If you only use one essential oil, this is it!  Lavender (lavandula angustifolia) is the most versatile of all essential oils. This universal oil has traditionally been known to balance the body and to work wherever there is a need.

Most commonly known for its relaxing effects on the body, organic therapeutic-grade lavender has also been highly regarded for the skin. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations. The fragrance is calming, relaxing and balancing – physically and emotionally. Carrying a bottle of lavender around with you is like having your own personal first aid kit, perfume and pick-me-up.

Lavender is native to northern Africa and the mountainous Mediterranean regions, and thrives best in sunny, stony habitats. Today, it grows throughout southern Europe, the United States, and Australia. French Lavender fields are famous all over the world for their beauty and enchanting smell.

Lavender has been used for over 2,500 years. Ancient Persians, Greeks, and Romans added the flowers to their bathwater to help wash and purify their skin. In fact, the word “Lavender” comes from the Latin word “lavare,” which means “to wash.” Phoenicians, Arabians, and Egyptians used lavender as a perfume, as well as for mummification.

In Greece and Rome, it was used as an all-around cure, while in Medieval and Renaissance Europe, it was scattered all over stone castle floors as a natural disinfectant and deodorant.

Calming and relaxing:  Lavender oil benefits include having a calming, relaxing effect. It’s considered a nervous system restorative and helps with inner peace, sleep, restlessness, irritability, panic attacks, nervous stomach and general nervous tension.

Treat various skin disorders: Like acne, psoriasis, eczema and wrinkles. It also helps form scar tissues, which may be essential in healing wounds, cuts and burns. Lavender can also help soothe insect bites, bee stings and itchy skin.Lavender oil is a natural anti-inflammatory, so it helps reduce itching, swelling and redness.

Beautiful and healthy hair:  It helps kill lice, lice eggs, and nits. It can also be used to treat hair loss by boosting hair growth.

Relieve pain: Lavender oil can help ease sore or tense muscles, joint pain and rheumatism, sprains, backache and lumbago. Simply massage lavender oil onto the affected area. Lavender oil may also help lessen pain following needle insertion.

Improve your digestion: This oil helps stimulate the mobility of your intestine and stimulates the production of bile and gastric juices, which may help treat stomach pain, indigestion, flatulence, colic, vomiting and diarrhea.

Relieve respiratory disorders: Lavender oil can help alleviate respiratory problems like colds and flu, throat infections, cough, asthma, whooping cough, sinus congestion, bronchitis, tonsillitis and laryngitis. It can be applied on your neck, chest, or back, or inhaled via steam inhalation or through a vaporizer.

Improve your blood circulation: It helps lower elevated blood pressure levels, and can be used for hypertension and heart irregularity.

 

Flavor booster: Add a few drops of lavender to any recipe you want to enhance. You can add it to your water or tea (especially sparkling!), brownies, bars, cookies, dessert recipes, raw chocolate or salad dressings.

Lavender is an essential oil that can uplift your life and mood, heal and entice in a variety of ways. It’s a great secret weapon to have on hand at all times!