Top Ten Uses for Lavender Essential Oil

Scientific name: Lavendula Augustifolia. Lavender is perhaps the most well-known and least understood of the essential oils. Practically everyone knows that lavender is great for burns, but few understand that there are over 30 (some say 40) different species of lavender and that many of the lavender essential oils are not even lavender, they are lavenda essential oils (smell similar, very cheap to produce, and containing very few if any of the healing properties of true lavender). The best lavender essential oil is from true lavender plants (Lavendula Augustifolia, previously known as Lavendula Officinalis Vera {Vera optional}) grown at altitudes of 5,000 feet or higher. This is the truly universal oil, a natural anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial (being currently tested against MRSA), antimicrobial, hormone balancing, skin cell regenerating, diuretic, muscle feeding, histamine blocking, anti-fungal, and overall body tonic essential oil! A true, pure lavender essential oil will contain properties that will affect all ten of the body's systems and still be gentle enough to use with a newborn baby (remember to dilute appropriately 0-2 years 1 drop essential oil to 3 drops carrier oil, 2-3 years 50/50 dilution, 3+ no dilution needed), earning it the name of The Universal oil.

1. The first oil to grab for any kind of burn. If the burned area is large and tender to the touch you may want to add 5-10 drops of lavender to one ounce of purified water in a spray bottle, shake well (and often) and spray the burnt area.

2. Reduces scarring and assists in removing old scars. Simply apply to the affected area several times a day. If you are preventing a scar from forming you have the added bonus of its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties!

3. Insect repellant and great for bites and stings. It soothes the wound, calms the emotions, reduces any inflammation, and has an antihistamine affect. (Note: if you have a known life-threatening allergy to stings please visit the emergency room, but go ahead and apply the lavender oil on the way.) You can also use it in a sachet to repel bugs that may be hiding out in your dresser or closet.

4. Not only is lavender great for all skin issues, it has the double benefit of addressing hormonal imbalance skin issues (not just acne, but any way the hormone imbalance may present itself, psoriasis, rashes, cold sores, even boils). While you are using it on your skin it is also prevents wrinkles, scars, and encourages skin cell regeneration!

5. Diffuse lavender in a sick room, it relaxes both the patient and the caregiver, strengthens the immune system, and it cleanses the air. A great disinfectant, it was carried by soldiers and medics in World War I and II to use on wounds.

6. Assists in reducing the pain associated with migraine or tension headaches. Apply to the back of the neck, temples, and tops of the ears to relax the muscles and the emotions and thus reduce (or eliminate) the headache. Also great for emotional imbalances, mood swings, and depression that often accompany headaches.

7. A drop or two applied to the pulse points of the wrists can drop high blood pressure or calm someone who is overexcited. Great for use before visiting the doctor, not only will it protect you from any germs you may be exposed to, but it will also help calm any fears you may experience by being there. Also great to use before visiting the dentist. You can even apply it directly to a toothache and it will help relieve the pain there!

8. Great for insomnia! Add 5-8 drops to 1/4 cup Be Young Starflake Bath salts (highly crystalized bath salts that are great for absorbing essential oils), then add to a tub of water, soak for 20 minutes (or more), rinse off (because the soak will bring toxins out of the body and to the skin and you do not want to reabsorb them) and you will be ready for bed. Don't want to soak? Put a drop on the back of the neck, temples, and tops of the ears. Add 5-10 drops to one ounce of water in a spray bottle, shake well and often and lightly spray your pillow, bed linens, or just spray around the bedroom. This also works well as "Monster spray" to scare away the monsters who are keeping your little ones from sleeping. It will calm their emotions and allow them to relax and go to sleep.

9. Great for any respiratory challenges, clears mucus, calms spasms, even aids in stopping an asthma attack or in dealing with hay fever challenges. Take a whiff; apply to the chest and under the nose.

10. Marvelous for muscle aches and pains, it feeds the muscles by increasing nitric oxide in the body (a free radical, one of those marvelous chemical molecules produced during lightning storms that makes the world so fresh and alive afterwards); this enables the muscles to perform with more strength. Additionally, it reduces inflammation and muscle spasms.

*Only use essential oils internally that are truly 100% pure, such as Be Young oils. Oils that are cut or synthetic can have dangerous side effects if used internally. Always error on the side of caution and use common sense.

Tips of Home Usage of Lavender Essential Oil

Essential oils have become an important part of our well-being. We use numerous types of essential oils for different purposes on daily basis. One of the most popular oil praised for its soothing fragrance and medicinal properties is Lavender oil. This multi-purpose oil is helpful in reducing anxiety, fatigue and stress, improve blood pressure, increase immune response and in curbing pain. Lavender essential oil is analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and has anti-tumor properties.

Lavender oil should not be applied directly to the skin. To utilize the benefits of Lavender oil at home, dilute it by mixing 10 drops of oil with an ounce of jojoba oil or unscented lotion. Listed below are few tips on home usage of Lavender essential oil:

Headaches: The best way to treat headaches using Lavender oil is to inhale it. Add few drops of this to a bowl of warm water and breathe by bringing your face close to the bowl and covering it with a towel. You can also use diluted lavender oil on forehead and base of the neck to get relief from headaches.

Colds: Lavender essential oil can help in curing cold and removing cough. According to aroma-therapists, regular use of essential oils such as Lavender can help keep away cold and other viral or infectious diseases. You can also add few drops of the oil in a vaporizer to clear cold.

