Archive for October, 2009

I love growing herb plants, they are cheap and easy to grow, they grow well indoors through the winter and I get to eat them. Herb plants grown well in cheap plastic plant containers. I got a stack of them out of the trash dumpster behind my local plant store. A few packets of seeds, some salvaged containers, some dirt and it is amazing how much will grow.

Most herbs are tough wild plants which thrive when pampered by gardeners. Having a few of the basic cooking herbs growing in containers is convenient because they are all a few steps from my kitchen. If I decide I need an herb in the middle of cooking, I cut a little fresh without having to drive to the store. Herbs can be harvested by simply cutting off what you need, I keep a small pair of scissors just for that. Cooking with fresh herbs is much better than the dried stuff they call herbs that come in little plastic containers. The flavor of fresh herbs is better but the potency of dried herbs is about three times that of fresh, so if you are using fresh herbs in a recipe that called for dried herbs, keep this in mind.

Herbs and spices – Culinary herbs are different from spices. For the most part, culinary herbs are fresh or dried leaves. Spices are seeds, roots, fruits, flowers, and bark. Culinary herbs usually have a mild flavor while spices tend to have a stronger, pungent flavor.

Annuals, Biennials and Perennials – Annuals bloom one season, put out a lot of seeds and die, biennial herbs live two seasons, blooming the second season only, perennial herbs bloom each season once established and can be propagated by division or cuttings.

What to grow? – Grow what you like to eat. If you cook a lot, you probably already have some idea what herbs you’d like. I grow some herbs because they are used in cuisines I like to eat. Cilantro for Mexican food, basil and rosemary for Italian.

Lavender, rosemary, bay laurel, marjoram, dill, oregano, sage and thyme are all easy to grow cooking herbs. This will start you out with herbs you can eat. They are all from the mild, dry climate of the Mediterranean and grow well together. They need well draining soil, bright sun, and moderate temperatures. Many of the Mediterranean herbs are very sensitive to soil moisture conditions. Raised beds are sometimes needed to provide the necessary drainage. Oregano, and thyme have tried to take over my garden many times. Now I put them in pots, and sink them into the ground. They grow better this way also because I can use soils that drain better just for them. Some of the best easy-to-grow herbs will take over the garden if you do not watch them.

Every herb garden needs at least five kinds of basil. Basil, is not really a mediterranean herb and needs more water. Parsley, chervil, and mint grow best on soils which retain moisture. Chamomile and mints are always good to have growing for tea. Mints are another plant that are good to grow in pots because once they get going they will quickly overwhelm other plants. Peppermint does not produce seeds and can only be propagated by cuttings.

Mints, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and tarragon, should be purchased as plants or propagated by cuttings. If you are planting herb plants from the garden store, plant them in the same way you would plant any other plant, dig a hole, put the plant in and water it well. The woodier herb plants like rosemary, thyme and oregano are better grown from established plants.

Growing herbs outside – Pick a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. Do not plant where water stands or runs during heavy rains. If you don’t have good drainage raised beds will fix it. Add dead leaves and compost to the soil. If you are starting your plants from seeds, put some dirt in a bucket, add a few packets of seeds and scatter them over the soil and water well. The plants will begin to sprout in about a week.

Dry some of your harvest so you’ll have dried herbs through the winter. You’ll never go back to those sad little plastic containers from the grocery store. The shelf life of many herbs is one to two years as long as they are not exposed to light, heat and air. Leaves keep their flavor best when they are stored whole and crushed just before use. Seeds for cooking should be stored whole and ground up as needed.

Keep them well watered, make sure your soil has drainage, make sure to plant them in a place they will get sun, but not too much, feed them a little and they will pay you back many times over. Never use fertilizer, just good dirt with some mulch from the back yard and some alfalfa pellets or some cow manure. Continue to plant seeds every couple of weeks all season long so you will always have fresh herbs available. Most herbs reach their peak for flavor before flowering, that is the best time to harvest leaves or seeds for storage.

