Lavender Essential Oil: The Top Ten List of Healing Uses

The genus Lavandula comes from the Latin word lavare meaning "to wash," and L. angustifolia, known as true or common lavender, is the species used medicinally. Lavender essential oil is steam-distilled from fresh flowers and is mainly produced in Bulgaria and France. Be sure to use a reputable supplier when purchasing lavender essential oil as it is one of the most commonly adulterated essential oils. A genuine and authentic essential oil should always list the botanical name, the part of the plant used, the country of origin and the method of extraction. The synthetic scent of lavender from fragrance oil is not the same as a pure essential oil - there are no health benefits from synthetic fragrance oils!

When I refer to "neat" application, this means applying a drop of lavender essential oil directly on the skin. While this is generally recognized as safe, instances of sensitization have occurred. Furthermore, it is not recommended to use other essential oils in this fashion, with the exception of tea tree. When I talk about using lavender in a carrier oil, this means diluting a few drops of the essential oil in a base oil. Different oils can be used for different purposes, but with this article focusing on first aid remedies, extra virgin olive oil is a great and convenient choice. As there are approximately 600 drops in one ounce, use six to eighteen drops of pure lavender essential oil per ounce (by volume) of carrier oil for a one to three percent dilution.

Here we go, my top ten healing uses for lavender essential oil:

# 10 - Bruises

Lavender is great for bruises because it is anti-inflammatory and analgesic which aids in the healing process while decreasing pain. Using lavender in a carrier oil, gently massage into bruised area. For best results, dilute lavender in arnica-infused oil. Arnica contains sesquiterpene lactones and polysacharides that stimulate phagocytosis, thus cleaning up debris and reducing healing time. Please note that arnica should not be applied to broken skin.

# 9 - Muscle Aches and Menstrual Cramps

Massage lavender diluted in a carrier oil (arnica-infused oil for additional relief) into painful area or, my favorite, add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a warm Epsom salt bath for a deep muscle soak.

# 8 - Bug Bites and Bee Stings

Lavender's antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties make it a great choice for bites and stings as it reduces infection, swelling, and itching. To use, simply apply one drop of lavender essential oil neat to affected area.

# 7 - Earaches

There are two effective ways to ease the pain of an earache with lavender. The first is to gently massage lavender in a carrier oil into the outer ear and back of the ear. The second method is to put a drop of lavender on a cotton ball and gently place it on the outer ear. Never put it directly in the ear canal.

# 6 - Depression

Lavender is a restorative herb and is classified as a nervine, meaning that it has a calming effect on the mind and body. It works in powerful ways to bring feelings of comfort and peace and also helps with fatigue. Suggestions include inhaling lavender essential oil directly from a vial, spritzing your room with lavender diluted in distilled water, and infusing your space with lavender from a candle or incense. The options are endless.

# 5 - Headaches

Lavender's sedative effects make it a great remedy for headaches, especially when the headaches are caused by stress. Massage a drop of lavender diluted in a carrier oil into the temples and back of the neck, followed by a few deep, relaxing breaths of lavender essential oil directly from a vial. Add peppermint essential oil to the mix for even better headache relief.

# 4 - Sanitizer

Lavender was used in hospitals during World War I to disinfect floors and walls. Use lavender essential oil in a soap to cleanse, in water and vinegar for household cleaning, or try it in a base of grain alcohol as a hand sanitizer.

# 3 - Insomnia

Lavender works particularly well if insomnia is due to a restless and anxious mind. Before bed, spray your pillow and face with lavender diluted in distilled water, take a few deep breaths, inhaling lavender directly from the vial or from a drop on a tissue, or place dried lavender buds in a sachet in your pillow case.

# 2 - Burns and Sunburns

It was the French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who is famously cited for treating his severe burns and resulting infection with lavender essential oil. Apply a drop of lavender essential oil neat to minor burns. For sunburns, spray your body with lavender diluted in distilled water. Please seek medical attention for severe burns.

...And my number one healing use for lavender - Stress

lavender has balancing and harmonizing effects on the autonomic nervous system. In panic attack situations, inhale lavender essential oil directly from the vial and seek medical attention if necessary. For general stress and anxiety, spritz your face and room with lavender diluted in distilled water, take a relaxing bath with a few drops of lavender diluted in sea salt, or enjoy a massage using lavender-infused oil.

How Growing an Aromatic Lavender Hedge Can Be Good for You and Your Garden

There are very good reasons why growing lavender has been so popular with generations of gardeners and farmers. Perhaps the most important reason is that it has a beautiful, fragrant smell. When it flowers we are all immediately reminded of summer, and in many places around the world flowering lavender is cause for celebration. But as well as being admired for its beauty it also has a long history as a healing and restorative plant.

Lavender originates from the mountainous zones of the Mediterranean, but it now flourishes throughout southern Europe, Australia, and the United States. Like another well-known herb, rosemary, it's a heavily branched short shrub that grows to a height of between 2 and 3 feet. For this reason it's an excellent herb for growing as an aromatic garden hedge. In this article I'll explain how you can grow a lavender hedge and how to put its flowers to use in many areas around your home.

To help you understand how easy and straightforward it is to grow a lavender hedge I have structured my article as six short paragraphs:

- Where to plant your lavender hedge
- What sort of lavender to plant
- Buying or growing your lavender?
- How to plant your lavender hedge
- Looking after your lavender
- Putting your lavender to healthy uses

Where to Plant Your lavender hedge

When you are looking for a site to plant your lavender hedge, bear in mind that lavender loves a sunny location and light, dry, well drained alkaline (ph 7.5 to 8) soil. If you plant lavender in moist and shady conditions it won't flourish and becomes prone to fungus.

When you choose a site for your hedge also bear in mind that lavender is excellent at repelling insects (with the exception of bees and butterflies which it attracts). This makes it a good companion plant for orchards and other areas of your garden where insects such as flies and mosquitoes are a nuisance.

What Sort of lavender to Plant

Don't just buy the first lavender you see in your garden center or shop. There are many types of lavender plants available, but to keep things simple I'll introduce you to just two of them, both of which are suitable for growing a lavender hedge.

Lavandula stoechas (commonly called French lavender) has short, fat spikes of dark purple flowers topped with butterfly wing bracts (small leaves attached to a flower)

Lavendula augustifolia (commonly called English lavender) which has small purple flowers.

French lavender will grow a little taller than English lavender (up to 3ft instead of 2ft), but English lavender has a stronger smell which is good if you intend to harvest the flowers to make potpourri and aromatic oils.

Buying or Growing Your lavender

I don't recommend trying to grow your lavender from seed because seeds frequently don't produce plants that are true to type. Either buy small plants that are ready for transplanting or take your own cuttings from another plant. If you decide to take cuttings, take 2 inch stems from the tips of the lavender in mid to late summer. Trim off the upper and lower leaves of these stems and then plant them in a mixture of 2/3 course sand and 1/3 peat moss. Keep the soil on the dry side until the roots have formed and shoots appear, and then replant the young plants in pots ready for planting out.

