Lavender - Uses of Essential Oil and Education

Ancient Romans added lavender to their bath water to induce a calming and relaxing effect (lavender comes from the Latin word "lavare", which means "to wash"). Over the years, this herb continued to gain popularity for treating a whole range of ailments, from muscle pain and headaches to depression and irritability, not to mention general sleep disorders. Lavender was also popular in the Victorian age - people often carried handkerchiefs perfumed with the scent to calm anxiety.
Lavender has a clean, powerful, floral, powdery, and pleasing aroma. It is pale yellow in color. It is the most versatile and adulterated of all essential oils. Therapeutic-grade lavender is calming, sedative, a muscular relaxant, anti-inflammatory, a powerful tonic for the entire system. It is highly regarded for use in skin conditions such as acne, to soothe burns and scalds. Lavender has been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations. Inhaled, it can ease depression, nervous tension and just relax the tensions - physically and emotionally.
There have been many research studies on lavender. In a study conducted at the University of Miami's Touch Research Institute published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, adults exposed to lavender showed increased beta power, suggesting increased relaxation. The subjects in this study performed math computations faster and with fewer errors and experienced less depression.
Lavender is balancing and is useful for a multitude of ailments. It is considered the universal oil and is good for all skin types. It helps the body regenerate new skin cells and minimizes scarring, an excellent oil for sunburns and other types of burns, useful in healing acne and eczema, good for hair and scalp. This oil is very good for headaches, especially PMS headaches, as well as sharp aches and pains. Use it to calm the nervous system, lower high blood pressure, calms palpitations, is balancing to the central nervous system.
Use lavender oil on hyperactive children and dogs to calm them. This oil clears the spirit while gently soothing it, relieving anger, exhaustion and stress, and is very useful for manic-depressives in balancing the ups and downs.
Lavender brings energy of peace to all the chakras of the body, as well as opening the heart and crown chakra. It encourages feelings of patience and security. It balances the heart chakra system.
Precautions: None, use small doses on children and dogs or cats.
1. Rub lavender oil on the bottoms of the feet for a calming effect on the body.
2. Rubbing a drop of lavender oil on the palms and smoothed on the bedtime pillow may aid sleep.
3. A drop of lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite may soothe itching, stinging and discomfort.
4. 2-3 drops of lavender oil may soothe a minor burn.
5. Add a few drops of lavender oil to chilled water in a spray bottle and spritz the skin for a soothing, cooling, fragrant pick-me-up.
6. Mixing several drops of lavender oil with V-6â„¢ Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex, almond or jojoba oil and applied topically may be soothing to skin irritations.
7. Placing a drop of lavender oil on the end of the tongue, around the naval, or behind the ears may help to alleviate motion sickness symptoms.
8. A drop of lavender oil on C-5 vertebra can relieve hiccups.
9. Rubbing lavender oil that has been blended into V-6â„¢ Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex, jojoba or almond oil on dry or chapped skin may bring relief.
10. Rubbing lavender oil that has been blended into V-6â„¢ Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex, jojoba or almond oil on chapped or sunburned lips may relieve the discomfort.
11. Massaging lavender oil around the area of scar tissue may help in reducing and/or minimizing the appearance the scar.
12. Rubbing 2 - 4 drops of lavender oil on the armpit area may act as a deodorant.
13. Rubbing a drop of lavender oil between your palms and inhaling deeply may help in alleviating the discomfort of airborne pollen and/or dust.
14. Rubbing several drops of lavender oil into the scalp may help with dry scalp and flaking.
15. A few drops of lavender oil on a cotton ball placed in the linen closet will scent the linens and may help repel moths and insects.
16. A drop of lavender oil in a water fountain will scent the air and may help sanitize and prolong the time between cleanings.
17. A few drops of lavender oil on a wet cloth tossed into the dryer, can deodorize and freshen the laundry.
18. Diffusing lavender oil may support the body's natural defenses against air borne sensitivities to the skin and immune system.
19. Spraying several drops of lavender oil mixed with distilled water on sunburn can help soothe it.
20. Dropping lavender oil on a cut may help clean the wound, sanitize and soothe it.
21. Applying 2-3 drops of lavender oil combined with vitamin E oil to a rash may help and soothe the skin.

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So what is Aromatherapy?

