Lavender has been the most popular essential oil for centuries. The plant is an easily recognized evergreen shrub with narrow, pale silver-green leaves and spikes of flowers ranging in colour from pink and white to pale or deep blue. It is widely cultivated in France, Bulgaria, and England. Lavender was used by the Romans to bathe in and cleanse wounds. In England it was commonly used to scent linen boxes, as an aid to controlling insects. Lavender water was the favorite perfume of Queen Marie Henrietta, wife of Charles 1 of England, who was responsible for it becoming popular and fashionable.
Applications and Effects
- Mellow, peaceful, and the most versatile of all the essential oils. Particularly useful for burns, stress headaches, and insomnia.
- Skin: Sunburn, bruises, earache, insect bites, cuts.
- Circulatory and muscular systems: Muscular aches and pains, rheumatism.
- Digestive system: Nausea, vomiting, flatulence, indigestion.
- Reproductive and excretory systems: Painful and scanty periods.
- Immune system: ‘Flu, colds, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
- Nervous system: Stress headache, insomnia, shock, vertigo.
- Mental/emotional effects: Gently sedative, its balancing action makes it useful for panic states, or impatience and anger. Lavender cleanses both physically and spiritually. It aids in breaking bad habits and is soothing during a crisis.