How lavender can be used safely in your daily activities
Do you remember as a child walking past lavender and pulling off a few of the flowers and squeezing them between your fingers and smelling the sweet aroma all the way home?
Now when you do the same thing in milliseconds it takes you back to your childhood.
A smell can bring on a flood of memories, influence people’s moods and even affect their work performance. Because the olfactory bulb is part of the brain’s limbic system, an area so closely associated with memory and feeling it’s sometimes called the “emotional brain,” smell can call up memories and powerful responses almost instantaneously.
That is one of the beauties of Aromatherapy it transcends all boundaries.
Here are some of the other benefits and uses of Lavender:
Possible Uses:
Acne, allergies, anxiety, asthma, athlete’s foot, bruises, burns, chicken pox, colic, cuts, cystitis, depression, dermatitis, dysmenorrheal, earache, flatulence, headache, hypertension, insect bites, insect repellant, itching, labor pains, migraine, oily skin, rheumatism, scabies, scars, sores, sprains, strains, stress, stretch marks, vertigo, whooping cough.
Here are some of the many uses of lavender essential oil:
Relaxing nervous tension (Stress):
Lavender aromatherapy has been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects on the nervous system. It helps with migraines, headaches, anxiety, depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. Just dab a few drops on your temples, neck and wrists and sniff throughout the day. Of put a few drops on a cotton ball and keep close by.
Better sleep:
Because lavender aromatherapy is so relaxing and calming, it helps induce sleep and is often used for insomnia. Put a few drops on your pillow at bedtime, or in the bedroom,use a diffuser.
Muscle tension:
Lavender’s relaxing and anti-inflammatory qualities make it an excellent remedy for muscle pain and tension. There’s nothing more wonderful than a taking a hot bath with lavender essential oil to soothe and relax sore or overworked muscles or rheumatism. Be sure to add the lavender oil to bath salts or epsom salts first so they will mix with the water.
Menstrual pain:
Gently massage lavender over the lower abdomen, in a circular motion for menstrual, pre-menstrual or menopausal tension.
Respiratory infections:
Lavender aromatherapy is extensively used for various respiratory problems including throat infections, asthma, bronchitis, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, etc. It can be diffused into a vapor or applied topically onto the neck, chest and soles of the feet.
Lavender Skin Care:
Lavender essential oil is ideal for skin care because it is gentle, yet effective. It moisturizes, helps skin maintain elasticity and prevents the build up of excess sebum — a skin oil that bacteria feed on. It helps skin conditions such as acne, wrinkles, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and rashes and helps minimize stretch marks. It is also beneficial for cleansing cuts and wounds as well as burns and sunburns as it stimulates healing. It is also helpful for bruises, hives and insect bites.
Hair Care:
Lavender essential oil is useful for the hair and scalp as it conditions the scalp and prevents the build up of excess sebum. It’s antiseptic qualities disinfect the scalp, help dandruff, hair loss and prevent and treat head lice.
Massage:
A massage with lavender essential oil is a supremely relaxing and aromatic experience. Both sore muscles and joints respond to lavender’s anti-inflammatory and relaxing effects.
Freshening Closets:
In ancient days, small bundles of dried lavender were placed in closets to help keep clothes smelling fresh and keep moths away. You can do the same today by hanging sachet bags inside your closet or placing them between your sheets, in the laundry room and on your pillow. Or you can hang ceramic pieces that you’ve infused with lavender essential oil.
Calming Children:
Lavender aromatherapy is ideal for restless children and babies because it is so gentle and calming, yet powerfully antiseptic. Also because of lavender’s gentleness, it can be used “neat” (full-strength) even on baby’s skin without dilution.
Wash:
Put a couple of drops of lavender on a piece of cloth and place this in your drier; it will make the clothes smell oh so fresh.
Plus many more safe and healthy uses for Lavender:
