Lavender Oil - Powerful Herbal Remedy From Nature

Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils today, and for good reason. The fresh herbal aroma of lavender oil is a favorite of many who enjoy natural fragrances. And, as one of the safest and most versatile essential oils, lavender oil is also a very powerful herbal remedy, that is useful for many common health issues.

Pure essential oil of lavender is antibacterial and antiseptic. It can be applied undiluted "neat" to minor burns to ease pain and accelerate the healing process. Actually, this is how the burn healing and pain relieving properties of lavender oil were discovered. A well know story in the history of aromatherapy, is the experience of French chemist, Dr. Rene Gattefosse, one of the founders of the principals of aromatherapy. Dr. Gattefosse burned his hand while working in his laboratory, and not thinking, plunged his hand into a nearby bowl of liquid to cool the burns. He realized the pain of the burns was diminishing quickly, and the burns healed rapidly thereafter. The bowl contained lavender essential oil.

Lavender essential oil can be used to aid sleeplessness. Massage lavender essential oil into the soles of the feet before going to bed, or put a few drops on a tissue and place the tissue between your pillow and pillowcase to help promote sleep when you're feeling restless. Lavender oil is very calming and helps to relieve stress. When feeling anxious and "jumpy", inhaling pure essential oil of lavender is instantly relaxing. Place 2 or 3 drops in your palms, rub palms together, cup palms over your nose and mouth, and inhale for soothing stress relief.

Lavender oil is an effective herbal remedy for natural headache relief. Massaging a few drops into temples, and inhaling lavender essential oil, helps to relieve the pain of stress headaches, and can also be used to lessen the severity of, and provide natural relief from migraine headaches. I have tried this for migraines when I feel them starting and it works! Massage a few drops of lavender essential oil into temples, then place a drop or two into palms, and inhale, while cupping palms over the nose and mouth. My migraine headaches begin to fade instantly during this relaxing treatment. And, after sitting quietly and continuing to inhale the lavender oil for a few moments, my migraine symptoms stop almost completely.

Lavender essential oil is analgesic (reduces pain), and a massage with a few drops added to a carrier oil (examples include: soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil), helps to relieve pain associated with overexertion.

To help keep insects away when outdoors, lavender essential oil works as an effective insect repellent, and can be used as a natural alternative to toxic, chemical based products. Apply a few drops to the neckline, wrists, and ankles, and rub a few drops into palms and apply to hair, to repel mosquitos and other flying insects. For maximum insect repelling effectiveness, lavender essential oil should be reapplied every hour or so, or as needed.

Lavender essential oil should not be applied undiluted to babies and children. It should be applied only after dilution with a carrier oil including soybean, sunflower, and olive oils, at 4 drops lavender essential oil to 1 oz. carrier oil.

Lavender oil provides substantial benefits for the maintenance of natural health and wellness. The multiple uses of pure lavender oil make this powerful herbal remedy an essential for natural home health care.

For more information about essential oils: Click here: Essential Oils

Disclaimer Notice:
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for medical care, or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition.

Kim Mujahid is a natural health and beauty writer, with over 15 years of experience in the natural skin care and health industry. Her online health site, NaturalHealth411.com, provides articles, information, and resource guides on topics of natural health, wellness, and beauty. For more information about natural health, natural beauty, and nature inspired lifestyle, visit http://www.naturalhealth411.com

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Pure Lavender Essential Oil

Pure Lavender Essential Oil is often referred to as the Mother of Essential Oils because it is so versatile. Therapeutic-grade pure lavender essential oil has been highly regarded for the skin. Pure Lavender Essential Oil has been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises, and skin irritations. The fragrance is calming, relaxing and balancing - physically and emotionally.

Picking the right Lavender Essential Oil

You can find lavender essential oil in many different stores and online. If you are going to use your lavender essential oil only as a fragrance you are probably ok to use any type of essential oil you like and enjoy the fragrance.

However if you plan to use your Pure Lavender Essential Oil as a natural alternative to help with health and your putting it on your body you need to use Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Lavender Essential Oil. It will cost slightly more then lower quality but you will know it is pure and of the highest quality and safe to use.

Below Are Some Common Uses of Pure Lavender Essential Oil

* Rubbing it on the feet may cause a calming effect on the body.

* Rubbing a drop of it on your palms and smoothed on your pillow may help you sleep.

* Putting a drop on a bee sting or insect bite may soothe the itching, stinging and discomfort.

* Putting 2-3 drops on a minor burn may soothe it.

* Dropping it on a cut may soothe it.

