Lavender is widely grown around the world, in the Mediterranean, (France, Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Moldova, Crimea), as well as in the U.S., Canada, Central Asia and Australia. It is one of the most widely used oils in the world. The versatility of the therapeutic properties of lavender essential oil reflects its complexity. The proportions of the various elements differ, depending on botanical varieties of lavender along with soil and climatic growing conditions of raw materials. For example, after a dry and hot summer, there will be more esters in the oil than after rainy weather. The highest quality lavender grows at altitudes of 700 to 1400 meters. The result is an exceptional oil deep in fragrance.

HISTORY

In Ancient Egypt lavender was used as a soothing and healing balm. Egyptians, Phoenicians and the people of Arabia used lavender as a perfume and also for mummification by wrapping the dead in lavender dipped shrouds. During mummification vessels containing lavender were sealed in the tombs with the mummies. Margret Piton wrote in her book, The book of Magical Herbs, “When the mummy of Tutankhamun was removed, the smell of lavender was still strong even after 3,000 years.”
The Romans and Greeks used lavender as a remedy for infections. Roman soldiers took lavender on campaigns with them to dress war wounds. Lavender was strewn on the floor to sweeten the air, fumigate sick rooms and as incense for religious ceremonies. It was also used to scent the water in Roman baths. In fact, the baths served as the root of the plant’s current name. The word lavender is derived from the Latin lavare, meaning, “to wash”.
Lavender water was very popular during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in the age of Queen Henrietta Marie, Queen Elizabeth I and the Stuarts. Queen Elisabeth used lavender in tea to treat her frequent migraine headaches and as a perfume. She was so fond of lavender that she encouraged the development of lavender farms in England.
Hippocrates, the Greek physician, believed that the body must be treated as a whole and lavender warms the brain. Interestingly, the view of the seventeenth century herbalist, John Parkinson, coincided with the opinion of Hippocrates. He wrote that lavender is “a remarkable remedy for all diseases of the head and brain”.
Interestingly, lavender and its essential oil was used for centuries by both male and females in France. The French chemist and perfumer, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, received a severe burn in 1910 and dipped the burned hand by mistake into a vessel of lavender oil instead of a container of water. The pain from the burn subsided, and by making bandages impregnated with lavender oil, he successfully healed the burn without scarring. This incident forced him to analyze the chemical composition of lavender oil and he began to explore other essential oils that contain large amounts of biologically active elements that have a medical value. Since 1920, the lavender oil has acquired a second birth due to this historical accident. For example, during the Second World War, French doctors widely used lavender essential oil to heal wounds.

PROPERTIES AND USAGE

The following is a list of the best known therapeutic properties of lavender: analgesic, antiarrhythmic, antibacterial, antiseptic, antidepressant, antifungal, antitoxic, antiviral, chlorotic, decongestant, deodorizer, diuretic, hypotensive, insecticide, stimulates the repair of tissue, sedative, stimulates gastric acid creation, and vermifuge.

Lavender is used for: depression, headaches, migraines, tension, anxiety, irritability, lability (instability) of the psyche, overexcitement, hysteria, insomnia, joint and muscle pain, inflammation, burns, wounds, ulcers, erosions, eczema, psoriasis, cold injury, colds, respiratory viral infections, influenza, diseases of the respiratory tract (laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, whooping cough) neuritis, neuralgia, paralysis (as a pain reliever and antispasmodic), atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, angina, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias (tachycardia, atrial fibrillation), rheumatism, gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, atony of the stomach and intestines, enteritis, ulcerative colitis, flatulence, cholecystitis and cholangitis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis, kidney stones, helminthic infestations, itching, redness, irritation, swelling, peeling skin, treatment for dry and sensitive skin, caring for oily skin (pimples), dandruff, breakage and hair loss, travel (for better acclimatization) and insect bites.

