June 4, 2014

Part 1: Uses of Lavender Essential Oil Here at Balance Spa, we’re often asked about which essential oils to use and the best way to use them. There is so much information available online about essential oils that it can be a little overwhelming at first. That’s why we’re creating a list of the most useful oils as an easy starting point for you. Each essential oil is unique, interesting, and special in its own way. In the next few posts, we’ll share several of our top essential oils. We’ll cover points like its history, usage, and properties. At the end of the series, we’ll recap with a summary listing all the oils and a brief description. You can use it as a handy reference for most of your aromatherapy needs. We’ll kick the series off with a must have in every aromatherapy kit – lavender. Lavender – The “Universal” Oil Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma that is soothing and refreshing. The use of lavender has been recorded for more than 2,500 years and was historically used in perfumes, insect repellants, and in the mummification process where the dead were wrapped in lavender-dipped shrouds. In Roman times, lavender flowers were sold for 100 denarii per pound. This price was equivalent to a full month’s wage for a farm laborer at the time. In Medieval and Renaissance times, lavender was used to ward off the Black Plague. These days, we know that the Plague was spread by fleas. Lavender is a known insect repellant, so it may have been effective for this purpose. The word “Lavender” originates from the Latin word “lavare”, meaning “to wash.” Lavender is the most versatile of all essential oils, and no home should be without it. It is an adaptogen, and therefore can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. Lavender has also been used in an approved anti-anxiety medication in Germany, called Silexan. There are many uses for lavender; here are some helpful tips: Helpful Usage Tips: Around the Home The anti-bacterial properties and the sweet smell of lavender oil make it useful, not only for your body, but also for your home: Properties of Lavender Oil The properties of lavender oil include anti-fungal, analgesic, antiseptic, anti-tumoral, anticonvulsant, vasodilating, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and vermifuge. Things to Keep in Mind Not all natural plants or plant products are beneficial to health. Deadly night-shade can be poisonous and stinging nettles sting. Do not use these oils under any circumstances:Bitter Almond, Boldo Leaf, Calamus, Yellow Camphor, Horseradish, Jaborandi Leaf, Mugwort, Mustard, Pennyroyal, Rue, Sassafras, Savin Southerwood, Tansy, Thuja, Wintergreen, Wormseed, and Wormwood. Note About Animals: Certain oils can be very toxic to pets. Citrus products and oils in particular are dangerous for them. Please consult your vet if you are not sure about applying any essential oil to your pet. General Safety Information: Do not take any essential oils internally without consultation from a medical doctor or qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, or have liver damage or cancer, consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use essential oils only under proper guidance. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and give them only the gentlest oils at extremely low doses. It is safest to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using essential oils with children. Conduct a skin patch test prior to using an essential oil that you’ve never used before. For more in-depth information on essential oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs. Learn More About How Balance Spa Uses Lavender Oil Above all else, we want to create the best spa experience possible. All of our massage rooms are stocked with Lavender Essential Oils for complimentary use in each treatment. We use soothing oils like lavender in our spa services. For more information, contact us today to book an appointment. Definitely check out our blogs on other essential oils as well such as peppermint, rosemary, lemon, geranium and eucalyptus.