When I experienced the smell of Lavender Oil for the first time, I was really surprised. It's strong and not much like what you would get in most sprays or air fresheners from most retail stores. I really wasn't sure if I would like it, let alone love it. Now it is one of my favorite oils.
Lavender for Relaxation
The first use, and one of the most frequent methods I utilize, is relaxation. I will put a drop or two neat (undiluted) on the back of my neck and massage it in when I'm feeling the pressures and stresses that typically creep up in life. There are many, many suggestions for different oils that have worked with normal, mild feelings of anxiety for different people, but Lavender is my body's calling.
Lavender for General Headaches
Lavender is my first defense against headaches, and I seldom have to go beyond it. I apply it neat to the base of my skull and rub a drop over my temples. If the headache originates around my sinus area, I will also rub just a little over my sinus cavities. Within a few minutes my headache will be gone. While my headache will seldom come back, I do like that if it's an hour later, I can reapply.
Lavender for Sleeplessness
When I'm having trouble sleeping because my mind simply won't turn off, Lavender will often relax me into a peaceful slumber. Every once in a while I will get ready for bed at night and my mind decides to wake up. At about the time I get warm and snuggled under my blanket, my brain kicks into gear and I start to drive my husband crazy. 'Did you lock the front door? How about the back door? Did you turn in your time sheet? What was that noise? Are you sure it was just the dog? I have to check the baby. I have to go check the other kids.' There are nights this would go on for a very long time if it weren't for me going to the bathroom to grab my bottle of Lavender and rubbing it into my neck at the base of my skull. Some nights I will even follow the directions on the bottle to take lavender as an oral supplement.
Lavender to Help Children Sleep
Between my five children, there are four oils we keep on hand to help sooth and relax them. My four year old normally reacts best to a little Lavender. Rubbing a drop or two, diluted in twice as much of a high quality oil (Young Living's V6 oil or organic coconut oil are great for this), on his feet or diffusing a couple drops in his room before bed makes a huge difference in his ability to unwind. I prefer the foot application because of the variety of oils my children use.
Lavender for Pets
My oldest daughter's puppy went in for her 'special surgery' this past spring. When we were receiving discharge instructions, the vet noted that our particular puppy was very, very energetic, so he gave us extra sedatives. Still pretty new to oils and fully inexperienced with using oils on our pets, I used the sedatives all five days. Day six was miserable. She started to chew and wanted to run and jump. Even on a leash she was ridiculous and ended up popping one stitch. My husband stopped at the store to grab her a cone to stop the licking, and I looked up what oils may help a dog relax. One drop of oil diluted, then one drop of that mixture on one paw completely relaxed her. She spent most of the rest of her recovery comfortably relaxed and often sleeping. Once she was healed, she went right back to the crazy, energetic puppy she was before her surgery. We continue to use Lavender on days she seems especially rambunctious or intense.
It is important to note that you should be careful with oils on your pets. While oils can be wonderful, you should avoid forcing an oil on your pet. Let your pet sniff it to see if it is something they like. Make sure to dilute the oil well. I intentionally did not put how much we diluted for our pup, because each pet is going to be different. Start small and work your way from there to where your pet needs to be.
Lavender for Skin and Hair
Lavender is great for supporting healthy hair and skin. I have been using Young Living shampoo and conditioner for the past few months, and I have noticed a big difference in my hair. My hair has always been healthy, but this is a whole new level. I skip back and forth between Lavender and Lavender Mint shampoo and conditioner. I will also put Lavender on skin to help it look healthier.
Lavender for First Aid
Lavender is known for helping promote the skin's natural healing abilities, and it does not disappoint. People often use it to encourage skin healing with minor burns, minor scrapes, and slight bruising. Lavender isn't a replacement for seeing a doctor for severe burns or cuts. We also often use Lavender to sooth bug bites and have used it to sooth bee stings.
Too Many to List
While these are what we have used Lavender for, I know there are many other uses out there. I have read many of them on the testimonials page.
Disclaimer
Every body is different. For example, many people swear by Peace and Calming for relaxing their minds, and it is wonderful for one of my children, but it does not work for me. The same is true of any oil, and what works great for one person may not work as well for you. Quality of oil will also make a tremendous difference in the effect you experience, which is why I only use Young Living Essential Oils.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not meant to treat, diagnose, or cure.
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. This book has had ideas for pretty much every situation I have come across. I love that I can take it with me, and I don't have to worry about getting online and searching to find things. This is the book I took to the hospital for the birth of my last little, and it's the book I like to keep right in the bathroom with my oils. It's easy to search through when we would like to find which supplements will best support a system or which may help to sooth various day to day disruptions. In the front there is a spot that shows you where the vita-flex points are on your body. Before getting this book, I had no idea that using an oil on different parts of my feet could affect different parts of my body. When I look through, I find what part of my body I am looking to support, then flip to the front to figure out the best place to put the oil.
. Mine is actually the third edition, but because it has been updated, this version is going to be your best option. I got this book because I have five children, and this particular book caters to things that commonly bother children. The Quick Reference Guide above does have a section that addresses pregnancy, children, and infants, but I will grab my Gentle Babies book before the big book most times for the kids. When I look in this book, I know any suggestions are specifically geared to what may be best for my kids, right down to telling me exactly how much to dilute an oil for them. This is especially important when using a hot oil like Peppermint or Thieves. It also explains infant massage and how to use oils.