Monday, May 3, 2010

Unexpected Uses of the Flowering Herb: Lavender

Lavender
Used for centuries by numerous cultures: Ancient Greece and Rome, Medieval Arabs and Europeans, and throughout India; Lavender has been enjoyed for its distinctive and beautiful aroma and color.
Today, most consumers are aware of the uses of lavender as an ingredient to perfumes, lotions, and potpourri to promote relaxation. But the great historical uses of this gracious herb are much more medicinal and all-encompassing for health.

Lavender: Antiseptic and Antibacterial
Dioscordes, an Ancient Greek physician wrote in his De Materia Medica that externally, lavender [essential oil] could be used to clean wounds and burns or treat skin ailments, as an antiseptic and antibacterial ointment. Most herbalists would encourage you to get professional direction before applying any essential oil to the skin, however.

Lavender Heals Acne
Lavender can be used to treat Acne and to prevent Acne scarring. It both kills germs and enables new skin cells to grow, giving Acne a double punch. I occasionally use lavender essential oil as a spot treatment on blemishes, after I wash and apply moisturizer to my face.

Lavender: Healthy Alternative to Sleep Medicines
In a scientific study at the University of Leicester in England lavender essential oil was proven as effective in promoting sound sleep as traditional medication; without all the dangerous and addictive side-effects, I might add.

Before going to bed try dabbing lavender essential oil on your wrists and neck just as you would apply perfume, breath in and relax into a delightful sleep!

Enjoy! Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer

8 comments:

  1. I really like lavender,it's one of my favourite ingredients and scents!

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  2. There are many products which use the fragrance of lavender but I think it is still unused and untapped to some extent.The antiseptic characteristic could be used for many home used products and personal care products as well.

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  3. Life is so very busy with family and work, so the last thing you probably have time for is cleaning your carpets, windows and floor. So it is better to hire cleaning service provider.

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  4. I'm excited to find out that lavender oil can help acne, thats so awesome! i'm definitely going to try that out =)
    Kate

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  5. I love the fragrance of lavender and I use a lot of soaps that use this fragrance.thanks for the lovely article here to learn much more than I knew about it.

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  6. It is one of the most used substances in the eco cleaning products. Some of them you can even prepare by your own and in addition you get the great smell of lavender in your whole home. The most interesting is the fact that few of the Wimbledon cleaning companies start to use lavender oil during the cleaning process.

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  7. Hi,

    Thanks for your post, I'm glad to see that others are exploring the sometimes unexpected benefits of lavender. Recently, I have been using Faith in Nature Lavender Shampoo and have found it to be absolutely fantastic. I have suffered from a dry scalp for quite some time, so I thought I would try a completely natural alternative. The lavender oils in this shampoo have helped to sooth and treat my scalp and now I do not suffer from the condition any more. I would definitely recommend it!

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  8. The scent is what I like and plus its all natural.

    grout cleaning phoenix az

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