Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is one of the most common and versatile essential oils, most people will have heard of and have owned some lavender based products at some time. Although most of the products commonly sold are made with Lavender fragrance not essential oil so lack many of the healing properties found in essential oils.
Lavender healing properties demonstrate why this oil is so useful to have around. It’s a highly antiseptic, analgesic, anti-rheumatic, anti-viral, anti-depressant, decongestant oil than can be used for a multitude of conditions such as soothing burns including sunburn, wounds and skin infections, acne, eczema, dermatitis. It can also be used to relieve symptoms of colds, flu, headaches.
But it doesn’t stop there Lavender can help to reduce stress, ease insomnia and lift moods as well as providing relief for conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis and help to lower high blood pressure, ease muscular aches and pains.
Lavender is one of the staples everyone should have in their essential oil collection.
BENEFITS
Lavender is one of the most versatile oils and has the following healing properties:
Highly Antiseptic, Analgesic, Anti-rheumatic, Anti-viral, Anti-depressant and Decongestant.
Muscle and joint pain – due to its analgesic and anti-rheumatic properties it is excellent for easing the symptoms of arthritis and rheumatism as well as aching and stiff muscles.
Insomnia – can calm and soothe the mind and aid in a restful night’s sleep.
Digestive system – Lavender is beneficial for aiding the digestive system.
Respiratory conditions – can be used to ease symptoms of colds, asthma and bronchitis.
Burns and bites – Lavender is a powerful yet gentle antiseptic and is one of the few oils that can be used neat on the skin if necessary.It can soothe burns and insect bites and speed recovery.
Skin conditions – can soothe and relieve itching and sore skin and conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Headaches – can ease the symptoms of headaches and migraines.
Stress and tension – can calm, soothe and clear the mind.
Depression and anxiety – can lift depression and low mood and help relieve anxiety.
Allergies – relieves symptoms associated with allergies such as hayfever.
BLENDS
Whilst most essential oils can be used together some oils can overpower other oils. Lavender goes particularly well with oils such as:
Cedarwood
Peppermint
Frankincense
Vetivert
Bergamot
Clary Sage
Clove Bud
Chamomile
Eucalyptus
Cypress
Thyme
Lemongrass
WAYS TO USE
DIFFUSE
Lavender essential oil can be used in diffusers or oil burners. Using Lavender essential oil in this way is particularly beneficial in relieving allergies, insomnia, hayfever, depression, anxiety, nightmares, nervous tension and calms and relaxes creating an uplifting atmosphere. Lavender also makes a good natural insect repellent.
Diffuse 1 - 3 drops of Lavender essential oil in an oil burner or diffuser.
BATH
Lavender essential oil can be added to a warm bath to relieve muscle aches and menstrual pains. It can also relieve pain associated with arthritis and rheumatism and can soothe abdominal pains, allergies, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, depression, irritability, nervous tension, stress creating a pleasant relaxing aroma to ease away the tensions of the day.
Add 1 - 3 drops of Lavender essential oil to a warm bath.
Note: Care should be taken not to use more than 3 drops to prevent the bath from becoming too slippery. Essential oils should be added to a carrier oil before adding as oil and water do not mix and essential oils will float on the surface of the water and if used neat can burn the skin.
MASSAGE
Massage is a great way of relaxing the body and mind and easing aching muscles, soothing the pain and discomfort of arthritis and rheumatisms. Lavender can soothe and calm the mind and lift and boost spirits. Lavender can help break down the toxins and fatty deposits that lead to cellulite.
Adults - up to 7 drops in 1 tbsp of carrier oil.
Children over 2 years old - up to 3 drops in 1 tbsp of carrier oil.
CREAM
Adding a few drops of Lavender to a base cream is a great way of creating an all-purpose antiseptic cream that can be used to treat minor cuts and scrapes and to soothe skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, acne and boils and soothe burns including sunburn. Lavender helps the skin heal faster and with less scarring. Lavender can reduce itching from bites and stings.
Add up to 12 drops of essential oil to 30 ml of base cream.
WASHES/CLEANSERS
Lavender can be used as a wash/cleanser for use to soothe acne, insect bites, bruises, chilblains, dandruff and lice.
Add 1 – 3 drops into a glass of water and sock cotton ball and wiping over the infected area.
SIDE EFFECTS
As with all essential oils it should not be used neat on the skin, essential oils are very concentrated oils that can irritate the skin unless mixed with a carrier oil. Essential oils should not be used internally unless under the supervision of an aromatherapist.
There are no apparent warnings associated with Lavender, it’s one of the few oils that can be applied directly to the skin.
Pets can be particularly sensitive to the effects of essential oils and can even be toxic so where possible should either be avoided or used where a pet is able to go into another room for example Lavender is one such oil.