Essential Oil Tips: Lavender

It's Thursday, which means I'm highlighting an essential oil.  Today I'm going to talk about DoTerra's Lavender essential oil.

Lavender is one of the most common oils that people have, and for good reason.  Some of the properties of Lavender include adaptogenic (meaning it balances the body, so it can be stimulating or relaxing depending on what your body needs), analgesic (i.e. painkiller), antibiotic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic, disinfectant, and a sedative.

Now if you think about these properties, hopefully you'll realize how much that actually entails. Some of the common health concerns it can help with include: acne, arthritic pain, asthma, bronchitis, burns, colds and flu, cuts/wounds, depression, dermatitis, diarrhea, earaches, headaches, herpes, hypertension, indigestion, insect bites, insomnia, migraines, muscle pain, nausea, psoriasis, skin disorders, sore throat, stomach ache, stress, and throat infections.  I know there are probably more out there.  I go by the motto, if you're not sure which oil to use, use lavender.

In my home, I keep a bottle of lavender in the kitchen (and in my bathroom, next to my flatiron) for when I burn myself (it's not an if, it's a when), so I can immediately apply it to the burn.  It works so much better than cold water alone, and the burn goes away so much faster when lavender is applied. If it's a small burn, you can apply it directly.  If you have a severe burn, put 6-8 drops per half cup in water in a small spray bottle and spritz the burned area frequently.  It will sooth and kill bacteria.  This also works for cuts and scraps, too.

It's also my go to oil for headaches, I usually apply it with peppermint oil on my temples and on the back of my neck.

I apply it to the bottoms of my boys feet every night to help them calm down and fall asleep quickly.  And if any one of us are having issues staying asleep...it's lavender that we use.

Lavender also works great in relieving itchy skin, whether it's dermatitis, insect bites, rashes, etc.  It works immediately.

Add lavender oil to a diffuser to help calm as well, it works wonders this way!

For more information on how to use Lavender or any of the other oils see:
http://www.mydoterra.com/pauladecaria/
http://www.everythingessential.me
http://doterrablog.com/