| Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and other | | | | scent and helps in treating migraines, headaches, |
| natural aromatic compounds from plants to affect | | | | anxiety, depression, nervous tension and emotional |
| one's mental or physical health. Essential oils, are | | | | stress. Lavender aroma eases nervous exhaustion |
| known as hydrophobic i.e. non-water mixing or volatile | | | | and restlessness and increases mental activity. |
| i.e. air mixing. Essential oils are sometimes referred to | | | | Lavender essential oil induces sleep and is |
| as an "oil of" a plant e.g. oil of lavender. Essential oils | | | | recommended for insomnia. Lavender essential oil |
| are referred to as "essential" because they are the | | | | helps ease pains caused by sore muscles, tense |
| perceived "essence" of a plant.. | | | | muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, |
| Essential oils and other elements used in aromatherapy | | | | backache and lumbago. Massage with lavender oil |
| are used for relieving a variety of discomfort from | | | | helps relieve pain in the joints. Lavender oil helps in |
| indigestion to headaches. Aromatherapy is used to | | | | restoring hormonal balance and reduces inflammation |
| alter mood, inspire confidence, ease depression, and | | | | of the urinary bladder. Lavender oil is often helpful for |
| increase energy. In many cultures essential oils are | | | | respiratory problems including throat infections, flu, |
| used for their antiseptic value to treat infection. In | | | | cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, |
| France, essential oils viewed and considered in a similar | | | | whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. The oil is either |
| way prescription drugs are in the United States. | | | | used in the form of vapor or applied on the skin of |
| Essential oil treatments can be delivered in many | | | | neck, chest and back. It is also added in many |
| different ways- direct inhalation of vapors, inhalation of | | | | vaporizers and inhalers used for cold and coughs. |
| steam from a vaporizer, through massage, or through | | | | Lavender oil helps skin because of its antiseptic and |
| therapeutic baths. It is important to note, however, that | | | | antifungal properties. Lavender oil is used for various |
| essential oils are diluted in carrier oils (neutral, odorless | | | | skin disorders e.g. acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, wounds, |
| oils) before being used on skin. Essential oils can be | | | | cuts, burns, and sunburn.. Lavender oil is added to |
| used singly or in combinations with other essential oils. | | | | chamomile to treat eczema. Lavender essential oil is |
| Other products used in Aromatherapy besides | | | | useful on lice and lice eggs or nits in hair. Lavender |
| essential oils include absolutes, phytoncides, and | | | | essential oil is also good for improving blood circulation |
| infusions. Absolutes are essentially purer forms of | | | | by lowering blood pressure and hypertension. |
| essential oils that have had their lighter, less dense | | | | Lavender oil for digestion increases the mobility of the |
| components extracted with ethanol. Phytoncides are | | | | intestines increases production of gastric juices and bile |
| natural antimicrobial liquids used by many plants to | | | | and so eases indigestion, stomach pain, colic, flatulence, |
| protect themselves from rotting or being eaten by | | | | vomiting and diarrhea. Lavender oil also helps improve |
| insects and animals. Infusions are oils or other liquids | | | | the immune system. Lavender can be used as an |
| that have been infused with herbs, flowers, or berries. | | | | insect repellent for mosquitoes and helps heal insect |
| One of the more popular and widely used aromas is | | | | bites. As with many other essential oils, pregnant and |
| lavender. Lavender grows well in rocky environments | | | | breast feeding women, people with diabetic concerns |
| that have good sunlight. Lavender has woody | | | | or people with unusually sensitive skin should avoid |
| branches and green leaf-like shoots resembling rods. | | | | using lavender essential oil. |
| The grayish green leaves are oblong and in curled | | | | The health benefits of aromatherapy has been |
| spiral patterns. Lavender oil is taken from the flowers | | | | underestimated. Aromatherapy has often been |
| of the plant with steam distillation. Lavender oil blends | | | | considered to be only a way to make "everything |
| well with many other essential oils including cedarwood, | | | | smell nice". The health benefits of aromatherapy are |
| pine, clary sage, geranium, and nutmeg. The flowers of | | | | much more powerful and effective than is commonly |
| lavender are fragrant in nature and have been used | | | | perceived or known by most people. Aromatherapy is |
| for making potpourris. . Lavender's Latin name Lavare, | | | | a deeply beneficial natural healing modality for |
| means "to wash". Lavender essential oil has a calming | | | | enhancing emotional balance and physical health. . |