As the word Aromatherapy suggests, it is the art of putting in use the essential oils obtained from aromatic plants and herbs to get the remedial effect and improvement of beauty and well being of the individuals. Prior to 1920s nobody was aware of the term Aromatherapy as such. A French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé accidentally discovered the healing properties of essential oils and coined the term Aromatherapy later on.
Actual history of the use of the essential oils can be traced back to ancient Egyptians and Indians. Egyptians used the essential oils to embalm the dead bodies while Indians and some other civilizations used the essential oils to get the remedial effects against pain relief with great success. There are many ways to extract essential oils from the plants, but the most popular method being distillation through alcohol, as this is a very simple method and alcohol is freely available.
The application of aromatherapy mainly practiced in three ways:
1. by inhalation
2. by topical application and
3. by oral intake
Inhalation is the fastest to react and provide the necessary remedial effect for the respiratory disinfection, decongestion and expectoration etc. The molecules of the volatile essential oils get in contact with the olfactory nerves located in the upper part of the inner nose. After that these molecules are carried to the brain in the limbic system. Limbic system of the brain remains always in contact with the part of the brain which controls rate of heart beats, blood pressure, breathing, hormonal balance and stress level control etc. The molecules cause the secretion of certain biochemicals to affect our mood, state of mind or trigger the remedial effect. To get the best results from the inhaling method the essential oils are either spread on a tissue or added to the water for bath or defused in a vaporizer.
Topical application is used for the general massage, baths, compresses, therapeutic skin care, rectal, vaginal interfaces for infection, congestion, parasites etc. Most of the essential oils are not greasy and gets readily absorbed by the skin. The route of the absorption is usually through the hair follicles and sweat gland openings from there they travel to the blood stream and reach to the affected part of the body. These oils not only kill the viruses and the bacteria but at the same time they strengthen the immune system of the body to prevent further attack and start a speedy recovery process. Each essential oil has distinct set of properties and benefits. The essential oils are applied to the skin always in diluted form since the application of raw essential oil can harm you. The dilution is achieved by mixing appropriate quantity of raw essential oil in carrier oil. It is always better for the people with delicate or sensitive skin to test the reactivity of the essential oils before starting the application.
Oral intake is practiced rarely as some of the essential oils are toxic in nature and besides that intake of raw oils may harm you therefore it is advisable that if you are going to opt for the oral intake, then it should be done under the expert supervision only. Generally oral application of the essential oils is done for the problems relating to the denture and gums and the oils used are clove, tea tree, myrrh, thyme and peppermint.
There are host of benefits from the aromatherapy which you can avail during your normal day to day life. First of them is the aromatherapy bath, it is a very pleasant and soothing way to relax your tired and overstressed bodies. The essential oil present in the water cleans up the pores of the skin and allows it to breathe naturally and relaxes the muscles too. The next inline is the aromatherapeutic massage it doubles up the benefit of the massage and aromatherapy. The massage revitalizes and stimulates the organs while the essential oil gets penetrated deep inside into the blood stream to clear the toxins out.
There is one more plus point of aromatherapy; it does not offer any side effect as compared to the conventional medications. May be that is the reason more and more people are coming under aromatherapy. Its popularity has grown to immensely in the recent time so as it has been accepted as one of the alternative medicine in many countries.
If you have not tried it yet, then you are really missing something. So give it a try today.

Leanne Kemp is the Managing Director for Wotaboutme. Look online to find a day spa, haircut, aromatherapy massage anywhere in Australia. Perfect for gifts for him or gifts for her. For updates, check out the Wotaboutme Blog

