Liz Seal Holistic Massage
Norfolk Lavender, Heacham
Last week, I had the pleasure to spend a few days in Norfolk with some friends. We spent a day at Norfolk Lavender, near Heacham, and had a wonderful time walking in the lavender fields and admiring the British National Collection of Lavender.
Lavender is an essential oil with many properties. It is one of the most versatile of the oils in the aromatherapy tool box, being safe to use for children and the frail or fragile client along with almost anyone in between. So, what are the main reasons to reach for the Lavender oil?
Lavender crop ready for distillation- inspection by the Peacock family
Firstly, if you are buying an oil, make sure it has the Latin name on the bottle. There are a range of different Lavender oils available, and due to its popularity, there may be a risk that an oil from an unknown supplier may be a less expensive, scented oil rather than a true essential oil. True Lavender- ‘Lavandula angustifolia’ is the classic oil and should be selected for therapeutic use. Lavandin (Lavandula x indermedia) is grown and used extensively in the perfume industry as it is more prolific and is therefore cheaper to grow commercially.
My top 5 reasons to use Lavender.
Sedative– to relax and calm, in low doses Lavender is gently sedative, encouraging restful sleep. Caution; in higher doses Lavender is stimulant- do not use too much in the evening as you might find yourself doing the housework at 2am!
Analgesic– the chemical constituents of Lavender make it useful for pain relief, clearing headaches and easing muscular aches and pains.
Healing– Lavender is healing and nourishing for the skin, can be used neat on small burns to encourage healing and reduce the risk of scarring. Lavender can also be used for all skin types and can be helpful for acne, eczema and insect bites among many others.
Anti-depressant– the uplifting and calming fragrance can quiet the mind, slow the breathing and bring clarity. Lavender oil is an ideal component for a mediation blend.
Respiratory– Lavender can be healing for the respiratory system, being antimicrobial and cleansing. It is useful in asthma, bronchitis and allergies. Lavandin contains more of the breathing molecules so would be more effective for respiratory conditions, while still being safe for therapeutic use.
As a clinical aromatherapist, I rarely use a single oil, a blend of 3 or 4 oils will boost the therapeutic performance of the oils chosen and can target a specific condition.
Lavender is one of the component oils in my ‘Sleep Well’ blend. For more information please contact me.