Growing herbs inside – Growing herbs inside requires good drainage, sunlight and water. Put an inch of gravel at the bottom of each pot for drainage. Herbs grow best inside in a location with bright, filtered light. A south or west windowsill provides a good spot for an herb garden. Keep plenty of space between your plants to allow for air circulation, Herbs in smaller containers tend to dry out faster, water more often if needed.

Fertilizing – Too much fertilizer produces poor tasting herbs. Heavy applications of fertilizer, will decrease the concentration of essential oils. Don’t fertilizing your herbs in winter. Most plants, especially the warm-climate ones, are asleep and not growing in winter.

Compost is the best fertilizer around. Just toss a handful or two of it around the base of the plant. Mix in lots of organic matter to the soil like mulched leaves to improve texture and drainage.
Plants do not eat fertilizer, they use photosynthesis to eat light. It is amazing but that is what they do. Giving them too much fertilizer is like taking too many vitamins.

Harvey Robinson
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/i-love-growing-herbs-133091.html

Tags: aromatherapy, bathroom, bedroom, buy lavender, dried lavender, dryer sachet, english lavender, french lavender, home decor, housewares, lavendar, lavender buds, lavender flowers, lavender sachet, lavenderdrop, lavenerdrops, organic, scented sachet, wedding

The purple rose is an expression of enchantment and love at first sight. Many lovers continually expression their true intentions of love with lavender roses. The purple rose is a great way to intertwine your emotions of love with a beautiful and striking flower. The undeniable appeal of a bouquet of purple roses can make an unforgettable gift! The whimsical, spring time feel of lavender roses can make anyone feel like a kid again. The purple rose also can have meanings of majesty and royalty. Since purple is a color of splendor and glory, it is no wonder that the purple rose has also gained this meaning.

The purple rose is a flower that has been developed to express new emotions in flowers. The many different significances of the lavender rose makes it a popular rose among flower lovers. A purple rose bouquet is a gift of admiration, meaning that the giver is overcome of feelings of love and romance for the recipient. Purple roses also pay tribute to characteristics such as royalty and honor. It it the only rose that carries this meaning. Blue roses have also been connected to the purple rose and it’s symbolism. Since blue roses do not occur naturally, it’s closest relative, the purple rose, has been subject to meanings of the blue rose as well – mysterious and unattainable. The impossibility and wonder of a purple rose bouquet will enchant anyone you send them too!

Besides the red rose, expressing our deepest feelings of love and sensuality is undeniably best represented by purple roses. If you want to express feelings of enthrallment, especially at first sight, than giving the unique and extraordinary lavender rose will definitely tell them how you feel. Valentine’s day or anniversaries are great holidays to send a purple rose bouquet to your loved ones. With their many alternate meanings, the lavender rose is a great gift for almost any occasion, no matter what messages you wish to send. That special someone won’t be able to resist the sweet and thoughtful gift of a dozen purple roses.

Janna Hagan
http://www.articlesbase.com/gifts-articles/the-meaning-of-lavender-roses-enchanting-grace-and-irresistible-charm-742580.html

Tags: aromatherapy, bathroom, bedroom, buy lavender, dried lavender, dryer sachet, english lavender, french lavender, home decor, housewares, lavendar, lavender buds, lavender flowers, lavender sachet, lavenderdrop, lavenerdrops, organic, scented sachet, wedding

As the mercury touches the 40 degree mark, all we want is something to keep us cool. When the days are long and the air is warm don’t you just wish you could escape to a shady, comfortable place? And what better if that place happens to be your home. Make your home cheerful. Bring a fresh look of summer in your home with quick an easy additions of colour, style, and accessories.

Not everyone has the luxury of moving to the mountains to enjoy the “lazy days of summer.” But most of us can bring the look of summer into the home. It is not necessary to change every room or throw out all the old furniture, but there are lots of ways to lighten up and freshen up your home for a wonderful summer seasonal change. You may even feel like you’ve moved away for the summer.

There are a number of things you can do inside your home to make it look more comfortable. Why not try some of these simple, easy changes to “summerise” your home?

