aromatherapy

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) essential oil is one of the most versatile essential oil to have on hand. Therapeutic Lavender oil is known to promote tissue regeneration and speed wound healing and is one of the few essential oils to still be listed in the British Pharmacopoeia (that is, provided the Lavender oil is of therapeutic quality).

Lavender has medical properties as well: highly antiseptic, antifungal, relaxant, anti-inflammatory, combats excess sebum on skin, and is used for respiratory infections,  menstrual problems/PMS, skin conditions (perinial repair, acne, eczema, psoriasis, scarring), burns, hair loss, insomnia, nervous tension.

The fragrant influence of Lavender oil is calming, relaxing, and balancing, both physically and emotionally.

• University researchers in Japan found that diffusing certain aromas in an office environment dramatically improved mental accuracy and concentration. Diffused lemon oil resulted in 54 percent fewer errors, jasmine 33 percent fewer errors, and lavender 20 percent fewer errors. When aromas were diffused during test taking, scores increased by as much as 50 percent.
• Lavender has been documented to improve concentration and mental acuity. University of Miami researchers found that inhalation of lavender oil increased beta waves in the brain, suggesting heightened relaxation.
• Lavender oil also reduced depression and improved cognitive performance (Diego et al., 1998).
• A 2001 Osaka Kyoiku University study found that lavender reduced mental stress and increased alertness (Motomura et al., 2001).

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30 Ways to Use Lavender Oil

1. Rub Lavender oil on the soles of the feet for a calming effect on the body.
2. Rub a drop of Lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow to help you sleep.
3. Put a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching and reduce swelling.
4. Put 2-3 drops of Lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain and stimulate healing.
5. Stop Bleeding; put 1-4 drops of Lavender oil on a cut to stop the bleeding.
6. Mix several drops of Lavender oil with a carrier oil and apply topically for eczema and dermatitis.
7. Alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of Lavender oil on the end of the tongue or around the naval or behind the ears.
8. Stop a nosebleed; put a drop of Lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice. Push the tissue covered ice chip up under the middle of the top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long as comfortable or until the bleeding stops (do not freeze the lip or gum).
9. Rub a drop of Lavender oil over the bridge of the nose to unblock tear ducts (avoid eye area).
10. Capped Skin; rub a couple drops of Lavender oil with a little carrier oil on dry or chapped skin.
11. Rub a drop of Lavender oil on chapped or sunburned lips.
12. To reduce or minimize the formation of scar tissue, massage Lavender oil on and around the affected area.
13. Rub 2 drops of Lavender oil over the armpit area as a deodorant.
14. Rub a drop of Lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
15. Dandruff; rub several drops of Lavender oil into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff.
16. Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a cotton ball and place in your linen closet to scent the linens and repel moths and insects.
17. Place a drop of Lavender oil in your tabletop water fountain to scent the air, kill bacteria and prolong the time between cleanings (NOT in fish tanks though).
18. Put 2-4 drops of Lavender oil on you vacuum cleaner bag to scent the room while vacuuming.
19. Bed Linen Spray; in a 4oz. spray bottle filled with water add 5-10 drops of Lavender oil, shake and lightly mist bed linens every morning upon making your bed, this provides a calming scent that helps induce restful sleep.
20. Dryer Sheet; place a few drops of Lavender oil on a damp washcloth and toss into the dryer, which will deodorize and freshen your laundry.
21. Put a drop of Lavender oil on a cold sore to facilitate healing.
22. Diffuse equal portions of both Lavender and Orange essential oils to reduce stress and anxiety.
23. Sunburn; spritz several drops of Lavender oil mixed with distilled water on a sunburn to decrease pain.
24. Cuts and Wounds; put 1-2 drops Lavender oil on a cut to clean the wound and kill bacteria.
25. Itching; apply 1-2 drops of Lavender oil to a rash to stop the itching and heal skin.
26. Foot Bath; mix 4 drops Lavender oil with 1/4 cup of epsom salts and add to warm water, soak feet for 20 minutes.
27. In a 32 oz. spray bottle mix 14-20 drops of Lavender oil with water for a chemical-free spray air freshener.
28. Add a drop of Lavender to one quart of softened vanilla ice cream, stir well, freeze until hardened, serve.*
29. Lavender Tea; add one drop of Lavender oil to a cup of hot water for a relaxing cup of tea at the end of a busy day.*
30. Use Lavender oil in one of these recipes: Lavender Sorbet, Lavender Lemonade, or Lavender Chocolate Truffles!*

*NOTE: Only food grade essential oils, such as Young Living Essential Oils, can be ingested or taken internally as a supplement. Please do not ingest otherwise.

Evelyn Vincent

Native Plant Landscaper, Gardener, Labyrinth Design, Feng Shui Practitioner,  Aromatherapy / Essential Oils, Big Fan of Nature and Living Simply.

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly."
~ R. Buckminster Fuller