LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia), “the mother of all oils” is the most versatile of all essential oils. For centuries therapeutic-grade lavender has been highly regarded for the skin. Calming, relaxing and balancing both physically and emotionally. Lavender is an essential component of any household first aid box for treating insect bites, burns and blemishes. Constituents of the oils found in lavender can also be used to treat ailments such as hyperactivity, insomnia, flatulence, bacteria, fungus, microbial activity on gums and airborne molds.
French perfume chemist Rene Gattefosse 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 in the early part of the 20th century. Not only did his burn heal quickly but with no scarring. Gattefosse created the term “aromatherapie” in a scientific paper he published on his research of lavender and other essential oils. Today essential oils are used in conjunction with mainstream medicine in France and aromatherapie is a requisite course in medical school.
As an herbal medicine, lavender has been in documented use for over 2,500 years. The name lavender is derived from the Latin word Lavare, which means, “to wash”. It was popular with the Greeks and the Romans for scenting their soaps and bathing water. It was also used for embalming, for repelling insects, and for cooking. For centuries great chefs have cooked with lavender; it is an integral ingredient of the classic French seasoning, Herbs de Provence. It was used in ancient Persia, Greece and Rome for fighting infections. Lavender fieldworkers during the Middle Ages survived the Black Death plague because lavender protected them from the deadly bacteria. Many recent studies have verified this historical anecdote: lavender is antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral.
Lavender was used extensively during both world wars as an antiseptic. With the growth of modern pharmacology after World War II, the medicinal uses of lavender and other botanicals were pretty much ignored particularly in the U.S. but interest in botanicals has grown recently because of drug-resistant bacteria.
Lavender – Your first aid kit in a bottle
1) Rub Lavender oil on the feet for a calming effect on the body.
2) Rub a drop of Lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow to help you sleep.
3) Put a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching and reduce swelling.
4) Put 2-3 drops of Lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain.
5) Drop Lavender oil on a cut to stop the bleeding.
6) Rub Lavender oil on dry or chapped skin.
7) To reduce or minimize the formation of scar tissue, massage Lavender oil on the area. 8)Massage Lavender oil into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff. 9)Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a cotton ball and place in your linen closet to scent the linens and repel moths and insects. 10) Place a drop of Lavender oil in your water fountain to scent the air, kill bacteria and prolong the time between cleanings. 11)Drop Lavender oil on a cut to clean the wound and kill bacteria. 12) Apply 2-3 drops of Lavender oil to a rash to stop the itching and heal the skin. 13) Rub on temples and stomach for cramps. 14) For a tension-easing bath, put 10 drops of Lavender and 1 Tbsp. of olive oil in a hot bath. 15) Inhale to clear the head and lift the spirits. 16) Inhale to 2-4 times a day to clear sinuses from hay fever allergies. 17) Inhale and rub on chest to ease bronchial and throat inflammation. 18) Dilute with a little olive oil and rub on sunburn or spritz several drops of Lavender oil mixed with distilled water on sunburn to decrease pain.
Lavender is safe for small children and may be added to food or water as a dietary supplement.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.