Lavender essential oil's many beneficial properties make it one of the most used and versatile essential oils in aromatherapy. Lavender comes from the plant Lavandula angustifolia, a small evergreen shrub from the lamiaceae family. Grown originally in the Mediterranean, the plant now grows in many countries throughout the world including Europe and Britain.
Components and Characteristics
Lavender's small violet flowers are just as recognizable as its familiar aroma. Aromatherapists use lavender essential oil steam distilled from the fresh, highly aromatic flowering tops. The oil produced has a clear to pale yellow color and sweet flora scent, with a woody, herb-like note. Lavender oil has more than 100 chemical components. The primary compounds include linalyl acetate, linalool, lavandula, limonene and cineol.
Properties
In the book, "Aromatherapy: A-Z," aromatherapist Patricia Davis discusses lavender essential oil's numerous beneficial properties. Davis explains that lavender is antibacterial, antiseptic and also a mild pain reliever. Jeanne Rose, author of "375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols," identifies lavender as a sedative. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that lavender is believed to stimulate the same part of your brain that sedative medications do.
Uses
Aromatherapists use lavender to treat everything from skin conditions to your mental state. Aromatherapist Julie Lawless notes in her book, "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils," that lavender's antiseptic actions make it a good option for treating acne. Davis says that lavender can also treat burns; it disinfects the wound, dulls the pain and stimulates healing. The University of Maryland Medical center notes that a research study found that using lavender essential oil during childbirth reduced anxiety and the amount of medication used.
Methods
Aromatherapists use lavender is many ways. For skin applications, Lawless suggests diluting the oil in a cream or lotion. If you are interested in using lavender oil for its calming, sedative abilities, Davis recommends placing a few drops in a warm bath. This works well for general stress and promotes relaxation at bedtime. For fighting respiratory infections, Davis and Lawless both suggest steam inhalation of lavender.
Safety
Aromatherapy treatments and oils have potential side effects. It is always best to consult a certified aromatherapist or physician for before using aromatherapy. Rose and Davis both write that lavender is a generally safe essential oil. It is nontoxic, nonirritating, and nonsensitizing. But some people have an allergic reaction to lavender, so you need be aware of this possibility.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Aromatherapy
- "Aromatherapy: An A-Z"; Patricia Davis; 2000
- "375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols"; Jeanne Rose; 1999
- "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils"; Julie Lawless; 1995
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