The Sensational Health Benefits of Lavender Aromatherapy

When it comes to aromatherapy for health, lavender is one of the best essential oils you can have on hand. Before you get started with lavender make sure to read up on the basics of aromatherapy.

The benefits of lavender, a fragrant flowering herb, have been documented for well over 2000 years. The Egyptians used lavender for mummification purposes. It’s been noted that the Virgin Mary was fond of lavender’s insect repellant qualities. The Romans used lavender to freshen their breath and baths. Middle Age and Renaissance women used dried lavender to repel the plague. And by the 16th century herbalists began to hype the healing qualities of lavender exclaiming that it could treat everything from stomach pain to mental illness. Currently most aromatherapy books and organizations present lavender as one of the most overall useful essential oils to have in your home.

Lavender oil, when diluted can be inhaled or massaged into your skin. Lavender is effective in a number of ways. Simplified, breathing in lavender aroma stimulates your olfactory receptor cells which carry nerve impulses to your brain and tiny amounts are absorbed into your bloodstream through your lungs.

Lavender for Health

Although numerous people utilize the healing qualities of lavender, not all uses have been proven for safety and effectiveness. According to The National Institute of Health the following are some positive uses of lavender that are based on scientific evidence.

Anxiety: When it comes to relieving anxiety and promoting relaxation, lavender aromatherapy shines bright. Many small studies have reported positive results, although scientists agree that further studies are necessary to understand the full benefits.

Hair Loss: Lavender alone does little for hair loss. But when mixed with thyme, rosemary, and cedarwood and massaged onto the scalp lavender appears to bring improvements for those experiencing hair loss.

Overall Wellbeing: Lavender used as a bath additive helps to improve positive moods and decrease negative moods, such as anger and frustration. This includes workplace stress. Lavender has been used successfully to calm employees during break periods and to promote positive work performance.

Pain: Patients with lower back pain reported less pain when treated with lavender, especially when lavender was used concurrently with acupressure.

Agitation: Small clinical trials show that certain patients with severe dementia experienced decreased agitation when they used lavender aromatherapy.

Antibacterial: Lavender when used on the skin has certain antibacterial qualities.

Lavender has not been fully tested in clinical trials for every reported use. This doesn’t mean that lavender is not useful, just that lavender has not yet been studied as rigorously as some other treatments. Throughout the ages lavender has been reported to successfully relieve and treat a multitude of conditions. Motion sickness, fever, discomfort after childbirth, low blood pressure, minor burns, insomnia, tension headaches, toothaches, and heartburn are just some of the conditions lavender is reported to treat. Lavender is also widely thought to be a great insect repellant, appetite stimulant, immune system stimulant, and aphrodisiac.

The best thing to do is to try lavender aromatherapy treatments personally. Like chemical medications, what works for one individual won’t always work for another.

Lavender Therapy Recipes

Here’s a great smelling lavender headache treatment that always cures my headaches and as a bonus, makes my hair smell fantastic.

4 drops pure lavender essential oil

2 drops pure peppermint essential oil

Mix the 6 drops of essential oil into a few drops of your favorite base oil. I use Sweet Almond oil. Start at the back of your neck and massage up along your hairline all the away around until you reach the top / middle of your head. You can adjust this recipe by using less essential oil or by using lavender alone. Some people like to start at their temples and massage downwards towards their neck. You can try this as well. In my experience the peppermint oil is a bit strong and makes my eyes water if I start the massage at my temples.

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After a super workout or long hike pour a little grapeseed oil along with a few drops of lavender into your bath water to induce a feeling of calm and to sooth away muscle tension and spasms. Alternatively, skip the bath, and recruit your partner into giving you a body massage with the same grapeseed and lavender mixture. Of course, you should eventually return the massage favor.

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To relieve sore throats fill a cool mist vaporizer with water and add 3 drops of lavender and two drops of tea tree pure essential oil. Place by your bedside as you rest or at night while you sleep. Wash out your vaporizer well after every use. Accumulated oils can break down the plastic parts and a dirty vaporizer is a gross bacteria playground.

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To solve pesky premenstrual cramps try this recipe. It may work wonders for you and smells better than Midol.

6 drops pure lavender essential oil

9 drops pure peppermint essential oil

4 drops pure geranium essential oil

Mix with a good amount of base oil – at least 2 tablespoons and massage over your abdomen and hips and along your lower back.

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Lavender oil at its most basic can be added to a water spritzer and sprayed around your house. Place a few drops under or directly onto your pillow for sweeter dreams and a more peaceful sleep. Add a few drops to blocks of cedar and place in your closet for moth free and fresh smelling clothes.

Once you start using lavender for improved health you’ll realize that there are so many great uses for this fragrant oil that you’ll never know what you did without it. To learn more about the amazing lavender herb visit Lavender Fanatic, a site obsessed with all things lavender.