LAVENDER - Lavandula angustifolia

LAVENDER WOULD HAVE TO BE THE MOST NOSTALGIC EO, summer days that never end, bees buzzing around the lavender scrub, framed against the bright blue sky. A must to pick the lavender flower to put in a vase and fill your home with the memorable aroma of the soft, sweet, powdery scent. If you only had the choose three EO, this would be one of them. It smells divine, its versatile in the medicine cabinet and for skincare.

For the medicine cabinet x. Lavender is revered for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, & sedative properties. Keep it in the fridge (yes, the fridge) for one main reason, burns. Lavender, when applied immediately to burns, helps to relieve the pain, stops the burn from progressing, sterilize the area & starts the healing process. Keeping it in the fridge cools the burn on contact.

It helps heal abscesses, acne, fungal infections, bruises, sun burns, lice, ringworm, cold sores, cuts, eczema, hives, inflammation, insect bites and stings, psoriasis/rashes, stretch-marks and other skin issues. It is beneficial in reducing aches & pains, cellulite, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, swelling, joint pain, & sprains.

When breathed in, it can also help alleviate bronchitis, coughs, colds, congestion, flu, laryngitis, throat infections, & sinus infections.

For the mind/nervous system x. Lavender is soothing to the emotions & pleasing to the senses. Its useful for treating anxiety, insomnia, depression, & restlessness.

For the home/cleaning x. Don't like ironing? Just hang your clothes up, & spray with a lavender mist (10 drops with 250ml water in spray bottle). • Kitchen/Bathroom Cleaner, place 10 drops in a spray bottle filled with vinegar. Great due to it’s disinfectant properties. • Insect Repellent, place 3 drops on cotton balls & leave in areas of infestation of bugs such as ants, & cockroaches. It’s safe enough to put in your pantry! • Scented Clothes, put 10 drops on a piece of cloth & place in your drawers & cupboards. Also try putting the scented cloth in the clothes dryer, they will come out smelling gorgeous! • Room deodorizer, put 10 drops in a spray bottle with water and spray. Plus it helps get rid of those pesky bugs.

For beauty x. Restores skin complexion & reduces acne, slows aging with powerful antioxidants. It improves eczema and psoriasis, sunspots & scarring. It regenerate skin cells so is great for mature skin, sun spots, and scarring. You can add a few drops of lavender oil in body scrubs, massage oils and creams. See page for lavender skin care recipes.

For meditation x. Lavender balances all the energy centers and subtle bodies. It clears and cleanses a room and brings in positive energy. It promotes compassion as well as calming, comforting and stabilizing emotions of the heart. It promotes spiritual growth and helps one to integrate spirituality into everyday life. Lavender helps to bring the lower and higher chakras into balance and harmony. It soothes grief and promotes peace.

Some ideas x. Add a drop or two to a paste of baking soda and water for an effective underarm deodorant. Chapped lips or coldsore? a drop of lavender oil on chapped lips can help relieve and moisturise them or add to homemade lip balm.

Cooking recipe x. See page for cooking with lavender.

Colour x. clear in colour and watery in viscosity.