Lavender is an herb and has been documented as being used for over 2500 years. That is a long time for something used to benefit the human body to be used. It must have some great qualities to have lasted this long as an essential element to health. Lavender oil was used for mummification by the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and the peoples of Arabia. Romans used it for bathing, cooking and for placing scented aromas in the air. This his is an herb that was used for several purposes.....as oil, it had soothing tonic qualities, and made a great insect repellent, and as an herb, the dried plant was used in smoking mixtures. We have often seen the term "Spikenard" used in the Bible, but herb/oil is the modern plant, Lavender. It was Lavender that Mary used to pour over Jesus head and anoint his feet with...then wiping it with her hair. And the fragrance filled the room.
It is believed that lavender was first domesticated by the Arabians, then spreading across Europe and Greece. From there it is believed to have traveled to France, Spain, Italy, and England. From there it made its way to the "Americas" sometime around the 1600's. In Medieval and Renaissance times, the washing women were known as "Lavenders", and they used lavender to scent drawers and dried the laundry on lavender bushes. During this time, lavender was grown in "infirmarian's gardens" in monasteries, along with many other medicinal herbs. According to the German nun HJildegard of Bingen, who lived from 1098-1179, lavender 'water' a decoction of vodka, gin, or brandy mixed with lavender, is great for migraine headaches.
During the great plague in London in the 17th century, lavender was fastened to each wrist in order to protect the wearer against the deadly disease. Grave robbers were known to wash in Four Thieves Vinegar, which contained lavender, and they rarely contracted the disease. Lavender was also used to resist infections. Glove-makers, who were licensed to perfume their gloves with lavender, escaped cholera at the time.
European royal history is also filled with stories of lavender use. Charles VI of France demanded lavender-filled pillows wherever he went. Queen Elizabeth I of England required lavender conserve at the royal table. She also wanted fresh lavender flowers available every day of the year, a daunting task for a gardener if you consider the climate of England. Louis XIV also loved lavender and bathed in water scented with it. Queen Victoria used a lavender deodorant, and both Elizabeth I and II used products from the famous lavender company, Yardley and Co. of London.
Lavender is a unique fragrance produced by the combination of 180 different constituents and is widely used in the perfume industry to add a top or middle note to commercial products. In the world of professional sniffers, it has a green, hay-like sweetness and gives "fruity aspects" to perfumes and other scented products. Lavender is widely grown in England for commercial use, and the Provence region of France is renowned as a world leader in growing and producing lavender.
In the United States and Canada, the Shakers were the first to grow lavender commercially. A strict sect of English Quakers who most likely had little use for lavender's amorous qualities (they were celibate), they developed herb farms upon their arrival from England. They produced their own herbs and medicines and sold them to the "outside world." Later a New York advertising firm picked them up and sold the simple products worldwide.
As an herbal medicine, lavender is widely utilized. For soothing, relaxing qualities few herbs can be claimed as effective. Constituents of the oils found in lavender can treat hyperactiviety; insomnia; flatulence; bacteria, fungus, and microbial activity on gums, airborne molds, and (in mixture with pine, thyme, mint, rosemary, clove, and cinnamon oils) Staphyloccus bacteria. Lavender may even be useful against impotence. In a study of men, the scent of pumpkin and lavender rated as the scent found most arousing.
Lavender and love are an ancient match. In an apocryphal book of the Bible, we again hear of the use of lavender. Here the story tells us that Judith anointed herself with perfumes including lavender before seducing Holofernes, the enemy commander. This allowed her to murder him and thus save the City of Jerusalem. The overwhelming power of this seductive scent was also used by Cleopatra to seduce Julius Cesaer and Mark Antony. The Queen of Sheba offered spikenard with frankincense and myrrh to King Solomon
By Tudor times, lavender brew was being sipped by maidens on St. Lukes day to divine the identity of their true loves. They'd chant, "St. Luke, St. Luke, be kind to me. In my dreams, let me my true love see." Lavender in the pillows of alpine girls brought hope of romance, while lavender under the bed of newlyweds ensured passion. Finally, a famous nursery rhyme called "Lavender Blue, Dilly Dilly" was written in 1680 and talks of "Whilst you and I, diddle, diddle…keep the bed warm." Lavender-inspired loving strikes again!
(sources: Lavender by Elen Spector Platt and Lavender: Practical Inspirations by Tess Evelegh)
Lavender is highly regarded for skin and beauty and is commonly used in fragrances and shampoos to help wash and purify the skin. In fact, the word lavender originally stems from from the Latin word lavare which means "to wash".
However, there are also many medicinal properties associated with lavender.
Lavender Oil as a Relaxant
One of the most commonly enjoyed benefits of Lavender Essential Oil is its stress reducing, tension relieving, relaxation inducing properties. Lavender Oil is a sedative and helps with depression by improving mood and outlook. Lavender essential oil’s calming scent eases the nerves and feelings of anxiety. You can benefit from Lavender Oil in the treatment of headaches. It lowers emotional and mental stress while helping to increase clarity of thought and mental activity.
Those suffering from insomnia can benefit from its use as Lavender essential oil can induce sleep.
Lavender Oil as a Pain Reliever
Lavender essential oil is also often used to treat various aches and pains such as sore or tense muscles, joint pain, rheumatism, and sprains. Lavender Oil benefits also include relief from back pain. Getting a Lavender Oil massage will ease away many tension and pains!
Lavender Oil for Respiratory Health
Lavender Essential Oil provides an excellent therapeutic benefit for throat infections, the flu, colds, and sinus congestions. It is also great in treating asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments.
Lavender Oil for Improved Circulation
Lavender essential oil lowers blood pressure and improves blood circulation. It has also been used to treat urinary disorders since it promotes urine production and hormone balance as well as reduces inflammation of the urinary bladder.
Lavender oil benefits digestion as it increases intestinal mobility. The essential oil also stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile and aids in treating indigestion, stomach pain, colic, flatulence, vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal ailments.
Lavender Oil Benefits for General Health
Lavender Essential Oil has so many amazing benefits for your general health. Use it regularly to enhance your immune system and help resist infections and diseases. Lavender Oil also helps reduce fevers and relieves sinusitis.
Lavender Oil is an excellent insect repellent and is used in many over the counter mosquito repellents. It can be used to soothe itchy insect bites and prevent them from leaving scars on your skin.
Studies have shown that lavender has powerful antibacterial, antiseptic, and antibiotic properties. It kills the bacteria that cause many diseases including typhoid. This makes Lavender Essential Oil a great tool for treating cuts and scrapes.
Lavender essential oil benefits also include relief from headaches, earaches, migraines, and menstrual cramps.
Lavender Oil and Skin Care
Lavender is said to inhibit the bacteria that causes skin infection. Due to the antiseptic and antifungal properties found in Lavender Essential Oil it can be used to treat and soothe various skin problems like acne and psoriasis, cuts, scrapes, burns, and sunburns. Sufferers of Chicken Pox will find relief in the soothing benefits of Lavender Oil and appreciate how it prevents scarring.
To purchase any of these wonderful oils, please go to my website at: https://www.youngliving.org/june55
Any questions? Just contact me either here, or on my website.
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To purchase any of these wonderful oils, please go to my website at: https://www.youngliving.org/june55
Any questions? Just contact me either here, or on my website.
Check out my Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/EssentialOilsForRegeneratingHealth?skip_nax_wizard=true
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