* Rubbing it on dry or chapped skin may bring relief.

* Rubbing a drop chapped or sunburned lips may help discomfort.

* Rubbing a drop between your palms and inhaling deeply may help in alleviating the discomfit of air borne pollen and/or dust.

* Rubbing several drops into the scalp may help with flaking.

* Placing a few drops of on a cotton ball and placing in your linen closet to scent the linens and may help repel moths and insects.

* Placing a drop in your water fountain may help to scent the air, help sanitize and prolong the time between cleanings.

* Placing a few drops on a wet cloth and throwing into the dryer, can help to deodorize and freshen your laundry.

* Diffusing it may support the body's natural defenses against air borne sensitivities to the skin and immune system.

* Spritzing several drops of it mixed with distilled water on sunburn may help soothe it.

* Dropping it on a cut may help clean the wound, sanitize and soothe it.

* Applying 2-3 drops to a rash may help soothe the skin.

Need more information about Pure Lavender Oil or need to find Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade 100% Pure Essential Oil Click Here

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Lavender: The Amazing Flower That Dates Back To The Ancient Egyptians

Can you imagine a flower that is a source of all purpose essential oils for skin care, pain relief, wound healing, relief for burns and skin diseases, plus so much more?

These are just some of the attributes of the attractive pleasant smelling purple colored flower known as lavender. The name Lavender is derived from the Latin word lavera meaning to wash, and has gained the reputation as possibly the greatest multipurpose source of natural essential oils ever found.

Think for a moment that this is not some chemically produced substance, but a natural product that can be acquired without prescription and the cost is considered quite economical.
lavender essential oils are also used as a deodorant, fungicide, antiseptic, insect repellent, and anti inflammatory.

lavender is also highly regarded for treating many skin complaints including acne, itchy or cracked skin, acne, blisters, warts, abscesses, boils, and eczema,

It is also prized for its nerve calming properties, and is known to restrict swelling and inflammation and speed up healing of minor burns.

Originally from England, Lavandula angustifolia is the most common strain of lavender and often referred to as true lavender. True lavender has the botanical name of Clavandula as the prefix.

Around fifty distinct species of lavender grow throughout the world, including lavandula vera and lavandula officinalis.

lavandula angustifolia is the most sought after variety because of the low concentration of camphor retained after distillation. This gives the essential oils derived from it a strong floral aroma, and also makes it perfectly effectual in aromatherapy where it is highly regarded for quickening the healing of minor burns.

Lavandin (lavandula intermedia) is a hybrid variety which is produced mainly in France by crossing true lavender with spike lavender (lavender latifolia) lavandin is generally larger than true lavender and easily identified by its woody stems. Its flowers range in color from blue like true lavender to grey.

Spike Lavender, or lavandula latifolia is often referred to as Spanish lavender, as it is common there, and also prolific in the Mediterranean countries.
The essential oils from this plant are found to retain a higher percentage of camphor than that found in true lavender

The first recorded cultivation of Lavender was found to be by ancient Egyptians who held it in high regard, using it to produce soothing and healing ointments and perfume.
It was also used by the Egyptians as a balm for mummification and the perfume has been found in tombs, including that of Tutankhamen.

Lavender has certainly stood the test of time, and is used commonly in perfume for women and after shave for men.
The uses and benefits of lavender do not stop with fragrances however.
Lavender essential oils are recommended for relieving the pain of minor burns and cuts, and are perfect for treating sunburn and insect bites. Even headaches can be treated by massaging lavender oil on the neck and temples.

Lavender and relaxation are words that are synonymous, and its benefits and uses in aromatherapy are enough to fill a book. Unlike many essential oils, lavender can be used undiluted, as allergic reactions to it are rare.

If you are just beginning your journey with this amazing flower, a wealth of experiences await you.
Whether you use it for a relaxing addition to a soothing bath, or as a soothing, rejuvenating skin treatment, be prepared to be amazed by this versatile plant

Antony Wilton was so impressed with the powers of lavender, that he devoted a website to it http://www.lavenderessentialoils.com

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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.

The San Francisco Bath Salt Company's slogan is "Relaxing The World One Bath at a Time". The company specializes in luxury bath salts for skincare and relaxation with the overall goal of improving health through bathing. The website is a powerful resource of information about bathing and contains many more articles and the daily bathing blog. For information visit http://www.sfbsc.com or to visit the complete resource section on bathing go to http://www.sfbsc.com/resource-center

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Lavender Lotion Or Bath Salt

Lavender lotion or bath salt is one of the most soothing of scents, calming and relaxing for the body, particularly during the evening hours. Lavender lotion or bath salts are among the more gentle of the natural or essential oils and can be used by adults who are unable to use other types of natural oils, as well as being gentle enough to be used even on your infant.

