Lavender Oil

Introduction – Lavandula Officinalis or what everybody calls Lavender has gained popularity because of is calming scent and relaxing benefits. They have been used in aromatherapies, as salt baths and lotions. Lavender is considered synonymous with rest and relaxation. Aside from the scent this flower has, there are some chemical reasons why lavender oil is soothing. Linalool, esters, aldehydes and ketones are factors that make lavender a multi-purpose medicinal plant.

• Linalool. This chemical is an antiseptic. It kills bacteria and viruses which makes lavender a great antiseptic.
• Esters. These reduce pain and swelling on the skin. It also fights any fungal infections and is what provides lavender with the ability to relieve stress, depression, tension and hysteria.
• Ketones. The ketone content in lavender oil is excellent in assisting with relieving pain and inflammation. It also induces restful sleep.
• Aldehydes. Ever wondered what causes the soothing scent of lavender? It is because of the aldehydes.

Because of the antiseptic and cleansing agents in lavender, this oil makes it excellent for treating skin irritations, rashes, burns or insect bites. Lavender is ideal because it is a mild essential oil, which means it’s safe.

The many soaps and lotions that contain lavender are usually designed to treat and heal skin conditions. Overall, it promotes healthy skin because it balances the oil on the skin, which makes it ideal for those with dry, or oily skin. As a bonus, It is also beneficial to those with any abrasions and cuts because it prevents scars.

Lavender is often used in shampoos as well. It has properties that can help prevent dandruff and other skin conditions. When used as a rinsing agent, it also moisturizes and gives a healthier shine to damaged hair.

Lavender and Its Many Uses

There are many uses for lavender essential oil. Contrary to what some think, aromatherapy is not the only use of this wonderful oil. In fact, it is known as the universal oil. This is because it balances the body as well as works wherever it is needed. Lavender is useful for acne, allergies, fungal infections, wounds, sunburns, boils, burns, stretch marks, shingles, cold sores, and many more conditions.

Lavender also has many benefits when it comes to internal organs and functions. It helps with the blood circulation, thus reduces the chances or eases heart palpitation and high blood pressure. Its relaxing effect also aids in pain, tight muscles, joint pain, sprains rheumatism and lumbago.

Aromatherapy from Lavender is also great for emotional asthma, coughs, colds, bronchitis, sinus infections, whooping cough, congestions, flu, and laryngitis.

Lavender oil is also used for better digestion. It increases the mobility of the intestine. The lavender oil also stimulates the production bile and gastric juices. This treats problems in digestion, stomach pain, flatulence, colic diarrhea and vomiting.

The most common use for lavender oil is for the nervous system. It has a calming and uplifting effect that balances emotions. It can also help with stress, shock, vertigo, nervous tension, migraines, insomnia, delusions and even epilepsy. It is also the choice for PMS.

Pure Lavender Oil Baths, Sprints and Fresheners

What’s the difference between synthetic fragrances and pure essential oils? You may think they are all the same, but, there is a major difference. Synthetic fragrances do not give off the same effects as pure essential oils for the obvious reason that they are just imitations of the scent.

The fragrances that come from essential oils are distilled from plants. They are sustainable and may be renewed. Those from synthetic fragrances are only extracted from petrochemicals. Because these are mere imitations of the scent, the perfect combination is obtained from a mix of different chemicals. They are more likely to cause adverse reactions such as allergies or headaches.

This is why, instead of searching the market for a lavender scented freshener or spritz, or bath, why not make your own?

• Lavender Spritz – For that cooling and relaxing spritz that is ideal for a hot day, or to relieve sun burn, simply add one cup of water to six drops of lavender oil. Put it on a sprayer, and spritz the heat away. For those who have access to dried lavender blossoms, you may try your hand with using raw products to make your lavender bath. Get the dried lavender blossoms and ground them. Pour the sediments into a clean glass and add olive oil over the blossoms and stir gently. Place the mixture in a covered jar and store in a dry place. Stir everyday for a month. At the end of the month, you may strain the mixture and transfer to another glass container. Add two tablespoons of the oil with warm water to use as bath oil.
• Lavender Rug Freshener – One of the most dominant smells in your house is rug scent. This is why cleaning there is a pile of rug fresheners on the market. But, if you want your rug to smell fresh, longer than what those products can do, then just follow these steps. Get a box of baking soda, and add in 10 drops of lavender. Mix well together and store overnight. Use this to sprinkle on carpets and rugs. Leave until it sinks and vacuum out.

Lavender as Pain Reliever

Throughout history – dating back to even ancient times, Lavender has been a popular oil for many. It was known to be used during wars whenever they ran low on medical supplies for the prevention of infection, or for pain relievers. At those times, soldiers suffering from wound pains would be given lavender oil in order to relieve the pain as well as to kill the bacteria in the wound. This was done by directly applying the oil to the wound itself.

