The Magic of Lavender!

One essential oil I highly recommend for your medicine cabinet or first aid kit is Lavender, Extra (lavendula officinalis). Lavender is one of the most versatile and gentle of all essential oils and has universal appeal. Known as the 'Angel of Purification', Lavender enjoys the reputation of bringing clarity, emotional balance and peace of mind very quickly just by inhaling its essence.

The therapeutic Rx Index:

Lavender is an excellent remedy for headaches, colds, coughs, high blood pressure, insomnia, skin inflammation, burns and bruises. One of the most important uses of Lavender is for the relief of pain including muscular pain. Lavender is also valuable in reducing menstrual pain and an excellent remedy for women going through menopause.

Why Lavender Is Really The Magical Oil:

Lavender is the most versatile and best-loved of all essential oils, with calming, soothing, healing, and balancing properties. With its antiseptic,painkilling and antibacterial properties, lavender oil is one of the few essential oils that can be used on the body undiluted.

Using Lavender For Everyday Remedies:

*For a headache massage a drop into the temples & forehead.
*Apply a drop of oil directly to blemishes, cuts or bruises.
*To treat sunburn, add a few drops of the oil to a warm bath & disperse into the water.
*For stress, irritability and worry, place a few drops of the oil on a tissue and inhale 3 times.

The Burn Oil

Lavender has become to be known as the Burn Oil. Dr. Jean Valnet, a French army surgeon, used Lavender to treat serious burns and war injuries. Today, Lavender is being used in some hospitals to treat burns. Please use caution when using Lavender to treat burns, but it can be used on first and second degree burns very effectively. Third degree burns will require medical attention.

To Treat Burns and Hot Scalds:

Cool the infected area immediately with cool or tepid water for 10 minutes but do not use ice. Then apply a cool compress with 8-10 drops of essential oil of Lavender. Never apply ointments or vegetable oils to burns because they can fry on the skin and cause infection. Instead, use Aloe Vera Gel with the lavender mixed in (2-3 drops per tablespoon) and apply hourly to reduce pain and heal the burn. Lavender is an analgesic which will help to reduce the pain and antiseptic which will help to reduce infections and heal the burn very quickly. If you get a burn in the kitchen from touching a hot pan or steam, what I do is quickly run cool water over the burned area and then apply 3-4 drops of lavender directly onto the burn and continue this until the pain has disappeared. You will also see that the skin will probably be a little tender the next day, but will heal quickly each day as you continue to apply the lavender directly on the burn. Wash your hands after use and do not get the oil into your eyes.

Incorporate aromatherapy in your everyday living as a holistic treatment to promote overall well-being and healing on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels.

Until the next time, stay happy and be healthy.

Hugs,
Kathleen

Author's Bio: 

Hello and thank you for stopping by! My name is Kathleen Lamoureux and I am a Holistic Health coach with certifications in aromatherapy, reflexology and acupressure. I have been working with clients and students for 20 years in all three modalities. I began to follow a holistic career path when I became a licensed Esthetician in 1990 and met John Steele, an aromatic consultant, archaeologist and author who became my mentor. I did research for him on essential oils for skin care treatments. I also opened up the first holistic skin care practice in Ojai, California working on clients using essential oil therapy and acupressure facial treatments. I eventually established two other locations in Santa Barbara and Mill Valley, California. My path led me to creating and teaching workshops. I became known in the San Francisco Bay Area for the holistic classes I taught to hundreds of aspiring esthetic students over a nine year period. I am still a mentor to many men and women who continue to be inspired by my enthusiasm and appreciation for helping others heal holistically. As a holistic health coach, I draw on my extensive experience and training to empower people to stay healthy or regain their health through holistic self-help techniques, especially with essential oil therapy. Essential oils are very powerful and have the ability to heal the body physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have been fortunate to have witnessed many profound rehabilitations on my clients as well as myself. My past experience as a licensed esthetician, holistic spa owner, educator and director for esthetics programs provides me with the background to empower my clients to discover their full health potential and to live healthfully and wholly. In the field of aromatherapy, I have studied under John Steele, Kurt Schnaubelt and Shirley Price and received my certification in aromatherapy from the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy. I also follow the spiritual teachings of Louise L. Hay, Gregg Braden, Deepak Chopra, Maryann Williamson, Catherine Ponder, Joseph Campbell, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Krisnamurti, Buddha and so many more. I am a member of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy and have been featured for my aromatherapy healing work in the Ojai Valley News, the Ventura Star Free Press, and the Marin Independent Journal. I have contributed articles on aromathearpy to Skin, Inc., and I am currently a AP holistic health writer for the examiner.com (San Francisco).