What is Lavender Oil?

Lavender oil is the most commonly used essential oil in aromatherapy and has many different uses; however it is most famous for its relaxing properties. The history of its usage dates back to the Ancient Roman times when they used it to clean their baths and speed healing.

What is its origin?

Lavender oil can be obtained in two ways: from the leaves of the shrub as lavandula angustifolia, or from the flowers as lavandula officinalis.

What does it smell like?

It has a sweet floral-herbaceous scent and balsamic undertone.

What is it good for?

Lavender is known for its powerful but gentle relaxing,de-stressing, antiseptic and uplifting properties.
It is good for:
The urinary system: problems like cystitis.
The circulatory system: palpitations and high blood pressure.
The respiratory system: throat infections,influenza, bronchitis and whooping cough.
The nervous system and emotions: it calms a variety of nervous disorders including excitability, insomnia, migraine and nervous tension. As well as panic attacks, hysteria and depression. It has a steadying influence on the psyche, helping indecisiveness and emotional conflict as well as aiding in strengthening the conscious mind.
The muscular system: helps muscular and rheumatic aches and pains.
The reproductive system: useful in treating scanty menstruation and leucorrhoea.

What are its particular benefits?

Lavender oil is very versatile and can be easily blended with other essential oils to enhance its properties. It is also one of the gentlest essential oils and so can be applied undiluted to burnt skin and insect bites, and can be used by pregnant women.

Who is it not good for and what are the side effects?

Because lavender is so gentle it is suitable for everyone, there are no side effects and it is very safe to use.

How can it be applied?

Lavender can be applied in a variety of different ways. It can be used as a massage oil when diluted with vegetable oil, put in a cool bath to energise and refresh or a hot bath to relax and aid sleep. It can be inhaled on either a tissue for instant revitalisation,or through a bowl of steaming water. It can also be applied in a poultice or compress and directly in small amounts to any skin irritations.

For more information see Aromatherapy,Aromatherapy for pregnancy and Aromatherapy massage.