Lavender – this versatile healing plant has so many health benefits

Added June 17, 2010, Under: Headaches & Migraines, Men's Health, Pregnancy, Women's Health

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Everybody knows the lavender plant. Originally native to the Mediterranean countries, it is so popular that it has traveled with migrating people to all parts of the world. Today it can be found in Europe, Australia, Africa, the USA and more.

There are two different types of lavender:

• Spike lavender has broad spatula-like leaves, contains a higher content of ceneol and camphor and produces three times as much oil as French lavender. The higher content of these ingredients makes it less pleasing.

• French lavender is considered the more fragrant and its leaves are narrower with small dark flowers

Lavender is one of the most versatile and useful of all herbs, with a long history of use in medicinal healing. Gentle and soothing, this common herb has strong analgesic effects useful for treatment of migraines and so many other conditions. Essential oils extracted from this herb are used to treat both humans as well as pets, and lavender is also a popular fragrance found throughout the cosmetic industry.

The scent of lavender is associated with comfort and aromatherapists have long used lavender in the treatment of depression and nervous conditions who found that inhaling the fragrant compound linalool made stress-elevated levels of neutrophils and lymphocytes (both key parts of the immune system) return to near normal levels. Lavender was cited as the plant which has the highest concentrations of linalool.

Anecdotal evidence from alternative healthcare practitioners and patients confirm lavender’s efficacy as a pain reliever, something herbalists have known and written about for centuries.

• Lavender relieves the pain of migraine headaches and prevents the onset of a new headache. Compare this natural pain reliever to those strong, pain killers prescribed as migraine cures, including narcotics, which can leave you groggy and even confused.

• Lavender helps reduce stress, lower anxiety levels and improve moods. The soothing medicinal features of this aromatic blue herb are of great benefit in relieving the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

• Lavender helps induce relaxation and sleep in people who suffer from insomnia, restless leg syndrome and exhaustion by soothing the activity of the nervous system. It can also be used to rejuvenate patients who have to deal with chronic pain and little sleep.

• Lavender tea can be made by steeping a teaspoon of dried lavender flowers in a tea ball in a cup of hot water with a touch of raw honey to sweeten. Great for restlessness, insomnia and nervous stomach irritations.

Numerous studies have reported that lavender essential oils may be beneficial in a number of conditions, including migraines, headaches, depression, anxiety, mood swings, fear and exhaustion. Lavender can also be used during labor and is useful for eczema and dermatitis.

Lavender is also used for: heart palpitations, arthritis, joint inflammation, fainting, neuralgia, vertigo, insomnia, epilepsy and other seizures, rheumatism, sore muscles, sprains, flatulence, colic, nausea, vomiting, toothache, acne, wounds, snakebites, hoarseness, loss of voice, allergies, sunburn and sunstroke, abscess, alopecia, asthma, athletes foot, insect bites, boils, burns, colds, colic, coughs, cystitis, earache and respiratory infections.

Even though essential oils blend well with each other, lavender oil blends especially well with cedarwood, clary sage, geranium, pine, nutmeg and all the citrus oils.

The essential oils of lavender are an important ingredient in many of the Healing Natural Oils products. Each of these products has been specially formulated to target a specific condition. They come ready to use and guaranteed to heal the problem gently and safely. No guessing, no mixing, no having to buy different ingredients. Everything is done for you. What could be easier?