MEDICINE

Lavender oil is widely used in medicine. It has the property to stimulate the growth of healthy new cells. It has natural anti-inflammatory properties which can be used to help heal minor burns and wounds, reduces itching, swelling, and redness. It is used in the treatment of other skin disorders such as eczema. It also is helpful in preventing scarring. Lavender oil also has antifungal properties to fight skin and nail infection. It is recommended to have it in a first aid kit, in the kitchen, for use in cases of cuts, bruises, and burns. This is one of the rare oils that can be applied undiluted to the skin. Rub 1-3 drops of oil to the problem areas morning and evening.
Lavender oil is also a good pain reliever for muscle aches, regardless of the cause. It is best used in a massage oil (10 ml base oil and 5-7 drops of lavender oil). For muscular pain use as an aroma bath with lavender (6-8 drops per bath). The effect is enhanced in a mixture with oil of oregano.
It is a very effective tool in helping relieve abdominal distension, in relieving persistent flatulence, spells of nausea as well as indigestion.
Lavender oil is useful for menstrual cramps or scanty menstruation. You can massage the lower abdomen with oil or apply a hot compress to the area.
Lavender oil is used for headaches and migraines. Drinking lavender tea may help relieve migraines. A more powerful tool is to make a cold compress of lavender oil and place on the forehead or temples. You can use the same recipe in the article “Rules of Aromatherapy” along with oils of peppermint, lemon balm and marjoram.
The most ancient known property of lavender oil is its sedative, calming, and soothing effects. Cold inhalations are recommended for delirium, changes in mood, anxiety, irritability, and depression.
To calm an anxious child and help him fall asleep use only one drop of lavender oil in the tub. Just before you add the essential oil to the bath, dissolve one drop in a base oil. After the bath, thoroughly wash and dry your child’s hands to prevent the oil from getting into the eyes.
Lavender is effective in the treatment of insomnia. For a sleep aid use 2-3 drops of lavender oil on a handkerchief or pillow. To improve the effect of sleep, you can use a mixture. For example, 3 drops lavender, 2 drops chamomile and 1 drop of rosemary oils. You can do a nightly self-massage mix of 10 ml of base oil (e.g. olive or sunflower) together with 4 drops of lavender or you can add 1 drop of myrrh and 3 drops of juniper to 2 drops lavender.
Lavender oil is valuable in cases of heart problems, especially people with high blood pressure and different types of arrhythmias. Lavender tones and soothes the heart muscle. With heart problems, use cold inhalation (5-6 drops on your oil burner), massage (10 ml base oil and 5-7 drops of lavender oil) or warm, not hot, aromatic bath (6-8 drops per bath). There is literature with recommendations for the use of lavender oil internally. For example, 1-3 drops mixed with a half glass of light beer before bedtime for insomnia, palpitations or angina attacks. You can also put 2-5 drops in honey or in an alcoholic solution and drink 2-3 times a day.
The use of lavender oil is a wonderful adjuvant for the treatment of colds, sinusitis, infectious diseases, sore throat, flu and respiratory tract diseases (bronchitis, laryngitis, etc.). For inhalation use 6-10 drops of oil to the device for inhalation or in a bowl with hot water. To reduce cough you can massage the neck with 2-4 drops of pure lavender oil. Sedative action calms the tickle, and inhalation is effective in the elimination of infection in the respiratory tract. For colds a few drops of oil to massage into the skin above the eyebrows and on both sides of the nostrils.
It is believed that lavender oil cleanses the spleen and the liver and stimulates bile production and thus contributes to the digestion of fats. Baths with lavender oil is good to treat diseases of the urogenital system, in particular, thrush and cystitis.

BODY, SKIN, AND HAIR CARE

Lavender essential oil is widely used in cosmetics and perfumes. In particular it is used for its soothing, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Lavender oil is valuable for the treatment of acne. It prevents the growth of bacteria, soothes skin and controls sebum, thus promoting healing of pimples without scarring and blemishes. For acne and pimples apply lavender oil to the skin morning and night. Regular oil users claim that lavender has astringent properties that removes pore impurities and rejuvenates the skin.
The smell of lavender oil is a favorite of the French. France produces lavender in large quantities for use in deodorants, shampoos, lotions, toilet waters and colognes. Interestingly, some people in France use lavender as the base oil. The addition of rose and jasmine oil creates an aromatic smell of an exotic perfume.
Lavender is a very good tool for hair care. Add 2-4 drops to your brush for grooming hair and comb your hair. It not only smells pleasant but it also helps condition the hair naturally. It is also believed that lavender stimulates hair growth, and its antibacterial properties improve the condition of the scalp. To get rid of dandruff, add 2-3 drops of lavender to shampoo or water for rinsing hair. To care for dull or oily hair you can use a mixture of several drops of lavender oil and lemon juice, cooked no less than half an hour before use, to add to the water for the final rinse.
You can also add lavender oil with a good quality carrier oil for a soothing message to de-stress. It is also good in lotions and tonics for skin care of the face or body.
Lavender oil is a natural insect repellent for use at home or when traveling. Use lavender oil in a lotion base or carrier oil; or as a spray before applying to the skin as a bug repellent. Mixing lavender oil with grapefruit or eucalyptus oil is great as a bug repellent. Lavender is also popular for placing in wardrobes to deter moths and other insects and to give a unique subtle aroma for scenting rooms.

HOME AND COOKING

The Japanese have found that placing lavender oil in stores increases the sale of goods. It’s also a great choice for high pressure environments where a calming atmosphere would work best for improving productivity and quality of operations as well as significantly reducing the number of viral diseases.
Lavender is an incredibly versatile herb for cooking. English Lavender has the sweetest fragrance of all the lavenders and is the one most commonly used in cooking. Because of the strong, over powering flavor of lavender, the secret is that a little goes a long way. Make sure to buy culinary lavender buds specially marked for cooking. Do not use lavender from a florist in cooking as it may have been sprayed with a pesticide and other undesirable chemicals. Lavender is also used to infuse vinegars and various drinks.