What Stillpoint "Nose"

Lavender angustifolia has numerous aromatherpy applications both therapeuticially and energetically. 

• Clincal studies have found that lavender has effective analgesic properties. Lavender is an effective treatment for reducing pain and anxiety especially in post surgical situations.
• In another study, lavender was found to be effective in reducing the effects of asthma, making it a great anti inflammatory for the lungs and respiratory complaints.
• Lavender was also found to be a powerful anxiolytic and also help with depression.
• Lavender's sleep enhancing and sedative properties are probably what comes to mind when you hear the word Lavender Essential Oil.  These properties are due to primarily the great amount of linalool and linalyl acetate.  Inhalation of lavender was shown to induce states of relaxation and sedation, altered EEG responses, enhanced deep sleep and improved energy when awakening. (Battaglia). 
• Lavender is a fantastic wound healer as it promotes healing in the early stages of the injury. Lavender heals the wound without leaving a scar.  Please note the Lavandins and Spike lavender are more of a disinfectant than True lavender.  
• Lastly, lavender has been found to be effective when suffering from a headache.

Traditional Use of Lavender - Bulgaria

Lavender's anti-inflammatory, skin-healing properties help heal burns, bug bites, wounds, bee stings, rashes, acne and skin irritations or infections. I use a few drops of Lavender in any blend for reducing emotional tension or unwinding physical pain, and for any sudden skin problems. Also effective against acne bacteria.  It is an effective heart regulator and helpful in calmin heart palpitations, tchycardia and arrhythmia. 

Botany

Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, comes form the genus Lavandula consisting of about 47 species of the Lamiacea (which is the mint family).  Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a shrubby plant native to the mountainous regions of the countries bordering the western half of the Mediterranean. Lavenders are generally small evergreen shrubs with gray-green hoary linear leaves. The purple flowers are sparsely arranged on spikes at the tips of long bare stalks and produce small nutlet fruits. 

The fragrance of the plant is caused by shining oil glands imbedded among tiny star-shaped trichomes (plant hairs) that cover the flowers, leaves, and stems.It is small shrub that grows to 20 to 24 inches both thal and wide. Please note that his includes the flowers stalks in bloom. It is cultivated for its aromatic flowers in various parts of France, in Italy and in England and even as far north as Norway.  We actually have lavender from Australia and India as well.

Energetics and Chakras

Energetic, Spiritual, and Emotional Qualities of Lavender - Bulgaria

Lavender is considered to be the grandmother of oils by Worwood.  Similar to a grandma by being formidable, wise but gentle and kind.  I like to think of Lavender like a Mother Theresa OIl.  Powerful but gentle.  Lavender has the ability to bring balance to the emotional body and the psyche.  It is like a big hug with warmth and security.  She is able to help the mind quiet, reduce frustration, irritability and anger to allow for new information to come in.  Lavender is not known for its ability to help us go deeper into meditation.  This oil helps balance all the chakras and smooth and soothe the auric field. 

Traditional Folklore

Lavender has been around many blocks.  The traditional uses of lavender range from use as a sweet smelling perfume to a medicinal antimicrobial agent.  The dried flowers were uses to scent closets and chests.  It was also used to flavor drinks, cakes and sweets.

Dioscorides, a Greek naturalist,  spoke about  the medicinal attributes of Lavender way back in the first century A.D!   Lavender was used in herbal baths of both Greeks and Romans.  It was considered an herb of love and was used as an aphrodisiac way back in the Middle Ages. It was also believed that a little but of lavender water sprinkled on the head of a loved one would keep the wearer pure and virtuaos.

Because of its strong  insecticidal properties, lavender was spread out over floors in castles and sickrooms to disinfect and deodorize.. During wartime and battles, lavender war used as a disinfectant and in smelling salts. Even the Chinese lookes at lavender as a cure-all medicinal oil called White Flower Oil. 

Therapeutic Benefits of Lavender - Bulgaria

Aroma-Chemistry of Lavender - Bulgaria

Lavender's chemisty varies quite a bit form species to species.

Lavandula angustifolia contains a great amount of linalool (a monoterpenol) and linalyl acetate (an ester). 

• Monoterpenols ( Monoterpene alochols ) - Monoterpenol rich essential oils are often effective anti-infectious agents; being antibacterial, anti-spasmodic, anti-fungal and/or antiviral. They have the advantage of being non-toxic, mild on the skin and mucous membranes. They are great for long-term use. Oils high in Monoterpenols are great for skin care, because of their antiseptic and often anti-inflammatory properties. They nourish and support the nervous system, support emotional balance, and strengthen the immune system. 
• Esters - Ester rich essential oils are antispasmodic. They tend to be sedative, balancing, analgesic, calming, soothing & uplifting. Some ester rich oils are good digestive aids, many are anti-inflammatory, analgesic and most are great for the skin. Their aroma tends to be floral & fruity middle notes.

Aroma of Lavender - Bulgaria

Recipes and Blends

Lavender really does blend well with almost any oil.  Here are some combinations for some common ailments:

• Lavandula angustifolia and Marjoram - great for anxiety, insomnia, agitation.  Also great for muscle and respiratory spasms (Holmes)]
• Lavandula angistifolia and Pallma Rosa - Heart Weakness due to aging, stress, and ilness (Holmes)
• Lavandula angustifolia and Geramium - antifungal, anti inflamattory, insect repellent, anxiety
• Lavandula angustifolia and Fennel - carminative, reduces flatulence, nausea (Holmes)
• Lanvandula angustifolia and Frankincense - gounding, meditative, protective when in ceremony

Blends Well With...

Safety Information for Lavender - Bulgaria

Lavender essential oil is considered non toxic, non irritant and non sensitizing.

References

• A.W. Smith. "A Gardener's Handbook of Plant Names:",(1997)
• Battaglia S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. 3nd edition, Black Pepper Creative Pty limited, Australia, 2018
• Culpeper, Nicolas. Complete Herbal: Consisting of a Comprehensive Description of Nearly All Herbs with Their Medicinal Properties and Directions for Compounding the Medicines Extracted from Them. W. Foulsham & Co., 1972.
• Holmes, Peter, and Mimi Camp. Aromatica: a Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. Singing Dragon, 2016.
• Mailhebiau, Philippe. Portraits in Oils: the Personality of Aromatherapy Oils and Their Link with Human Temperaments. C.W. Daniel, 1995.
• Mojay, Gabriel. Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, Healing Arts Press, Rochester, VT 1997
• Price S. Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Churchill Livingstone, 1995
• Salmon, William. Botanologia. The English Herbal: or, History of Plants. ... Adorned with Exquisite Icons or Figures, of the Most Considerable Species ... The Whole in an Alphabetical Order. By William Salmon, M.D. Printed by I. Dawks, for H. Rhodes, 1710.
• Specialist, Written ByDr. Jeanine DavisExtension. “Lavender: History, Taxonomy, and Production.” NC State Extension News, newcropsorganics.ces.ncsu.edu/herb/lavender-history-taxonomy-and-production.
• Tisserand, Robert, et al. Essential Oil Safety: a Guide for Health Care Professionals. Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2014.