Lavender Love

Lavender Love

 

Have you ever wondered why an image of a lavender field has become the iconic representation of essential oil therapy?

Below is a mini monograph for the botanical, Lavandula angustifolia. Its aromatic influence is calming, relaxing and balancing both physically and emotionally. On chemistry, plants support and modulate the human body to regulate health because of the therapeutics offered by their constituents. 

 

 

Rene Maurice Gattefossé

 

Let's explore how lavender became the iconic oil that is synonymous to aromatherapy today. It was Rene Maurice Gattefossé, perfumer and chemist, who coined the term “aromatherapie” in 1937. My aromatherapy mentors shared that probably the most important thing to remember about Gattefossé is that he clearly meant to distinguish the medicinal application of the oils from their perfumery application.*

He figured in a lab accident and writes: “The external application of small quantities of essences rapidly stops the spread of gangrenous sores. In my personal experience, after a laboratory explosion covered me with burning substances which I extinguished by rolling on a grassy lawn, both my hands were covered with a rapidly developing gas gangrene. Just one rinse with lavender essence stopped “the gasification of the tissue.” This treatment was followed by profuse sweating, and healing began the next day.”†

 

Everybody and every body loves lavender!

 

Lavender is one of the most versatile, nourishing, and all-around supportive essential oils. It is regarded as the Swiss army knife of oils simply because it is terrific at almost anything! It is a fact that pure and true lavender could replace a number of products in your wellness cabinet on its own. Lavender’s brilliance really stands out in blends for topical application and inhalation. 

 

Considered the "mother of all essential oils,” Lavender is the one oil to always have around. It not only covers a huge range of applications, it is considered an amplifier and boosts the action and benefits of other oils.

 

Intuitive coach, author, and educator Nan Martin shares that emotionally, lavender helps people relax and take change in stride, rather than getting worked up about what can not be controlled. It soothes the emotional mind and body, opens the heart, fosters communication and brings clarity and intuitive insight, if you are willing to open up in a relaxed manner.‡

 

It's such a loved aroma that fake lavender abounds. Which explains why some lavender scents give you a headache. The untrained nose may not know, but the brain does and there is more synthetic lavender fragrance today than the actual lavender available to produce pure essential oil. Many synthetic chemicals in fragrances are derived from petrochemicals. They include phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors, and tons of known carcinogens. Remember: Fragrance is man-made whereas aromas, are nature-made. Stay away from fragrance and lean into nature.

 

What do you use Lavender essential oil for?

 

I love this question, because the uses of Lavender are endless! I am happy to share the wonder it adds to your relaxation, your sleep, your skin, your hair, and your happiness.◊

 

1. Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a tissue, tuck it inside your pillowcase, and ease into sleepy slumbers. 
2. Rub your cares away with a foot massage! Lavender’s soothing aroma will help you focus on what’s important while your feet get some TLC. 
3. “Can I leave Lavender oil in my hair?” The answer is a resounding “yes!” A drop or two of Lavender mixed with Rosemary essential oil into your shampoo or hair serum is a recipe for a great hair day. 
4. Soothe minor skin irritations by adding Lavender to your daily face wash (I can teach you how to create one!) or on your skin emergencies. 
5. Embrace the years as they go by and support your aging skin by adding Lavender to your moisturizer.  
6. Blemishes banished? It’s not magic; it’s just Lavender essential oil! Apply a drop or two to those pesky red spots and reduce the appearance of blemishes.
7. After hours of play under the sun, rub Lavender onto your irritated skin for a soothing sensation. 
8. Create gentle Lavender makeup remover pads and your skin will thank you for the royal treatment!
9. Continue your night as a queen, or king, with a Lavender oatmeal bath soak. You can also do a mini version with a foot soak! 
10. You know what you might enjoy as much as the smell of Lavender? The taste! Add a splash of elegance to your lemonade or cupcakes with Lavender Vitality™.
11. Are curveballs being thrown your way? Combine Lavender and Peppermint in a relaxing  massage to help relieve occasional head tension.
12. Best known for its calming properties and comforting aroma, sit back, relax, and let all your worries float away with this peaceful oil. 

 

To conclude, Lavender blends well with everyone! Here are examples of how its aromatic profile can be enjoyed in the diffuser in different combinations. 

 

 

So if you need help with skin, sleep, and soothing emotions and would like to purchase pure, unadulterated lavender essential oil on retail in 5 and 15ml bottles,  grab a bottle of Lavender here and connect with me!

 

 

XOXOX,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Shutes, J., & Galper, A. (2020). The New Aromatherapy. In The Ultimate Guide to Aromatherapy (p. 11). Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

 

†René-Maurice Gattefossé (author) Robert B. Tisserand (editor) 1993 Gattefossé's aromatherapy: the first book on aromatherapy. CW Daniel, Saffron Walden, p 87

 

‡ Martin, N. (n.d.). The Benefits of Lavender Oil. Experience Essential Oils. Retrieved April 9, 2022, from https://www.experience-essential-oils.com/benefits-of-lavender-oil.html

 

◊Young Living Essential Oils. (2019, February 19). 12 Reasons Lavender is Still Our Favorite. The Lavender Life Blog. Retrieved April 9, 2022, from https://www.youngliving.com/blog/lavender-essential-oil-uses-and-benefits/