Lavender Essential Oil

Lavandula angustifolia is a woody shrub best known for its beautiful purple-blue flowers and sweet scent. It is native to southern Europe but now widely cultivated around the word, particularly in dry, sunny locales. Its crooked, ranched woody stems can reach twenty-four inches high, and the leaves are grayish-green, narrow and three-fourths to two inches long. The baby-blue flowers, which open from June to September, are small, highly aromatic and produced in whorls at the end of long spikes. Each fresh flower spike yields approximately 0.8-2% essential oil. Due to changes in nomenclature over the years, misnaming of Lavenders continues to plague the marketplace; Lavandula officinalis is now known as Lavandula angustifolia.

Lavender essential oil is considered an all-purpose oil with many medicinal and folkloric properties, such as analgesic, antidepressant, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, carminative, cholagogue, cicatrizant, cordial, cytophylactic, emmenagogic, sedative, sudorific, tonic, vermifugal and vulnerary.

Lavender essential oil can speed healing and is a wonderful treatment for sunburn as well as minor kitchen burns due to its cicatrizant properties. For the same reason, it is also useful for acne, dermatitis, rosacea and any other inflammatory skin conditions. It is found that scars have been treated with Lavender are much less noticeable, and even old scars can benefit from its application.

This is a classic Lavender oil with fresh, very sweet, fruity top notes intermingled with the herbal undertones. The scent is more camphoraceous compared to the other Lavender oils.

The fragrance of Lavender essential oil has a calming effect that helps minimize the effects of depression and PMS. It has a relaxing aroma that aids meditation and decreases mood swings. Lavender essential oil also has a smoothing effect that restores harmony and balance.

Considered one of the safest essential oils available, Lavender oil is non-toxic, non-sensitizing and non-irritant. It is best to avoid use, however, during pregnancy.

Do not take essential oils internally or use without the guidance of a qualified practitioner. The information provided here is for general use only and is not intended to replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Avoid during pregnancy.