Lavender Aromatherapy - Uses of Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is a popular scent that has many beneficial aromatherapy qualities. It has the ability to relieve nervous tension and pain, enhance blood circulation and treat respiratory problems. The lavender used in aromatherapy is extracted from flowers of the plant through a process called steam distillation.

Many aromatic preparations are made using lavender oil as it blends well with other essential oils such as cedarwood, pine, clary sage, geranium, and nutmeg.

Lavender oil can be found in many aromatherapy oils, gels, infusions, lotions and soaps.

The calming scent of lavender oil makes it the perfect tonic for the nervous system. It also helps treat migraines, headaches, anxiety, depression and emotional stress. The scent of lavender effectively removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness, and increases mental activity.

Lavender scent has a sleep inducing quality and is widely used in aromatherapy to treat insomnia. It is also helpful in the reduction of various types of pain, including those caused by sore muscles, tense muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, backache and lumbago. A massage with an aromatherapy oil containing lavender is often the best relief for aching joints.

The use of lavender oil is common in treating various respiratory problems including throat infections, flu, coughs, the common cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, and laryngitis. In this scenario, lavender oil is best used in the form of a vapor or applied to the neck, chest, and back. It may also be added to vaporizers and inhalers used for cold and coughs.

Because of its antiseptic and anti fungal properties, lavender oil may also be useful in treating common skin problems such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and many other inflammations.

The oil also aids in the healing of wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburn due to its ability accelerate in the formation of scar tissues. Lavender oil may also be added to chamomile to help in the treatment of eczema.

Lowering blood pressure, and reducing hypertension are two of the many ways that lavender increases blood circulation.

This oil may be used to aid digestion in humans, because it increases the mobility of the intestine. Consequently it is used as an aid in the treatment of indigestion, stomach pain, colic, flatulence, vomiting and diarrhea. It is said that lavender oil stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile.

Using lavender aromatherapy product on a regular basis may also help improve the immune system thus providing resistance to many diseases.

There are also many other benefits in using lavender essential oil, which includes the treatment of leucorrhea.

Lavender oil may also be effective in fighting against insect bites and can be used to repel mosquitoes and moths. In fact, there are a number of mosquito repellents that contain lavender oil as one of their ingredients.

Although lavender may be beneficial to some, it is not useful for all people. Women that are breastfeeding or pregnant, should avoid using aromatherapy products containing lavender. Diabetics should also stay away from products containing lavender.

Lavender oil may also cause allergic reactions in people that have sensitive skin, and may cause vomiting, nausea, and headaches in others. Using lavender aromatherapy products can be very beneficial to many people, and may even be recommended by some physicians.