Bathing before bed in a lavender based product is so relaxing in fact that several companies have begun making these products for very young children and babies, in an effort to promote restful sleep for them.

Lavender lotion or bath salt is quite often used by those who cannot sleep, to help them to gain a good nights sleep using the aroma therapy that has become so popular in recent years.

Lavender also holds the distinction of being one of the herbs with the least likelihood of provoking an allergic reaction and as such can be relatively safe to use even for those who have allergic reactions to some of the more popular batch products. Lavender lotion or bath salt will provide relaxation and restful sleep when used in small amounts, however when it is used in larger amounts it tends to be a stimulant so you will need to be careful how much of the essential oils that you use in your bath.

Lavender essential oils can also be used in cleaning, offering a natural method of low residue cleaning because it is both antibacterial as well as gentle and natural. For this reason, lavender lotion or bath salt can be used by those who have skin problems and are not able to use other varieties of bath oils in their method of low residue cleaning.

For this reason, lavender lotion or bath salt can be used by those who have skin problems and are not able to use other varieties of bath oils in their bath water or as a shower gel.

It is quite easy to make your own lavender lotion or bath salts simply by adding several drops of the food grade or pure essential oils to mineral salts such as dead sea salts which are furnished in specialty or hobby store, and stirring it, leaving it for several days to permit the fragrance to seep into the mineral salts. Likewise you can make a mild lavender lotion by using an unscented baby lotion and adding one or two drops of lavender essential oil. Be careful how much of the oils you add as they are quite concentrated.

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about beauty products, please visit Enhance Your Beauty Today for current articles and discussions.

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The Essential Oil of Lavandin - A Hybrid of Two Very Different Lavenders

Lavandin (Lavandula x hybrida or Lavandula x intermedia) is in the mint family (Lamiaceae or Labiatae). It is a hybrid plant developed by crossing this with spike lavender or aspic. It does not have a long history-probably only 50-60 years. Lavandin in general is a larger plant than it with woody stems. Its flowers may be blue like true lavender or grayish like aspic. The fragrance is similar to it although it is sharper and a more powerful scent than true lavender. When steam distilled it yields a higher amount of oil than either true lavender or aspic. It is extensively used in soaps, detergents, room sprays, hair preparations and industrial perfumes since it is cheaper to obtain than true lavender.

Traditionally it has been used to sterilize the animal cages in veterinary clinics and hospitals throughout Europe. Why grow lavandin when you could just as easily grow lavender? Obviously there must be a logical explanation. Unscrupulous vendors will cut it with lavandin which is cheaper to produce and has a higher yield than true lavender.

Lavandin has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is well suited to help with respiratory, circulatory and muscular conditions. However, if you look at its chemistry, you will find that it has 5-12% camphor which if applied to an open wound or a burn will cause severe pain. This is not the case with true lavender which is healing for burns.

The main effects of lavandin are expectorant and antiviral. It can be applied neat on the body, directly inhaled or diffused. It blends well with clove, cinnamon, citronella, cypress, pine, clary sage, geranium thyme, patchouli, rosemary and citrus oils, especially bergamot and lime. As for safety, do not use this oil on a burn, instead use true lavender. It is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing. Want to learn more about the healing properties of lavandin and other essential oils? Consider becoming a certified aromatherapist. Educational courses in healing energy and aromatherapy can help you understand how essential oils heal the body/mind/spirit.

Check this out for more information on learning to heal through the art of aromatherapy as a clinical aromatherapist. http://www.ISHAaromatherapy.com - For educational courses on healing energy and the laying-on of hands, you can go to http://www.HTSpiritualMinistry.com

You can also read more about aromatherapy and lavandin essential oil in Linda Smith's books: Called into Healing, Reclaiming our Judeo-Christian Legacy of Healing Touch, and Healing Oils Healing Hands, Discovering the Power of Prayer, Hands On Healing and Anointing. You can find these books and much more on my web site at http://www.ISHAhealing.com/HealingStore/tabid/348/Default.aspx

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Tuscan Garden Design Ideas - Lavender In Italian Gardens

Lavender has become a strong symbol of the Italian garden and subsequently the Tuscan style garden and it's use will clearly suggest a Mediterranean feel in any garden. However it does require some quite specific maintenance and the number of old, woody and dying lavender plants in many gardens stand as strong testament to this fact.