How to Plant Your lavender hedge

Plant your lavender hedge in either the spring or the fall. Make a trench about 16 inches deep and 18 inches wide, and fill this up with a mix of potting compost and coarse sand. Plant your young lavender plants about 2 feet apart (which will to allow for growth). If you plant in the spring, remove any blooms to force the energy into root growth. If you plant in the fall all the plant's energy will be directed into growing its roots.

Looking After Your lavender

Keep your plants watered, even during the winter, although in the winter months the plants are largely dormant, and you'll see no new growth until mid-May. Feed your lavender plants with a suitable fertilizer in early spring and again in mid-summer.

Lavender tends to get woody and needs to be maintained by pruning. Do this in March/Early April before new shoots have formed and at the end of the season when flowering has finished. It's a good idea to shape your lavender hedge. I prune mine to create a circular bush in the spring, and aim to take off about 1/3 of its height when I carry out a major prune at the end of the summer.

Pruning your lavender plants at the beginning and end of the season will encourage healthy growth and lots of flowers. I also dry my pruned cuttings and use them as kindling wood during the winter. They release a wonderful scent as they burn.

You will also probably want to cut lavender flowers during the growing season to use in the home in some of the ways I have described in the final part of my article. Flowers can be cut from the early spring before they open and during the summer.

Although lavender is a perennial herb your hedge will start to get quite woody after a few years depending on growing conditions. I recommend that when the hedge begins to look a bit ragged you take lots of cuttings and replant it either at the end of the season or in the spring.

Putting Your lavender to Healthy Uses

Whilst growing lavender in your garden will bring endless pleasure, it also has many other uses:

Oil of lavender:
Make this by immersing your lavender flowers in neutral oil. The aromatic oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact it was used in hospitals during WWI to disinfect floors and walls. This oil can also be used as a fragrance for bath products.

Dried lavender flowers:
These are used to perfume linen. The dried flowers have a powerful, aromatic odor which repels moths, flies and mosquitoes

Culinary lavender:
Use fresh or dried flowers to flavor sugars jellies, ice-cream and cheeses. you can also crystallize flowers and use as decorations on cakes.

In conclusion I hope I have been able to show you that creating a lavender hedge isn't difficult. If you follow the instructions I have provided you will end up with a healthy, strong, attractive hedge. It might take a couple of years to really establish itself, but whilst this is happening you can harvest and preserve the flowers so you can enjoy the results of your hard work throughout the winter months.

This article by Adam Gilpin has been produced to encourage more people to create their own herb gardens and discover the 100's of different ways in which herbs such as lavender can be used in the garden and around the house.

The Natural Muscle Relaxant: Lavender

If there is a specific cause for muscle pain such as Arthritis or disc problems, there are also a number of specific remedies that can help deal with these ailments. But for pain relief, most people seek prescription pharmaceutical medication, which can have bad side effects and can even cause allergies, aside from the fact that it can be damaging to our bodies. If one is looking for a muscle pain relief but is worried about drug interactions and its adverse effects, then they may consider using natural muscle relaxants.

For general muscle relaxation, a massage using two teaspoons of almond or olive oil mixed with 3 drops each of essential oils of lavender, a natural muscle relaxant can help bring relief. lavender is as old as humankind. Already in use by different civilizations for more than 2,500 years, this beautifully-scented herb has been used in the following ways such as perfume, disinfectant, deodorant, aphrodisiac, and insect repellent.

Lavender, the bushy perennial with the refreshing and delightful scent, has a long history of medicinal uses. It is calming and has an uplifting influence. Warm lavender tea applied as a compress can relieve a headache. In the bath water, lavender oil relaxes one, and gets rid of tension, thereby making one feel better.

Lavender was also used in ancient times to tame lions and tigers. Perhaps the ancient people intuitively knew what researchers are finding out about lavender. Researchers have proven that it calms anxiety and provides natural stress relief. lavender has also a long list of medicinal properties, making it a natural health superstar. These days, lavender is enjoying renewed popularity as an alternative natural muscle relaxant.
lavender was also used in earlier days as a condiment and for flavoring dishes to comfort the stomach. It has aromatic, carminative, and nervine properties. Though largely used in perfumery, it is now not much employed internally, except as a flavoring agent, occurring occasionally in pharmacy to cover disagreeable odors in ointments and other compounds.

Red lavender lozenges are employed both as a mild stimulant. More than just lozenges, the red lavender product is also a favorite after-dinner treat because of its pleasant taste. The essential oil, or the spirit of lavender made from it, proves admirably restorative and tonic against faintness, palpitations of a nervous sort, weak giddiness, spasms, and colic. It is agreeable to the taste and smell, provokes appetite, raises the spirits and dispels flatulence. The dose is from 1 to 4 drops on sugar or in a spoonful or two of milk.

A few drops of the essence of lavender in a hot foot bath is often prescribed as a means of effectively relieving fatigue. If applied outwardly, it relieves toothache, neuralgia, sprains, and rheumatism. In hysteria, palsy and similar disorders of debility and lack of nerve power, lavender will act as a powerful stimulant.

Before you reach for over the counter drugs for your next muscle relaxant, why not do what ancient Egyptians did and look to nature first. After all, if lavender could tame tigers, imagine what it could do for Monday mornings at the office? Definitely, lavender, is the ultimate natural muscle relaxant.

The Lure of Lovely Lavender

Those fortunate enough to have walked in a field of lavender and inhaled the heady aroma emanating from the purple waves of the flowering plants will most likely never forget the experience. It could be the beginning of a passionate love affair with this wonderful herb. Spring is the ideal time to plant lavender, and you don't need fields of this magical herb to enjoy it. Add a few plants to your herb garden; plant lavender beneath your rose bushes to hide the rose's scraggly legs; put lavender in a window box near the entrance to your home so all who enter can enjoy the heavenly fragrance, or simply pot up several lavenders and place them on your patio or in your kitchen on a south-facing window sill. You'll soon become captivated by the lure of lovely lavender and enjoy its many uses.

Growing Lavender
lavender is a perennial herb that, given the right conditions, can flourish and produce flowers for a decade. In most areas of the US, lavender produces dozens of fragrant flowers on a single plant in early summer. A second, less abundant flowering may occur in the fall. There are many varieties of lavender available today. Two popular varieties that may be used for culinary purposes as well as for craft-making are English lavender (Lavandula agustifolia officinalis) and Provence (L. x intermedia). These should be planted directly in the garden, as lavender has deep, spreading roots and will soon become root-bound when confined to pots. The more compact varieties of 'Munstead' and 'Hidcote' can be grown successfully in deep, wide pots.

Two very important needs of lavender should be taken into consideration when selecting a planting site: sunshine and drainage. Lavender thrives in full sun; eight hours a day will make it happy. Lavender must have good drainage; it does not like wet roots. Plant it on a gentle slope or in a raised bed in a south-facing, full-sun location. The soil must be loose-not compacted-and neutral to alkaline (6.0 to 8.0). Add lime if your soil is too acidic. If you don't have a sandy loam, add a little sand (not builder's sand) and small gravel to help with the drainage. When planting, add bone meal; afterward, no fertilizer is needed.

