All of the essential oils, lavender is easily the most popular both in usage
and in sales. Whether it's being added to skin care products, tucked into
freshly laundered linens or dabbed onto a minor wound, lavender is truly an
all-purpose oil.
There are approximately 30 species of lavender known but only 3 are common in
the US. These include Lavandula angustifolia (true lavender), Lavendula
latifolia (spike lavender) and their hybrid, Lavandin.
Lavender aficionados will tell you that the best lavender comes from France,
where lavender is a major agricultural crop but, in fact, lavender is also grown
in Bulgaria, Russia, Italy, India and throughout the Middle East. Approximately
half of all lavender comes from cultivated lavender clones as opposed to
"population" lavender, which is grown from seed. Clones yield about 50% more
essential oil than seed-grown lavenders. And lavender distilled at higher
altitudes is believed to be of the best quality, probably due to the lowered
boiling point of the water slowing the hydrolysis of the esters.
Traditional Herbal Uses
Lavender is almost universally considered the most important and most versatile
essential oil. Fortunately, it's also among the safest oils--allergies to
lavender are rare. Unfortunately, it's also the subject of some of the most
absurd myths in the aromatherapy world. Pick up just about any aromatherapy book
and you'll find near-miraculous claims including burns that heal instantly and
battlefield wounds which close before the user's eyes. But even if lavender
isn't capable of instantly curing minor wounds it's certainly deserving of our
respect.
Lavender is best known for its ability to create a relaxing environment. A 1992
study cited in the International Journal of Aromatherapy found that lavender
helped reduce anxiety and pain during childbirth.
Lavender is frequently added to cosmetic and toiletries both for its familiar
scent and its alleged therapeutic properties. Herbalists believe that it helps
repel insects and alleviate the itching associated with a bite. It's also
commonly prescribed for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
In Chinese medicine, lavender is a cooling herb that clears heat, calms the
spirit and promotes rest.
Aromatherapy Uses
Lavender has an herbaceous, medicinal scent and has a tendency to feel slightly
dry in the nose.
Lavender is best known by its reputation as an aid to relaxation and it's
probably the first herb prescribed for insomnia, restlessness or stress. Some
aromatherapists say that lavender has the "perfect blend of male and female"
qualities.
Aromatherapists generally regard lavender as relaxing and soothing but most
also agree that lavender has a normalizing effect on the mood--it won't, for
example, depress someone who's already sad but will, in fact, provide an
uplifting effect.
Blending With Other Essential Oils
Lavender is one of the few oils that blends well with almost any other. It's
especially well suited to blending with citrus and wood oils.
Lavender is generally considered a middle-note.
Safety & Warnings
Lavender is generally regarded as one of the safest essential oils. Allergies
are rare and occur mainly in people who work with the oil for long periods of
time.
Lisa Barger is a traditional naturopath specializing in natural health
education. To learn more about Ms. Barger's belief in "Empowerment
through Education" or to take a free online natural health class see her
website,
http://www.LisaBarger.com
The use of essential oils (extracts or essences) from flowers, herbs, and
trees to promote health and well-being.
A system of caring for the body with botanical oils such as rose, lemon,
lavender (used to soothe cuts, bruises and insect bites), and peppermint.
These essential oils can be added to a bath, massaged through the skin,
inhaled directly, used with teas, or scented in a room. This therapy is
intended to relieve pain, care for the skin, and alleviate tension and
fatigue.
The use of fragrant, natural, botanical essential oils from plants, leaves,
bark, roots, seeds, resins and flowers as a healing art. Aromatherapy
refreshes and relaxes the skin while soothing the mind by helping to induce
a sense of well-being. Each individual essence is used to produce a
specific beneficial effect. Used in massage and facials.
The use of essential oils from aromatic plants to restore and enhance
health and beauty as defined by the American Aromatherapy Association.
Aromatherapy uses as its basic ingredients essential oils, which represent
the highest herbal energy. Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile
extracts retrieved from aromatic herbs, flowers, seeds and trees; they
contain hormone-like properties, vitamins, minerals and natural
antiseptics.
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