Lavender Oil (14 page)

                               
  
Headaches brought on by tension or stress can also be eased by a firm neck and shoulder massage using 3 drops of lavender in 1 tsp carrier oil.

See also
Stress

Cold sores, usually found on the lips or face, are caused by the virus
herpes simplex I
. The condition is infectious and can be spread to other parts of the body or to other people quite easily. Some people are particularly prone to cold sores, especially when they are run down or have suffered exposure to cold wind or hot sunshine.

Genital herpes is an infection transmitted by sexual contact and caused by the virus
herpes simplex II
. The first attack is generally the worst; the skin of the genital region becomes red and itchy and then erupts into small, very painful blisters which can last for several weeks. This tends to be followed by recurrent attacks which take a milder form, often precipitated by stress, sexual activity or another infection; these subsequent attacks usually last only a few days. Nevertheless, genital herpes remains a very distressing condition that does not respond to standard antibiotic treatment (like cold sores, which also do not respond to antibiotics).

                               
  
Use neat lavender oil to dab any blisters or sores as soon as they begin to develop – check for skin sensitivity first! Repeat frequently over a period of several days, or until the condition has cleared.

                               
  
In the case of genital herpes, at the very first sign of infection make a concentrated solution by mixing 30 drops of lavender oil with about 1 litre of warm water – shake or stir well before use. Use this solution to douche or wash the genital area frequently to
soothe irritation and prevent the infection from developing. In addition, all sexual partners should also undergo treatment to avoid re-infection; abstain from sexual contact for at least a week during the treatment.

                               
  
Note:
Although it is normal to experience a temporary, warm sensation, discontinue this method if irritation occurs.

                               
  
Add 8–10 drops to the bath water as a general disinfectant measure.

                               
  
Other measures: take vitamin C tablets; bergamot (bergapten-free) oil and especially tea tree oil are also beneficial for treating herpes when applied in the same manner as lavender.

See also
Chicken Pox

Many people suffer from high blood-pressure these days, for it is a common side-effect of the fast pace of 20th-century life. Stress, poor diet, too much alcohol and arteriosclerosis (the thickening and hardening of the arterial walls) can all contribute to this condition, which in the long term may lead to a serious kidney disease or heart failure. It is therefore vital to reduce blood-pressure levels as soon as possible, and one’s diet, lifestyle, ambitions, etc. often need to be reassessed. Lavender is a valuable treatment for high blood-pressure according to several accounts:

                              
In 1990, Nikolaevskii examined the effect of lavender oil volatiles [volatile oils] on atherosclerosis in rabbits. Although they found that there was no reduction of the cholesterol in the blood, there was reported reduction of cholesterol in the aorta thereby causing a reduced atherosclerotic plaque deposition.
¹⁴

Aromatherapy massage has also been found to be especially effective in implementing change in this field:

                              
Long-term studies in a London teaching hospital have shown that massage effectively reduces high blood-pressure, and that this effect persists for a long time. When massage is given regularly, the effects are even more striking, and blood-pressure may be lowered for several days after a massage. The most important oils to use in these circumstances are Lavender, Marjoram and Ylang ylang.
¹⁵

                               
  
If possible, put aside some time each week to have a regular professional massage using a blend of relaxing oils including lavender. Self-massage or massage between partners or friends is also valuable.

                               
  
Add 8–10 drops of lavender oil to the bath – or in combination with other relaxing oils such as ylang ylang, chamomile or marjoram.

                               
  
Use lavender oil in a vaporizer at home or in the office on a regular basis, or put a few drops on a handkerchief for inhalation throughout the day.

                               
  
Other measures: yoga, meditation and psychotherapy/counselling; reduce intake of stimulants including tea, coffee and alcohol.