Lavender
Botanical name -Lavandula angustifolia
Process- Steam distillation
Oil comes from – The flower
The queen of Essential oils blessed upon us by the enchanting lavender flowers that thrive in all climates with dry, rocky, sandy terrain and are found in the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, the Canary Islands, the Middle East, and India.
Lavender has been used for at least the last 2500 years by the Egyptians and Romans. These civilizations made use of this oil as an Antibacterial, Antifungal, Muscle relaxant, Anti-depressive & a Sedative.
The name Lavender comes from the Latin word “lavare,” meaning “to wash,” as it was often used in baths and laundry for its fragrant properties.
With a calming, physically and emotionally balancing fragrance, it has commonly been used for its relaxing effects on the body.
Ancient uses and History of Lavender
In the stories of the Bible, lavender was used for anointing and healing.
Romans used lavender for cosmetics, cooking, and purifying the air.
Egyptians used lavender for mummification and as a perfume.
When archaeologists opened King Tut’s tomb in 1923, a faint scent of lavender filled the room.
According to ancient texts, its purposes range from medicinal to religious, having been used to clean cuts and to soothe bruises and skin irritations, as well as to scent the air for spiritual practices.
Lavender was useful for seduction.
This incredible plant was dried and put in pipes to enhance the flavour of smoking other herbs.
It was steam distilled into oil so the body could be drenched in its aromatic elegance.
Lavender is also an insect repellent, earlier it was scattered over stone floors to disinfect and deodorize.
During the World War 1 lavender was used as an antiseptic, and dogs slept on a bed of lavender to get rid of fleas. Farmers used it to disinfect wounds and sores, and to get rid of head lice. Burns healed faster when lavender oil was used, and when it was rubbed on the chest, colds and bronchitis seemed to disappear. Old folks rub it on painful joints and a bag of lavender was worn around the neck to cure headaches.
Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
‘Such is the beauty of nature; it protects us a all levels and sheaths’
Lavender oil has been celebrated for its remarkable wound healing abilities including cuts, bruises and burns. Rub a few drops of lavender essential oil on the bruised area or on burns to increase blood circulation and healing. It can also be used to soothe skin irritation, razor bumps, and sunburn.
Lavender may promote hair growth, and reduce dandruff when massaged into the scalp. It also reduces brain edema and improves functional ability. It has shown to be effective on hair lice, lice eggs, and nits
Lavender essential oil is great to relieve symptoms of colds, flu, cough, bronchitis and other throat infections
In Aromatherapy, it helps manage chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia, also has sedative effects and calming properties
Pure lavender essential oil inhibits the bacteria causing acne infection and regulates the over-excretion of sebum
It helps in relief of pain from sprains, backaches, and sore muscles. A regular massage with lavender oil can provide relief from pain in the joints
The lavender essential oil is effective in improving blood circulation in the body.
So many people now are diagnosed with anxiety also have depression. Lavender oil can actually enhance your body’s serotonin levels. This is the feel-good chemical in your body, and it can help to regulate the neurotransmitters that deal with it. It improves serotonin activity throughout your body. This means that you can feel a significant decrease in your depression and anxiety symptoms.
There’s no doubt that lavender has what it takes to arouse the emotions. The scent alone can raise the testosterone level in men, and women sense their intimate feminine side when it is used in perfume or in bath.
Different ways you can use this oil
The most popular use of lavender oil is to mix it with a carrier oil like sweet almond oil or jojoba oil for a relaxing massage.
You can add this oil to your baths for a relaxing effect.
Use it behind your ears and on your wrists for a strong and productive start to the day
Use it in a diffuser for calming, stress free feel and to breathe sweetness in your emotions
You can add a drop of oil on to your cream or body lotion for it to seep in your skin and work its healing magic without you even coming to know about it
A few drops of lavender oil to your temples may provide some relief from migraines, headaches, depression, nervous tension, and emotional stress.
Put a few drops of the fragrant oil in your palms and rub it on your pillowcase and bedsheets. It will ensure a good night’s sleep
Pour a couple of drops in a bottle of water and shake it to make a spray which you can use as a room freshner/ car freshner.
This spray of oil and water can also be used on Dogs to Deodorize, Refresh& Repel Ticks, also to relieve their anxiety. You can also use this spray to condition your dog to a new space, we all relate to fragrances and at some level they do affect our emotions.
Precautions for usage
Pregnant women consult your doctor before any usage
Always do a patch test for any allergic reactions before actual usage
Keep away from children and pets
Always keep in a cold and dark place