Natures gift – Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil is a gentle and yet powerful essential oil. It is derived from flower spikes of certain species of lavender by the process of distillation. The oil of spike lavender was once used as a solvent in oil painting; this was before distilled turpentine became a mainstay in conventional painting art. This essential oil is made up of a complex chemical structure comprising of over 150 active components. It has been proven to be very beneficial in the treatment of several health issues. This is because of its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, analgesic, antidepressant, detoxifier, hypotensive and antifungal properties. Lavender essential oil has also been used in the production of perfume for a long time now and its efficacy in aromatherapy been a subject of debate.

In a research in Florida, US- it was observed that two major benefits of lavender essential oil include lowering pulse rates and reducing anxiety. Lavender aromatherapy is used in some hospitals especially in the emergency and surgical wards to help create a relaxed atmosphere and to decrease pre-surgery stress in patients.

The use of Lavender essential oil in medicine is well documented and in clinical trials it has been proven to fight insomnia, ease labor pains as well as reduce depression. It is also said to combat headaches, act as a pain reliever, fight sinus congestion and help with hangovers.

Comprehensive research on Lavender has been done with emphasis on the administration of lavender through the olfactory method. In various small to medium sized clinical trials the anxiolytic property and effect of lavender olfaction has been established.

It is believed that aromatherapy using lavender works by the fragrance having both a psychological and physiological effect on the limbic system. It seems that the traditional use of lavender oil may have been for its calming effects as the lavender olfaction has been proven to decrease anxiety. Lavender oil olfaction has even been measured by the Hamilton rating scale with a .51 rating and it is also believed to increase mood scores significantly.

Lavender essential oil when made into lemonade has been proven to be very effective in combating depression, anxiety attacks and general mood swings, because of its calming and soothing effects.

 Homemade Lavender Lemonade with Lavender Essential Oil

Components;

– 1 cup raw honey

– 12 cups pure water

– 1 drop lavender essential oil

– 6 lemons, peeled and juiced

– Lavender sprigs for garnish

 

Instructions:

Mix all components together and leave in a refrigerator to cool. Add more water or raw honey if need be.

Other methods in using Lavender Oil to battle Anxiety and Headaches

– Mix 5 to 6 drops of Lavender essential oil to your bath water if you have dry skin.

– Diffuse 10 to 12 drops of Lavender into the air during your workday for natural stress relief and to provide an alluring air fragrance.

– Improve your skin, ward off insects, relax your mind and improve your sleeping habit by bathing in water in which you have added 2 drops of Lavender per ounce to other unrefined organic oil, like almond oil or olive oil.

The lavender lemonade is both refreshing and beneficial to your health. It can be taken when ever needed as the frequency or quantity of drink has no adverse effects.

 

 

Source: Collective Evolution, Living Traditionally