The Use of Lavender Oil as a Healer

GPI

Lavender Oil
By Steve Valentino

Photo / pic / image of Lavandula angustifolia "Hidcote" AKA English lavender.
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The use of lavender oil as a healer for many illnesses was discovered in 1937 by the French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse.
Although skeptical about treatments by natural herbs, he was fascinated by the properties that essential oils had. Once, in 1910, when he burnt his hand severely, and treated it with pure lavender oil, it not only helped him by instantly easing the pain, but also healed the hand without any trace of scar or infection. That was the beginning of the popularity of lavender oil, and now it is one of the most widely used essential oils.

Lavender oil has various healing qualities and a breathtaking fragrance.
It used to be that almost all colognes contained lavender oil.
But today its uses are being rediscovered in an effort to recognize its multiple benefits.

Lavender oil is an essential oil, which is normally applied with a carrier and then massaged onto the skin.
It helps in stimulating the production of gastric juices, aids digestion, and augments intestinal mobility. Hence, it is helpful in treating flatulence, nausea, dyspepsia, colic and diarrhea. Its calming effect is famous for lowering blood pressure and reducing hypertension. It also helps solve various muscle- or joint-related problems such as relieving pain, reducing muscular tension and treating muscular aches, lumbago, rheumatism and sprains.
It is famous for treating flu, throat infections, whooping cough, bronchitis, sinus problems, asthma, and congestion.

There is a hybrid of pure lavender and spike lavender called ‘Lavandin’ which is also extensively used, as it generates twice the amount of oil compared to other lavender species, but is not as fragrant.

http://www.i-lavender.com/ provides detailed information on Lavender, Lavender Plants, Lavender Pillows, Lavender Oil and more.
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scentman · Hazel Tree Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 5 Location: GA, USA

Some technical stuff on Lavandaceous oils:

Lavender Oil from true Lavender is characterized by a low % camphor content and high % Linalool and Linalyl Acetate

Lavender Spike Oil is Characterized by High Camphor, no Linalyl Acetate, and High Linalool.

Lavandin the Hybrid between these two species has an oil that is halfway between them - mod Camphor content, high Linalool, and mod Linalyl acetate.

I also should point out that Linalool is on the EU 'Allergen list' and must be declared on the label of any product of which it is in. Proceed with caution, and discontinue use if any averse symptoms occur.

Pronunciation:
Linalool (lih-nah-lool)
Linalya Acetate (lih-nah-lil ah-sih-tate)

Originally Linalool was found in Linaloe Wood Oil, hence the name