Detailed Oil Section
Lavender
With its sweet, floral-herbaceous scent, woody
undertone and distinct camphor note, the admired lavender essence is known to
many as the ultimate scent to soothe and calm. Based on industry sales numbers,
it is so popular that it is the most purchased essential oil in the United
States, selling ten times more than any other oil.
One of the unique characteristics of lavender essential oil is that it is not
merely energizing or relaxing, but balancing to the mind and body. The scent of
lavender will rejuvenate and inspire a tired person and relax, soothe and slow
down someone who is stressed or tense. While pharmaceutics work on symptoms,
either stimulating or relaxing a person, lavender—like many other remedies
offered by "natural" medicine—works to re-establish the person's
balanced, harmonious and natural state, without the use of synthetic chemicals.
Because of its many varieties, lavender essential oil can be used in a multitude
of ways, from alleviating stress to creating unique treatment recipes in the
spa. It is important, however, to note that only pure, 100% essential oils be
used, not a synthetically manufactured fragrance. Not only will artificial
lavender fragrance fail to live up to the effects associated with true lavender
essential oil, it might even be dangerous when ingested, inhaled or applied
topically. Always purchase essential oils from a trusted, well-established
source that has shown an earnest commitment to true aromatherapy.
Top Eight Lavender Varieties
Lavender Bulgarian, Lavendula angustifola, Bulgaria
A best-seller, this lavender essential oil offers a soft, round scent and a full
bouquet at a great price.
Lavender Extra Fine, Lavendula vera, France
This high-elevation "population" lavender from France is of very fine
quality.
Lavender China, Lavendula angustifolia, China
One of the more exotic lavender varieties, this essential oil is grown in China.
Lavender French, Lavendula officinalis L., France
A strong, slightly green lavender scent that develops its unique character in
the valleys of Provence.
Lavender Mailette, Lavendula officinalis, France
Carefully grown under certified organic conditions, this lavender variety is
nicely balanced and round, offering a full, rich lavender aroma.
Lavender Tasmanian, Lavendula officinalis, Tasmania
Known today for its extremely low content of camphor and its high quality of
aroma, it is considered to be a precious lavender.
Lavender Ukranian, Lavendula angustifolia, Ukraine
One of the best values among the true lavenders, this variety offers a soft,
round scent that consists of floral and herbaceous notes.
Lavendin Super, Lavendula burnati, France
Lavendin is a hybrid plant. Many products that carry the "lavender"
label actually are made with the less expensive lavendin.
Ten Great Ways to Make Lavender Part of Your Routine
Try these ten easy ways to include the soothing, calming benefits of lavender
aromatherapy into any routine, whether it's your client's lifestyle or your own
personal time:
1. For a healing aromatherapeutic facial, add two to three drops of lavender
essential oil to two cups hot water in a large bowl.
2. For a sweet, edible treat, add two drops of lavender essential oil to one cup
of pure honey.
3. To help counter jet lag or insomnia, place a few drops of lavender essential
oil on a napkin and place it next to the pillow before sleeping.
4. At the same time, inhaling lavender essential oil can help with feelings of
shock and faintness, thanks to its revitalizing properties
5. To seek relief from migraine headaches, draw a hot bath, then add 10–15
drops of lavender essential oil to 1/2 cup of half and half and blend it into
the bathwater. Bathe for 20 minutes, then go to sleep in a darkened room.
6. Use a lavender floral mist to combat dry air and exhaustion during flights.
7. For a deep conditioning hair treatment, blend ten drops of lavender essential
oil with 1/2 cup of warm olive oil and apply to damp hair, massaging it into
scalp, and cover with a shower cap. Wrap a towel over cap to keep hair warm,
then shampoo after 20 minutes.
8. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your watering can and watch your
plants, especially those indoors, grow healthy and strong.
9. Surround yourself with positive feelings and a comforting aroma all day by
adding the scent of lavender to your laundry by simply add a napkin soaked in
lavendin essential oil.
10. Don't throw away your empty lavender essential oil bottles. They can be
placed in drawers, between clothes, to share the remaining whiff of aroma.
Rosemary
Rosemary (derived from Latin ros marinus meaning "sea dew") is a very popular oil in Aromatherapy as it revives, warms, stimulates and restores. The plant is a perennial, bushy, branched, evergreen that grows as tall as 6' on the rocky, sunny slopes throughout the Mediterranean. Its leaves are stiff and leathery, similar to pine needles, and the flowers are light blue, tubular and are borne in axillary clusters. Both the leaves and flowers are strongly aromatic. Rosemary belongs to a rather large plant family (Labiatae) which includes such plants as mint, clary, sage, thyme, lavender, marjoram, and patchouli; but rosemary has the longest history of all these oils and is the most highly valued. The fragrance of the oil is fiery, aromatic, invigorating, and conveys strength.
Folklore has surrounded rosemary since early times. Ornaments were made from the leaves and were considered symbols of loyalty, devotion and love. Since falling in love incites a state of euphoria, it was customary for brides to wear rosemary on their wedding day to help clear their head. The oil was also a reminder of the cycle of life and death, and in the 14th century, alchemists advised people to spray essential rosemary oil to attract good ghost and elves and drive away evil spirits.
