Lavender – How Do I Love Thee?

One of my favorite therapeutic oils is lavender.A� Over the years I’ve asked many people, “If you could have only ONE essential oil, what would it be?”A� The answer is almost always, “Lavender!”A� Why was lavender chosen so frequently?A� After several years of personal use, I’d like to share information with you about lavender’s versatility.

1)A�A�A�A�A� Anxiety or Distress.A� Lavender oil has a soothing, calming effect.A� It relieves tension.A� My daughter was frying eggs one morning, when the unthinkable happened.A� The stove top malfunctioned.A� An electric arc was created from the heating element, melting right through the pan, to the fork in her hand.A� All the hair on her arm was gone.A� Her bones were aching.A� We applied lavender, and then called the doctor.A� He said if it continued into the next day, he would see her, but there wasn’t anything further to be done right then. A�The lavender would take care of the discomfort in her arm, as well as help relieve any panic she might be experiencing. In the middle of that trauma, we received a phone call informing us that a cousin had committed suicide.A� That’s when I reached for the lavender oil and liberally applied it to my wrists and temples.A� Does lavender soothe anxiety and help relieve tension?A� Oh, yes!

2)A�A�A�A�A� Headache or Migraine.A� Lavender can be used to help relieve headaches.A� Be aware that someone with a migraine may be very sensitive to smells, and may not welcome the essential oils.A� We’ve dealt with that difficulty by applying lavender to the sole of he foot, then covering the foot with a sock.A� This helps to reduce the scent in the air.A�

3)A�A�A�A�A� Sunburns.A� Over the years we have purchased many sunburn relieving products.A� What we have found is that often the pain they are supposed to relieve has merely been aggravated.A� On one particularly difficult sunburn we tried three different products.A� None was effective.A� Then we remembered, Lavender!A� We applied it neat, drop by drop over the burn, and the relief was immediate. We are so grateful for this marvelous essential oil.

[Caution must be stated at this point.A� Make sure your essential oil is pure; lavender angustifolia.A� If you try to use a lavender hybrid (Lavandin) on a burn, the camphor in it will only make things worse.]

4)A�A�A�A�A� Exhaustion or Insomnia.A� Lavender works so well when you just close your eyes, inhale, and allow it to seep into your consciousness.A� Sometimes that’s all the strength you feel you have left at the end of the day, even breathing seems difficult. This is definitely the time to reach for lavender.A� One daughter wrote, “Mom-I’ve been using lavender for its aromatherapy properties.A� It soothes, relaxes, and calms me at night before I try to fall asleep.A� My rest, the nights I use it, is deeper and more relaxed.”A� Another daughter loves the aroma so much she wears it in a special necklace around her neck, just to have it with her all the time.A� She feels it helps her focus through the stresses she encounters during the day.

I used to hide a grin when my friends would tout the marvels of essential oils.A� Then I tried them.A� Now, I’m a believer. Lavender truly is a wonderful friend.A� No wonder it is known so well, used so often, and for so many reasons!