Scent To Unstress & Heal

LAVENDER OIL. The Power to Heal and Relax

Lavender wins the Mother Nature Triple Crown for essential oils: it is one of the most popular floral fragrances, it is a natural “Bacteria Buster” (antibiotic, antiseptic, antiviral and antifungal) and it has the power to sooth and relax.Here are some comments on using Lavender based on our own experiences and feedback from our customers…

Healing

We have found Lavender to be most helpful for skin problems such as facial blemishes (adult), Rosacea, sores, athlete’s foot, cuts and burns. We have used it to relieve itching and prevent infection on poison ivy, insect bites and bee strings.

We don’t know many of the names for the skin problems where customers have reported Lavender to be helpful nor do we know why Lavender often has a beneficial effect. It is so inexpensive and has a good enough batting average that it’s worth a try. We have not had encouraging reports on using Lavender to combat teenage acne; at best, it seems to keep it from getting out of hand. Nor does it seem to work for psoriasis or eczema.

Lavender can be applied directly to the skin but care should be taken not to get it into one’s eyes. When applied to the face, the fumes can have a mild stinging effect on the eyes.

Essential oils work more slowly than modern drugs so one shouldn’t expect immediate results (a test period of about three weeks is suggested). The amount of oil applied doesn’t seem to be as important as the frequency of application. The more often used, the better the chance for a favorable result.

Lavender, in spite of being an oil, has a slightly drying effect. When using it to attempt to relieve skin problems where the skin is very dry (such as the scalp), try a mixture of approximately one quarter Sweet Almond oil and three quarters Lavender oil.

Relaxing

Most interesting is the ethereal nature of Lavender. Lavender is known as an antidepressant and sedative when its fragrance is inhaled. The use of the oil to sooth and calm can vary from a few drops on a handkerchief, on the upper lip just below the nostrils, in a room diffuser or as a room spray. Experiment.

Some customers find Lavender helpful for inducing sleep. The amount used carry vary from a few drops on the upper lip to misting sheets and pillows. If one tends to wake in the wee hours with events, problems, etc. kicking the brain into such a frenzy of activity that sleep seems impossible, try short circuiting the brain with a good whiff of Lavender.

The comments above apply to the essential oil of Lavender (preferably French) extracted from the plant and not to synthetic Lavender. Lavender oil will last for about two years or indefinitely if kept in the refrigerator (not the freezer). The brown bottle protects the oil from the effects of light.

Obviously, if you have or suspect a reaction to Lavender, discontinue it’s use. About the most negative reports we’ve ever had of Lavender is that it did not alleviate the problem or that the fragrance was repellant.Not for internal use.

Please contact us if you have any questions. Ask for Caitriona: sales@barclaycrocker.com

Eucalyptus, The Sweet Smelling Medicine Tree

Who hasn’t lingered when passing by a grove of Eucalyptus just to inhale their remarkable scent, which seems to pass through the nostrils into the core of one’s being…(?)

In some locations these wonderful trees reach epic size, unbelievably even higher than the California Giant Sequoia. One or more have been measured at over 480′. They can be used for timber, but are more valued for the oils they produce.

Eucalyptus leaves hang with an oblique sadness from the stem of the plant, which betray their very practical purpose; their glands constantly secrete fragrant, volatile oils…

Ah, to the heart of our story..eucalyptus oil! Once distilled it’s a colorless liquid with a characteristic odor and soluble in it’s own weight of alcohol. It’s the most powerful antiseptic in it’s group and has a strong disinfectant action.

But there are many uses for this special oil. It’s a stimulant and can be employed as an antiseptic gargle or a decongestant. Locally applied eucalyptus oil can diminish sensitivity and increase cardiac action. It has showed response against malaria as well. It has been used to treat asthma, bronchitis, burns, cuts, influenza and even headaches. Many insect repellents contain eucalyptus. Finally, include in this list of uses

Treating muscle aches, rheumatism, sinusitis, skin ulcers, urinary infections and wounds.

Did we mention decongestant in the above list?..to expand then, next time you are in the sauna pour a small amount of eucalyptus oil mixed with water onto the hot rocks and inhale. Then settle back and feel it’s fragrance clear all your sinuses, massage your throat, tickle your sanskaras and make eucalyptus yours forever.