Other needs to consider are air circulation and mulch. Space your plants so that when they are grown and flowering their branches will not touch; they need plenty of air around them, especially in humid climates. After the plant has reached a good size, remove a few branches from the interior to open it up. Don't use bark or pine straw for mulch; sand or pea gravel is best. They will reflect heat and light up to the plant.

Lavender plants are fairly drought resistant after they are mature and well established. However, during the first year, they need to be watered regularly, especially during the hottest summer days. Don't forget to keep watering into the fall if you encounter a dry spell.

Pruning Lavender
Pruning lavender is not an option-it is necessary to ensure a good production of flowers and to keep the plant from falling open in the middle. Although lavender plants are pruned regularly by harvesting the flowers, to keep them well-shaped and to encourage new growth, prune lightly in early spring and cut back aggressively in late fall. Leave approximately 1″ of green foliage on plant when fall pruning.

Harvesting and Drying Lavender
Timing is important when cutting lavender. When your lavender has blossomed, the flowers can be picked for many uses. For a fresh bouquet, pick the blossoms when half of the flowers on the blossom head have opened. If you are picking to dry the bundle for culinary uses, crafting or making a sachet, pick them when the bottom three-quarters of the blossoms are open. Check each plant and cut them daily because not every stem is ready to be cut at the same time.

Wait until all dew has dried from the plants in early morning before cutting. Cut the stems down near the base of the plant. If you're going to dry the lavender, remove all of the leaves from the stem, leaving the bare stem on the bottom and the flowers on top. Bundle a handful of stems together and secure with a rubber band or twine, about an inch from the bottom. Hang the stems upside down in a dark, dry place with plenty of air circulation. A small oscillating fan will help to move the air around the hanging stems. Darkness preserves the color of the flower heads. Put a clean cloth underneath to catch any buds that may fall.

The lavender flowers will be dry in about 8 to 10 days. They may now be used for making crafts, in potpourri, or for culinary uses. Many recipes using lavender can be found in herb cookbooks or by entering "cooking with lavender" on internet search engines.

To preserve your dried lavender for cooking purposes, separate the buds from the stems, rub the flower heads gently between your hands over a clean cloth or plate. To remove any dried leaves from the flowers, sift them through a sieve. Store your culinary lavender buds in a dark-colored glass container out of light. The buds will maintain their flavor for several years and enliven many of your food dishes with a fresh, enticing hint of lavender. By grinding lavender buds in a spice grinder when you're ready to add them to a recipe, you'll release more essential oil, which will increase the lavender flavor in the dish.

Cooking With Lavender - Beyond Aromatherapy

Lavender has been a variety popular herb for hundreds of years. Use of this herb has actually been documented back more than 2500 years ago. At one time, it was used for perfume and mummification by the ancient Egyptians. The English Lavender that we know about today was not around until the 1600s and it was not even developed in England either. It was Queen Victoria that would make it so popular in England. It was even used during World War I to help bath the wounds of soldiers. Even today, the French allow their baby lambs to graze in the lavender fields, which are supposed to make their meat fragrant and very tender.

Cooking with Lavender

When it comes to cooking with lavender, you will want to only use about 1/3 of dried lavender as opposed to fresh lavender. Just remember, if you add too much to a recipe, it can make the dish very better. A little can go a long way, since this is a very strong herb.

One of the benefits of cooking with lavender is that it adds great color to many dishes. In bread recipes, you can often substitute it in for rosemary. Another option is to seal sugar in a bag together with some lavender flowers. After a couple weeks, use the sugar in desserts for a special flavor. The lavender flowers make a great garnish that will look lovely on the table.

Harvesting the flowers correctly is important. Go with those that are in full color. If they are wilted, avoid using them. Make sure you rinse the blooms before every using them while you are cooking. If you harvest a lot of lavender at one time, drying it is a great option.

Lavender White Truffle Crostini Recipe

Wondering how to start using lavender in your cooking? Here is an easy and tasty recipe that you can use as a great appetizer. You will be sure to wow guests with the lavender flowers you use in the recipe.

What You'll Need:

• ½ cup of black olive paste (if you cannot find paste, process green and black olives until smooth and use instead of paste)
• 8 slices of Italian style bread, ½ thick
• ½ teaspoon of lavender flowers
• 1 teaspoon of white truffle oil

How to Make:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Place the slices of bread on a baking sheet. Bake in oven for 5-6 minutes or until they are lightly toasted. In a mini processor or a bowl, mash your olive paste, lavender flowers, and the truffle oil until combined. Spread this on the bread while it is still warm and serve right away.

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Do You Know the Different Lavender Herb Types

Lavender herb is a popular addition to gardens. The aromatic flower spikes are excellent in dried flower arrangements or potpourri. The plant can also be used to make essential oils and for natural healing. Some people also use the plant in cooking, although this is not common. There are around thirty varieties of lavender. However, the most often used are the English, French and Spanish varieties.

English lavender, botanically known as Lavendula angustifolia, is the type most people picture when they hear the word lavender. The plant has purplish flowers and grows to two or three feet. Their fragrance is strong, which is why this type is the one most commonly used for aromatherapy.

There are sub-varieties of English lavender. These tend to be smaller in size, work well as edging and come in other colors than the traditional lavender. Varieties include Melissa, which has pink flowers; Baby Blue, which has purple flowers; Nana Alba, which has white flowers; and Martha Roderick, which has bluish-lavender flowers.

French lavender, or Lavendula dententa, is a milder variety of lavender. It has a more subdued fragrance than its English cousin. Flowers are not quite as vibrant. This type is typically used more for decorative appearance rather than aromatic appeal. This plant also grows up to three feet in height. Leaves are serrated.

The flower many gardeners mistakenly assume is French lavender is actually Spanish lavender. Botanically known as Lavendula stoechus, the plant grows between eighteen inches and two feet in height. Petals are upright and similar in appearance to a pine cone. In Spring, deep purple flowers appear. Bees tend to like this type, which grows best in humid areas.

Of these three main types, English lavender tends to be the hardiest. It can winter outdoors provided it has shelter and a layer of mulching to protect it. The French and Spanish varieties need more warmth and should be moved indoors. If you do not bring them in, you will have to replace the plants each year.

When purchasing lavender commercially, you may notice it labeled as true lavender, spike lavender or lavandin. True lavender has barrel-shaped flowers, short and narrow leaves and crooked stems. It is commonly used for aromatherapy. Spike lavender, like the name implies, grows more and spikes. This type yields the highest amounts of essential oils. Lavandin, sometimes called Dutch lavender, is a hybrid of true and spike lavenders. It has vibrantly colored flowers and is often used as part of decorative accents or potpourris.

While lavender can be grown from seed, it is difficult. Most gardeners start their plants from cuttings or root divisions. They need moist, well-drained soil to flourish. Provide protection from the sun for the first year before moving to the garden. To encourage the plant to bush out, cut flower shoots off the first year in the garden. After the first year, the plant just requires dead-heading of old flowers to keep it going strong. For the strongest aroma, harvest at the end of summer on a hot, dry day.

