Eugenia Essentials

I must have received a gift of perfume or soap with lavender in it at Christmas once, because every time I smell it, I am transported to my childhood bedroom. I’m looking out the window on a bright crisp winter day, where the sun glints off the snow. This is a powerful example of scent memory! I’m happy lavender brings back a good memory, because of all essential oils, it’s my favorite.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has so many uses; volumes could be written on this one oil alone. The most famous story about it revolves around French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé, who burned his hand quite badly in a laboratory accident. He successfully treated his hand with lavender oil. Gattefosse’ is credited with coining the word “aromatherapy.” I also read that he helped form the first lavender grower’s co-op in France and helped improve cultivation and distillation methods. His family company Gattefosse’ is still in business today.

Two to three drops of lavender added to a tablespoon of carrier oil for massage is wonderful for relief of muscular pain. I often suffer from lower back pain and joint stiffness in my knees. I have found that within fifteen to twenty minutes after rubbing lavender on, the pain is relieved and I feel relaxed.  I also love the addition of lavender to a bath, especially when I’m stressed or over tired and want to get a good night’s sleep. Lavender is wonderful for relieving nervous tension and feelings of depression.

Another application I use is with an inhaler. One blend I like for my inhaler is lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus. I keep it handy in my desk drawer at work and whiff from it frequently for a mood lift or when people around me start sneezing and coughing. Following is just a brief list of some of lavender’s medicinal properties:

• Analgesic
• Anticonvulsive
• Antidepressant
• Antiviral
• Restorative
• Sedative
• Nervine
• Anti-toxic,
• Decongestant
• Diuretic

If I could have only one essential oil, Lavender would be the one for me!