Saturday, March 3, 2012

Lavender Essential Oil


Lavender is one of my favorite essential oils.  It is incredibly versatile and I use it everyday--either on my body in an oil blend, in my diffuser, or in my home (I love to put it in vinegar and add it to my wash--the vinegar is a natural fabric softener and the lavender leaves my clothes smelling amazing!).  This past summer while vacationing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado my husband had some horrible mosquito bites.  I suggested he try a few drops of lavender oil for relief, with much skepticism he did and is now a believer in the power of lavender oil!

According to the University of Marlyand Medical Center, "scientific evidence suggests that aromatherapy with lavender may slow the activity of the nervous system, improve sleep quality, promote relaxation, and lift mood in people suffering from sleep disorders. Studies also suggest that massage with essential oils, particularly lavender, may result in improved sleep quality, more stable mood, better concentration, and reduced anxiety. In one recent study, people who received massage with lavender felt less anxious and more positive than those who received massage alone."

Young Living Lavender Oil Uses:
1.) Rub Lavender oil on the feet for a calming effect on the body.
2.) Rub a drop of Lavender oil on your palms and then apply to your pillow to help you sleep and for insomnia.
3.) Put a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching and reduce swelling.
4.) Put 2-3 drops of Lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain and help prevent scarring.
5.) Drop Lavender oil on a cut to stop the bleeding.
6.)  Mix several drops of Lavender oil with olive or coconut oil and use topically on eczema and dermatitis.
7.)  To alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of Lavender oil on the end of the tongue, around the navel or behind the ears.
8.)  To stop a nosebleed, put a drop of Lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice.  Push the tissue covered ice chip up under the middle of the top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long as comfortable or until the bleeding stops (do not freeze the lip or gum).
9.) Rub a drop of Lavender oil over the bridge of the nose to unblock tear ducts.
10.) Rub Lavender oil on dry or chapped skin.
11.) Rub a drop of Lavender oil on chapped or sunburned lips.
12.) To reduce or minimize the formation of scar tissue, massage Lavender oil on and around the affected area.
13.)  Rub 2 drops of Lavender oil over the armpit area to act as a deodorant.
14.) Rub a drop of Lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
15.) Rub several drops of Lavender oil into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff.
16.) Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a cotton ball and place in your linen closet to scent the linens and repel moths and insects.
17.) Place a drop of Lavender oil in your water fountain to scent the air, kill bacteria and prolong the time between cleanings.
18.) Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a wet cloth and throw into the dryer which will deodorize and freshen your laundry.
19.) Put a drop of Lavender oil on a cold sore.
20.) Diffuse Lavender oil to alleviate the symptoms of allergies.
21.)  Spritz several drops of Lavender oil mixed with distilled water on a sunburn to decrease pain.
22.) Drop Lavender oil on a cut to clean the wound and kill bacteria.
23.) Apply 2-3 drops of Lavender oil to a rash to stop the itching and heal the skin.
24.) Apply 1-2 drops of Lavender oil in your iron to freshen your clothes.
25.)  Apply 1-2 drops of Lavender oil on a wet cloth and place in the dryer for an all natural dryer sheet.
26.) Rub Lavender oil on the back of your neck, chest, and in between your eyes to alleviate sinuses, sinusitis, allergies.
27.) Add Lavender oil to your recipes.
28.)  Add drops of Lavender oil to your favorite beverage:  tea or lemonade.
29.)  Rub a drop of Lavender oil on your temples to alleviate a headache.
30.)  Rub a drop on the base of the neck to relieve stress and anxiety.


When buying lavender oil, make sure your oil is therapeutic grade.  Young Living has identified more than thirty five varieties of lavender, but has shown that one, lavendula angustifolia, has the best therapeutic outcomes.  Many companies add synthetics to adulterate their oils.  True lavender is edible.  If your bottle of lavender says, "not for internal use," get rid of it!

How do you use lavender oil?

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