Lavender essential oil is one of the most versitile of oils with a range of properties and uses. It is an essential oil which should be every household and only £2.25 for 10mls.
Here are a few handy uses for Lavender which you may find useful.
Cough, colds, Catarrh, Sinusitus, Flu: Use steam inhalation as hot as you can bear without scalding the throat. The Lavender will soothe and attack any bacteria which can cause secondary infection. Also it will help as a sedative so used last thing at night will aid recovery.
A little neat lavender massaged into the throat can relieve a tickly cough. The sedative action calms the tickle.
A drop or 2 along the eyebrows and either sides of the nostrils can help with catarrh.
Headaches and Muscular pain: Lavender is useful in relieving pain whatever the cause and is best used in a massage oil, either alone or with a combination of oils.
Massage Lavender into the temples to relieve any form of headache, or in combination of a cold compress of Lavender placed on the forehead or back of the neck.
Lower back pain (not caused by any spinal irregulation), relieve rheumatism, sciatica, arthritis, menstral pains, etc can be helped with a massage of Lavender oil.
Labour and children : During Labour, lavender will both reduce pain and strengthen contractions when massaged into the lower back region. It can also be used as a compress or massaged gently into the abdomen to help with the expulsion of the afterbirth.
Lavender can also help with many of the minor upsets in infancy such as colic, irrirability and infections, bearing in mind when used on children it should be very diluted. A single drop (mixed with a little vodka or carrier oil) in a bath for an upset baby will help them to sleep.
Skin conditions and skin problems: Lavender is both anteseptic and analgestic, which makes it ideal for treating burns and all kinds of injuries, promoting healing and reduce the chance of scarring. Lavender oil can help heel minor burns. Immediately apply ice cold water to burn for 10 minutes. Then apply 2 drops undiluted lavender essential oil directly from bottle.
Lavender is one of the most valuable oils for the treatment of acne. It inhabits the bacteria which cause the skin infection, while soothing the skin and help balance the over secretion of sebum.
Lavender, along with Tea tree and Neroli are the three most powerful essential oils to stimulate growth of healthy new cells. Lavender will also help many cases of eczema, although Chamomile or Melissa may be the first choice oil in some cases.
Lavender is not only enhanced in its action by being mixed with other essential oils, but also heightens the actions of any oil with which it is mixed.
Insect repellant and insecticide : Lavender has been used for centuries to protect clothing and household linens from moths and other small pests. Its been used to perfume and freshen rooms in pot pourris and dried flowers.
Lavender mixed with Grapefruit and Eucalyptus applied to the skin will help avoid mosquitoes, midges and other insects. If bitten or stung apply a few drops of neat Lavender to take out the pain of the sting and stop irritation.
Lavender, along with Tea tree can also help with the infestations of head Lice.
Sleep and insomnia : Many people benefit from the effects of Lavender, which can help induce sleep. While a relaxing in a bath will help before bed time a few drops on a hankerchief, nightie or pygamas will help soothe a sleepless child.
Many people benefit from the effects of essential oils, which can help induce sleep. Here are some essential oils which help with sleeplessenss and Insomnia however these should be used as part of a relaxation routine.
Lavender essential oil has a calming effect, anti-depressant, non-irritant and pain releiving qualities. It also helps lower blood pressure and soothe the nerves and digestion system.
Neroli essential oil has a very relaxing effect and is often used to treat shock.
Geranium essential oil can be deeply calming due to its hormone balancing properties. A comforting floral that blends well with many other oils.
Chamomile essential oil helps calm nerves and digestion and especially good for children. Add a few drops to a bath to unwind before sleeping.
Shea butter is a natural moisturiser made from the nuts of shea trees in Africa.
When extracted, it makes a base for many creams and lotions as well as medicinal ointments to heal chapped skin. Shea butter is often combined with cocoa butter, olive oil, jojoba oil or vitamin E oil to make a variety of skin-softening creams and lotions.
Shea butter has anti-ageing properties as well. It has shown to improve skin elasticity and helps diminish wrinkles.
Melt shea butter using in a bowl over a pan of boiling water method or on defrost setting on your microwave. Remove from heat when the shea butter softens and is easily stirred with a spoon. Do not be tempted to melt quicker in a microwave as this will cause the butter to adopt a grainy consistancy when set.
Add the carrier oil of your choice such as jojoba oil, avocado oil and almond oil etc. Chosing the right carrier oil for your skin can offer additional benefits and consistance, some oils are thicker than others but you can combine different oils. The addition of the oils keeps the shea butter from hardening when it cools.
You can add cosmetic fragrance oils or essential oils to the mix at this point remember a maximum of 5% of dilution (weigh the total mass of the mixture then divide by 100 for 1% then times this for required dilution of essential oil. If using the above example 200g mass = 2ml for 1% dilution therefore 2% recommended strength is 4ml. 1ml is equal to 20 drops approx.
You can pour the mixture into a pot and leave to set. Once set if you would prefer your moisturiser to be thicker then simply remelt and add more shea butter and then allow to reset. It is fine to place in a fridge to speed up the setting process.
Your final product will have the same shelf life as the carrier oil used. If you wish to increase this you can add a vitamin E capsule and this will double the shelf life.
For best results use at night and allow to soak into the skin.
If you are looking for a fluffy lighter body butter, allow the mixture to half set and whisk on the highest setting until the mixture resembles whipped cream and forms peaks similar to meringue, or about 10 minutes. If the mix is not thick enough leave the mixture to cool and thicken further before whisking again. You may need to do this a few times to achieve the right consistency.
