Lavender

Botanical ID

Lavandula Angustifolia

Plant part used

Flowering tops

Place of origin

Eastern Europe, Eastern Africa, Southeast India

Description

An evergreen woody shrub up to 1 meter tall, with pale green, narrow linear leaves and violet-blue flowers. The whole plant is highly aromatic.

Characteristics

Floral, herbaceous, sweet scent with balsamic woody undertone.

Method of extraction

Stream distillation

General

Lavender has been used since ancient times as much as for its perfume as for its medicinal properties. Lavender oil is like nature’s own medicine chest as it has so many uses both physically and emotionally.

Blends well with

Bergamot, Geranium, Jasmine, Sweet Orange, Lemon, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Rosewood, Rosemary and Ylang Ylang.

Indications

Mind & Spirit – Well known for sedative properties therefore useful in treating depression, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension, hysteria, and headaches (direct application, vaporizer, bath, massage or blended in base cream). Alleviates stress associated with both physiological and emotional stress e.g. Spasms, cramps, pain, irritability and mental distractions (vaporizer or compress).

Body – Lavenders antiseptic properties make it ideal for relieving the symptoms of coughs, colds, sinus, and flu.

Skin & Hair – Commonly used for healing of the skin due to its antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties (direct application, blended in base cream). Useful in treating dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, sunburn and sun stroke (compress, direct application or bath).