For as long as I can remember, I have had a love affair with lavender. The essential oil of English Lavender, lavandula angustifolia is a regular of mine and I use it daily. The aroma brings about a sense of comfort, well being and calm. My Nanna used to have some growing in her garden in the Perth Hills and I have fond memories of playing outside amongst the rosemary and lavender on those weekends when I would stay the night at her house. The sweet aromatic scent always put me at ease and me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I still feel that way today.
Lavender has been used for thousands of years and it has a wide list of applications. It is especially valuable for skin care and skin conditions as it promotes skin cell regeneration and kills bacteria, is antibiotic, antiviral, may prevent scarring and ease pain. As a cut flower, lavender is dried to be used for clothes and linen fresheners, as a tea with slices of lemon, in muffins and cakes, as a herbal pillow, in a therapeutic heat pack for tired achey muscles or loving displayed in vases around the home.
One of the great properties of Lavender is it's ability to increase energy within the body, enhancing the function of the glands, whilst strengthening the body's systems. Lavender helps the body to achieve balance by relieving cramps and spasms and reducing inflammation. It eases problems of the digestive, respiratory and urinary systems and is an extremely effective pain reliever, making it's use perfect for the massage setting. It's anti-inflammatory properties provide relief from problems like, arthritis, sciatica, headaches, muscle tension, cramping and menstrual pain.
As an essential oil, lavender has many applications. Using an oil burner, you can create a calming and relaxing aroma that permeates through the air. Drops can be added to your bath or even on a handkerchief to place under your pillow for restful sleeps. Lavender can be added to a base oil for massage to ease and relax tired and aching muscles. Blend lavender with eucalyptus oil and you have a powerful concoction that will assist in healing colds and flu, infections, and ease depression. I frequently massage my children with just a few drops of lavender in some coconut oil before their bedtime or after a big day of sport. Diffusing lavender in an aromatherapy diffuser makes for a calming, peaceful and sleep inducing environment in Baby P's bedroom.
When it comes to Stress, there is nothing better than lavender. Lavender is the great leveller. It can create a sense of calm and clears mental chaos. It has the ability to harmonise and balance every aspect of our bodies and minds. Lavender reduces stress and calms the nervous system, lifting feelings of depression and easing headaches and insomnia.This is why lavender was the chosen flower for my wedding. The flowers have beautiful blue and purple hues and a lovely vintage feel. For our wedding, I used lavender everywhere, creating lavender button pins for the gents, lavender bouquet for myself and bridesmaids and a white chocolate and lavender wedding cake. The bouquets and decorations were the perfect sensory experience for the wedding. The mood was calm and relaxed and the atmosphere romantic and spiritual, the lavender so lovely to look at and smell.
Five Ways with Lavender:
- Feel it. Have a lavender massage. Be it deep relaxation or deep tissue, a massage that uses lavender oil is bound to make you feel energised.
- Soak it. Have a lavender bath. You can use lavender essential oils directly in the bath, or perhaps lavender bath salts or lavender bath bubbles are more your thing. This bath will have a calming and soothing affect on your whole body and mind, promoting good sleep.
- Smell it. With an essential oil burner, place 15 drops in a diffuser will keep your home or office smelling amazing and will create a comforting environment.
- Grow it. Plant lavender bushes in your garden and along your paths. This bush is very hardy and smells great. The essence of the flowers will be released each time you brush past.
- Drink it. Take a tablespoon of dried lavender flowers, a few slices of lemon and your favourite teapot and you've got yourself a nurturing herbal tea that will soothe your insides.
I didn't know you could drink lavender as a tea. Thanks Nic, i'm going to give it a go.
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DeleteLavender tea is just lovely Tricia. You don't have to use dried flowers, you can use fresh lavender strait from the garden. I would use maybe one small lavender flower head to begin with, until you are used to the flavour. It blends really well with lemon, a slice of apple too :)
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