BOTANICAL NAME: lavandula latifolia
ORIGIN: Spain
PARTS USED: flowering tops
FRAGRANCE: floral, fresh, light, sweet
BLENDS WELL WITH: allspice, amyris, basil, carrot, cedarwood, chamomile, cistus, clary sage, clove, cypress, dill, eucalyptus, fennel, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, hyssop, juniper, lemon, lemongrass, lime, mandarin, marjoram, myrrh, neroli, orange, patchouli, pepper, peppermint, petitgrain, pine, ravensara, rosemary, spearmint, spikenard, tangerine, tea tree, thyme, tonka, verbena, vetiver, wintergreen, yarrow.
AROMATIC
BENEFITS: aggression, anxiety, balancing, calming, concentration,
cooling, exhaustion, fatigue, hysteria, nervous tension, relaxing,
soothing, stress
MAGICAL
USES: balances chakras, business success, celibacy, conscious mind
(stimulates), happiness, health (maintain), love, peace, protection,
purification, sleep, third-eye chakra
Lavender Information:
The health benefits of lavender essential oil include its ability to remove nervous tension, relieve pain, disinfect scalp and skin, enhance blood circulation, and to treat respiratory problems. Lavender oil is extracted from the flowers of the plant through steam distillation. The essential oil can be used in making perfumes, aromatherapy, soap, candles, potpourri, and many other aromatic preparations, almost too numerous to mention.
Definitions:
Analgesic: any
medicine that reduces pain without inducing unconsciousness.
Antidepressant: an
agent that prevents or counteracts depression.
Anti-inflammatory: an
agent that prevents or counteracts inflammation.
Antimicrobial:
capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of microbes.
Antiseptic: a
substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of
microorganisms.
Antispasmodic:
referring to something that suppresses spasms.
Carminative:
relieves discomfort of gas in the digestive tract.
Cholagogue: an
agent that promotes the discharge of bile.
Cicatrizant: a
healing agent.
Deodorant: Any
agent acting to eliminate, reduce, mask, or control odor.
Diuretic:
increases the amount or frequency of urination.
Emmenagogue:
stimulates blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus, causing
menstruation.
Nervine: acts
upon or affects the nerves; quiets nervous excitement.
Sedative:
Calming, soothing, inducing sleep, tranquilizing
Stimulant:
increases physiological or nervous activity in the body.
Sudorific:
produces sweat.
Tonic:
restorative and curative; intended to invigorate.
Vermifuge:
something that acts as a drug to cause expulsion or death of intestinal
worms.
Safety
Warnings: As with many other essential oils, pregnant and breastfeeding women
should avoid using lavender essential oil. It is also recommended that diabetics
stay away from lavender oil. It may also cause allergic reactions to people
having sensitive skin. Lavender is one of very few essential oils that can be
applied directly to the skin without a carrier oil.