Lavender essential oil
Element - Fire
Property - refreshing
Note - Heart
Group - Essential oil
Botanical name - Lavandula officinalis
Plant family - Lamiaceae (labiates)
Contents
Botany
Botanical name
Lavandula officinalis
Plant family
Lamiaceae (labiates)
The labiate family (bot. Lamiaceae) includes 240 genera with around 7,200 species. Well-known species include mint, white deadnettle, lavender and sage. The plants are rich in essential oils and many species are used as aromatic plants or for medicinal purposes. Characteristic of the Lamiaceae family is the zygomorphic formation of the flowers in the upper and lower lip. Within the family, annual or perennial herbaceous plants are more common, some of which grow woody. They are distributed worldwide and grow in highly diverse locations.
Further information about the labiate plant family can be found at → at the Horstmann tree nursery
Origin & distribution
species of the family can be found all over the world. They live in almost all habitats, from lowlands to mountainous regions. In the Mediterranean region, the Lamiaceae have developed an extremely species-rich population. They are less common in tropical regions. They prefer an open location with plenty of sunshine in exposed locations.
Origin for the production of the oils
France, Germany, England, Bulgaria, ...
Plant part used
Lavender essential oil is extracted from the flowers of the plant.
Ingredients Lavender essential oil
- Monoterpenes
- Sesquiterpenes
- Monoterpenols
- Ketones
- Ester
- Oxides
- more
Warnings Lavender essential oil
Lavender oil is one of the few essential oils for which no warning labels are required.
External application:
It can be applied undiluted to the skin, even baby skin. However, like all essential oils, it should not be applied undiluted to the eyes. In contact with other mucous membranes, this oil is much less harmful. Allergic reactions are extremely rare.
Background
Lavender essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the flowers. In the early days, lavender oil mainly came from France. A particularly high-quality lavender oil comes from the high Alps and is obtained from wild lavender.
Incidentally, lavender oil differs from lavandin oil, which has a lower ester content but contains camphor and is not used for therapeutic purposes. This also applies to spike lavender, which is mainly used as an insecticide. Small quantities of crested lavender are also used for therapeutic purposes.
The word lavender is derived from lavare (Italian for wash), because in the past lavender was mainly used for washing wounds, but also for washing clothes.
Lavender oil is one of the very old remedies that have been known and used for centuries.
Aroma
Grade
In perfumery, lavender essential oil belongs to the Heart note.
Heart note
The fragrance of the heart note only appears after the top note has evaporated and lasts for 2-3 hours.
After the top note has faded, around 15 minutes after applying an essential oil to the skin, the heart note follows. Its aromas gradually unfold together with the base notes. However, the heart note determines the character of the fragrance composition. The heart note describes flowery, fruity and herbaceous notes. The middle phase usually lasts two to three hours.
You can find more interesting information on this in the article "→ World of fragrances".
Fragrance
flowery
Mixes well with...
Carrier oils
Possible carrier oils depend on several criteria such as skin type and effect. Below I list some neutral carrier oils that can be used well because they are odorless and generally well tolerated.
You can find a wider selection of carrier oils in the → Aromatrix
Body, mind & soul
In the Body, Mind & Soul section, a possible therapeutic use of essential oils is described. An attempt is made to make both the Western and the Eastern perspective transparent.
The Western approach can be found under Effect and use differentiated according to body and mind & soul. For comparison, the Eastern approach describes the chakras and functional areas.
