Lavender
“Good for anxiety, nervous tension,
and stress-related disorders, inner peace”
Latin name: Lavandula angustifolia
Description of plant: An evergreen shrub with bluish-mauve flowers carried in spikes at the end of thin stalks. Native to the Mediterranean area but found worldwide
Nature of oil: Colourless to pale yellow liquid. The aroma is sweet floral-herbaceous, and has an uplifting, calming and refreshing effect
Method of oil extraction: Steam distillation of the flowering tops
Blends well with: Citrus essences, cedarwood, clove, clary sage, coriander, cypress, frankincense, geranium, juniper, mimosa, neroli, rose, oakmoss, petitgrain, pine
Specific precautions required: Generally non-irritant and non-sensitizing, but reports of dermatitis with over-use
Stress-relieving properties include: Healing; good for anxiety, nervous tension, stress-related disorders, inner peace, awareness, balance, relaxation, rejuvenation
Medical properties include: Skin care (most skin types), acne, allergies, athlete’s foot, boils, bruises, eczema, dandruff, dermatitis, burns, chilblains, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies,
insect bites/stings, asthma, earache, coughs, colds/influenza, catarrh, laryngitis, nausea, colic, cystitis, painful menstruation, depression, headache, insomnia, migraine, premenstrual syndrome
Sources
- Wildwood C. Aromatherapy. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 1996.