Stress: Lavender oil is very effective in removing stress and depression. Just before sleeping at night, a warm water bath mixed with six to eight drops of Lavender oil can help in melting away stress and removing fatigue. Dip your leg in a bowl of warm water mixed with three drops of the oil and relax. For toddlers, apply a drop of Lavender massage oil below their feet to calm them. If you have problem in sleeping add two or three drops of this at the corner side of your pillow and get a good sleep.

Ear-aches: For treating ear-aches, dab one drop of diluted lavender oil behind the ear and rub gently. You can also place a cotton ball dipped with one drop of this at the outer area of the ear.

While using Lavender essential oil at home, you should make sure that you use it with proper dilution. If you are pregnant, have asthma, or you are allergic to things, you should take doctor's advice before using the oil.

Lavender, The Swiss Army Knife of Essential Oils

Lavender is one essential oils that should be in every home and first aid kit! Lavender is the most "universal" oil and is the Swiss army knife of essential oils. It is steam distilled from Lavandula angustifolia.

Lavender is one of the few essential oils that is safe to use neat or undiluted, on the skin, if it is therapeutic grade.

When in doubt, use Lavender. Lavender is good for all kinds of problems.

Personally, I have used Lavender for quite a long time to control my blood pressure by inhaling and applying to the heart reflex points and directly over the heart.

Lavender reduces inflammation, relieves burns, headaches, cuts, skin abrasions, analgesic, anti-fungal, calming and relaxing, anti-stress, anti-depression, insomnia (inhale), PMS and more.

Burns and Sunburn - Apply 1-3 drops on burn location to cool tissue and reduce inflammation. Apply 3-6 times daily or as needed.

Use Lavender to cleanse and sooth cuts or scrapes.

Reduce or minimize scar tissue by massaging it on or around affected areas.

Apply 2-3 drops Lavender to relieve itching and soothe skin.

To Calm and Relax- Lavender is well-known for its calming and sedative properties. Massage Lavender into the back of the neck or bottom of feet for relaxation. Add a few drops of Lavender to your bath water for a relaxing soak. Diffuse Lavender before bed to quiet the mind and prepare for sleep. Inhaling also works wonders. Lavender can also be used for insomnia.

For restless leg syndrome, apply to the bottoms of feet. Inhale deeply to get back to sleep if necessary. If you have insomnia, try rubbing some Lavender on your chest and put a couple drops on your tongue.

Headaches- lavender is good for headaches. Put a couple drops in your hand and then inhale. Apply a drop on your temples, the back of the neck across forehead or on location.

Mood Uplifting - Diffuse or put a couple drops in your hand and then inhale. Apply direct application. Lavender also helps PMS symptoms.

Essential Lavender - Always in the Mix

Mom, Tryssie said, sampling essential oils and offering her own unsolicited commentary, I know essential lavender oil is supposed to be calming and soothing and all, but it smells more like comatose. Tryssie's signature fragrance review line: "essential lavender smells like grandma and the bridge club." She does not intend the line as criticism, more like very precise and vivid reporting, and certainly delivered with proper homage to the queens of three-no-trump. For today's post-modern emerging woman, lavender probably does seem sadly twentieth century.

I explained, however, one need not make this oil the leading ingredient, but one really ought, always, to include it in the mix. Yes, even if we concede lavender evokes all things Victorian and quite a few things Eisenhower, we must acknowledge that lavender shared Victoria's secret-appear prim and innocent, but pack a potent wallop. Among the essential oils, lavender rivals all the best in medicinal and therapeutic applications and benefits. Even Wendell, our Wonder Dog, has experienced and benefitted from its soothing effects. essential oil beginners must learn that lavender, and its sister chamomile, calm and soothe everything. Experts act on the principle, if it needs calming and soothing, lavender and chamomile are there. In pillow sprays-essential lavender is essential. After-cleanse skincare-must have lavender in the mix. Unruly dry hair-lavender ranks number one as your go-to oil. Of course, lavender dominates the sachets in your drawer full of "intimates"; no one wants anxious and unruly drawers.

Essential lavender in "Complementary Medicine"

Naturopaths rely on essential oil in treatment of neurological disorders. Sounds serious, Tryssie volunteers, and I agree that essential lavender can serve as serious medicine. Relying on essential lavender for inhalation therapy, naturopaths use it to treat severe headaches-including migraines and they have found it works extremely well for treatment of the entire constellation of pre-menstrual symptoms. Aches and cramps abate, exhaustion and fatigue lift, and irritability softens to grudging tolerance. Although massage therapists confess lavender has only limited benefit, strictly speaking, for serious skin disorders, they insist on its value in promoting intimacy and the power of a healing touch. In other words, lavender has little topical-biochemical effect on eczema or acne, but healing massage promotes recovery from the inside out. Mothers, if your child suffers a serious skin disorder or you are battling measles and chicken pox, healing massage promotes rapid recovery by enhancing children's sense of love, affection, and safety.

Rigorous Clinical Studies of Essential lavender

The University of Maryland, the nation's leader in strict clinical research for "complementary medicine," determined essential lavender substantially contributes to control and relief of post-operative o oxygen to one half of the group and oxygen alone to the other half. All twenty-five patients in the experimental lavender group reported considerably higher satisfaction with the facility's pain management regime than patients in the control group. Researchers also reported patients in the experimental group recovered and were ready for discharge sooner than patients in the control group.