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How Lavender Got Into Your Body Wash

Lavender, a small popular flower that is found throughout the world and is known for its fragrant aroma and various uses, is actually steeped in history and is more than just an interesting little plant. The oldest records of lavender use date back to ancient times and there are records of its use in historical Syria, Egypt, and Israel, as well as many other corners of the Middle East. In biblical times, lavender was noted as a "holy herb" and its use in the ancient Israelite Temple is well documented and even mentioned in the Old Testament.

In ancient Greece, lavender was also known as Nard, named after the Syrian town from which it had been introduced and in the Rome of the Caesars, lavender was an expensive and greatly prized commodity that could be afforded only by the wealthy elite. Most often found in the Roman bathhouses, where it was used at first simply to scent the water, lavender eventually came to be associated with bathing and cleaning the skin in general and it was here, most likely, that the first ever Lavender Body Wash was born.

Today, lavender can be found in a whole host of bath and beauty product with soaps, face scrubs and cleaners, and shampoos being among the most popular. This trend is not just owing to the fact that lavender packs a deliciously fruity and flowery fragrance but also because of the plant's storied medicinal purposes as well. Most notably, the oils or extract produced by the plant is said to have antiseptic as well as healing properties and according to some, when diluted with water and witch hazel, lavender oil can even be an effective acne treatment. Of course, this same essential oil is the active ingredient in many bottles of shampoo, soap, and Lavender Body Wash and is responsible for the refreshingly cool or mildly tingly sensation some feel when using lavender products.

As far as how Lavender Body Wash is used, most find it the perfect accompaniment for a sponge or loufa. Often times used while bathing or showering, this combination can make for an amazingly refreshing shower or bath or even an all out exfoliation session. When using body wash always remember that a little goes a long way, requiring just a dollop to get a good lather, which helps ensure that you get the most out of every bottle - especially during these tough economic times.

As you can see, lavender has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Once a treat enjoyed only by the wealthiest of wealthy, we know find lavender in our homes in the form of Lavender Body Wash or scented candles and hand soaps. We come across lavender so often, in fact, that we take it for granted. The next time you wash your hands, and smell that familiar fragrance, imagine how different your life might be without it. Perhaps then you will find a great appreciation for this most interesting, yet humble, flower.

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Fragrant, Flowering Lavender Herb Growth and Care in Low Water Gardens

Lavender is an aromatic herb grown for centuries and appreciated for its fragrant, purplish blue flowers. These small, drought-tolerant shrubs take full sun to partial shade outdoors. They can take moderate water, but can also survive in low water gardens once established (usually after a year). The flowers bloom on long, square-shaped stalks and buds can be up to two inches long.

Lavender leaves are also strongly fragrant and can be sticky with essential oils. The flowers are great in fresh bouquets. They can also be used for flavoring in salads or vinegars. Dried bouquets and flowers are used in crafts and as home decor.

Mature lavender plants have narrow green or gray green needle shaped leaves on woody branches. They are great in rock gardens, dry herb gardens or as low, informal hedges. They add structure to the landscape with their evergreen leaves and are a good height for the middle of the flower bed. Mix lavender shrubs in with other drought tolerant herbs like rosemary and sage to enjoy their fragrance on hot summer nights.

Two of the more popular home garden forms are French lavender (Lavandula dentata) and English lavender (lavandula angustifolia, l. officinalis). French lavender reaches 3 to 4 tall and 4 to 6 feet wide and is more drought tolerant with more compact flowers. English Lavender plants are smaller, reaching only about 2 feet high and wide. The English variety is known to be shorter-lived (3 to 5 years), but is considered to have a more complex fragrance.

After the second year or so, lavenders can develop a dry thatch, or collection of dry leaves on the inside of the shrub. The plant can also become leggy, meaning it has long spindly branches. This means it is time to prune back your plants. Fall is usually the best time to do this, especially in mild winter areas. Trim the branches way back; to about 10 inches long. The next spring your lavender will grow back thick and fresh.

The intoxicating scent of lavender has been used in love potions, perfumes and soaps for centuries. It is also credited with the ability to promote chastity. It has been worn to elevate moods and used in aromatherapy to cure nervous depression. In Victorian times a gift of lavender flowers could mean either loyalty or mistrust. Modern science has discovered that lavender oil has antispasmodic, antidepressant and carminative properties.

Lavender is a great insect and moth repellent. In the past it was used as a 'strewing herb' in hospitals and homes to disinfect and clear the air. Dried lavender blossoms make excellent potpourri and can be tied up in cotton fabric before being tucked into drawers or linen closets. The branches are also highly fragrant and can be layered into woodpiles to keep out bugs.

Lavender plants are another beautiful addition to any water-wise garden and provide fragrant flowers for the home almost all year.

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The Many Wonders of Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender Essential Oil is created through a process of distillation of several species of lavender. There are two types of the oil, Lavender Flower Oil, which is clear oil and impenetrable in water, and Lavender Spike Oil that is concentrated from the Lavandula Latifolia aromatic plant.

Lavender oil is usually added to perfume products. It can also be used for aromatherapy to help soothe and aide relaxation. The fragrance of the oil is known to decrease stress. It may also be used in meditation sessions. Its components calm the mind and body, and encourage a feeling of stillness.

Lavender oil also helps in relieving tension and headaches when inhaled in the form of steam or applied to the skin. You can adjoin this with a vaporizer to care for a cough and respiratory illness. It can also serve as mosquito repellent when applied as a cologne or when included in lotions and hair products.

Supporters of alternative treatments say that lavender oil may provide first aid treatment for an array of ordinary illnesses. The thinned or pure oil solution can act as an antiseptic and pain killer when administered to minor burns and insect stings. Use only a small amount when applying it straight to the affected area. The best way to apply this is with the use of wet cotton wool padding to the affected region.

For curing sunburn and sunstroke, 10 drops of oil can be diffused in 25ml of base oil. Lavender oil when incorporated with chamomile is a treatment of eczema. To prepare a massage oil to soothe joint and muscle pain, 1ml of lavender oil should be incorporated to 1oz. of base oil and apply generously on the affected area.

To treat asthma or bronchitis, combine 1ml of lavender oil, 5 drops of chamomile oil and 10ml of base oil then apply this to the chest as a rub. If you want to use this as cure for head lice, use 5-10 drops of lavender oil and dilute it in water and lather it on the hair, you can use a few drops of pure lavender oil and apply it on a fine comb to remove nits.

Oral dosage is not to be administered to children. It can be used as topical solution to treat skin illnesses and injuries like minor cuts and chafes. It should not be applied on open wounds. For adults, lavender can be used in combination with herb tea. This can be used as vapor treatment for headache, depression and insomnia.

Herb medicines are used for strengthening the body and curing diseases. Herbs consist of active substances that can activate side effects and has a negative response to other medications and supplements. You must seek first the advice of health professionals before taking any herbal medicine. However, occurrence of side effects is uncommon but some build up allergies with lavender.

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How To Use Lavender In Your Daily Life?

Lavender essential oils and lavender blend are easy to find in local store or online market. They come in variety products such as for bath spa, massage, or for healing properties.

