Lavender Oil (13 page)

                               
  
Additional measures: Ylang ylang, chamomile and bergamot have been found to be effective in some cases.

Lavender has long been used as a nerve tonic in cases of debility or nervous exhaustion, indeed lavender water was originally made as a reviving perfume for ‘languor and weakness of the nerves, lowness of spirits, faintings, etc.’ According to Mrs Grieve, lavender essential oil is also ‘admirably restorative‘ and ‘a few drops of the essence of lavender in a hot footbath has a marked influence in relieving fatigue.’
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Add 8–10 drops to the bath, or footbath, as a reviving ‘pick-me-up’.

                               
  
Simply inhaling lavender from a tissue in the same fashion as you would ‘smelling salts’ can help counteract feelings of weakness, dizziness or nervous weakness.

                               
  
Lavender also acts as a tonic to the nervous system when used in massage oils, baths, inhalations, etc.

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see
Dyspepsia

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see
Infectious Illnesses

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see
Herpes

Lavender oil makes an excellent conditioning treatment for the air due to its pleasing scent, gentle action and powerful antiseptic properties. It helps to regulate the activity of the sebaceous glands, cleanses the scalp of bacterial infection and helps disperse dead skin cells. It has the reputation of ‘sorting knots and tangles’ and also encourages hair growth.

                              
Dr Marchand has studied the question of hair loss and his studies have led to the conclusion that pure lavender essence used as a scalp massage reduces hair loss and encourages regrowth.
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By making the hair more healthy and manageable, lavender oil benefits all hair types including dry hair, greasy hair and itchy scalp conditions.

                               
  
Choose a mild or pH neutral shampoo which does not strip the hair of its protective acid mantle, then add between 1 and 3 per cent of lavender oil (about 20–60 drops per 100 ml of mild shampoo – or 2–3 drops of lavender oil to 1 tsp of shampoo). Shampoo daily or according to your usual routine – this treatment is good for all hair types.

                               
  
Lavender oil can also be added to a conditioning lotion in the same manner (2 per cent), or a few drops can be put in the final rinse water.

                               
  
For a hair conditioner to encourage hair growth and to treat baldness (alopecia): mix 25 drops of lavender oil with 50 ml of slightly warmed jojoba or coconut oil, massage thoroughly into scalp. Wrap hair in a warm towel and leave for an hour if possible. Wash out, using lavender shampoo – apply the shampoo first before the water, otherwise the hair will remain oily. Repeat once a week. (Alternatively, a few drops of lavender oil can be added to a natural conditioning lotion or wax – or rubbed neat into the scalp).

                               
  
A good final rinse for all hair types is to add 5 drops of lavender and 1 tbsp of cider vinegar to the final rinse water. This will help to remove detergent residue and restore the acid equilibrium of the scalp.

                               
  
Other essential oils which are excellent for hair care include tea tree, rosemary, chamomile and West Indian bay.

See also
Children’s Ailments (Cradle Cap),
Lice

Headaches can be caused by a number of different factors – sinus congestion, nervous stress, eye strain, too much sun or too much alcohol!

Lavender is particularly indicated for tension headaches and to prevent sunstroke. At one time it was common for farmers to keep a sprig of lavender under their hat … and it was ‘a notable fact that they never suffered from headaches despite working in the bright sunshine for many hours’.
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Inhale lavender oil from a tissue, or apply neat to the temples or on a cold compress to the forehead or back of the neck.