fciwomenswrestling.com article, By Hozinja Flickr Wikimedia
Pervasive is the aroma and serenely beautiful is the look that makes the Lavender flower the decorative choice of many home enhancement designs.
Lavender is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae.
It is native to the Old World and is found from Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India.
Lavender has other desirable attributes as well.
It’s in the oil derivative.
Commercially, the plant is grown mainly for the production of essential oil of lavender. This has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and can be used as a natural mosquito repellent. These extracts are also used as fragrances for bath products.
In the United States, both lavender syrup and dried lavender buds are used to make lavender scones and marshmallows.
Only the buds contain the essential oil of lavender, from which the characteristic scent and flavor of lavender are derived.
The more we research the uses of the oil, the more we like the way it smells.
At draxe.com the express, “Today, lavender is the most used essential oil in the world. Ancient texts tell us that lavender essential oil has been used for medicinal and religious purposes for over 2,500 years.”
They add that today, lavender oil benefits your body in the following ways:
- Reduces anxiety and emotional stress
- Heals burns and wounds
- Improves sleep
- Restores skin complexion and reduces acne
- Slows aging with powerful antioxidants
- Improves eczema and psoriasis
- Alleviates headaches
Those are some of the physical benefits and health.com speaks to the emotional pluses as well. “You may have heard that breathing in the smell of lavender makes you drowsy; turns out, it’s true. Research shows the scent lowers heart rate and blood pressure, putting you in a relaxed state.”
Our experience with Lavender is a special one.
In a sunny climate it grows so beautifully in the yard and it refreshes the room like few flowers that we know.
Would you like to beautify your apartment or home? Lavender would be a wonderful choice but let’s not forget the health aspects.
Our thoughts are anything that a person can do to become healthier and whole with nature’s blessings as opposed to synthetic medicines, we’re all for it.
We have a visiting female writer who seems to agree.
By Jenny Hoops
Lavender Essential Oil: The Top Ten List of Healing Uses
I’ve waited long enough! If David Letterman isn’t going to do a Top Ten List of healing uses for lavender essential oil, then I suppose it’s up to me. But first, a few quick things to know before use.
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 polysaccharides 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.
That is all for now. And if you see David Letterman, let him know that he is free to use this for his next Top Ten List.
Jenny Hoops has degrees in psychology, human nutrition, and integrative therapies and is a practicing herbalist and aroma therapist. She is the owner and creator of Botanicology [http://botanicology.com], a company focused on educating people about healthy lifestyle choices and ways to incorporate the healing power of botanicals into everyday life. Botanicology also offers a truly all natural product line [http://botanicology.com/products/] committed to being safe, effective, affordable, and fun.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jenny_Hoops/1186681
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6667757
https://draxe.com/lavender-oil-benefits/
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20587573,00.html