Lavender essential oil is one of the most commonly used in aromatherapy. It has a pleasant aroma, healing properties, and also it is easily blended with other essential oils to provide for maximum effect.

Lavender and lavender blend essential oils can be used for :

Mosquito bite, just apply lavender oil on the skin. It will stop the inflammation and skin irritation, also reduce the chances of further swelling and redness.

Soak in soothing bath can give your muscles relax. Adding lavender to a soothing bath makes an enormous difference. It will soothe your skin and mind, relax you, and invigorate your skin.

Highly recommended for the nervous system relieving depression, anxiety and insomnia. Best if you use a lavender and lavender blend essential oil into a massage. lavender massage oil relaxes the muscles and tissues.

Foot spa bath is also best if using lavender and lavender blend essential oils. You can add it to foot scrub for a cramped feet or foot lotion with a message for relaxing tired feet.

For Hair care you can add two to four drops to your hairbrush and brush your hair. Lavender it s believed to stimulate hair growth and its antibacterial properties can help eliminate scalp conditions.

You can even use the lavender as a perfume behind the ears if you are allergic to perfumes.

For all skin care due to its powers of rejuvenation and balancing effects. Helps to heal burns, sunburn, acne, boils, bruises, eczema, psoriasis and wounds and sores of all descriptions.

You can’t go wrong when using lavender and lavender blend essential oils. It is easily absorbed by the skin, and soothes the deeper layers of it. Lavender can be also used in cases when you burn your skin, as long as the wound is not open, there should be no problem. It heals the burns effectively. If you have a dry skin, Use just a little bit of the lavender to bring moisture back to the skin. Or you can blend it in lotion to keep your skin nice and moist.

Lavender essential oil can be used neat, meaning without diluting it in carrier oil, but it must be done in small amounts and only for minor skin problems. However, it is advised to dilute lavender with a vegetable carrier oil such as olive oil, jojoba, sweet almond oil, etc, just to make sure that your skin don’t have an allergic reaction.

Tag : lavender,lavender essential,lavender oil,herb oil

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Calming Lavender

Lavender, also known as Lavandula angustifolia is better known for its aromatherapy benefits, soothing, calming, relaxing, and stimulating. Medicinally, Lavender is an antitumoral, an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory and prevents the build-up of sebum, a skin oil that bacteria feed on. The French Scientist Rene Gatefosse was the first to discover lavender’s ability to promote tissue regeneration and speed wound healing when he severely burned his arm in a laboratory accident. Today, Lavender is still one of the few essential oils to still be listed in the British Pharmacopeia. Lavender is one of the few floras that is the least allergenic, yet so versatile that it can be used in body moisturizers, candles, and soaps. It is most certainly a spa favorite and commonly used during aromatherapy massages.

Lavender angustifolia is also known as Lavender, English Lavender, or True Lavender. It is a small, herbaceous to semi-woody, semi-evergreen perennial or perennial herb that you might see along walkways, raised walls, or borders. It is also often referred to as the “queen of herbs” for gardens.

Lavandula translates as “to wash” referring to an extract of Lavender being used as an oil in the bath. Angustifolia translates as “narrow-leaved”.

In the kitchen, Lavender is an incredibly versatile herb for cooking. English Lavender (lavandula angustifolia) has the sweetest fragrance of all the lavenders and is one most commonly used in cooking. For salads, the lavender flowers add a beautiful color. The spikes and leaves of lavender can be used in most dishes in place of rosemary in most recipes. Use the spikes or stems for making fruit or shrimp kabobs. Just place your favorite fruit on the stems and grill.

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Lovely Lavender

Who doesn’t adore lavender, that lovely blue eradicator of the blues, anger and insomnia? It is generally accepted that the word lavender stems from the Latin lavare, to wash, as the Romans used in the herb extensively in their baths. But in early Latin lavender was known as livendula, meaning, “to turn blue,” from the same root as our word
“livid.”

Lavender
has long been used in love potions. The primary market still today for the
essential oil is in perfumes and cosmetics. It is also used to scent love notes
and clothing, where, in your chest of drawers, it makes an effective moth
repellant. Ironically, despite its erotic associations, during the Renaissance
it was believed that lavender worn with rosemary would preserve a woman’s
chastity.

There
are about 30 species of lavender, plus countless hybrids and varieties, far too
numerous to list here. But they include both tender and hardy perennials with a
great diversity of colors – including pinks and whites – shapes and heights.

Lavender
is a mint native to the Mediterranean. Like most herbs it prefers a sunny location
in light, dry, rocky soil. It should be pruned lightly in the fall and fairly
vigorously in the spring, removing any deadwood.

Lavender
is a wonderful relaxant and antidepressant. In The Eve of Saint Agnes, John Keats wrote “And still she slept an azure sleep, /In blanched linen, smooth, and
lavender’d.” Lavender essential oil gently rubbed into the temples or the
essential oil simmering in water in an aromatherapy lamp will ease you off to
sleep and make your headache vanish, especially if it’s stress related. A
lavender eye pillow at the end of a stressful day is far more effectual and
healthful than a double martini.

Lavender is virtually de rigueur in potpourri. Here’s a recipe
for Lavender and Geranium Potpourri to
add relaxation and romance to any ambience:

4 cups of dried lavender
flowers

2 cups of dried rose geranium
leaves

2
cups of dried rosemary

1 oz. of orris root

15 – 20 drops of lavender
essential oil.

Mix all
the ingredients thoroughly and place in a sealed jar. Age at least one month.
Shake the jar frequently.

Lavender
essential oil is antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial with a low level of
toxicity, making it one of the few essential oils that can be applied directly
to the skin undiluted. Added to the bath it will alleviate muscular pain and
tension. As recent as WW1, the oil was used as an antiseptic wound dresser. As
with all essential oils, do not take
lavender oil internally unless it is strongly diluted. The dried flowers
infused as a tea will relieve indigestion, colic, gas and bloating. It is even
helpful is some cases of asthma, especially when nervousness is a factor.

Recent
research shows promise that one of lavender’s compounds, perillyl alcohol, may
be useful in combating cancer of the breast, pancreas, colon and prostate.

In the kitchen lavender blooms
are used to flavor vinegars, soups (especially cold fruit soups in the summer),
cookies, ice cream and sorbets. This markedly fragrant herb can be used in many
ways by creative chefs.

Try the following Salmon with Lavender and Fennel:

2 medium sized salmon steaks

1-½ tsp. dried, crushed
lavender flowers

1-½ tsp. crushed fennel seeds

Juice of ½ lemon

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Pinch of salt

Mix all
the ingredients together and cover both sides of the steaks. Then marinate them
in the refrigerator for several hours. Sauté over medium to high heat in a
non-stick pan until done – about six minutes per side.

Lavender
and lamb make a surprisingly good combination. The following recipe occasions a
pleasant change from the usual rosemary and garlic accompaniment.

