Do not take this essential oil for granted…

          The star of today’s show is “the Swiss army knife” of essential oils, otherwise known as Lavender.  Lavender is an adaptogen, if you are tired it will perk you up, if anxious, it will calm you down.  Anti-biotic (kills bacteria), antioxidant,anti-septic (kills microorganisms), anti-depressant, sedative, and detoxifier, it promotes healing and prevents scarring, stimulates regeneration.  Particularly good for burns.  Lavender essential oil is steam distilled from the plant Lavendula Angustifolia.  Not only does Lavender smell wonderful, but it also is good for your health and well-being. The study by Jager, et al (1) suggested that essential oils are rapidly absorbed through the skin, being detected in blood plasma within 19 minutes.  Look at this list of benefits!!!

            In 2014, Tunisian scientists were able to demonstrate that Lavender protects the body from diabetes. Specifically, increased blood glucose, metabolic disorders, weight gain, liver and kidney antioxidant depletion, dysfunction, and lipoperoxidation, (where free radicals steal fat from the cells). 

            With so many on antidepressants, it cannot be emphasized enough that Lavender reduces anxiety and is a mood enhancer. “Anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effect of lavender was superior to placebo in 221 patients suffering from anxiety disorder. In addition, lavender improved associated symptoms such as restlessness, disturbed sleep, and somatic complaints and had a beneficial influence on general well-being and quality of life”, Kasper et al.  I would love to see a study involving our veterans suffering from PTSD, hopefully calming their anxiety and balancing their emotions.  Lavender piped into a work area, had the workers rating the atmosphere as being significantly better even though no other changes were made.

            As an esthetician, I must point out that Lavender inhibits the bacteria that cause acne infection, helps to regulate the over excretion of sebum by hormonal imbalance, AND can reduce the signs of scarring in the aftermath!  In fact, Lavender oil excels at wound healing, treating minor cuts, bruises, burns and eczema.  It has also been found to boost the synthesis of collagen and heals skin tissues, according to a study published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal.

            While that is amazing, it has been shown that Lavender has cognitive enhancing and neuroprotective capabilities.  It has been suggested that some neurological disorders with significant EEG changes, such as epilepsy, may benefit from the use of lavender. (3, 4) According to several studies, participants exposed to the aroma of Lavender, had significant improvement in memory, reaction times and reduced the number of errors made in mathematical and letter tests (2). It was also beneficial in the treatment of migraines.

            What is not so well known, it that Lavender is useful in treating acute and chronic pain. (5, 6) Something, even I, did not know about until I was researching this article.  Several studies, demonstrate significant pain reduction when applied to women post C-section, episiotomy, and post childbirth.  Others showed a reduction in pain and intensity of needle insertion, post breast biopsy, post gastric banding, etc. (7,8,9,10) Next time you are having a procedure, take a few whiffs of Lavender before you go!!

            As always, do your own research, to see if this amazing oil has a place in your life.  This article is simply for your information only and is NOT medical advice.  Happy hunting!!

My favorite source for essential oils is www.anandaapothecary.com, all of their oils are organic or wildcrafted, the best quality of oils that I have found.

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If the font size, color and type are different - this happens when I transfer the article to blogger, not sure why it happens, but it was not created that way.  So forgive the craziness, and focus on the information!! As always, this article is for informational purposes only and is NOT intended as medical advice!!! 

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