Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)

Lavender is one of the most commonly used essential oils. Skincare companies like to use it for its skin healing properties. The everyday person likes it due to its aroma, which many deem as calming. This oil is indeed very versatile and used in many types of blends.

According to urban legend:

“In 1910 French chemist and scholar René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered the virtues of the essential oil of lavender. Gattefossé badly burned his hand during an experiment in a perfumery plant and plunged his hand into the nearest tub of liquid, which just happened to be lavender essential oil. He was later amazed at how quickly his burn healed and with very little scarring. This started a fascination with essential oils and inspired him to experiment with them during the First World War on soldiers in the military hospitals.”

While this story is not accurate, there is some truth to it. Gattefosse’ did indeed suffer an accident in his laboratory, but it was not the “aha” moment that is written about above. In 1910 he wrote: “The external application of small quantities of essences rapidly stops the spread of gangrenous sores. In my personal experience, after a laboratory explosion covered me with burning substances which I extinguished by rolling on a grassy lawn, both my hands were covered with a rapidly developing gas gangrene. Just one rinse with lavender essence stopped “the gasification of the tissue”. This treatment was followed by profuse sweating, and healing began the next day (July 1910).”

However, maybe the urban legend is why Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia) has been quite extensively studied.

Lavender is part of the botanical family of Lamiaceae (Labiatae). It is a flowering evergreen shrub that can grow up to 3 feet high. The flowers are steam distilled to obtain the essential oil. Primarily the producers of lavender are in Bulgaria and France, but there are other sources in Italy, India, Australia, England, as well as in other countries.

Traditional and Historical Uses

The term Lavender is derived from the Latin word lavare, which means “to wash”. The Romans used lavender in bathing, soaps, and scenting the air. In medieval times it was used in clothes washing. It has also been used in potpourris to scent drawers and closets. It has been also known for its healing and antiseptic properties for many centuries.

Present Day

Today lavender oil is still used in soaps and skincare, but also in specific blends due to its therapeutic properties (analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, antibacterial, antifungal (candida and dermatophytes), antirheumatic, antispasmodic, cicatrisant (skin healing), central nervous system sedative, deodorant, immunostimulant, tonic)

A major component of lavender is linalool (linalol), which is part of the monoterpenol chemical family. It has been suggested that linalool is one of the most studied monoterpenols, probably due to lavender’s many therapeutic properties.

Clinical Applications

Integumentary System is an organ system consisting of hair, skin, nails, and exocrine glands.

Lavender is often used in burn blends. It helps ease the pain, helps prevent infection, and helps the skin heal more rapidly. Sunburn is included in this category. The next time you get sunburn, initially try using a lavender hydrosol (hydrosol is the water that is separated out during the distillation process) as it is milder on the skin. Afterwards, add a drop to a tablespoon of lotion and apply to the sunburnt area. For other types of burns, I would suggest contacting your local aromatherapist. They can make a blend specifically for you that not only uses lavender essential oil, but a combination of essential oils and carriers that will help you skin heal quickly.

Lavender is also helpful in blends for dermatitis, acne, eczema, psoriasis, wounds, athlete’s foot, chicken pox, scabies, and other topical infections and irritations.

Musculoskeletal System

Its analgesic properties make it a good ingredient for pain relief blends, both topically and through inhalation. It is often used in inhalation blends for headaches.

Its anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic properties make lavender a wonderful addition to blends for arthritis, muscle aches and pains. Many aromatherapists add it to muscle blends to be used after workouts.

Central Nervous System

Lavender has long been known to being beneficial to the nervous system. It is a valuable ingredient in stress blends. It can be both a sedative or a stimulant, depending on the person’s mood, anxiety level, depressive state, etc., as it lends itself to the individual’s particular needs. Furthermore, if lavender is used at an early onset of the symptom, it can help prevent physical symptoms such as cramps, spasms, pains, nervous tension, and irritability.

Many use lavender essential oil as their first choice in insomnia blends, as it reduces mental stress and anxiety. It is calming to the mind, soothing, and nurturing. As such it helps alleviate your fears while still being uplifting to someone who is depressed and emotionally run-down.

Skin Care

Lavender has long been used in skin care products as it very nourishing to the skin. Its cicatrisant and antiseptic properties make it an ideal ingredient to skin care products. Importantly, t can be used for all skin types, as it does not discriminate.

Reproductive System

Lavender has long been used in blends that help with menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome. When used in a lotion with other essential oils it can alleviate the pain and help your overall general mood.

Safety

While lavender essential oil is safe in that it is non-toxic and non-irritating, it is important to buy this oil from a reputable source. Since this essential oil is so widely popular it is an oil that it is also often adulterated to bring the cost down. Make sure that you buy this oil from a source that can give you a report stating that it is pure.

Summary

According to Salvatore Battaglia in “The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy” lavender is often referred to the “mother” of essential oils. This oil is liked by both men and women and does discriminate which gender it is best for. As the “mother” of oils it helps many physical and psychological problems.

This oil can be used in a variety of application modes, from message oils, compress blends, bath salts, and skin care blends. It is often used in inhalation modalities through diffusion or through personal inhalers.

If you are one that loves the aroma of lavender, then you are truly lucky.

As I always say, be careful not to use too much. A little goes a long way.

If you would like a personal blend for your use, please contact me. You can find my contact information and how my consultations work at https://www.euroscentsaromatherapy.com/initial-consulation and https://www.euroscentsaromatherapy.com/follow-up-consultations

I hope you enjoyed reading about Lavender. Have a Great Week!!!

ELizabete Desire’ Freijs, NAHA Certified Professional Aromatherapist