Lavender
Lavendula officinalis, Lavendula angustifolia
Essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of the flowers.
The oils and flowers of the lavender plant have been used to scent and heal since ancient times. The lavender plant is chemically complex, with many active constituents and is therefore, a most versatile medicinal plant. I love all of the lavenders available to us today, but the most popular for aromatherapy use is the Lavendula officinalis.
We sell both Bulgarian and French Lavender
As for the scent of Lavender, everyone’s lymbic system is different. The sensation I get from our current Bulgarian is a deep woodsy floral. Our current French is a very lite and airy floral. The origin of the botanicals can make a difference in the final product, and again, everyone’s smell perception is not the same.
Properties –Antiseptic and analgesic, antibiotic, fungicidal, antidepressant, antimicrobal, cicatrizant, deodorant, insecticide, tonic, cardiotonic and calmative for the nerves of the heart. (SEE GLOSSARY, click on your browser's back button to return to this page.)
Principal Constituents – Linalyl, geranyl, geraniol, linalol, cineol, -borneal, limonene, 1-pinene, carophyllene (ester development is greater in plants grown in higher altitudes, between 700-1,400 meters), butyric acid, valerianic acid and coumarin.
Comments: So what does all this mean? Check out the Glossary. But, to summarize, Lavender is good for Sunburn, inflammations, insect bites and stings, athlete's foot, boils, abscesses, eczema, vertigo, freshens linen and deters moths, acne, promotes rapid healing, aids in preventing scarring, muscle pain, menstrual cramps (a hot lavender compress or blended with a carrier oil and massaged into lower abdomen is very soothing), burns, insomnia, balancing and normalizing (which helps to promote healing).
