How is Lavender Used in Aromatherapy?

Lavender is one of the most versatile oils in aromatherapy. Its healing potential was recognized as far back as the Greeks, who called it Nardus. It was the Romans, however, who really made the use of lavender wide spread. It was often added to the bath water of rich patricians, both for its delicious aroma and its skin restoring power. Naturally, when the Romans conquered new countries, they had to take their lavender with them! So we actually have the ancient Romans to thank for the famous English lavender that we take for granted today.

In aromatherapy, however, lavender is used in far more than just bath water; it has come to be known as a sort of aromatherapeutic cure-all. Some of the more unusual things that it is prescribed for are anxiety, colic, hypertension, scabies, bruises, burns, dermatitis, chicken pox, anxiety, stretch marks, whooping cough, oily skin, earache, and (these two are certainly interesting!) flatulence and labor pains. The main uses of lavender, however, are to calm down skin inflammation, to relieve headaches, and to prepare a drink that is often used as an aid for sleep. If you want to use lavender to help calm inflammation and relieve itching from insect bites, the oil should be spread directly on the affected area. If you want to relieve a headache, rub a small amount of the oil on your temples. Lavender was actually used on the battle field during the World Wars as an antiseptic, too. It has also been believed in the past that lavender can be good for your stomach, but this notion is much less widely-accepted now. Even today, however, you can still find recipes for lavender breads and other dishes.

This oil should be made by steam distilling; its consistency should be quite thin, and it should be clear with tinge of yellow. Lavender's well known fragrance is floral, slightly fruity, and definitely just a tad spicy. There are several different varieties of lavenders (lavendula) that are commonly grown. By far the most common strain is the Common Lavender, or lavandula agustifolia (don't be confused if you have heard of it under a different name. lavandula agustifolia was previously known as lavandula officinalus). Lavenda stoechas, lavenda dentate, and lavenda multifida are all commonly grown as well, though they are generally grown only for ornamental purposes. Altogether, there are about twenty-five to thirty different strains of lavender.