Western approach
This section is written for the aroma therapy expert:
Effect
BODY
Mind & Soul
decongestant, stimulant, antibacterial, antibacterial especially Staphylococcus aureus, antifungal, antiparasitic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antitoxic, antiflatulent, antihypertensive, deodorant, circulatory stimulant, anti-inflammatory, bile flow stimulant, slightly anticoagulant, diuretic, cardiotonic, insect repellent, antispasmodic, menstrual stimulant, diaphoretic, wound healing, vermifuge, cell renewing
antidepressant, calming, relaxing, nerve-strengthening, normalizing, invigorating
Use
BODY
Abscesses, acne, allergies, arteritis, asthma, conjunctivitis, high blood pressure, bronchitis, couperose, dermatitis, diarrhea, diphtheria, eczema, childbirth, epilepsy, vomiting, colds, boils, ulcers, flu, hair loss, sore throat, Urinary bladder inflammation, skin abrasions, allergic skin diseases, infectious skin diseases, skin care, palpitations, heart complaints, viral infections, insect bites, sciatica, itching, catarrh, laryngitis, whooping cough, colic, headaches, cramps, scabies, paralysis, lice infestation, lumbago, menstrual cramps, meteorism, migraine, bad breath, muscle cramps, muscle pain, scars, fainting, earache, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), rheumatism, dandruff, psoriasis, dizziness, sunburn, sunstroke, tuberculosis, nausea, leg ulcers, phlebitis, scalds, indigestion, cramps, injuries, sprains, burns, wounds, toothache, strains
Mind & Soul
Anxiety, tension, depression, inhibition, hysteria, nervousness, sleep disorders, hypersensitivity
Eastern approach
This section is written for the TCM expert:
Lavender essential oil tones the yin of the heart, it opens the mind so that appropriate connections can be made.
5 elements
Element fire
Lavender essential oil is associated with the element of fire.
The element assignment of an essential oil is determined by the →Aroma profile and the direction of action. Lavender essential oil has mainly yang components. It is used as Yang classified.
Chakras
Heart Chakra (4th Chakra)
Crown Chakra (7th Chakra)
Throat Chakra (5th Chakra)
Lavender essential oil is assigned to 3 chakras. However, it is preferred for the heart chakra.
A detailed explanation can be found in the following article: → Etheric oils & chakras
Functional areas
Qi deficiency
- expels pathogens, fights infections: Infections of the urogenital system, respiratory tract infections, cough, asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough
- calms and frees the mind, normalizes perspective, breaks habits: Irritability, lack of concentration, nervous tension, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, despair, panic, hysteria, mental overload, frustration, shyness, embarrassment, self-confident rebellion
- heals skin and hair: Itching, acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, skin allergies, itching, hair loss
- removes heat and heals burns, acts against poison: Burns, hot skin, scalds, hives
- promotes outbreaks: eruptive fever, measles, chickenpox
- promotes tissue repair: Wounds (relieves the pain of wounds and burns and heals and regenerates the skin without leaving a scar), ulcers, bruises, gangrene
- Has a positive effect on the heart qi, the heart spirit and the heart yang: Insomnia, palpitations, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmia, high blood pressure, cold limbs, hypothermia, blue lips and tongue
- disperses the liver qi, relieves pain: Cramps, pain, muscle aches and stiffness, general restlessness, headaches, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation. Normalization of blood sugar levels (take a few drops internally before meals to curb appetite)
- tonifies the Yin, tonifies the reproductive Qi: normalizes menstruation, promotes labor: lack of sexual desire, excessive sexual appetite (reduces false fire due to yin deficiency), menstrual pain, difficult and painful contractions
- expels parasites: Animal and insect bites, skin parasites, lice, scabies
Main use:
lethargic, pale, sweaty, sad
Psycho-emotional representation:
feeling uncomfortable and unable to connect with others, sad, unhappy and disappointed
Sources:
Icon by Ben Didier from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
Texts are based on the following publications:
Pocket dictionary of aromatherapy by Dietrich Wabner, Verlag Systemisch Medizin, 2013
Aromatherapy with Chinese Medicine by Dennis Willmont, Willmountain Press, 2003
Applications
Curb your appetite naturally & easily? 3-2-1 here we go
5 ELEMENTS APPLICATION
Naturally & easily curb your appetite with lavender essential oil.
