There is a popular saying ‘if in doubt use lavender’ in this blog we explore the amazing properties and uses of Lavender which shows us just how and why this saying came to be
The history
One of the most well-known and used herbs, the Lavender plant has been used for many centuries throughout history.
The use of Lavender goes back over 2500 years and can be traced back to the Mediterranean, Middle East and India. The name ‘lavender’ comes from the Latin word ‘lavare’, which means ‘to wash’. The lavender essential oil was an important part of Ancient Roman bathing rituals because of its powerful antibacterial properties. The Egyptians used lavender oil in embalming, and the Greeks benefited from its medicinal properties for easing headaches, gastritis, and sore throats.
Then in 1910 chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé, while working in his laboratory, was splashed with boiling essence from a round-bottomed flask that exploded and burst into flames. He suffered bad burns to both his head and hands. The burns were treated with oil-rich tulle gras dressings. When his wounds started to give off a gangrenous odour, he remembered that the lavender farmers had told him that burns could be healed with lavender essential oil.
Taking off his bandages he coated his skin with lavender oil. The results were astounding. Two days later, his fever eased and his infection disappeared, and wounds healed relatively quickly without a trace. He was literally SAVED from a potentially fatal case of gangrene
After this experience, he went on to devote his life to the study of Lavender essential oil and set out to prove to the medical world that this was an effective therapy and thus embarked on a series of experiments in hospitals, first military and later civilian. During World War I, many soldiers carried lavender oil in their first aid kits, using it on the battlefield for its healing and antiseptic properties.
Lavender Plant Types
There are over 500 different types of lavender plants. Some are cloned, some are seeded, some are grown high up in the French mountains and others are grown in Norfolk, England. While all lavender plants contain essential oil, the oil in each plant is different chemically and while they all might smell similar they do not have the same pharmacological effects on the body.
For example, spike lavender is stimulating and should not be used to aid a restful night’s sleep as it would in fact have the opposite effect and keep you up all night. Some lavender oils are better for arthritis, some for asthma, some for burns and skin complaints and some for stress and insomnia.
The essential oil
Latin name: Lavandula angustifolia, Synonyms: L. vera, L. officinalis, Plant family: Lamiaceae
Extraction: Distillation of the flowering tops
Origin: Lavender essential oil is mostly grown and cultivated in Europe, mainly France
The essential oil of Lavender is a very pale yellow oil with a sweet, floral, warm, fresh aroma. The smell is very different to Spike lavender and marginally different to lavandin.
The lavender oil needed to help promote sleep is True Lavender sometimes also called French Lavender (Latin name Lavandula angustifolia). If you were creating a natural first aid kit this would be the best variety to stock your kit with and is a staple in my own home. This particular variety of lavender oil is not always found in shops in its original, unadulterated form and will need to be purchased from a reputable aromatherapy brand.
True Lavender, to be effective, should be steam distilled and put straight into a bottle. Aromatherapists supply this type of essential oil – it is important that the therapist uses good quality essential oils to promote health and harmony.
Using Lavender Essential Oil
Being so versatile a herb and essential oil Lavender has many uses and benefits, but it is important to always check your label to ensure you are purchasing the right variety for the purpose you have in mind. You should also opt for 100% pure, organic and soil-certified brands to ensure purity.
One of the problems of lavender being so frequently used and widely available in less than organic, therapeutic forms or adulterated with synthetics, is that members of the public are now developing sensitivities to it, particularly linalool, a component part of synthetic and natural lavender. Because of this, it is usually best to do a skin test first or inhale the oil.
It is also important to know exactly how many drops you need for the purpose as essential oils are potent. For example, 2 drops of true lavender will certainly promote sleep, but 20 drops will have the opposite effect! Just as the specification for the lavender oil is important, so is the dosage, especially for children and the elderly or frail.
Uses of Lavender essential oil on the skin
Traditionally used in many folk remedies, Lavender essential oil was used to comfort the stomach, help heal headaches, fevers and the soul. It was also used extensively in the washing of personal clothes to make them smell fresh.
The lavender essential oil has been shown to have regenerative properties, improve blood circulation and promote a youthful complexion. It can be used as an ingredient for cell regeneration to help repair and maintain the skin. It also has a toning effect that can help fight signs of ageing and leave skin looking fresh.
The rich antioxidants found in Lavender essential oil can help to protect and promote the skin’s natural barrier and help draw out toxins and balance the pH levels for the skin to detox.
The anti-inflammatory compounds can help to brighten, improve tone, and evenness and restore the skin’s natural luminosity.
Due to the many wonderful properties found in Lavender oil, it is also helpful with healing mild burns, cuts, scrapes, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and many other skin complaints.
What Does Lavender Essential Oil Blend Well With?
Lavender essential oil blends well with most other essential oils, and often most people will find their own favourite blends and stick with them. Here are some of my favourites to use in my diffuser.
For balance and harmony
2 drops of Lavender essential oil
2 drops of Sweet Orange essential oil
1 drop of Geranium essential oilWhen Feeling poorly
2 drops of Lavender essential oil
2 drops Eucalyptus
For a good night’s sleep
2 drops of Lavender essential oil
2 drops Eucalyptus
1 drop of FrankincenseDisclaimer: This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
References:
- Rene Maurice Gattefosse – https://bit.ly/2Zv7o3y
- Satureja – https://bit.ly/3BZsrs
- 6 Lavender Oil for Skin: Benefits, Uses, and Risks – https://bit.ly/3C4zY4a
- Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless
- The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood
