Lavender essential oil information
Our lavender oil is extracted from Lavandula angustifolia (also known as Lavandula. officinalis, spica and vera), of the Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family. It is also known as garden, common or English lavender.
It is with good reason why lavender oil is one of the most favorite essential oils, as it has wonderful qualities and also smells great. It is a calming, relaxing oil, which combats stress and crisis, while the antiseptic properties helps with cold, flu and other ailments. It is excellent for asthma and migraines. Apart from that it supports female health and on the skin it has a healing effect, while preventing scarring and balancing the skin.
Oil properties
Lavender oil has a light fresh aroma, is clear in color and watery in viscosity.
Origin of lavender oil
It is an evergreen woody shrub about 1 meter high (3 feet), with gray-green narrow linear leaves and the most beautiful purple-blue flowers, perched on a long stem and a few varieties of it grow wild in the Mediterranean region, but the main producer is France.
The name is derived from the Latin word 'lavera' which means 'to wash' and the Romans used it frequently in their bath routine, and it is said to have been introduced by them into England, where it soon was a firm favorite.
It was a favorite for strewing on the floor, since it released an aroma when walked upon and it is often used these days in toilet water, as an insecticide or in sachets to be placed between linen. It is also used to clean wounds and to treat burns.
Extraction
Lavender oil is extracted from the flowering tops by steam distillation and yields 1.4 % - 1.6 %.
Chemical composition
The main chemical components of lavender oil are a-pinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, cis-ocimene, trans-ocimene, 3-octanone, camphor, linalool, linalyl acetate, caryophyllene, terpinen-4-ol and lavendulyl acetate.
Precautions
Although lavender oil is considered one of the safest essential oils, you should discontinue use is you have any allergic reactions.
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of lavender oil are antiseptic, analgesic, anti-convulsant, anti-depressant, anti-rheumatic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, bactericide, carminative, cholagogue, cicatrisant, cordial, cytophylactic, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, nervine, rubefacient, sedative, sudorific and vulnerary.
Lavender oil has a soothing and calming effect on the nerves, relieving tension, depression, panic, hysteria and nervous exhaustion in general and is effective for headaches, migraines and insomnia.
It is also very beneficial for problems such as bronchitis, asthma, colds, laryngitis, halitosis, throat infections and whooping cough and helps the digestive system deal with colic, nausea, vomiting and flatulence.
Lavender oil relieves pain when used for rheumatism, arthritis, lumbago and muscular aches and pains, especially those associated with sport.
On the skin, lavender oil tones and revitalizes and it is useful for all types of skin problems such as abscesses, acne, oily skin, boils, burns, sunburn, wounds, psoriasis, lice, insect bites, stings and also acts as an insect repellent.
Lavender oil is one of the few essentials oils that can be used neat on the skin, and this is especially useful when treating a minor burn wound.
Summary
Lavender oil is one of the most versatile oils and is handy to have around the house, as it can be used for such a variety of problems.
It not only helps with nervous conditions, it is useful for the digestive system, the respiratory tract and skin problems, it also helps with muscle aches and pains and arthritis and rheumatism.
• Burners and vaporizers
o In vapor therapy, lavender oil can be useful for allergies, anorexia, dizziness, sleeplessness (also in children), hay fever, headaches, depression, trauma, anxiety, hysteria, fear, nightmares, irritability, nervous tension and as an insect repellant. Apart from that it can assist to lift depression, help in crisis situations, sooth irritability and relieve stress and thereby help with tense muscles and muscle spasms.
• Blended massage oil or in the bath
o Lavender oil can be used as a massage oil or diluted in the bath, for abdominal pains, allergies, anorexia, arthritis, bowel disorders, fatigue, hay fever, headaches, insomnia, moodiness, trauma, anxiety, depression, hysteria, nightmares, fear, irritability, nervous tension, stress and just for the plain pleasure of relaxing in such a fragrant surrounding.
• As a wash / on a cotton bud
o Lavender oil can be used as a wash or on a cotton bud for acne, insect bites, carbuncles, bruises, chilblains, dandruff and lice.
• Cold compress
o On a cold compress, lavender oil can be used for: arthritis, eczema and sores.
• Cream or lotion
o When it is used in a cream or lotion, it is most helpful with relieving burns, Its cicatrisant properties help the skin heal faster and the cytophylactic properties will help it do so with less scarring. The soothing and anti-inflammatory action of lavender oil will also have a balancing action on the skin and can be used for dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, boils, carbuncles and acne. When employing the anti-inflammatory action of this oil, use in concentrations of less than 1%. Furthermore it will help ease the pain of sunburn and sunstroke and will also counter the itching effect of insect bites.
Lavender oil blends well with
Although essential oils blend well with one another, lavender oil blends particularly well with cedarwood, clary sage, geranium, pine, nutmeg and all the citrus oils.
Lavandin essential oil information
Lavandin oil is extracted from the Lavandula x intermedia (also known as L. hybrida and L. hortensis), of the Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family.
Although this essential oil is sometimes confused with its cousin, lavender, it really is a wonderful oil and helps you feel more relaxed, easing sore muscles and joints, relieving muscle stiffness, clearing the lungs and sinuses from phlegm and for wound healing and dermatitis. It is really a very good oil to include in a massage blend and although not as well known and used as lavender, it is a very popular and effective ingredient for massage blends.
Oil properties
Lavandin essential oil has a light floral aroma, similar to lavender oil - just sharper and it is clear in color.
Origin of lavandin oil
Lavandin is a hybrid plant developed in 1900 by crossing true lavender (L. angustifolia) with spike lavender or aspic (L. latifolia) and is larger than lavender with a woody stem and blue or gray flowers.
It is grown extensively in France and often preferred by the perfume industry for its oil and the flowers for sachets, potpourri and craft work.
Extraction
Lavandin oil is extracted from the fresh flowering tops by steam distillation.
Chemical composition
The main chemical components of lavandin oil are lavandulol, linalool, linalyl acetate, camphor, cineole, caryophyllene, camphene, dipentene, limonene, ocimene and terpinene.
Precautions
Lavandin oil is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing.
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of lavandin oil are antidepressant, antiseptic, analgesic cicatrisant, expectorant, nervine and vulnerary.
Lavandin oil can be useful in cases of muscle stiffness and aches and pains. It eases the lungs and helps with coughs, colds and flu.
Summary
It has similar qualities to that of true Lavender, but since it has a sharper smell, it is especially useful for treating muscular aches and pains, as well as for circulatory and respiratory problems.
• Burners and vaporizers
o Lavandin oil can be used in vapor therapy for coughs, colds and flu and to promote a more relaxed feeling.
• Blended oil or in the bath
o Lavandin oil can be used as a blended massage oil for muscle and joint pains and is great for relieving muscle stiffness or clearing the lungs and sinuses of phlegm.
• Cream or lotion
o When lavandin oil is used in a cream or lotion it is useful to help the skin heal wounds faster and also calms dermatitis.
Lavandin blends well with
Although essential oils blend well with one another, Lavandin oil blends particularly well with bergamot, citronella, cinnamon, clary sage, jasmin, pine, thyme, patchouli and rosemary.
