Lavender

Lavender

Lavender is one of the most functional oils out there.

It comes from the genus Labiate, which also includes but is not limited: rosemary, marjoram, germander, thyme, savory, horehound, plus culinary sage, and of course mint, peppermint, and spearmint.  Most of this article will refer to Lavandula officinalis and to a lesser extent Lavandula angustifolia.  

Lavender essential oil is produced from the plant’s flowering tops.  It’s main constituents are esters, mostly Linalyl acetate 40-50% (which are highly anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, fungicidal, calming and balancing). The alcohol linalool and monoterpenes a-pinene, delta-3-carene and camphene.

All of the above constituents mean this oil has some pretty magnificent properties, including but not limited to: analgesic, antibacterial, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, antispasmodic, antiseptic, antitoxic, antiviral, carminative (helps with gas and digestion), choleretic (stimulates bile production in liver), cicatrisant (blood clotting), cordial, cytophylactic (cellular regeneration), deodorant, diuretic, emmenagogue (normalizing menstruation), febrifuge (reduces fever), hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), nervine (tonic for nervous disorders), sedative, splenetic, sudorific, tonic (fortifier), vermifuge (eliminating intestinal worms), vulnerary (assists in healing wounds).  

Lavender may be one of the most common, well known oils out there.   All of the above properties make it clear there are many good reasons for it’s popularity.

According to ‘The Fragrant Mind’ by Valerie Ann Worwood lavender can be helpful in inducing many positive states including: security, compassion, clarity, balance, vitality, acceptance, inner peace, comfort, rejuvenation...

Here are some recommendations from ‘The Fragrant Mind’ for using Lavender to aid in the emotional healing of : Anxiety, stress, mental exhaustion, hysteria, shock, fears, nightmares, lost inner child, moodiness, addiction, agitation, obsessive behavior, trauma, depression, psychosomatic illness, over-excitedness, burnout.

I love lavender, as it is a great magnifier when mixed with other oils.  It takes the sting out of burns and smells great!  The uses are boundless and this is one of the few oils that is safe to apply neat (not mixed in a carrier oil), in first aid situations.  

Lavender is also known as the ‘herb of love’.  It is considered an aphrodisiac due to it’s ability to calm and destress at the same time as being rejuvenating.  It’s balancing and stimulating effect on our circulatory systems helps to improve and increase blood flow… Which is important when it comes to intimacy and love.   

This relaxing yet stimulating naturally affects us both physically and psychologically.  With all these great reasons to include lavender in your life, why not give it a try?

Here are a few suggestions for use.  



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