Taking a look at Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil - Lavandula angustifolia
Plant Family: Labiatae
Today Lavender is arguably the most popular of all oils and can be considered an aromatic remedy of value in many diseases. Although there are plenty of oils that will duplicate Lavender’s individual functions, there is no oil quite able to perform all of its functions.
A Little History
In July 1910 Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist, discovered the healing properties of Lavender essential oil after severely burning his hand in a laboratory experiment.
When his wrapped wound started to give off a gangrenous odour, he remembered that lavender growers had told him that burns could be healed with Lavender essential oil. He coated his wounds with Lavender essential oil and two days later his fever had eased and the infection had disappeared.
Distillation of Lavender angustifolia began in southern France in the 15th century and was always wild harvested until the 1920’s when cultivation began.
About the oil and when to use it
A native species of France it is now cultivated in France, England, Bulgaria, Ukraine, China, Tasmania, Japan, and the American Pacific Northwest.
In France, distinctions are made between wild-growing and cultivated lavenders and between high altitude and low altitude plants. Wild lavender growing in the Alps between 500-1,600 metres has few blossoms but the finest fragrance of all lavenders (Lavande sauvage) and is generally considered to have the best therapeutic properties.
Distilled Lavender oil is Pale yellow or sometimes colourless. It has a sweet, floral, herbaceous odour with a balsamic woody undertone. In the perfumery world it is considered a Middle note
It is possibly one of the most commonly used oils in an Aromatherapists tool kit being used in the following areas :
Skincare: Being both antiseptic and analgesic it can be used for acne, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, boils, wounds, sunburn, abscesses, acne, allergies, athletes foot, boils, bruises, dandruff, scabies and ringworm.
Muscular System: Used for aches and pains, rheumatism, sciatica, arthritis and lumbago.
Respiratory System : Used for colds, flu, bronchitis, throat infections, catarrhal conditions, asthma (of nervous origin) and whooping cough
Digestive System: Used to treat flatulence, halitosis and nausea
Nervous System : With sedative and stimulant properties it is used to treat insomnia, migraines, headaches shock and vertigo
Reproductive System : The analgesic properties make the oil ideal for treating PMT and menstrual pain
Using Lavender oil in a diffuser in an inhalation stick or simply putting a few drops onto a tissue to use to inhale the aroma can bring about gentle relaxation and is an ideal oil to use at night to help settle agitated children,or adults, into a restful sleep.
Lavender Blends well with: Orange, grapefruit, geranium, frankincense and black pepper and many other oils.
Cautions
Lavender is generally an inexpensive oil but do take care to purchase from a reputable supplier as this oil is often adulterated with similar scented oils that come from a different species of plant and do not have the same properties. When buying an oil the supplier should clearly state the latin plant name of Lavandula angustifolia and should be able to tell you the country of origin of the oil.
Natalie Gilding MIFPA CYT
References
Battaglia, S., 2003. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. 2nd ed.
Lawless, J., 2002. The Encyclopedia of Essential OIls. 2nd ed.