Lavender
Lamb with Basil

1 leg of lamb

1 cup of milk (non-dairy such as nut or coconut milk may
be substituted)

Juice of ½ lemon

8-10 lavender flower heads

8 basil leaves

Freshly ground pepper to taste

Place the lamb in a
tightly-fitting lidded casserole. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour over
the lamb. Marinate for several hours, turning the lamb occasionally. Remove
from the marinade and bake, uncovered, at 325ºF for approximately 30 minutes
per lb. When the meat is done, strain the marinade, and then make it into gravy
by pouring it into a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Reserve about a
quarter cup and thoroughly blend in 1 tsp. of arrowroot powder. When smooth,
stir into hot marinade and simmer until thick.

Bruce Burnett is an award-winning writer, a chartered herbalist and author of HerbWise: growing cooking wellbeing. Bruce and his wife Delaine own Olivia’s Fashion, Furnishings & Gifts (http://www.olivias.ca/) in Ladysmith, BC Canada. Read more published articles by Bruce Burnett on his websites: http://www.bruceburnett.ca/ and http://www.herbalcuisine.com/

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Migraine Headaches Treatment, How To Treat Migraine

Most people who get migraine headaches claim that attacks are usually brought on by specific events. The number one cause of migraines for most people is the weather. Nearly 21%, or 4,200,000 of migraine sufferers say that changes in the weather bring on their headaches. This is one of the most prevalent reasons of what causes migraines.

Another home treatment for migraine is massage. Lie down on a quiet darkened room and have someone massage your head and scalp to relieve the pain. But you can also do it yourself; you can massage your scalp and forehead rotating your fingers.

Aromatherapy A combination of aromatic oils and massage is an excellent way to soothe head pain. An aromatherapist will prescribe your own personal combination of oils, or you can massage your own head and temples with lavender, basil, or camomile oils. An inhalation, or hot water bath, containing the essential oil of true melissa, rosemary, or sweet marjoram can provide soothing relief.

Nasya or medicated oil drops used for the treatment of migraine is of two types. The first is called “Shirovirechan”, in which strong, irritant medicines are instilled as nasal drops, which induce sneezing and watery discharge. The second is called as “Avapidak nasya’ in which a paste is prepared of a herb or several herbs, and the liquid is inserted in the nostrils. Usually, herbs like Vacha (Acorus calamus) and Pippali ( Piper longum) are used along with honey. Both procedures are aimed at removing the cause of the headache and the pain.

A number of patients receiving Botox injections for the treatment of deep wrinkles on the forehead stopped having migraine headaches or had significantly fewer migraine headaches since starting the injections. About half of them completely recovered from migraines and there was partial improvement in about a third. When this was discovered by doctors, research on the use of Botox for migraines was begun.

This is the final step in the process. Lavender oil is renowned for its medicinal properties and this is doubly so for migraine headaches. Lavender oil is cheap and completely safe to use. Only use pure Lavender oil for treating migraines - lavender scented fragrances or scented oils are useless. It must be the purest lavender oil you can find.

Avoid all harmful articles of diet. Herbal laxatives initially, to cleanse the colon, may be helpful in bilious headaches. Often the stomach is overloaded when the headache comes on. If this is the case use an emetic.

Natural migraine remedies can be used alone or in combination with other treatments. If you are on prescribed medications, discuss with your doctor before taking any herbal remedies. Chronic headaches may indicate an underlying health problem or illness. It is important to obtain a proper medical diagnosis from your doctor before proceeding with any remedies.

By: John Adison

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Herbs for Skin Care - Learn to Care your Skin

The latest craze in skin care is also the oldest: herbal products. Once considered merely the eco-friendly choice of hippies, these plant derivatives are now found everywhere. The most highly reputed manufacturers have recently added herbs to their skin care lines, from cleansers to moisturizers and everything in between. Still, those who have not tried them may be concerned about their effectiveness. After all, "must have" products come and go, from infomercial fads to weight loss gimmicks. For those who are skeptical, here are the facts about herbal skin care's benefits.

Using Herbs in Skin Care

How does what you put on your skin affect you? What herbs should be used externally and when and for what reasons? These questions are important and asked often. We will make an attempt to help sort this out and explain why we use a particular herb

After the bath, apply diluted evening primrose oil or aloe vera cream. Do not use very hot water when bathing or showering. Calendula and comfrey have skin-softening properties. They can be used in a facial sauna or to make herbal or floral waters. Used in skin preparations for its astringent and detoxifying properties. A natural diuretic which does not deplete potassium. Tea tree oil has been known to penetrate into the skin's cellular level.

Add 1 drop of oil to your favorite day or night cream to help moisturize and smooth skin. Blondes can use the tea as a hair rinse also to add shining highlights to the hair. Use in Ointments, Creams, Compresses and Toners for wounds, skin regeneration, skin infections, and inflammatory skin conditions. Used as a Compress, in Lotions and Creams for oily skin, it is supposed to be cleansing, clarifying and emollient and soothes sensitive skins with surface blood capillaries. Borage, fennel, coltsfoot or calendula tea also helps improve the skin. Add 1 tsp. of herbs to 1 cup of boiling water and drink daily. A weekly facial sauna using the herbs chamomile, lavender, and peppermint is good for dry skin. Do not drink soft drinks or eat sugar, chocolate, potato chips, or other junk foods.

Splash the skin alternately with cold and warm water. Used for Oily, spotty skin and for wrinkled, sagging complexions. (Facial Toners, Lotions, Creams); Cleanses, stimulates blood circulation, closes pores and restores elasticity. Yarrow is used for its astringent, healing and soothing effects on the skin and hair. Strengthens skin tone. Melt the lanolin in a small bowl over a pan of hot water. Add the sunflower and almond oils and beat together. Remove from the heat and continue beating as the mixture thickens then stir in the oil of lavender.

A Rich Moisturizing Night Cream For Dry Skin

This cream is soothing and fragrant. Both almond and sunflower oil have a moisturizing, softening action on the skin. Almond oil also has a reputation as a cleanser. The lavender oil is soothing.

3 tablespoons lanolin
1 tablespoon sunflower oil
1 tablespoon almond oil
1 teaspoon oil of lavender

Melt the lanolin in a small bowl over a pan of hot water. Add the sunflower and almond oils and beat together. Remove from the heat and continue beating as the mixture thickens then stir in the oil of lavender. Pour into a sterile pot and screw on the lid when the cream is cold.

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How to Use Aromatherapy Oils in Home Remedies?

Aromatherapy is one of the popular alternative therapies used in treating number of health problems. Aromatherapy oils are natural plant oils and because of their gentle way of healing, they can be used in many different ways. You can choose to use them in your bath, for massage or in preparing a number of home remedies. Below are few home remedies for common health problems.

Aromatherapy oils in various home remedies –

1. For cellulite – Make a blend a four drops of juniper, four drops of fennel and four drops of lemon oils in 4 fl oz (100 ml) of a carrier oil. Massage this into the cellulite affected areas daily after your bath, when the skin is warm and receptive.

2. For sunstroke – Add four drops of juniper, four drops of fennel and four drops of peppermint oil to a cool bath. Soak for 15 minutes. Then, rub a little neat lavender oil into your temples at regular intervals. The bath will help to reduce your temperature and the lavender oil helps your headache.

