Liveable Lavender

 

Do you have any idea how many wonderful things Lavender can do besides lulling you to sleep?! Well, let's talk about it!   :)

You live in Minnesota. Warm weather FINALLY comes and so do the bugs. No see-ums, gnats, ticks and mosquitoes......They bite, they itch, they hurt. A drop or dab of Lavender will take the itch or sting out of those bites.

Hot coffee, tea or something else burning you? Minor burns HURT and again, a little applied will take the pain away and speed healing, helping skin rejuvenate.

     Long road trips are awful enough. Car sick?

       A drop of Lavender on the end of your tongue, behind your ears       or around your belly button might help. Morning sickness can             take all the joy out of pregnancy so try this instead of suffering.

 

Here's one worth a try. Put a drop or two in your hands, cup them and breathe in deeply if you're suffering with hay fever!

When your skin is really dry, chapped or chaffing, use a little with a carrier oil to help moisturize and heal. Lotions won't do that! It has also been know to be helpful with eczema and other tough skin conditions. It's worth a try, right?

Not only does it help with those skin conditions but may be helpful with dandruff

and all that flake and itching. Massage a little into your scalp or onto your hairbrush and voila! Not only are you conditioning your scalp but you smell mahvelous (and it helps everyone around you relax....)

Dr. Axe, my go to guy, says this. 

"Lavender essential oil is the most used essential oil in the world today, but the benefits of lavender were actually discovered over 2,500 years ago. Because of its powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, sedative, calming and anti-depressive properties, lavender oil benefits abound and it’s been used both cosmetically and therapeutically for centuries. 

The Egyptians used lavender for mummification and as a perfume. In fact, when King Tut’s tomb was opened in 1923, there was said to be a faint scent of lavender that could still be detected after 3,000 years." Wow!

It seems like such a simple, gentle oil but science is beginning to really see it as a profound help in things like diabetes. Applying it to your neck and chest may help with many diabetic symptoms, studied by researchers in 2014. Diffusing it can also be advantageous.

Struggling with postpartum depression and even PTSD may be helped with Lavender, diffusing and taking it orally. Not only good for the short term stress we all face, it may be a life saver for people suffering from depression or the blues who don't want to medicate.

Several drops in bathwater can help an anxious, over stimulated or hyperactive child (or mom!) relax and calm themselves.

Who hasn't struggled with headaches and migraines...I have! Along with most everyone I know. Try adding a few drops of Lavender & Peppermint and rubbing into the back of your neck and inhaling the lingering scent on your hands for 10-15 minutes. You may experience some relief you so badly need.

And you thought it only helped you relax! Experiment, try some new ideas, see what helps you and your family become more oily. HAVE FUN!

According to Dr. Axe, here are some things to be aware of;

"Lavender Oil Side Effects and Precautions

For most people, lavender oil benefits are all that you’ll experience and using lavender oil is completely safe; however, there has not been an extensive amount of scientific research done on lavender oil interactions with other medications, or for its use in pregnant women, so there are certain situations where you will want to use caution.

• Medication Interactions: If you are already taking any prescription medication for sleep-related disorders or for depression, be cautious of the fact that lavender can increase the effectiveness of these medications. Even if you use an over-the-counter sleep aid or any type of sedatives (even cough or flu medicine), keep in mind that lavender makes many people sleepy and even somewhat drowsy, so it’s best to not combine lavender oil with other medications or sleep-related supplements. If you are planning on undergoing anesthesia in the near future, you will also want to avoid using lavender oil.
• Pregnant Women: Lavender oil is generally considered safe for women who are pregnant and nursing. Because it can have a relaxing effect on muscles and can also effect hormone levels, use lavender with caution in your third trimester. It’s best to speak with your doctor about use of any essential oils when pregnant, since it has not been guaranteed that these are safe at this time. 
• Children: Lavender oil is considered generally safe for children to use, although there is some concern that lavender’s effect on hormone levels could be harmful for boys who have not yet gone through puberty. Although there isn’t strong evidence for lavender being a hormone disrupter (only 1–2 very small studies were ever completed), parents are told to use caution if using lavender oil frequently on young children.
• Ingesting Lavender Oil: Studies have primarily looked at the effects of using lavender oil topically on the skin or through inhalation. There have been no negative symptoms found when three drops of oil are mixed with a carrier oil and applied directly to the skin. A 2013 evidence-based article, however, highlighted that lavender can be ingested at a large dose of 80 to 160 milligrams without adverse effects, except for minor gastrointestinal symptoms. To avoid gastrointestinal irritation, keep internal use to a minimum and be careful if you have a sensitive digestive system. There are no known food interactions of lavender oil at this time."

You can see why this versatile oil is a must have in your natural medicine cabinet! With so many varied uses, you'll want to find a high grade, undiluted oil like this one. Better health is only a flower away.   :)