia, known as true or common lavender, is the species used medicinally. Lavender essential oil is steam-distilled from fresh flowers and is mainly produced in Bulgaria and France. Be sure to use a reputable supplier when purchasing lavender essential oil as it is one of the most commonly adulterated essential oils. A genuine and authentic essential oil should always list the botanical name, the part of the plant used, the country of origin and the method of extraction. The synthetic scent of lavender from fragrance oil is not the same as a pure essential oil - there are no health benefits from synthetic fragrance oils!

When I refer to "neat" application, this means applying a drop of lavender essential oil directly on the skin. While this is generally recognized as safe, instances of sensitization have occurred. Furthermore, it is not recommended to use other essential oils in this fashion, with the exception of tea tree. When I talk about using lavender in a carrier oil, this means diluting a few drops of the essential oil in a base oil. Different oils can be used for different purposes, but with this article focusing on first aid remedies, extra virgin olive oil is a great and convenient choice. As there are approximately 600 drops in one ounce, use six to eighteen drops of pure lavender essential oil per ounce (by volume) of carrier oil for a one to three percent dilution.

Here we go, my top ten healing uses for lavender essential oil:

# 10 - Bruises

Lavender is great for bruises because it is anti-inflammatory and analgesic which aids in the healing process while decreasing pain. Using lavender in a carrier oil, gently massage into bruised area. For best results, dilute lavender in arnica-infused oil. Arnica contains sesquiterpene lactones and polysacharides that stimulate phagocytosis, thus cleaning up debris and reducing healing time. Please note that arnica should not be applied to broken skin.

# 9 - Muscle Aches and Menstrual Cramps

Massage lavender diluted in a carrier oil (arnica-infused oil for additional relief) into painful area or, my favorite, add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a warm Epsom salt bath for a deep muscle soak.

# 8 - Bug Bites and Bee Stings

Lavender's antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties make it a great choice for bites and stings as it reduces infection, swelling, and itching. To use, simply apply one drop of lavender essential oil neat to affected area.

# 7 - Earaches

There are two effective ways to ease the pain of an earache with lavender. The first is to gently massage lavender in a carrier oil into the outer ear and back of the ear. The second method is to put a drop of lavender on a cotton ball and gently place it on the outer ear. Never put it directly in the ear canal.

# 6 - Depression

Lavender is a restorative herb and is classified as a nervine, meaning that it has a calming effect on the mind and body. It works in powerful ways to bring feelings of comfort and peace and also helps with fatigue. Suggestions include inhaling lavender essential oil directly from a vial, spritzing your room with lavender diluted in distilled water, and infusing your space with lavender from a candle or incense. The options are endless.

# 5 - Headaches

Lavender's sedative effects make it a great remedy for headaches, especially when the headaches are caused by stress. Massage a drop of lavender diluted in a carrier oil into the temples and back of the neck, followed by a few deep, relaxing breaths of lavender essential oil directly from a vial. Add peppermint essential oil to the mix for even better headache relief.

# 4 - Sanitizer

Lavender was used in hospitals during World War I to disinfect floors and walls. Use lavender essential oil in a soap to cleanse, in water and vinegar for household cleaning, or try it in a base of grain alcohol as a hand sanitizer.

# 3 - Insomnia

Lavender works particularly well if insomnia is due to a restless and anxious mind. Before bed, spray your pillow and face with lavender diluted in distilled water, take a few deep breaths, inhaling lavender directly from the vial or from a drop on a tissue, or place dried lavender buds in a sachet in your pillow case.

# 2 - Burns and Sunburns

It was the French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who is famously cited for treating his severe burns and resulting infection with lavender essential oil. Apply a drop of lavender essential oil neat to minor burns. For sunburns, spray your body with lavender diluted in distilled water. Please seek medical attention for severe burns.

...And my number one healing use for lavender - Stress

Lavender has balancing and harmonizing effects on the autonomic nervous system. In panic attack situations, inhale lavender essential oil directly from the vial and seek medical attention if necessary. For general stress and anxiety, spritz your face and room with lavender diluted in distilled water, take a relaxing bath with a few drops of lavender diluted in sea salt, or enjoy a massage using lavender-infused oil.

That is all for now. And if you see David Letterman, let him know that he is free to use this for his next Top Ten List.

Jenny Hoops has degrees in psychology, human nutrition, and integrative therapies and is a practicing herbalist and aromatherapist. She is the owner and creator of Botanicology, a company focused on educating people about healthy lifestyle choices and ways to incorporate the healing power of botanicals into everyday life. Botanicology also offers a truly all natural product line committed to being safe, effective, affordable, and fun.

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