Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is often called the "Universal Oil", or "Swiss Army Knife of Oils," because it can be used for so many things. It's nature's burn medication and stress reliever and much more. Lavender is a very mild essential oil that can often be used undiluted on the skin. It is a good essential oil to use with children.

A high quality lavender essential oil is an irreplaceable gift from nature because it provides so many benefits. When you don't know what oil to use, try lavender.

Historical Data: The French scientist Rene Gattefosse was the first to discover lavender's ability to promote tissue regeneration and speed wound healing when he severely burned his arm in a laboratory accident. Today, lavender is one of the few essential oils to still be listed in the British Pharmacopoeia.

Read my previous post on Is There Really "Therapy" in Aromatherapy?

Burns - Apply lavender essential oil* to a burn and experience almost immediate relief. Also use it to cleanse & soothe cuts or scrapes. NOTE: only use "therapeutic-grade" lavender - if the oil you're using is not therapeutic-grade it is adulterated (even if the label says it's 100% pure and organic) and could make a first degree burn a third degree burn - yes, it has happened and continues to happen with those who refuse to accept there are vast differences in quality - don't learn the hard way.

* IMPOTANT NOTE: make sure you have true lavender, Lavendula angustifolia, that has grown organically, not distilled with chemical solvents, and has not been adulterated with extenders. Lavendin is a cheaper oil and is often used to extend the true lavender, and is frequesntly sold in the US as Lavender. Lavendin, a hybrid lavender that is chemically very different from pure Lavendula angustifolia. Lavendin contains high levels of camphor (12 to 18%) and will burn the skin. Imagine applying camphor to an open wound or a second or third degree burn... Big Ouch!!

By contrast, true lavender contains virtually no camphor and does have burn-healing agents not found in Lavendin.

France exports to the US 100 times more Lavender essential oil than they distill. This means that most of the Lavender essential oil on the market is either not pure and true lavender and/or that it contains solvents and chemicals you do not want on your body or to even use for aromatherapy purposes.

University of Miami researchers found that inhalation of lavender essential oil increased beta waves in the brain, suggesting heightened relaxation. It also reduced depression and improved cognitive performance (Diego et al., 1998). A 2001 Osaka Kyoiku University study found that lavender reduced mental stress and increased alertness (Motomura et al., 2001).

Related article: Essential Oils & Dried Herbs

To Calm and Relax - Lavender is well known for its calming and sedative properties. Rub a couple drops on the back of the neck and shoulders. Inhaling also works wonders.

Suffering from insomnia? Try dripping 3-5 drops of lavender down your spine. 1-2 drops rubbed on the bottom of each foot, hop in bed and breathe the remaining oil. Read more on Sleep Disorders and Essential Oils

Headaches - Lavender can be good for headaches. Put a couple drops in your hand then inhale. Then rub a drop on your temples, the back of the neck across forehead or on location (being careful not to get any in your eyes).

Mood Uplifting - Diffuse or put a couple drops in your hand and then inhale. Apply direct application. Lavender may also help PMS symptoms.

Lavender can also be found in the following Young Living essential oil blends:

Dragon Time
M-Grain
R.C.
SARA

And in these Young Living products:

Lavender-Rosewood bar soap
Lavender volume shampoo
Lavender volume conditioner
LavaDerm
ClaraDerm

Buy Young Living therapeutic-grade essential oils here!

Disclaimer: Information found here refers solely to products from Young Living Essential Oils and is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. We urge you to do the health related research necessary to learn what is right for you. Young Living uses only organic and pure therapeutic grade oils.