LAVENDER
( Lavandula angustifolia )
by KG Stiles, Clinical Aromatherapist
Keywords: UNIVERSAL HEALER
Highly scented Lavender has a distinctly sweet floral-spice aroma that’s a little wild and woody. Lavender smells like the color blue to me! I think of the Blue Bird of Happiness when I inhale its lovely and intoxicating scent.
Distilling at high altitude allows lower temperatures and lower pressure for distillation making it possible for the volatile phytochemicals to come through intact in the final product.
A universal first aid healing oil! Lavender’s pure and clean scent is well known. Every home and office should consider keeping a bottle of it on hand!
Lavender is the most commonly used essential oil and the absolute classic oil for treating burns!
During the early 20th century, French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse became interested in the use of essential oils for their medicinal properties. While working Gattefosse accidentally burned his arm very badly!
On reflex Gattefosse plunged his burned arm into a large vat of lavender oil. His burn healed rapidly and there was absolutely NO scarring of tissue! Gattefosse is credited with coining the term “aromatherapy” in his 1928 article supporting the use of essential oils in their whole, pure and unadulterated state.
Apply Lavender immediately to burns to prevent blistering, or scarring, as well as speed healing of wounds as it stimulates cellular repair and regeneration.
Lavender was first cultivated in the high mountains of Persia and southern France. A hearty and robust plant Lavender thrives in barren environments that sharply contrast to its natural power for producing healing energy.
Lavender’s gentle nourishing and healing effect on the body, mind, spirit and emotions comes from its notable ability to harmonize and stabilize the entire human energy system, or Chakras.
Excellent for balancing hyper emotional states such as shock, anger, impatience and irritability.
Lavender helps dispel the negative mental states of fear & worry.
Supports the growth and development of inner freedom from compulsion and clinging to one’s desires.
Lavender opens the mind and heart to rest securely in the present moment.
A useful aid for breaking the habit of negative self-talk!
Lavender reduces angry and defensive mental images.
Lavender is known for promoting flexibility in temperament.
Nourishes your ability to let go and rest in the present moment.
Excellent for relieving situations that may trigger anger and frustration.
Lavender is a breath of fresh air.
Inhaling the aroma of Lavender always puts people in a happy mood and leaves them feeling refreshed.
A revitalizing aroma for care givers! Use Lavender oil when you’re feeling burned-out, or exhausted from caring for others.
Lavender allows space for self care!
A gently reassuring oil, lavender is like a warm hug from an understanding friend.
Lavender essential oil has been used to help balance moods and calm emotions.
Helpful for calming intense feeling states of nervousness, stress, depression, fear, irritability, frustration, anger, resentment, jealousy and insomnia.
Lavender has broad application and may be beneficial for treating an assortment of wounds, as well as for relieving inflammatory conditions like fever blisters, rheumatism, sore muscles and back pain.
Lavender is excellent for skin care and promotes healing and regeneration for all skin types, especially dry skin.
Add to your shampoo for helping to reduce hair loss. Also good for regulating sebum production to relieve oily/dry scalp conditions. Helpful for controlling dandruff!
Use Lavender for burns, rashes, acne, eczema, boils, dermatitis, leg ulcers, and psoriasis. Apply it immediately to burns to prevent blistering, or scarring, as well as speed healing of wounds as it stimulates cellular repair and regeneration.
Especially good results reported for treatment of bee and wasp stings!
Lavender is useful for relieving headaches, especially sinus headaches.
May help relieve physical and psychological effects of asthma attacks!
Stimulates digestive juices and promotes fat metabolism.
Helpful for treating high blood pressure and rapid heart syndrome.
First aid treatment for motion sickness, blend with Peppermint to enhance this effect.
Useful for relieving premenstrual tension, and promoting restful sleep.
Lavender oil has been used in Persia, Greece and Rome to disinfect hospital rooms.
Helpful for urinary tract and bladder infections.
When used as an antiseptic douche Lavender oil is an effective treatment for vaginal yeast infection, blend with Tea Tree oil to enhance this effect.
May also use as a treatment for athlete’s foot, blend with equal parts of Thyme and Tea Tree oil.
Lavender oil stimulates the formation of white blood cells and strengthens the body’s immune system.
A popular preventative for bronchitis, cold and flu.
Researchers are continuing studies to learn if essential oils are effective against the super bug MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) among other strains of bacteria.
An ongoing research project is underway using a body/hand wash, containing essential oils of lavender and tea tree that if left on the skin for a period of time and then washed off, could be effective against MRSA.
Different strengths and combinations of essential oils mixtures that are 100% effective in the laboratory have been tested. A particular combination of these essential oils has killed the MRSA bacteria in a laboratory culture. The results have been repeated and replicated for particular combinations that kill MRSA bacteria in a laboratory culture.
Thus far no single essential oil has been found that completely kills the bacteria.
Tests with a “leave on” version of various essential oils mixtures has also been tested which also kill the MRSA bacteria under laboratory conditions.
Human trials are now being organized for further testing.
Lavender and Tea Tree contain proven natural anti-bacterial ingredients that will soothe your skin, while also protection.
Dispense a 10-12 drops of Lavender on a cotton wash cloth and add to your dryer in the cool down cycle to give a fresh, clean scent to you bedding.
Moths dislike the smell of Lavender!
Lavender oil makes a wonderful air freshener and room deodorizer.
In Ayurvedic Medicine, an ancient system of healing practiced in India, the spicy, sweet freshness of Lavender is ideal to regulate and pacify ALL the Doshas or bodymind types. Vata, Pitta and Kapha imbalances respond well to Lavender’s calming and regulating influence.
Symptoms of Vata imbalance are premenstrual syndrome, constipation, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, anxiety and worry.
Symptoms of Pitta imbalance are high blood pressure, anger, frustration, emotional upsets and an inability to go with the flow.
Symptoms of Kapha imbalance are high cholesterol, low metabolic forces, slow to lose weight, fluid retention, stagnation and blockage, lethargy and depression.
Lavender’s highly adaptable character makes it suitable for blending with most oils.
BLEND WITH: Bergamot, Clary Sage, Geranium, Lemon, Neroli, Sweet Orange, Petitgrain, Sandalwood