A plant of Mediterranean origin, it thrives on free draining soils and adores full sun but these factors alone are not enough to keep the lavender plant healthy and vigorous. Like most Mediterranean plants the lavender has become used to being burnt in scrub fires and thus requires e reproduction of these conditions in our gardens (see www.lifeinitaly.com/garden/pruning.asp)

To maintain your lavender plant in perfect condition the most important maintenance steps are these;

- prune the dead flower stalks off after flowering with secateurs, without cutting into the leaves

- apply a pottassium based fertiliser in the autumn to aid root growth

- prune harder into the leaf layer with shears in March (or when growth starts) and leave a shape that follows the natural shape of the plant, without cutting lower than where the vegetative growth starts (into the brown part of the stem).

- apply a gravel-based mulch at around 3-4 inches

- apply a Nitrogen, Pottassium and Phosphorous fertilizer and water well.

If these steps are followed then your lavender plant will most definitely flourish!

Here in Tuscany they say that a lavender will die after 7 ears if it is not pruned correctly!

Good varieties are;

Lavandula officinalis

Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote blue' or

Lavandula stoechas

For more tips on growing Mediterranean plants see www.lifeinitaly.com/garden/lavender-plants.asp or www.web-ecologica.com

Jonathan Radford is an English landscape designer, dedicated to creating ecological, Italian-style gardens from his base in Siena, Tuscany.

Contact him at info@web-ecologica.com

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Essential Oils - Lavender - A "Rescue Remedy" known as the Swiss Army Knife Among Essential Oils

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is in the mint family of botanical plants. The name Lavender comes from the Latin lavare, meaning "to wash." The Romans used to scent their bath water with the fragrant flowers of this plant. Lavender has a long history as a healing agent for both body and mind. Hildegard of Bingen spoke highly of its use and recommended it for many ailments. The English lavender or "true lavender," has the most medicinal properties among the various varieties. Today lavender is a popular oil in the perfume industry and is used in a host of products including skin care. Lavender will be one of your most used healing oils, it is truly an oil of calmness.

Why is Lavender Considered a Universal Healing Oil?

Lavender is good for just about everything. The most celebrated use of lavender is for burns. René Gattafossé, the father of aromatherapy suffered a severe burn over most of his body and used Lavender oil to heal his wounds without scarring. Lavender oil is also good for other skin conditions and insect bites and stings. It is good for repelling lice as well. Lavender can help problems like colic, irritable bowel, menstrual pain, and muscular stiffness and aching. Its antiseptic properties make it an effective treatment for flu, bronchitis and pneumonia and it may help with genital-urinary infections when added to bath water. Lavender has been called "a universal healing oil." Lavender oil calms and stabilizes the mind and heart bringing about a sense of equilibrium. It can ease nervous tension and decrease feelings of panic and hysteria. In this regard, it is a wonderful "rescue remedy" calming strong emotions that threaten to overwhelm the person. Lavender is helpful in lifting sadness and depression. For emotional healing, it can be used to encourage security, gentleness, compassion, reconciliation, vitality, clarity, comfort, acceptance, awareness, and emotional balance.

Lavender mixes well with Roman and German chamomile, lemon, geranium, eucalyptus, thyme linalool, rosemary, tea tree, peppermint, grapefruit, clary sage, palmarosa, juniper, cypress, pine, angelica, marjoram, cedarwood, bergamot, lemongrass, and ravensara.

As for application, lavender can be diffused, inhaled with steam, used with warm compresses, and applied neat (undiluted) on the body at places of discomfort. It can be used as an anointing oil for the brow, hands, feet and energy centers. It can be applied to the healers hands and run through the energy field to clear stagnant energy and to calm fears. Lavender is non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing. Want to learn more about the healing properties of lavender and other essential oils? Consider becoming a certified aromatherapist. Educational courses in healing energy and aromatherapy can help you understand how essential oils heal the body/mind/spirit. The Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy is teaching courses on the healing properties of essential oils throughout the United States including lavender oil.

BONUS GIFT

By Going to my web site: http://www.ISHAhealing.com and signing up for our free monthly newsletter, you can receive a free gift: 5 Monographs on Biblical Oils.

These oils include Frankincense, Myrrh, Cedarwood, Spikenard and Balsam Fir. While you are at our web site, check out our aromatherapy program and our program in Christian energy healing.

From Linda L. Smith, director of the Institute of Spiritual Ministry and Aromatherapy, Inc.

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