Benefits of Lavender, Part DEUX

Today, lavender is most commonly used for anxiety, depression, mental exhaustion, insomnia, scrapes and wounds, digestive problems, headaches, skin problems and women's health problems. In addi­tion to this, lavender can be used to treat exhaustion, heat exposure, fevers, aches and pains, over­ex­ertion, jet lag, rashes, sprains, sunburn, sunstroke, bruises and burns. It can also be used as a disin­fectant and insect repellant. Lavender is an antiseptic, natural antibiotic, sedative, detoxifier.

Anxiety and depression. The essential oil of lavender has a calming, sedative, and anti­convulsive ef­fect. It can also increase the effectiveness of other relaxants.

Insomnia. A study conducted at the University of Leicester in England showed that the use of lavender essential oil is just as effective in promoting sound sleep as traditional medication. In fact, many British hospitals offer their patients lavender pillows to help with sleeplessness.

Scrapes and wounds. Lavender essential oil has very powerful antiseptic properties. Applying it to wounds can not only increase cell growth causing the wound to heal faster, but it also decreases the appearance of scars. The oils anti­microbial action protects scrapes and wounds from infection, while allowing them heal.

Digestive problems. Lavender has also been endorsed by Germany's Commission E to treat all sorts of stomach and digestive disorders. It soothes the lining of the digestive tract and promotes the secre­tion of bile, which helps the body digest fats. In addition to this, lavender can also relieve gas pres­sure and constipation.

Until next time.....Got Lavender?

Ever Wonder What the Benefits of Lavender Were?

I'm sure many of you stay up at night wondering what the benefits of lavender may be and why so many people around the globe use lavender on a daily basis. Well I'm here to share some light on the subject. The following is the first in a series of lavender tidbits from: www.hubpages.com, Castleman, Michael. The New Healing Herbs. U.S.A and Canada: Rodale Press, 2001, Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy. Novato, CA: New World Library, 1991. Keller, Erich. Aromatherapy Handbook for Beauty, Hair, and Skin Care.

Lavender flowers have long since been used to treat digestive problems, insomnia, anxiety, and rest­lessness. Until World War I, lavender was used to treat and disinfect wounds. For centuries, English farmers would place lavender flowers in their hats to prevent headache and sunstroke. Women would place sachets of lavender in their closets and wardrobes for fragrance, in addition to using it in potpourri.

Hospitals used lavender as an antiseptic and disinfectant to sterilize surfaces and equipment.
Today, lavender is used in much of the same way, for many of the same reasons. Both the flowers of the plant and the essential oils derived from the plant can be used for therapeutic uses.

According to the book The New Healing Herbs, the essential oils extracted from the flowers contain more than 150 compounds. Lavender essential oil is easily and quickly absorbed into the skin, and can be detected in the blood in as little as 5 minutes. Got Lavender?