Personal Use
We have a few different species of Lavender and Many Lavandula Angistifolias from different countries. The chemistry varies greatly from specie to specie but only slightly from country to country. The affinity to a certain country's lavender is personal. Remember the essential oil carries the energy of the country!
The French Lavender has a Robust Aroma
Lavender angustifolia... also known as True Lavender or Lavender Fine. Lavender is one of the oils that is completely taken for granted. I think much of that is because of the over use in fragrant fake products. Lavender is one of the most versatile oils ...PERIOD. I like to think of it as a Bridge Oil. By this I mean it blends well with almost every other essential oil and can connect two seemingly unrelated oils in a beautiful formulation.
Lavender angustifolia has numerous aromatherapy applications both therapeutically and energetically.
- Clinical studies have found that lavender has effective analgesic properties. Lavender is an effective treatment for reducing pain and anxiety especially in post surgical situations.
- In another study, lavender was found to be effective in reducing the effects of asthma, making it a great anti inflammatory for the lungs and respiratory complaints.
- Lavender was also found to be a powerful anxiolytic and also help with depression.
- Lavender's sleep enhancing and sedative properties are probably what comes to mind when you hear the word Lavender Essential Oil. These properties are due to primarily the great amount of linalool and linalyl acetate. Inhalation of lavender was shown to induce states of relaxation and sedation, altered EEG responses, enhanced deep sleep and improved energy when awakening. (Battaglia).
- Lavender is a fantastic wound healer as it promotes healing in the early stages of the injury. Lavender heals the wound without leaving a scar. Please note the Lavandins and Spike lavender are more of a disinfectant than True lavender.
- Lastly, lavender has been found to be effective when suffering from a headache.
Traditional Use
Lavender has an outstanding sedative and healing effect on the nervous system. Considering that so many illnesses are stress-related, Lavender holds a special place in both preventive health care, and in the treatment of tension-related illnesses. The alcohols and esters offer soothing and antispasmodic effects that can ease tight muscles, digestive problems, spasmodic coughs, menstrual cramps, insomnia, and tension headaches.
Lavender's anti-inflammatory, skin-healing properties help heal burns, bug bites, wounds, bee stings, rashes, acne and skin irritations or infections. I use a few drops of Lavender in any blend for reducing emotional tension or unwinding physical pain, and for any sudden skin problems. Also effective against acne bacteria. It is an effective heart regulator and helpful in calming heart palpitations, tachycardia and arrhythmia.
Botany
Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, comes form the genus Lavandula consisting of about 47 species of the Lamiaceae (which is the mint family). Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a shrubby plant native to the mountainous regions of the countries bordering the western half of the Mediterranean. Lavenders are generally small evergreen shrubs with gray-green hoary linear leaves. The purple flowers are sparsely arranged on spikes at the tips of long bare stalks and produce small nutlet fruits.
The fragrance of the plant is caused by shining oil glands imbedded among tiny star-shaped trichomes (plant hairs) that cover the flowers, leaves, and stems.It is small shrub that grows to 20 to 24 inches both thal and wide. Please note that his includes the flowers stalks in bloom. It is cultivated for its aromatic flowers in various parts of France, in Italy and in England and even as far north as Norway. We actually have lavender from Australia and India as well.l.
