General Properties
- analgesic
- antidepressant
- antiseptic
- bactericidal
- decongestant
- hypotensive
- insect repellant
- sedative
- vermifuge
Origin: France. Steam distilled from the flowering tops. Middle note.
Description
Lavender is a plant from which the flowers, leaves and stems are steam distilled. This multi-purpose oil’s active constituents include the ethers on linalyl and geranyl, geraniol, linalol, cineol and coumarin.
This particular plant comes from the French Alps. Because it is grown high in the Alps it is considered to be a wildcrafted oil and is of excellent quality. For those who require the best Lavender essential oil for their treatments, this is the one to use.
The analgesic, antiseptic and antibiotic properties of lavender essential oil make it great for treating colds, flu and coughs and the best way to use it for these conditions is inhalation through steam. Steam is a great anti-viral treatment on its own, but when combined with lavender essential oil you get soothing and decongesting elements, along with the destruction of bacteria, which may be responsible for further infections.
Lavender essential oil is a wonderful sedative which helps aid in sleep. When massaged into the temples, lavender may help to relieve headaches. For muscular pain, this oil is excellent, especially blended with Rosemary essential oil or Marjoram essential oil, as the properties of Lavender essential oil improve when mixed with another essential oil (it also improves the properties of the essential oil its mixed with!).
During labour, lavender essential oil will both reduce pain and strengthen contractions (best massaged into the lower back), helping to speed labour. For skin conditions and general care, lavender is an excellent essential oil. For treating acne, it is one of the most useful essential oils, as it inhibits the growth of bacteria which cause the infection, while working to heal the damage that has already been done. Some essential oils work well to help stimulate the growth of healthy cells (Lavender essential oil, Neroli essential oil and Tea tree essential oil), so using any of these essential oils in a regular skincare regime is conducive to great skin!
As an insect repellent, lavender essential oil will help protect clothes, sheets and towels (soak a cotton ball and place in your linen cupboard), as well as your skin when applied in a spray or body lotion. If you should forget to use an insect repellent before you go outside and happen to get bitten, Lavender essential oil will help take the sting out of the bite, help to stop it from becoming infected, and work to help it heal faster. Lavender is one of the few essential oils that may be used on the skin neat and no home should be without a bottle!
Blends well with Bergamot essential oil, Clove essential oil, Rosemary essential oil, Eucalyptus essential oil, Patchouli essential oil, Clary sage essential oil, Rose essential oil and Jasmine essential oil.
Lavender Hydrosol is also available.
