General Properties

• analgesic
• antidepressant
• antiseptic
• bactericidal
• decongestant
• hypotensive
• insect repellant
• sedative
• vermifuge

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 for their treatments, this is the one to use.

The analgesic, antiseptic and antibiotic properties of lavender 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 you get soothing and decongesting elements, along with the destruction of bacteria, which may be responsible for further infections.

Lavender 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 or Marjoram, as the properties of Lavender improve when mixed with another oil (it also improves the properties of the oil its mixed with!).

During labour, lavender 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 oil. For treating acne, it is one of the most useful 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, Neroli and Tea tree), so using any of these oils in a regular skincare regime is conducive to great skin!

As an insect repellent, lavender 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 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 oils that may be used on the skin neat and no home should be without a bottle!

Blends well with Bergamot, Clove, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Patchouli, Clary sage, Rose and Jasmine.

Specific Cautions

References

Information about this essential oil came from the following sources:

1. Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Fragrant Pharmacy. (Toronto: Bantam Books, 1990)
2. Davis, Patricia. Aromatherapy: An A-Z. (United Kingdom: Saffron Walden, 1988)
3. Tisserand, Robert and Tony Balacs. Essential Oil Safety. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1995)

Note and Disclaimer

The information and opinions provided here are for general educational purposes only and do not replace medical advice. It is your responsibility to consult a suitably qualified medical practitioner to ensure that you will not have any medical problems from any of our products.

Product Specifications