As recently as World War II, rosemary was used as an antiseptic by putting a few drops of the oil in water and applying to mild irritations. Also, the plants could be found burning as an incense in hospital wards as a safeguard against contagion and infection. Arabs sprinkle the powdered herb on the umbilical cord of newborn infants as an astringent and antiseptic.
Meats spoil and turn rancid due to the oxidation of their fats. Rosemary oil contains chemicals that are strongly antioxidant, giving it preservative powers that are comparable with the commercial food preservatives BHA and BHT. For picnics, mix crushed leaves generously into hamburger meat and tuna, pasta and potato salads.
Rosemary is beneficial for warming and relieves cold, bronchial, and asthmatic spasms. An excellent recipe for sinusitis includes 3 drops of rosemary, 1 drop of angelica, 4 drops of lavender, 1 drop of cypress and 1 drop of thyme. Add 3 to 5 drops of this blend to a large bowl of hot water and with a towel covering your head, hold your ace over the bowl illed with steaming water. Close your eyes and inhale the rising steam for about five minutes. Repeat two to three times a day.
Rosemary also helps in improving mental clarity and mental capacity. In Greece and Rome, ancient healers recognized the memory enhancing qualities of the plant and students often wore wreaths of rosemary on their head while they studied. There is a close connection between fragrance and memory as scents are tied directly to the neo-cortex, the part of the brain that processes memory. Other oils are effective in recalling emotional feelings or visual experiences but rosemary aids in recalling information like dates, names and numbers. An aroma lamp with 5 drops of rosemary works wonders when you're studying.
Rosemary also aids in strengthening the heart. An excellent heart tonic consists of 1 cup of chopped whitehorn leaves, 1 cup of chopped golden or lemon balm leaves, 2 drops of rosemary and 2 drops of hyssop. Place the leaves in a wine bottle and add 1 quart of red wine. Close tightly and let stand for 3 weeks. Strain the liquid. Mix rosemary and hyssop in a tablespoon of honey and add to the wine. Let rest for two weeks and drink in a small liqueur glass.
Rosemary has the highest content of hydrogen of all the plants in the Plant Kingdom. This explains the oil's strong, warming effect, as hydrogen comes the closest to heat-related substances on this planet. Applied externally it increases warmth and stimulates blood circulation thereby making it an excellent treatment for cold feet, tired or weak legs, sore muscles, rheumatic pain and arthritis. For tired and painful feet try a foot massage with a mixture of 10 drops of rosemary, 5 drops of lavender, 2 drops of mint and 3 drops of geranium in 1 teaspoon of almond oil. Two drops of a blend of rosemary (15 drops), lemongrass (10 drops) and grapefruit (10 drops) added to cold water and applied with a vigorous sponge bath or a refreshing shower gel in the morning helps to get the day started a little easier. This blend is also an excellent remedy for low blood sugar.
Rosemary is also beneficial for oily or troubled skin. Its effect on skin is described in the story of the Water Queen of Hungary. The queen, who was 70 years old and plagued by gout, tried rosemary beauty water and became so rejuvenated that a young Polish prince fell in love with her and subsequently they were married. The recipe for the beauty water is made by combining 1 quart of alcohol (150 proof), 1½ teaspoons of rosemary, 1½ teaspoons of balm, 1½ teaspoons of lemon, ¼ teaspoon of mint and 3½ fluid ounces of rosewater. Mix the essential oils in the alcohol, add rosewater and shake well.
Added to a hair tonic, rosemary stimulates the circulation of the scalp and prevents hair loss, and when added to shampoos, it makes dark hair shine. An excellent hair tonic for a itchy scalp consists of 2 teaspoons of rosemary, 1 teaspoon of cedarwood oil, 3¼ oz of soy oil and ½ teaspoon of wheatgerm oil. Mix together and shake the bottle and let rest for a few days. Put a little on the scalp a few hours before shampooing. A few drops of the oil rubbed on the scalp in the morning encourages hair growth as well as stimulates the mind.
It is certainly easy to see why rosemary is recognized as such a vital medicinal oil in aromatherapy as it is also an excellent remedy for cellulite, gall bladder and liver problems, and countless other ailments not included in this article. The oil suggests the spirit of yang, giving it strength and support, and it is governed by the Sun which gives it a warming and stimulating effect. Rosemary is an oil that is easily incorporated into a daily routine of aromatherapy (baths, massage and aroma lamps), and it also lends itself to the discovery of new remedies that are unique to your own needs. Remember, as with all essential oils, use caution. Rosemary can cause epileptic seizures, spasms, and nausea and should not be used by people who have epilepsy or who are pregnant.
Peppermint Oil is considered a terrific mental stimulant when a drop is mixed with unscented lotion and placed under the nose. Peppermint oil is often used for relieving an upset stomach. Just add one drop, two teaspoons of honey to a cup of warm water or herbal tea and sip.
Tea Tree Oil is another wonderfully mild natural antiseptic. Applying a single drop to a cut will help speed the healing. Many people use Tea Tree Oil for athlete's foot and other fungal infections.
Citrus Oils (Orange, Lime, Lemon or Grapefruit) will help elevate your mood and make you feel more positive. Citrus oils used on a frangrance ring or in an aroma pot are excellent for removing other odors, such as cooking or pet odors.
Floral Oils are the scents we most relate to and take most comfort in; hence the saying, "Stop and smell the roses". Floral oils provide relaxing and comforting feelings because we generally associate flowers and their fragrances with a pleasurable experiences.