LIGHTEN UP

The first rule of summer decorating is -lighten up! If you haven’t folded up those cozy winter blankets and flannel sheets and tucked them safely in the closet yet, now’s the time. Wash and air them outside first, and try placing small sachets of dried rosemary or lavender between sets on the closet shelf – you’ll love the lingering fragrance when you shake them out again in the fall. Change the image of your home and make it a nice change from what it was a year back. Keeping away winter stuff could make a good beginning to welcome the summer but keep the sun away.

CURTAINS

Go for sheets and curtains that represent your summer spirit. Heavy drapes are a no-no in summer decorating, trapping heat in and blocking out welcome sunshine from a room. Invest in some sheer, pretty curtains that offer some privacy while keeping a room feeling cool and open. White is always a good choice, but don’t shy away from soft new pastel shades that coordinate with your summer sheets and bed covers.

LINEN

Try to get a simple slipcover for the back or seat of your kitchen or dining room side chairs. The look will soften an all-wood chair and freshen the look of an upholstered seat. Add fresh flowers and plants to your guest room or bedroom. Enjoy colourful, cheery, suntmery new flowered bed linens.

COLOURS FOR SUMMER

Nothing brightens up a room like white. Add it wherever you can. How about frothy, light curtains, fresh white trims, or a painted chair or table? Lighten up drab bookshelves. Paint the back wall and even the side walls with a bright, summery color. The books will really “pop out” against the contrasting color. How about lime green in dark wood shelves or sky blue on yellow. Choose a color that complements your rooms decorating scheme. Choose a fresh color scheme of lemon yellow, apple green, or sky blue.

CHOOSE YOUR ART

Frame some simple botanical prints or landscapes and set them up on a bookshelf, bureau, or table top. Or hang a series of summery flower pictures down a dark hallway. Use simple plate holders to hold pretty floral plates. Set them on a table or buffet.

Whatever you do, try to make your home a cool and comfortable place for the summers.

Michael Douglas
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/prepare-your-home-for-the-summer-92884.html

Tags: aromatherapy, bathroom, bedroom, buy lavender, dried lavender, dryer sachet, english lavender, french lavender, home decor, housewares, lavendar, lavender buds, lavender flowers, lavender sachet, lavenderdrop, lavenerdrops, organic, scented sachet, wedding

A headache paralyzes the entire body. Even a simple task as chatting becomes a behemoth. Here are some home remedies to relieve from the excruciating headache.

The Common Home Remedy For Headache

The most common cause for headache is stress. Taking a break and relaxing would definitely help in reducing the stress. Usually when people are stressed, overworked or emotionally upset their eating habits change vastly and one thing they neglect most is drinking water, which in turn leads to dehydration and horrible headaches.

So, in order to get away with the headache, always remember to drink lots of water. This would avoid your body to get dehydrated and electrolytes in water such as Gatorade or PowerAde further more helps in quicker hydration of your body .

Exercise is another great way to avoid the pain. The best suited exercise would be the one which is less stressful. A more relaxing type such as yoga or Pilates would be a great remedy. Furthermore, exercises increase blood circulation and help reduce headaches in the process.

A good long relaxing bath also works wonders in getting relief from stress related headache situations. Adding light some scented candles with essential oils such as lavender would add to the relaxation and soothe the senses. Also make a point to catch up with a good sound sleep in a quite environment whenever possible. However, the treatment is not the best for those who suffer from sensitivities to smell.

If the headache is derived from sinus infections, inhale hot water vapors for approximately 10 minutes or to apply hot and cold compresses over the affected area.

Helpful Tips

The effect of these home remedies for headaches however depends on the types of headache and also on present state of health. Natural remedies such as acupuncture are also traditional pain relievers. Incase the situation worsens or persists consult a doctor.

For More Information Please Visit Home Made Remedies For Headache .

