Lavender essential oil is obtained from Lavandula angustifolia, a plant of the Labiate family. Known for its many properties, it is useful in cases of insomnia, menstrual pain and cystitis. Let's find out better.
Properties and benefits of lavender essential oil
The essential oil extracted from the lavender plant has a balancing action on the central nervous system, being at the same time a tonic and sedative ; calm anxiety, agitation, nervousness; relieves headaches and disorders caused by stress; helps to sleep in case of insomnia,
Antiseptic and antibiotic, very valid remedy for the treatment of all colds: flu, cough, cold, sinusitis, phlegm.
Antispasmodic, calms abdominal pains and spasms and can benefit in case of menstrual pain (it is however to be avoided in case of heavy menstruation).
Antiseptic, if diluted in an intimate cleanser or in internal cleansers, counteracts the diseases of the genitourinary system, such as cystitis.
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, used in massage lotions and oils, it relieves pain caused by muscle strains and rheumatism and helps in lymphatic stagnation caused by the presence of cellulite.
Healing, it is used on the skin, even the skin of children, as an excellent remedy in case of burns, wounds wounds, brings relief in the presence of insect bites, sun rashes, irritations caused by jellyfish.
Childhood disorders is an excellent essence for children: colic, irritability, colds, night-time agitation, they can be relieved by a massage on the neck or on the chest with lavender essential oil or with a few drops of the essence placed on the pillow or in the water of the radiator humidifiers.
Description of the plant
Lavender is an evergreen and perennial shrub of small dimensions (60-100 cm.) With erect, woody stems at the base and slightly prostrate side branches. It has linear and lanceolate greyish-green leaves. The somewhat fragrant flowers are grouped in thin blue violet spikes.
Part used
Flowering tops
Extraction method
Steam current distillation
Note lavender essential oil
Middle note: herbaceous fragrance, very sweet, slightly floral
The ownership and use of mother lavender tincture
Use and practical advice on lavender essential oil
Environmental diffusion : 1 g of lavender essential oil per square meter of the environment in which it is spread, using essences burner or in the water of radiator humidifiers to relieve headaches, nervous tension, stress, insomnia.
Tonic bath: 10 gc in the bath water, emulsify by shaking the water strongly , then dive for 10 minutes to take advantage of the decongestant action for the muscular system and for rheumatic and joint pains
Local application 1 or 2 drops of lavender essential oil diluted in a little sweet almond oil, for the massage of children's abdomen, in the case of colic, to relieve insect bites and small burns.
Contraindications of the essential oil of lavender
In all these cases it is advisable to use lavender essential oil by inhalation or in local friction. Lavender essential oil is considered safe, so there are no special precautions to follow.
It is important to remember that improper use of essential oils can be harmful even when using oils, which like lavender, are considered safe.
Background
Originating in southern and western Europe, the Provençal one is the most famous, it was a precious plant already for the ancient Romans who put bunches of flowers in the water of the thermal baths .
Lavender was used then as a base for refined perfumes and to prepare decoctions and infusions used for the beauty of the skin and hair. In a more recent past we know that in every town or country house there was no closet or chest of drawers that did not have lavender sachets for perfuming linen and keeping moths away. This delicate custom is now back in fashion and reminds us of ancient traditions and sensations of cleanliness and care for the home.
The French chemist, Renè Maurice Gattefossé, who is credited with the invention of the term "aromatherapy" in 1928, and who contributed to the revival of the interest in the use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes, he had at his own expense, noted that the Lavender essential oil, which he was using for perfume mixes, had a remarkable ability to heal burn wounds .
In fact, while he was working on perfumes, he accidentally burned his arm and reacted by inserting it into the liquid closest to him. It so happened that this liquid was precisely lavender essential oil that caused it to recover from the burn in a very short time.
