The benefits of Lavender Essential Oil

(Lavender Angustifolia, Lavender Officinalis or Lavender Vera) as it is also known.

It must be the most versatile of all essential oils and is one of the very few you can apply directly to the skin.

It’s wonderful for cuts, burns, spots, itchiness, it’s an analgesic, anti-depressant, antiseptic, bactericidal and decongestant.

It’s hypotensive, can be used as an insect repellent and is also sedative – so can help with sleep.

Calming and Soothing

All in all, it can be summed up as calming, soothing and balancing.

It can restore unbalanced states, both of mind and body, to the state of balance in which healing can take place.

Pretty awesome isn’t it?

If someone said you could take one item to a desert island – it would be Lavender for me.

Native of the Mediterranean

Lavender is native of the Mediterranean.

It flourishes all over Europe, since the Romans introduced it to Britain and other Northern European countries and the best Lavender is still grown in its original home, in the med.

History of Lavender

It was René Maurice Gattefossé’s observation of the dramatic healing effect of Lavender Oil, when he burnt his hand in a laboratory accident, that led him to research essential oils in greater depth, after he plunged his burn into Lavender and felt immediate relief.

He eventually went on to coin the word “aromathérapie”.

 

Dr Jean Valnet used Lavender Oil to treat serious burns and war injuries when he was a French Army surgeon. Lavender is both antiseptic and analgesic, which make it ideal to treat burns and injuries. It promotes rapid healing and helps prevent scarring.

Uses of Lavender

The analgesic, antiseptic and antibiotic properties of Lavender oil,  make it a valuable treatment for

  • colds
  • coughs
  • catarrh
  • sinusitis
  • flu
  • I find the most effective treatment is via steam inhalation.

 

  • Massaged into temples, Lavender can relieve
  • headaches
  • cold compress with a drop or two of lavender can be used on the forehead and or back of the head.

 

  • On the psychological plane, and because of its primarily balancing nature, it’s very useful to use with people who are feeling unbalanced emotionally, have depression, or are in a manic state.

Drift away in a Bath of Relaxation

Lavender baths are very useful, particularly at night before sleeping.

Lavender mixes well with other oils and enhances the properties of the oils its blended with.  It mixes very well with Bergamot and Geranium and that is why I put the blend together called

Replenish –  A soothing, calming, balancing blend of oils, perfect for the replenishment of mind, body and soul.