Richard Romando
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/home-made-remedies-for-a-headache-97857.html

Tags: aromatherapy, bath oil, bath salts, bathroom, bedroom, buy lavender, dried lavender, dryer sachet, english lavender, essential oil, essential oils, french lavender, home decor, housewares, lavendar, lavender bedding, lavender buds, lavender essential oil, lavender flowers, lavender oil, lavender oils, lavender sachet, lavenderdrop, lavenerdrops, massage oil, organic, scented sachet, wedding

The Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular and most healing essential oils on the market. In this article, we’ll give a brief overview of the history of the Lavender essential oil, go over the wide range of ailments this essential oil can cure, then finally practically ways you can use the lavender essential oil. By the end of this article, you’ll know both what Lavender is used for, as well as how to use it.

A Brief History of the Lavender Essential Oil

The Lavender Essential Oil was first discovered by Dr. Rene Gattefosse in the 1920’s. He was doing experiments in his lab when he made a mistake and burned his hand. The only thing that he had on hand at the moment was a jar of extracted lavender oil that he had next to him. The first thought that came to mind was to plunge his hand into the extracted lavender oil.

To his great surprise, he instantly felt soothed and relieved. His burn healed much more quickly than it would have otherwise. He realized that his hand was soothed as a result of the lavender oil.

As a scientist, he got very curious about the effects of lavender and other essential oils. He began to do further research into lavender and the extracts of other plants. His research started the trend that has today become aromatherapy.

Uses of the Lavender Essential Oil

There are many uses of the Lavender Essential Oil, from curing very common ailments to the more obscure.

Some of these include:

Sweaty Skin, Acne, Stress Relieve, Allergies, Reducing Anxiety, Reducing Itching, Faster recovery of stress marks, relief from mild sunburn, Athlete’s Foot, Asthma, Blisters, Bruises, Burns & Scalds

As you can see, lavender really has a wide range of uses.

How to Use the Lavender Essential Oil

There are many ways to use the lavender essential oil. Here, we’ll go over three simple ways:

1) Drop 10 drops into a bathtub full of water and enjoy a nice, relaxing soak. The diluted essential oil will gradually affect its healing properties on your body while you take a bath.

2) You can dilute the lavender oil in carrier oil and rub it directly on your skin. It’s generally not a good idea to rub essential oils directly on your skin, even with lavender.

3) You can diffuse the oil in the air. One way to do that is to soak a tissue with the oil and put it on a fan. This will have the oil gradually spray itself throughout the air.

You now know what the lavender essential oil is, its uses and how to use it for yourself. While you can experiment with the lavender oil at home, it can also be an amazing experience to experience the healing effects of the lavender oil at the hands of an aromatherapist or a massage therapist.

Keep in mind that if you have any serious physical ailments, consult a doctor before applying your own cures. Lavender oil isn’t a replacement for real medical attention when it comes to more serious issues.

Marilyn Reid
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-secrets-of-the-lavender-essential-oil-713068.html

Tags: aromatherapy, bathroom, bedroom, buy lavender, dried lavender, dryer sachet, english lavender, french lavender, home decor, housewares, lavendar, lavender buds, lavender flowers, lavender sachet, lavenderdrop, lavenerdrops, organic, scented sachet, wedding

Lavender Essential Oil which is used in aromatherapy is often distilled from the purple blossoms of the plant and is extracted by a process using water or steam.

Because the lavender oil is extracted in this way it often captures the absolute essence of the lavender plant itself and normally on a few drops of this highly concentrated oil is required to reap its full therapeutic benefits.

Normally lavender oil is clear in colour but occasionally it may have a yellow tint to it. Although many people think because it is called Lavender Oil it will actually be an oily substance, when actually it is one of the thinnest consistency to be found among all the essential oils that are available.

As the consistency of lavender oil is so thin the smell will often not be too strong and it is found to be one of the most relaxing scents to be found of all the oils used in aromatherapy. Not only does it smell fresh, but it is also sweet with a slight floral aroma to it. Some people have even suggested that it smells a little fruity.

As with most essential oils when being used in aromatherapy lavender oil must be diluted with a carrier oil such as sweet almond, apricot kernel or grape seed oil.

