Summer is finally here. For most people, the beach or the river or the lake is calling their name. However, it also means that school is out and vacations follow. Summer usually represents a time of relaxation and fun.
Unfortunately, many people experience stress and anxiety associated with planning the vacation, planning activities, keeping loved ones happy. I thought that we should start off the month of June with a plant that assists in Relaxation.
Lavender: Lavender is one essential oil that can be used in every home, and this month it’s all about rediscovering its many uses! Lavender Essential Oil is a more natural alternative to many store-bought products, and once you begin using it around the house you’ll wonder how you ever survived without it.
One of the first natural remedies to be reintroduced to Western culture, today lavender is used for everything from calming the mind to soothing irritated skin. Here are a few quick and easy ways to incorporate its benefits into your daily routine:
Relaxation
- Massage lavender into the back of the neck or bottom of the feet for relaxation.
- Add a few drops of lavender to your bath water for a relaxing soak.
Diffuse lavender before bed to quiet the mind and prepare for sleep.
Skincare
- Soothe minor burns by applying 2–3 drops to the affected area.
- Rub several drops onto the scalp area to help soothe minor irritations.
- Reduce or minimize scar tissue by massaging it on or around affected areas.
Apply 2–3 drops to relieve itching and soothe skin.
Remember, there is a difference between true lavender essential oil and other lavender-like products that promise the same benefits. However, these synthetic products merely duplicate the aroma of lavender, and cannot offer the health-enhancing benefits of a therapeutic grade lavender.
Did you know…
- That the benefits of lavender essential oil date all the way back to Ancient Greece?
- That a study at the Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan suggests that, “Lavender aromatherapy has relaxation effects?”
- That lavender has the Latin name lavare, which means “to wash”?
- That lavender blends well with other essential oils like cedarwood, clary sage, and geranium?
- That lavender is harvested year round; and that depending on the time of year, it will “smell” different?
That Shakespeare grew lavender in his garden and spoke of it in his writings, including a recipe for a lavender tea in The Winter’s Tale?
A few more tips:
- Inhale lavender essential oil to soothe and relax the body and mind.
- Make an herbal tea by mixing 2 drops of lavender essential oil with 1 teaspoon of blue agave syrup and adding to warm water.
- Add 4–5 drops of lavender essential oil to a bath gel base and use in warm bath for relaxation.
- Drop 1–2 drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow to aid in a restful night of sleep.
Mandy Kiley, LMT at Stream Point Wellness
