Lavender is one of the most essential and fundamental essential oil. In fact, if you could only choose one single oil, lavender would be it. It is also my personal favourite not just because of its great benefits, but also for the pleasant and calming effect I get from the aroma.
The entire lavender plant is very aromatic. It comes from a woody shrub, has green narrow leaves and violet-blue flowers.
Lavender is not just produced in France as most of us know it, but also in Australia, Spain, Italy, England, Russia, Turkey and even more.
For aromatherapy usage, lavender is a great stress reliever. It keeps you relaxed, brings you calmness, and is very effective in improving your mood. Lavender is also an exceptional healing plant. It is a natural antiseptic and antibiotic, and also works as an antidepressant and a sedative.
Uses:
- Use in a diffuser before bedtime, to assist in sleep, or to help with cough, asthma, bronchitis and throat infections
- Whenever you feel stress, inhale directly or through diffusion to help you to relax
- Apply undiluted to skin, when you suffer a cut, minor burn or scald
- Apply undiluted to skin to help with acne, athlete’s foot, ringworms, sores and sunburns
- Apply on scalp to treat dandruff and lice
- Apply undiluted to temples to ease headaches, migraines, depressions and other stress related conditions
- Apply to insect bites for relieve
Lavender oil blends well with most oils, such as bergamot, lemon, cedarwood, clove, clary sage, geranium, vetiver, patchouli and most florals.
Important Notes
Essential oils are potent and powerful especially due to their concentration.
Be sure not to apply undiluted essential oils to your skin whenever applying topically, unless you are certain that it is safe to do so. Else, always dilute it in a carrier oil such as jojoba oil, castor oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil or other carrier oils.
Also, make sure essential oils are safe to be ingested or applied on open wounds before doing so.
Some essential oils should not be used when pregnant or breast-feeding. Always check with your doctor when unsure. It is also good practice to do a skin patch test on your inner arm to ensure you do not have any reactions to the oils.
