13 Potential Health Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender. . .

• Refreshes and tones the skin, and soothes the nerves
• Reduces stress
• Improves sleep quality
• Promotes relaxation
• Is a natural antiseptic and astringent
• Soothe and heals insect bites
• Soothes and protect sunburned skin
• Helps prevent infection in blisters that often accompany more severe sunburns and other burns
• Speed healing to wounds as it can be applied undiluted ("neat")
• Reduces stress headaches when rubbed on the temples or sniffed like smelling salts
• Reduces oily skin by mixing 1 to 3 drops into one cup of white vinegar
• Promotes healing of rashes, bruises, minor cuts and sores

Some Applications:

For applications as aromatherapy, add 2 to 4 drops of lavender oil to two to three cups of boiling water and inhale the steam once per day.

When used bath additive, 6 drops of lavender oil or 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dried lavender flowers may be added to bath water.

A massage oil is made by adding a little essential oil to a carrier oil and massaging into painful muscles or the temples and nape of the neck for tension headaches or the first hint of a migraine.
Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions

Although side effects are rare, some individuals may develop an allergic reaction to lavender. Excessive intake (several times more than listed above) may cause drowsiness. Nausea, vomiting, headache, and chills have also been reported in some individuals following inhalation or absorption of lavender through the skin. Pregnant and breast feeding women should avoid using lavender, as it is a uterine stimulant. Lavender contains limonene which can cause photo sensitivity, especially when perfumes and cosmetics are used containing lavender oil.

A July 1, 2006 article in Science News stated that "lavender oil had been implicated in abnormal development of the breasts in young boys. Boys and girls are particularly sensitive to estrogenic and androgenic compounds because their sex hormone levels are low prior to puberty.There are identified hormonally active compounds in lavender oil which may be contributing to the increase incidence of early breast development in girls and enlarged breasts in boys."

Assessing the integrative health needs of the person, for more information on lavender oil and ways to be calm and heal yourself while your treading through life visit http://www.quantumenergyworks.wordpress.com/ leave a question or suggestion for Dr. Stress-Less.

Exceprts for this article taken from: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._M._Wolken

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