Eucalyptus: Not Just for Koalas

Eucalyptus globulus is a tree native to Tasmania and mainland Australia. There are about 300 different species of Eucalyptus, making it one of the most common genera of the Australian flora.
The Eucalyptus Tree
Leaves of the eucalyptus are leathery to the touch, and hang obliquely or vertically from the stem of the plant. The leaves feature glands that secrete fragrant volatile oils. These oils are used for various medicinal purposes.
When in bud, eucalyptus blossoms are covered in a cup-like membrane, hence the name which translates to "well-covered." In full bloom, the flower full expands and the "lid" of the membrane falls off. The eucalyptus fruit is held in a cup-shaped, woody receptacle that also contains many tiny seeds.
The eucalyptus tree grows very quickly and can reach 480 feet, higher than even the mighty California giant sequoia. Eucalyptus trees are used for timber, but they are more valued for the oils they produce. Eucalyptus oils can be divided into three main classifications, each with commercial significance: aromatic, medicinal and industrial oils.
Eucalyptus Oil
Oil is removed from eucalyptus leaves by aqueous distillation. It is a colorless or straw-colored liquid material with a characteristic odor and taste and soluble in its own weight of alcohol. Likely the most powerful antiseptic of its class, eucalyptus oil has decided disinfectant action. It is most potent when it's aged and it can destroy the lower forms of life.
The most important component of eucalyptus oil is eucalyptol. Species of eucalyptus globulus contain up to 70 percent eucalyptol, making it a capable disinfectant.
Internally, eucalyptus oil acts like a typical volatile oil to a remarkable degree. It is a stimulant and can be employed as an antiseptic gargle. If locally applied, eucalyptus oil can diminish sensibility and increase cardiac action. With its antiseptic properties, the oil from this plant may have some response against malaria but it's not as powerful as the more traditional anti-malarial remedy, cinchona.
Two significant effects of eucalyptus are its roles in stimulating and balancing. With middle notes of woody scents and camphorous, eucalyptus is an important ingredient in aromatherapy products and nasal inhalants. The many medicinal properties of eucalyptus make it useful in analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antiseptics, antiviral medications and stimulants.
Eucalyptus can be put to use as an air disinfectant and a decongestant. It is used to treat asthma, bronchitis, treat burns, cuts, influenza, and headaches. The powerful aroma of eucalyptus acts as an effective insect repellant. It may also treat muscle aches, rheumatism, sinusitis, skin ulcers, urinary infections, and wounds.
Inhaling Eucalyptus Steam
Steam inhalations can be very beneficial as they all hot, moist air to enter the respiratory tract. Eucalyptus is a natural choice for steam inhalations, as it is widely regarded for its decongestant properties. Using the oil as a steam inhalation can help to unblock sinuses and nasal passages.
To prepare a eucalyptus steam inhalation, you'll need a kettle of boiling water, some eucalyptus oil, a large towel or sheet and a large container or bowl.
With the materials at hand, pour about four to six cups of boiling water from the kettle to the bowl. Add three drops of eucalyptus oil to the boiling water. Place your head over the bowl with your eyes looking downward. Use the sheet or towel as a "tent" to enclose your face and head over the bowl. With eyes closes, inhale deeply and breathe slowly. Continue for about 15 minutes, or until the nasal passages are cleared.

Writer Venus Enock is a writer for several well-known Internet magazines, on man health and alternative health subjects.

Essentials Oils - Natures Precious Gift

Essential Oils: Nature's Precious Gift Have you ever wondered what is the reason of perfume in flowers and other plant parts? They are the essential oils. But in addition to the aromatic part, the essential oils also contain plant hormones and some other compounds. The essential oils are highly effective at very low concentrations. They have considerable effects on plants, animals as well as insects. The main reason of this is that the essential oils are very ancient compounds that were produced by the very ancient plants and have been produced ever since. The animals existed with the plants from the beginning. This long term of co-existence has caused them to respond to these essential oils in some way or the other.
The essential oils are extracted today by expression, steam distillation or solvent extraction. The last process of essential oil extraction however kills some of their therapeutic and other values. This renders them less effective. These solvent extracted essential oils are available in the market at a low cost. However, they are less effective and therefore less advisable. In the distillation process of extraction, water and steam are used to remove the oils out of fresh or dried plants. Solvent extraction uses the use of a solvent like alcohol to extract the essential oils.
Essential oils have been mentioned in the very ancient literature. These oils were used in the days long back in the Egyptian civilization. They were also being used in the ancient India, Rome, etc. The essential oils were generally used as a source of perfume in the ancient days. The Egyptians had big machines for extracting the Essential oils. As they were used in various other purposes and were dear to afford, the essential oils were also called as 'Precious oils' in the ancient days. Their use in religious rituals also assigned them the name of 'sacred oils'. However, the essential oils name exists now.
The therapeutic value of essential oils is admirable. In the contemporary period, they have been used first by a French Chemist in treatment. This kind of treatment was coined the term 'aromatherapy'. The aromatherapy is used even today, since most of the essential oils effect in a much pleasant way on human health. Being natural, they don't generally cause a side effect. However, some may have adverse effects.
The essential oils can help in the cure of anxiety, depression, fatigue, memory problems, headaches, insomnia, etc. They sometimes show an unbelievably fast action. This is because they can easily enter through the skin and even through the cell membranes into the cells. One of the most important uses of some essential oils is that they improve the body immunity. To know more about essential oils, please visit us directly.

We import all of our oils directly from the distiller. So all oils are pure and natural. For more information about Essential Oils and there uses. Visit us online at http://www.Lifegivingessentials.com