Lavender Essential Oil

 
 

Lavender oil is extracted from the beautiful, scented lavender flowers through the steam distillation process. The lavender plant is an inherent to Mediterranean regions and Northern Africa. It grows in stony and sunny habitats. It can also be found on the United States, Southern Europe and Australia as well.

Literally, the flowers were added by the Ancient Greeks, Persians and Romans to the bath water in order to clean their skin. The word lavender was derived from the Latin word “lavare” which means to wash. It was used for the purpose of all around cure in Europe and Greece whereas it was used as a natural deodorant in Medieval and Renaissance Europe. Lavender was used in 17th century in London during the Great plague. People tied these flowers around their waists with a belief that it will defend against Black Death.

Lavender oil is pale-yellow to yellow-green in color or colorless with a floral, slightly woody, sweet, herbaceous fragrance.

The forms of lavender

You can use lavender in these forms:

  • Essential oil.

  • Extract.

  • Plant (flower, stem and leaves).

  • Tea.

 

Ways to Use

The sky’s the limit when it comes to uses for lavender essential oil. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. Because they are so strong, use them sparingly and with care. 

  • Supports sleep: Some studies suggest lavender can improve your body’s melatonin levels, supporting a better night’s rest.

  • Reduces pain and inflammation: Research has shown that lavender essential oil can help reduce headache pain.

  • Helps with mood, anxiety and depression: “Lavender is known for its ability to calm the nervous system, lift the mood and even lower blood pressure,” says Dr. Lin. “Research links lavender usage to less anxiety and depression.”

  • Relieves menstrual pain: In one study, women who smelled lavender for 30 minutes a day during the first three days of their period had less pain after two months. Other research has linked applying lavender essential oil to the abdomen with less menstrual pain.

  • Kills harmful viruses and bacteria: “Before we had antiseptics, people used lavender to clean hospital wards,” explains Dr. Lin. “It’s still used for its antimicrobial and antiviral properties.”

  • Reducing colic symptoms: One study found that aromatherapy massage using lavender oil was effective in reducing colic symptoms in infants, including how long they cried per week.

  • Baths.

  • Distilled water to make a room or body spray.

  • Massage oil.

    *If you plan on using lavender essential oil on your skin, Dr. Lin notes the importance of diluting it with another oil. Good oils to use are ones you aren’t allergic to and might include:

    • Almond oil.

    • Coconut oil.

    • Jojoba oil.

    • Olive oil.

 

Remedy and Lavender Oil composition

·         For Aching muscles: Lavender bath also helps to ease ache and pains. Epsom salts should be added with Lavender oil to the bath in order to relieve the tension.

·         For Acne: The mixture of 4 drops of lavender oil and 1 tablespoon of an almond oil or olive oil should be used for treating acne.

·         For Bacteria: It helps to prevent the bacteria which causes TB, typhoid and diphtheria.

·         For burns (minor): Immerse the burn area in running cold water for 5 minutes then apply lavender oil to the affected area. It helps to provide relief from the pain instantly and heals the burns without scars.

·         For cuts and wounds: The lavender oil should be applied to relieve pain, prevents from infection and heals without scars.

·         For Ear ache: The bottle of lavender oil should be warmed for a minute or two in a hot water. Then the few drops should be massaged to the skin around the ears and throat. The mixture of 2-3 drops of warm lavender oil and a little olive oil should be massaged for the babies and small children in the same way.

·         For Eczema: The affected area should be massaged by the mixture of few drops of lavender oil and carrier oil. In 1 cup of water, 10 drops of lavender oil should be added into the spray bottle. The solution should shake well before spraying to the affected area.

·         For Fatigue: A feet should be soaked in a hot foot bath adding 5 drops of lavender oil and it soothes the various systems of the body by reaching the blood stream quickly and exerting its stimulation.

·         For fevers: Sponge the tepid water adding a drop of lavender oil to the babies or small children. It works for the adults as well.

·         For Giddy spells, faintness or palpitations: The own smelling salts can be made- peppermint oil, lavender oil, basil oil and salt oil.

·         For headache: A piece of muslin should be applied to the forehead after soaking in icy cold water and sprinkling a few drops of lavender oil or a few drops should be massaged on the temples, nape of the neck and forehead.

·         For Insomnia: The patients found that they have better sleep after the lavender oil was placed on the diffuser or dropped on the pillows. 3 to 4 drops of lavender oil to the pillow will help to promotes sleep. In case of babies, massage with the mixture of 1 drop of lavender oil and geranium oil in carrier oil to the back of the babies or few drops should be added to the bedtime bath.

·         For Long-Haul Travel: During the endless hours in the air, the combination of rosemary, frankincense, neroli, lavender and clary sage should be roll on the pulse points to provide a clear head during travel.

·         For Menstrual Cramps: The lower abdomen should be massaged with a few drops of lavender oil or the hot compress should be applied to the area with lavender oil sprinkled.

·         For Moths, Midges and Mosquitoes: Lavender oil works wonder for itching, inflammation and insect bites. The few drops of lavender oil either rubbed to the skin or clothes will keep the mosquitoes and insect away.

·         For Scabies: The mixture of lavender oil and alcohol should be rubbed to the whole body until it is healed. The clothes and bedding should be washed and lavender oil should be sprinkled on the mattress.

·         For Sinusitis: The two drops of lavender oil should be added to the steaming water and it should be inhaled by covering the head with a towel which helps to get relief from sinusitis.

·         For Stress and Anxiety: The lavender oil should be applied to the temples for relieving stress and anxiety.

·         For Sunburn: The mixture of 8 drops of lavender oil, 4 drops of peppermint oil and a teaspoon of jojoba oil should be added to a luke warm water and soak the burn areas for 10 minutes.

 

Lavender Oil Side Effects to consider

Lavender oil is completely safe for the people but certain cautions should be taken into consideration while using:

1. Medication Interactions

If the one is taking the prescription regarding the sleep related disorders or for depression then the lavender oil should not be combined with other medications because it makes people feel sleepy and drowsy. In the near future, if one has to undergo from surgery or anesthesia then also the use of lavender oil should be avoided.

2. Pregnant women and children

The enough research is not made to prove that the use of lavender oil is safe for the pregnant women. The pregnant women should recommend the doctor before using these essential oils. Lavender oil is safe for children but the boys who have not gone through puberty; it may prove to be harmful as it affects the hormone levels. So cautions should be taken while using lavender oil on children.

3. Ingesting Lavender oil

No negative symptoms were found during research when the lavender oil was applied directly to the skin by mixing carrier oil. There is no negative effect when the lavender oil is consumed but it has high level of anti-oxidants which should be kept at minimum because we have sensitive digestive system.