3. Dry or cracked lips – Make up a carrier oil of 2 fl oz (50 ml) apricot kernel oil and 2 fl oz (50 ml) of avocado oil. Add six drops of sandalwood and six drops of rose oil. Rub this to the lips, repeating the application regularly.

4. For sunburn – f the sunburned area is small, apply the lavender oil and repeat as necessary. If the area is large, add twenty drops of lavender oil to a cool bath and soak for 10-20 minutes. You can make a soothing spray by adding 10 drops of lavender oil to 1 pint (300 ml) of cool, clean water.

5. Small cuts – Apply lavender or tea tree oil to the cut. These are both antiseptic and don’t sting.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

About the Author

Read more about aromatherapy, ayurveda, yoga and massage therapy at Natural cures website – a health guide to make you and your family live better, fit and healthy. Also read the benefits of anti-aging herb Shilajit and stress relieving herb Ashwagandha.

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Natural Cures For Insomnia - Herbs That Promote Healthy Sleep

Herbs have been used as natural insomnia cures for centuries and many are very effective and safe. The following are tried and tested herbs that can have a real effect on your insomnia.

Lavender has been used for centuries to calm the nerves and lavender essential oil can be added to the bath water for a soothing, calming effect. Lavender can also be used as a massage oil or lavender sachets placed on the pillow to inhale as you fall asleep.

Passion Flower is often recommended by herbalists as an important herb in the treatment of insomnia especially when it is caused by stress or nervous exhaustion. It can be used by both children and adults and is an excellent sedative that has no known side effects.

Chamomile is a safe herb that can be used by children and adults. In the form of chamomile tea it can soothe restlessness and irritability, especially in children. Have a relaxing bath with chamomile oil added to the water before bed. It can also be used as a massage oil.

California Poppy is found in many herbal natural insomnia cures and helps to promote sleep by easing anxiety and helping you to relax. It is mild and can be used by both children and adults. Clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of California poppy in promoting sleep and helping to reduce anxiety.

Valerian is used by many herbalists for as a natural cure for insomnia. It is a good sedative for those suffering from restlessness and nervousness that is causing difficulty in sleeping. It helps to reduce waking during the night and helps you to fall asleep more quickly. It has no side effects and is often used in combination with other herbs such as passion flower or California poppy.

St. John's Wort has been used for many years for insomnia and anxiety and is now used by many herbalists to help with mild depression and insomnia. It is not an instant sure and may take a few weeks before you being to feel any benefit. It can cause sensitivity to sunlight to increase so take care to avoid exposing the skin to bright sunlight or wear a sunscreen whenever you are out of doors.

Wild lettuce has been used as a mild sedative for many years and contains an opium related chemical plus small amounts of hyoscyarnin which is an anti cramping agent. It is found in formulas for both chronic and acute insomnia.

Promote Healthy Sleep

Ensure healthy sleep by having a calming bath before bed to which you have added some fragrant lavender essential oil. Sleep pillows containing a mixture of aromatic herbs can also be helpful in promoting sleep. Eat a small meal containing carbohydrate with small amounts of protein before retiring. This combination makes tryptophan more available to the brain. This promotes the production of melatonin and serotonin which are important chemicals that regulate sleep patterns. Meals that contain the appropriate combinations include cereal with low fat milk, yogurt with granola, peanut butter and crackers and an apple with cheese.

Avoid eating foods that are stimulating late at night. This includes spicy foods that may induce heartburn, caffeine and alcohol. Foods that are high in protein contain tyrosine, an amino acid that is a brain stimulant. Also foods containing monosodium glutamate and foods high in refined sugar which can lead to a sharp increase in blood sugar levels that can disturb the sleep by causing a burst in energy.

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Relieve Stress Naturally With Aromatherapy Tips

Nowadays, almost everybody experience stress in his life. Stress term describes any mental, emotional or physical reaction that is abnormal. Stress is a natural part of our life. Sometimes it is beneficial because it keep us focused and persistent on our goal (work, study, etc.), but generally stress is one of the major threat of our mental and physical health. Feeling stress, especially on a daily basis and for a long period, may cause several health disorders, such as anxiousness, headaches, blood pressure, hair loss, depression, even heart attach. According to recent surveys, the 3 major causes of stress in developed world are job, family and health issues.

Many stress management strategies have been developed recently by psychologists. However, nobody can claim that every patient who may follow his treatment will totally eliminate stress from his life. In this article we will present you some of the most efficient aromatherapy tips that can help you reduce stress level and achieve emotional and physical well-being.

Throughout history, some scented plants and their aromatic water have been used for relaxing and smoothing purposes. Holy basil is a native herb of India (where it is known as tulsi), sacred plant of the Hindu civilization and used for thousands of years for healing. Scientific studies on natural properties of Holy Basil have found that it reduces body hormones named corticosterone and cortisol, which are intimately connected with stress, anxiety and mental clarity. Consequently, Holy Basil is one of the best antidepressant therapeutic grades and its essential oils are highly recommended for stress alleviation.

Other, more well-known, essential oils which can be used for soothing nervous tension and reducing stress are: Lavender essential oil, Ylang-Ylang essential oil, Chamomile essential oil and Geranium essential Oil. Lavender’s scent has calming and anti-depressant properties. Ylang-Ylang is described as euphoric essential oil that helps in uplifting mood. Chamomile essential oil can relax body and mind and can provide restful and peaceful sleep. Geranium oil, is another sedative and relaxing essential oil, that can balance adrenaline.

Before, suggesting some aromatherapy recipes for stress relief, I want to underline that dealing with essential oils might be dangerous especially for inexperienced persons. Keep in mind that essential oils are concentrated potent substances and should never be placed directly on skin. Use carrier (base) oil for dilution and after you can apply it on skin. Moreover, remember that only few essential oils can be taken internally and used during pregnancy.

Aromatherapy oils can be used in burners and diffusers. Add 5-10 drops of your favourite essential oil to water in the bowl and heat it. Sit back and relax, while the essential oil vaporises and its perfume creates a soothing atmosphere. Another way to benefit from essential oils is by inhaling them. Put few drops on a tissue or a cotton pad, put your nose near and just inhale. Keep in mind, that this is the easiest and the only one way to benefit from essential oils when you are outside your home and you want to relieve tension (at work for example).

Additionally, you can reduce stress with aromatherapy bath and massage. Add 4-6 drops of essential oil to your warm bath water and stay in it for at least 15 minutes, allowing the oil to penetrate your skin and indulge yourself with the advantageous vapours. Finally, you can add 5 drops of essential oil to every 10ml of base oil and massage your body. The ideal parts of your body for relaxing massage are around the neck, shoulders and back.

In conclusion, stress is an unavoidable piece of our modern way of living, but there are some easy to follow techniques that can enhance the body ability to cope with emotional and physical stress. The most sweet-scented is Aromatherapy.

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Smudging and Smudge Sticks for Health and Aromatherapy

Many of us have used smudge sticks for years and felt it's many benefits. Smudging is such a common, continuous practice that it almost seems modern. Yet smudging is a practice so ancient that we don't know just when or how it came to be. Perhaps quite by chance or by internal inspiration people have come to realize that the smoke from burning particular herbs had emotional, cognitive, and even physical benefits. Modern science has proven that the smoke from some herbs have cleansing effects changing the molecular structure of air and energy. In fact the aroma of sage has been found to actually increase the oxygen supply to the brain and also produce a physical relaxation of muscle tension.