There are several reasons why lavender is considered to be the most popular essential oil in the world. It has a magical aroma, and has great healing properties that are beneficial in the skin care, cosmetics, aromatherapy, and medicine industries. There have been numerous studies about this in the past, and the research still goes on, with the intent to discover lavender’s full potentials for the world.

Lavender oil has a variety of uses that are practical, but the focal point for most is that it is very effective in relieving pain, especially for those patients with chronic pains preventing them from sleeping at night. Pain can lead to sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation in turn, aggravates the pain and does more harm by lowering our body’s ability to defend itself from other infections and diseases, also leading to irritability of the patient.

It is ideal that lavender serves the purpose of a pain reliever and induces sleep for patients. One old method to allow the patient the much needed rest is to take a cotton ball, drop a few essential lavender oils into the cotton, and insert it between the pillow and the pillowcase. The location is another strategy here. Aside from the aromatherapy benefits, the heat as well as pressure from the rested head will release the oil and will relieve anxiety.

Today, even with our much advanced technology, doctors still acknowledge the benefits of lavender, and how it can assist any other treatments that are given on the patient.

Skin Benefits of Lavender

Lavandula Officinalis or what everybody calls Lavender has gained popularity because of is calming scent and relaxing benefits. They have been used in aromatherapies, as salt baths and lotions. The flower is considered to be equal to rest and relaxation.

Aside from the scent this flower has, there are some chemical reasons why lavender oil is soothing. Linalool, esters, aldehydes and ketones are factors that make lavender the multi-functioning herb that it is. Every chemical has its own unique trait, and when combined together, produces the effects that are uniquely lavender.

Linalool. This chemical is an antiseptic. It kills bacteria and viruses which makes lavender a great antiseptic.
Esters. These reduce pain and swelling on the skin. It also fights any fungal infections and is what provides lavender with the ability to relieve stress, depression, tension and hysteria.

Ketones. The ketone content in lavender oil is excellent in assisting with relieving pain and inflammation. It also induces restful sleep.

Aldehydes. Ever wondered what causes the soothing scent of lavender? Well it is because of the aldehydes.

Because of the antiseptic and cleansing agents in lavender, this oil makes it excellent for treating skin irritations, rashes, burns or insect bites. Lavender is ideal because it is a mild essential oil, which means it’s safe. You may apply it undiluted, directly to your skin, or you may even add the lavender oil to warm water and turn it into a cleaning agent.

The many soaps and lotion that contain lavender are usually designed to treat and heal skin conditions. Overall, it promotes healthy skin because it balances the oil on the skin, which makes it ideal for those with dry, or oily skin. As a bonus, It is also beneficial to those with any abrasions and cuts because it prevents scars.

Lavender is often used in shampoos as well. It has properties that can help prevent dandruffs and other skin conditions. When used as a rinsing agent, it also moisturizes and gives a healthier shine to damaged hair.

Lavender Safety Precaution

Lavender is considered to be an essential oil. Essential oils may be defined as highly concentrated liquids that could be harmful if used incorrectly. If you treat essential oils similar to medicine, evolving around the idea that there are steps to be followed, and misuse to be possible, then you may enjoy the best of this favorite aromatherapy.

There are some safety guidelines to assist you with the proper use of lavender as an essential oil. When you are in doubt, or would like to try another method of using, it, it is best to consult a physician or trained aromatherapy practitioner.

1. Do not use undiluted on the skin.
   You may have seen some aromatherapy users and practitioners use undiluted lavender directly on skin, however, these are rare instances. Remember that this should only be attempted if you already have significant knowledge on these oils. Lavender and tea tree are actually two of the listed aromatherapy sources as oils that can be used undiluted. However, there could be severe skin sensitivity that will cause irritation. To be completely safe, it is best to avoid undiluted application.
2. Take care of allergic reactions.
   Whatever you put on your skin, you must always test for allergic reactions. For lavender essential oils, you should also do the same. When applying it for the first time, you should do a skin patch on a small area of skin. You can do so by applying a small diluted amount of essential oil on the inside of your elbow. Apply a bandage on top. You should leave it there for 24 hours to check if any irritation occurs. If there is, then immediately discontinue use. Even if the oil does not irritate one person, it may irritate another, so you must always check for allergies.
3. Avoid during pregnancy, or by people with asthma, epilepsy, or other health conditions. This is not applicable for all, but there has been some rare cases reported about essential oils affecting those who have asthma epilepsy and some other health conditions.
4. Use sparingly.
   Essential oils are concentrated. Therefore, most would smell and work wonderfully with just a single drop. Rule is, if it gets the job done, then there is no need to add more.
5. Do not take in internally.
   Remember that essential oils like lavender may only be taken when you have a detailed consultation as well as prescription from an aromatherapy expert.
6. Essential oils are flammable.