| Lavender is one of the most versatile of essential | | | | spasms... lavender essential oil fights against all of |
| oils: if you're starting in aromatherapy, this is without | | | | these predicaments: it is a powerful antispasmodic; it |
| a doubt, the one you get first! It can be used in | | | | increases the secretion of gastric juice in the |
| caring for many ills, for skin care, as a good nervous | | | | stomach; and it improves intestinal mobility. Note that |
| sedative, a muscle relaxant, an anti-inflammatory | | | | it can also eliminate intestinal parasites. The dose is 2 |
| useful in case of rheumatism, and it constitutes an | | | | drops swallowed with a spoonful of vegetable oil or |
| ally of choice for a difficult digestive system. | | | | honey, or half a spoonful of sugar, 3 times per day. |
| Properties and Cosmetic Applications | | | | Muscle Pain, Tendon and Joints |
| Lavender essential oil solves (almost) all the small | | | | Lavender essential oil is an excellent muscle relaxant, |
| problems of the skin. It is healing, promotes tissue | | | | is anti-inflammatory and soothes pain: it is, therefore, |
| regeneration, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, soothing | | | | useful for cramps and also rheumatism. The best |
| and a regulator of sebum (the oily/waxy matter | | | | method is to massage into the effected area, slightly |
| secreted from the skin). It is, therefore, | | | | diluted (2 to 4 drops of essential oil to a spoonful of |
| recommended in the treatment of acne, blotches, | | | | vegetable oil). You can also opt for an aromatic bath |
| stretch marks, wounds and burns, scars, ulcers, | | | | as described above. |
| pressure sores, psoriasis, eczema, insect bites, itching, | | | | Respiratory and Urinary Disorders |
| allergies, dandruff, and even to eradicate lice. For skin | | | | Thanks to its antiseptic properties (anti-bacterial and |
| care, apply 2 to 3 drops direct on the injured, | | | | particularly antiviral), it is useful in treating infections: |
| irritated or infected area. | | | | respiratory infections (bronchitis, coughing, pharyngitis, |
| Nervous Disorders | | | | laryngitis, and some tonsillitis) as well as the cystitis. It |
| Lavender essential oil is powerful for anti-stress. It | | | | also loosens and breaks up mucus, which promotes |
| calms anxieties and nervousness, its natural sedative | | | | expectoration (or spitting) and the clearing of the |
| properties promote sleep (try it if you suffer from | | | | respiratory tract. In these cases, swallow 2 drops of |
| insomnia), it is soothing in cases of excessive | | | | essential oil of lavender 3 times per day. |
| irritability or tachycardia, it relieves migraines (by | | | | Cooking? |
| reducing the blood pressure) and improves | | | | We cannot refer to lavender without saying a word |
| depressive states. | | | | on its culinary applications! It delicately perfumes |
| For all of these, there are several solutions: | | | | crème brulee and custard, fruit salads, biscuits and |
| - Dispersion into the atmosphere, using a diffuser: its | | | | ice creams... a few drops are enough to make you |
| floral scent mixed with the air makes this method | | | | think you are breathing air from the South of France... |
| particularly pleasant, for a feeling of "zen" (its perfect | | | | Try mixing it with yoghurt beaten with a little water |
| also for eradicating tobacco smells). | | | | and a spoonful of honey, or in compote of figs, to |
| - Massage: dilute with vegetable oil (1 part of essential | | | | accompany a white meat or foie gras. |
| oil to 10 parts of vegetable oil), and apply to the solar | | | | Precautions |
| plexus, foot arches, or along the spine. | | | | As with all essential oils, large doses and prolonged |
| - Aromatic bath: 10 drops mixed with a foam bath, | | | | treatments are to be avoided. The lavender essential |
| bath salts or simply to a spoonful of milk; dilute in hot | | | | oil is also prohibited during the first quarter of |
| water. Digestive system | | | | pregnancy, and for babies less than three months old, |
| Digestions difficulties, flatulence, nausea, digestive | | | | (in contrast, it can be used after three months). |