We have come to experience that smudging has a purification benefit for our bodies, our living space and our consciousness. Some of us have come to believe that the smoke from burning some herbs acts like a messenger to realities and energies beyond our conscious comprehension and understanding. People from China, India, Asia, Europe and, of course, Native Americans have used smoke from herbal mixtures in their healing and spiritual rituals.

Many of us have come to realize the benefits of a soothing bath or shower to cleanse and refresh our bodies as well as experiencing the emotional feeling of well being from the cleaning. We have found that the use of water changes the structure of our physical and emotional energy pattern. Like water, the use of smudge sticks, a blend of certain herbs, for smudging is equally effective. Like the Native cultures around the world, we have found that the burning of herbs for spiritual, psychic, and emotional purification helps us relax and feel the balance of our physical and emotional energy. The rational for how smudging works, is that the smoke molecules from the herbals blends being burned, attaches to the negative energy and clears it away or actually changes the molecular structure of the energy.

Our sense of smell connects us to a deep instinctual part of our brain. We have all experienced this with the use of other forms of aromatherapy. Smudging is very effective aromatherapy form and very useful when we have been feeling depressed, angry, fearful, frustrated, resentful, grief or unwell. We have also found it to be useful when we have experienced irritation and conflict in our relationships. In fact, a space, e.g. a room, can also be "cleansed" of this uncomfortable energy. In addition, we can use smudging to enhance a celebration, special occasion, or ceremony. Smudging can help us experience a relaxed, open, meditative, and calm state .

Sage is the herb we most commonly use for smudging. The botanical name for sage is salvia which is from the Latin root savare meaning to heal. Smudge sticks usually made of white or another variety of sage or a are a blend of sage and another herb. Lavender is well known in aromatherapy practice, as a calming, soothing, balancing aroma. Lavender when combined with sage in a smudge stick provides wonderful benefit and experience. Cedar is a traditional cleansing herb used by Native people. The "spirit" or energy of cedar is considered to be very ancient and powerful. Cedar can also be bundled with sage to create a wonderful smudge stick. Sweetgrass is a toll wild grass with a musty, sweet aroma. Sweetgrass is often woven into braids similar to braiding hair and used for smudging as a single herb. Sweetgrass has a wonderful essential oil quality that contributes to it's burning slowly. Sweetgrass has beome rare in the wild because of development. Sweetgrass aroma promotes a very meditative, open conscious awareness. Sweetgrass is often used after the cleansing benefits of sage or cedar. However, blending and bundling sweetgrass with sage in a single smudge stick, provides an awesome aromatherapy and meditative experience.

There are various traditions and patterns of using smudge sticks. One powerful method when using a smudge stick is after lighting and adding the energy of breath to "fire" the embers, is to move the stick from foot to head on the left side of the body representing "female" aspect of receiving, then on the right side of the body representing the "male" aspect of taking action, than bringing the stick around the body clockwise representing bringing one's self into the "circle of life", and finishing with touching the stick to the floor/ground acknowledging Grandmother Earth and raising it above the head moving the stick in a circular manor acknowledging Grandfather Sky/Sun. When cleansing a space or an object, the smudge stick can be moved in a counterclockwise circle representing unwinding or undoing i.e. cleansing and releasing. Whatever tradition or pattern of ceremony or method of use of smudge sticks with which you are comfortable is quite acceptable and beneficial.

When using smudge sticks, be sure to practice the commonsense considerations that you would whenever using something that involves fire and burning. Extinguishing the smudge stick with water will ruin the stick for further use. It is best to extinguish the smudge stick by "smothering" the embers in a cup, bowl, jar, or other nonflammable container.

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Top 3 Essential Oils With Healing Properties

Essential oils due to their mystical healing properties are used extensively in treating health problems. This article discusses three commonly used essential oils that are helpful in treating number of ailments.

1. Chamomile

The chamomile family is large and there are several different chamomile essential oils. All chamomile oils are helpful for sensitive conditions and can be used safely for children.

Chamomile essential oil is helpful for:

1. Aches and pains: Blend with carrier oil and massage into the affected area or add to the bathwater.

2. Boils: Apply a small cotton compress which has been soaked in hot water and chamomile and leave on until it cools.

3. Conjunctivitis, sore eyes: Add two drops to 2 tsp (10 ml) of cooled, boiled water. Soak cotton pads in the solution and place on the eyes, or use in an eyebath to wash the eyes.

4. Dermatitis, eczema: Blend with a carrier oil and massage into the affected area or blend with a perfume free cream and apply regularly.

5. Hyperactivity: Particularly in children. Add a few drops to the bathwater, or use in a vaporizer.

6. Minor skin infections: Apply on a cotton compress.

7. Insomnia: Try a chamomile aromatherapy bath before bedtime. Drink chamomile tea before going to bed. Use the oil in a vaporizer or sprinkle a few drops on your pillow.

2. Eucalyptus

The eucalyptus oil is extracted from the leaves by steam distillation. It has a smell you will recognize as it is often used in commercial rubs and inhalants for chest complaints and colds.

Eucalyptus essential oil is helpful for:

1. Colds, sinus problems, sore throat: Steam inhalation or use in an oil burner or vaporizer. Helps keep viruses at bay from other people in the home.

2. Flu: Mix into a carrier oil and massage well into the chest, shoulders and rib-cage.

3. Muscular aches and pain: Very helpful after sport or any strenuous exercise, either in the bath or in a carrier oil to massage affected areas.

3. Lavender

Lavender essential oil is obtained by distillation. Lavender oils blend well with other essential oils and can boost their properties. It is the most versatile oil for aromatherapy, so if in doubt, choose lavender.

Lavender essential oil is helpful for:

1. Acne and spotty skin: Blend in carrier oil for massage, or add a few drops to distilled water to make a freshener.

2. Boils: Use neat on a small compress.

3. Burns: Use neat, being careful not to break the skin.

4. Colds and flu: Inhale, add to the bath, use in a vaporizer or use in carrier oil to massage the head, neck and shoulders.

5. Headache/migraine: Inhale, or blend into a carrier oil and massage the face and scalp. Pay particular attention to the temples and forehead.

6. Irritability, tension and depression: Use for massage, especially the shoulders and neck, add to the bath water or inhale.

7. Indigestion, nausea: Blend in carrier oil and gently massage the stomach, or inhale.

8. Insect bites, stings: Dab on a few drops of neat oil.
9. Muscular aches and pains: Use to massage the affected area in carrier oil, or add to the bath.

10. Period pain: Blend in carrier oil and massage the lower abdomen and back. Also use in the bath.

11. Sore throat: Use in carrier oil to massage the chest and throat and/or inhale neat.

12. Sunburn: Mix a few drops into your after sun lotion or carrier oil.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Know natural Home remedies for common diseases. Also read the benefits of anti-aging herb Shilajit and stress relieving herb Ashwagandha.

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