A bush of lavender
Lavender
(Lavandula vera, Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula officinalis)
Family : Labiatae or Lamiaceae
Description : Lavender is a perennial, bushy shrub with silver, grey or green linear leaves and purple, violet or blue spiky flowers. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the flowering tops.
Countries of origin : France, Bulgaria, England, Moroccoo, Australia, Hungary, Spain, Tasmania.
Characteristics : Lavender has clean, fresh, floral top notes and butle, green, herbaceous undertones. It blends well with most other essential oils, especially other floarals. Citurses and herbs.
Main therapeutyc properties : analgesic, anti-depressant, antiseptic, anti-viral, cytophylactic, decongestant, deodorant, emmenagogue, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, tonic.
Lavender is by far the most popular, versatile and widely used of all essential oils. At first lavender sounds too good to be true: a cure-all with a reputation lasting for thousands of years lasting for thousands of years. However, many of lavender’s properties are due to its prime actions of balancing and normalizing body functions and emotions. Overall, lavender is soothing, calming and relaxing.
It is used to great effect in massage and bath oils for muscular aches and pains. A few drops in the bath or a drop or two on the pillow help to combat insomnia. Lavender is also valuable in treating colds and flu. No only does it counteract the viruses causing the infection, but it relieves many of the symptoms. In these cases, lavender is best used in steam inhalations.
A cold compress of lavender or a couple of drops rubbed into the temples relieves headaches. Lavender repels insects and, if you are bitten, a drop rubbed over the bite will remove the stinging. Lavender also heals minor burns with incredible and speedy effectiveness. It is also good used in an antiseptic wash to help heal minor cuts and burns. It is also good used in an antiseptic wash to help heal minor cuts and burns. Lavender is used extensively in skin care and perfumery, where its fresh, delicate, floral fragrance is comfortingly familiar.
Psychologically, laender is soothing, balancing and calming, helping with mood swings, depression and PMT. Its calming, relaxing effects can be used to facilitate meditation. Lavender’s balancing qualities can restore harmony to the aura and help to balance the chakras.
Contraindications : Avoid in early pregnancy, especially if there is a history of miscarriage.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Aromatherapy and Meditation | Excellent Aromatherapy Guide // Feb 27, 2010 at 10:42 am
[...] Using Essential Oils [...]
2 Essential Oils - Roman chamomile | Excellent Aromatherapy Guide // Mar 3, 2010 at 10:16 am
[...] charmomile overlaps somewhat with german chamomile and with lavender. A useful tip to help you know which of these essential oils might be best for treating specific [...]
3 Essential Oil - Lime | Excellent Aromatherapy Guide // Mar 11, 2010 at 10:11 am
[...] other citruses, and also with neroli, lavender, geranium, ylang ylang, rosemary, cypress and [...]
4 Essential Oil - Mandarin Tangerine | Excellent Aromatherapy Guide // Mar 12, 2010 at 10:33 am
[...] oils and is particularly recommended for children and for use during pregnancy. Blended with lavender and neroli in apricot-kernel oil, mandarin helps to reduce stretch marks during pregnancy when [...]
5 Essential Oil - Myrrh | Excellent Aromatherapy Guide // Mar 13, 2010 at 9:44 am
[...] well with the other resins, and also with patchouli, rose, sandalwood, mandarin, geranium, thyme, lavender, juniper, cypress and [...]
6 Aromatherapy Essential Oil - Eucalyptus | Excellent Aromatherapy Guide // Mar 25, 2010 at 9:31 am
[...] and penetrating, woody undertones. It blends well with most other woods and herbs, and also with lavender and [...]
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