The Uses Of Lavender
Oil
Lavender oil is an essential oil extracted from the flowers
of the lavender plant, usually by a process of steam distillation.
It's a very well known essential oil, and is extensively used
in aromatherapy for its many beneficial properties.
Just for starters, lavender oil has been shown to relieve
tension, ease tiredness, and reduce feelings of depression.
Lavender oil can be utilized in many ways to achieve these
ends. Very simply, lavender oil can be applied to a tissue
or handkerchief and placed nearby while you work or sleep.
Another popular way of using lavender oil is to place it in
an oil burner or diffuser, and allow heat to gently dissipate
the fragrance into the atmosphere, allowing you to breathe
in the powerful aromas and the medicinal chemical compounds
present in the lavender oil.
Lavender oil can also be added directly to bath water, preferably
while the water is still running. Unlike many essential oils,
lavender oil can be used directly on the skin, so it's not
at all irritating. When you bathe in water that's had lavender
oil added, you get the benefit of the oil not only from breathing
in the aromas released by the steam, but also by absorbing
some of the oil through your skin.
One important use of lavender oil that few people know about
is its ability to heal burns. Putting oil on a burn seems
like contradictory advice; however, lavender oil provides
one of the best ways of healing and soothing burns, and if
applied as soon as possible after the burn has occurred, can
alleviate both pain and assist in healing.
If you are prone to burning yourself, perhaps on the oven,
fireplace or even spilling boiling water on yourself lavender
oil really does work wonders. All you do is apply a few drops
of lavender oil to the recently burned area, and cover it
with a bandage or sticking plaster (depending upon the size
of the burn). The pain usually disappears within the hour
(again depending upon the severity of the burn), and the burn
heals easily and quickly.
The story behind the discovery of lavender oil as a treatment
for burns is an interesting one. In 1910 the French chemist
and perfumer, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, burned his hand badly
while working in his laboratory. The only liquid close to
hand was lavender oil, so without thinking, he plunged his
hand straight into the oil. Not only was the pain eased almost
immediately, but his hand healed quickly without scarring,
much to his own surprise and delight.
Having given medical advice, it's necessary to state that
you shouldn't try treating an extremely serious burn, especially
on a child with anything except immediate cold water. While
lavender oil is fantastic for minor burns and sunburn, it
can't take the place of correct medical burn treatment when
it's necessary.
Lavender oil has so many beneficial properties that it should
be an integral part of anyone's medicine cabinet. You can
find lavender oil at your local aromatherapy supply store
or online, at one of the many aromatherapy websites.
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Author: Eric Choong
Please visit my website at: http://www.health-beauty-care.com
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