Lavender Essential Oil
Did you know that the name lavender is derived from the Latin word "Lavare," which means to wash? Read on to know about the history and health benefits of lavender essential oil. Shaurya was the one who introduced me to lavender essential oils. It happened a few months ago when I walked into his shop to escape getting drenched. I began looking around and noticed that the shop stored gift items from all over the world, seeing that I picked up a few things for my mother and sister and that was when my eyes feel on the bottles of essential oils lined up in a row. They looked so beautiful, nicely wrapped that I instinctively I picked one up and began reading the instructions. Suddenly the proprietor asked me to take a seat after which he pulled up a chair next to me, introduced himself, asked me if I had ten minutes to spare and then began telling me about essential oils, its uses and benefits.
Lavender Essential Oil - History
Lavender has always been known for its healing powers. It has been used throughout history as a natural antiseptic, an antibiotic, an anti-depressant, a sedative and a detoxifier. Even today, lavender is used for healing and preventing and diminishing unsightly scars from forming.
This oil was used by the ancient Greeks to treat throat infections, constipation and chest conditions while the Romans used lavender flower heads in communal baths. Many European herbalists also used lavender water to prevent and treat head lice. Dried lavender was used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders too.
Previously, Lavender was gathered by the local people in Grasse, who sold it to perfumeries. Suddenly things changed in the 1950’s, with the demand increasing multifold. Today lavender is grown in neat rows and is distributed in China, Tasmania and England. Of course the south of France is still the main producer of the oil.
How is lavender oil extracted from the flower?
The flowers are first placed on a grid and then steamed. When this happens, the essence of the flower is released in the form of vapour. This vapor is then stored in tanks and left to cool. The cooled vapour is what forms the lavender essential oil.
What are the health benefits of Lavender essential oil?
Some of the health benefits of lavender essential oil are enumerated below:
How do I use lavender oil?
Undiluted lavender oil is generally considered safe to use, but if you do have any inhibitions you could do a patch test first. To do this apply a drop of the oil on a small area of the skin and let it remain there for a few hours. If there is no reaction, it can be used safely on the rest of the skin.
Lavender oil can be sniffed or drops of it can be placed on a pillow or tissue or added to a hot bath. Remember not to add more than 6 drops in the bath water. You can even place lavender essential oil in drawers and cupboards to keep insects at bay!
Lavender Essential Oil - History
Lavender has always been known for its healing powers. It has been used throughout history as a natural antiseptic, an antibiotic, an anti-depressant, a sedative and a detoxifier. Even today, lavender is used for healing and preventing and diminishing unsightly scars from forming.
This oil was used by the ancient Greeks to treat throat infections, constipation and chest conditions while the Romans used lavender flower heads in communal baths. Many European herbalists also used lavender water to prevent and treat head lice. Dried lavender was used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders too.
Previously, Lavender was gathered by the local people in Grasse, who sold it to perfumeries. Suddenly things changed in the 1950’s, with the demand increasing multifold. Today lavender is grown in neat rows and is distributed in China, Tasmania and England. Of course the south of France is still the main producer of the oil.
How is lavender oil extracted from the flower?
The flowers are first placed on a grid and then steamed. When this happens, the essence of the flower is released in the form of vapour. This vapor is then stored in tanks and left to cool. The cooled vapour is what forms the lavender essential oil.
What are the health benefits of Lavender essential oil?
Some of the health benefits of lavender essential oil are enumerated below:
- Insomnia: Lavender oil induces sleep and is thus recommended for people who suffer from insomnia.
- Nervous System: As lavender essential oil has a calming effect it is considered an excellent tonic for the nerves. Lavender oil helps in treating headaches, anxiety, depression, migraines and emotional stress. The aroma that it gives off removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness. It increases mental activity too!
- Relief from Pain: Lavender essential oils provide relief from pain such as sore and tense muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, backache, sprains and lumbago.
- Urinary Disorders: Lavender essential oil stimulates urine production and helps restoring hormonal imbalance. This oil also reduces cystitis or the inflammation of the urinary bladder. The cramps associated with urinary disorders are also considerably reduced with lavender essential oil.
- Respiratory Problems: Throat infections, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis can be treated with lavender oil. Lavender oil is added in many inhalers and vaporizers to treat cold and coughs.
- Skin Disorders: Lavender essential oil is used to treat various skin disorders such as wrinkles, psoriasis, acne and other inflammations. As lavender oil has antiseptic and antifungal properties, it is also used to treat wounds, burns, sunburns and cuts. Eczema is also treated effectively by adding lavender to chamomile.
- Circulation of Blood: Lavender essential oil improves blood circulation and lowers blood pressure.
- Digestion: This oil increases the mobility of the intestine and also stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile thus aiding in the treatment of stomach pain, colic, flatulence, vomiting, diarrhea and indigestion.
How do I use lavender oil?
Undiluted lavender oil is generally considered safe to use, but if you do have any inhibitions you could do a patch test first. To do this apply a drop of the oil on a small area of the skin and let it remain there for a few hours. If there is no reaction, it can be used safely on the rest of the skin.
Lavender oil can be sniffed or drops of it can be placed on a pillow or tissue or added to a hot bath. Remember not to add more than 6 drops in the bath water. You can even place lavender essential oil in drawers and cupboards to keep insects at bay!
No comments:
Post a Comment