Oils

Lavender is first aid in a bottle. It is the most versatile and useful of all the oils, and one of the few that can be used neat (straight from the bottle) for most people. I carry a bottle in my purse, one in my car and keep one on the medicine shelf at home and have been glad to have them many times. It can be used for burns and wounds and is a good disinfectant being antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. It can aid in the relief of headaches, colds, sore throats, coughs, sinus congestion, menstrual pain, muscular aches and insect bites, and in addition will repel the insects. Lavender calms, soothes and balances; it restores unbalanced states both physical and emotional and enables healing to take place.

Lavender and lavender oil has been popular as medicine, cosmetic and perfume for thousands of years. It is a beautiful, easy to grow plant that loves sun, air and warmth. It originated in the Mediterranean area and to this day, the finest lavender grows in France. The lavender grown above altitudes of 3000 feet is higher in esters and therefore of higher quality. The botanical name has some confusion around it. The official name is now Lavandula angustifolia, previously being L. officinale and L. vera. It belongs to the family Lamiaceae formerly Labiatae. You will see it under all these names in various books and texts, which can make for a bit of confusion.

It is easy to use, being rubbed directly on the skin at the place of the problem. It can be used full strength or diluted in a carrier oil, such as almond oil, at 2 to 3% dilution to use for baths and massage. It should always be used in a dilution with very young children and babies. It can be rubbed on the temples for headaches, on the throat and sinus areas for sinus congestion, colds, sore throats and coughs. Rub it on the abdomen for menstrual cramps. It is excellent for the relief of muscular pain, back pain, rheumatism, sciatica and arthritis, often being mixed with other essential oils such as rosemary or marjoram.

It makes a credible insect repellent for mosquitoes, fleas, moths and other insects. It will also soothe and help heal insect bites. It is said that it will even neutralize a black widow spider bite. I have never had the opportunity to try this remedy, but if I do I will certainly use it for first aid on the way to the hospital.

The word lavender comes from the Latin word lavare ("to wash"); lavender has been used to wash wounds for its antiseptic and analgesic effects. It also encourages rapid healing. Its use for burns is legendary, and it is good for many other skin conditions such as acne and eczema and has a reputation of slowing wrinkles.

Lavender is useful on an emotional level also. The balancing effects help people that are in unbalanced emotional states such as anxiety, hysteria or depression. It is the essential oil of choice for insomnia, used in a bath before bedtime or a few drops on a cotton ball slipped under the pillow. Since it is normalizing and balancing in nature, which means it is both relaxing and stimulating and it can be applied to a wide variety of states. I have found it useful to use for road fatigue when driving on long trips, increasing my alertness.

The versatility of lavender can seem too good to be true, but it has a complex chemical structure and numerous active constituents. These include the ethers of linalyl and geranyl, geraniol, linalol, cineol, d-borneol, limonene, l-pinene, caryophyllene, the esters of butyric acid and valerianic acid and coumarin. The proportions of the various constituents will vary from one geographic region to another and from year to year depending upon the altitude, soil, weather and other varying conditions.

The medical properties of lavender are: analgesic, antibiotic, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, cytophylactic, decongestant, diuretic, hypotensive, insect repellent, sedative and vermifuge. Pregnant women should use with care, as there are some emmenogogue like effects.

Lavender is also one of our most beautiful and beloved of perfumes. It has been used for centuries to scent and keep moths out of linens. It is of importance to the perfume industry as well, blending well with rose, geranium, marjoram, rosemary, bergamot and other citrus scents.