Once the lavender oil has been diluted with the carrier oil it usually applied to a persons skin for best absorption. But as well as applying lavender oil to the skin it may also be used by inhaling. Once the lavender oil molecules have entered the lungs then they are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and will result in soothing whatever ailments you are experiencing at the time of treatment.

Certainly there are a number of common ailments which aromatherapy using lavender oil may help to treat are as follows:

- Acne
- Allergies
- Anxiety
- Asthma
- Athlete’s Foot
- Flatulence
- Itching

Lavender oil can also be used to help in the treatment of bruises, burns, colic and chicken pox and those people who have cuts, or are suffering from depression or have earache may also find lavender oil beneficial. It is also an effective natural insect repellent.

Use blended oil massaged into the skin for a soothing and relaxing experience. This oil can be a great massage oil as well as an aromatic oil for reducing anxiety. Just put a few drops in a hot bath and soak yourself to relaxation. If you are having trouble with your skin or want a unique facial, lavendar oil can do the trick. Make sure you buy blended oils from a trustworthy source and never take any essential oils internally unless you are under the care of a licensed professional.

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/lavender-essential-oil-is-an-important-tool-in-aromatherapy-85756.html

Tags: aromatherapy, bathroom, bedroom, buy lavender, dried lavender, dryer sachet, english lavender, french lavender, home decor, housewares, lavendar, lavender buds, lavender flowers, lavender sachet, lavenderdrop, lavenerdrops, organic, scented sachet, wedding

Scientists tell us that we share our planet with more insects and arachnids than all the other inhabitants combined. Scientists will also tell you that we need all those creeping, crawling, flying, six and eight legged beasties for the life and health of the planet and its citizens, including ourselves. That’s fine with most of us, I suppose, as long as we don’t have to share our immediate living space with any of them. Scientists have also told us, though, that many of the chemicals that will rid our homes and offices of ants, spiders, roaches and what not are harmful. They can be dangerous to us, to our pets, and to the environment in general. So how do we rid ourselves and our spaces of the bugs that bug us so much? By harnessing the power of nature’s own repellents!

Most of the natural ingredients used in the pest control formulas listed in this article can be found in the grocery store or pharmacy. In fact, you may already have many of them in your home right now. This makes natural pest control easy to implement and easy on your wallet, as well. That’s something expensive professional exterminators don’t want you to know.

Cockroaches

Roaches are the tough guys of the bug world. Supposedly, they can withstand an atomic blast, right? And right now you’re thinking you’ll never be able to control the nastiest of the nasties with anything natural. Well, look no further than your local pet store. It seems roaches don’t like catnip! That’s right, that little dried weed that gets Fluffy crazy-drunk repels roaches. Simmer some catnip in a pot of water and then cool. Place this “tea” in a spray bottle and spritz along cupboards and floorboards where roaches like to travel. Catnip sachets made with little squares of cheesecloth can be placed on top of the fridge, in between the cabinets and the ceiling and other high places where spritzing can be difficult. Fluffy may just have to get used to the constant high in the kitchen, although other cats have not seemed to notice it in their homes. Of course, the best deterrent for roaches is cleanliness –before you start spritzing, vacuum the floors and wash down all surfaces with good, hot soapy water. Keeping food and dirty dishes off counters and out of sinks may be your easiest and most natural defense against cockroaches.

Ants

Ants at a picnic are one thing. Ants at a dinner party are another. Ants can be extremely difficult to get rid of because the colony can be quite large – large, hungry and always on the lookout for more food. Again, your best, and first, line of defense is to remove what they’re looking for. Keep open food and dirty dishes off the counters. Wash up any sticky spills and spots. Put the honey, pancake syrup and jelly containers in the fridge or in plastic storage bags – the “zippered” type work best. Eliminate their source of water by stopping all leaks and drips and not leaving any dishes soaking overnight. Now, your next important step in the natural war on ants is to find their point of entry, or the closest point of flat surface to their point of entry. Once you’ve discovered where they’re coming in, you have a few choices. Ants don’t like cayenne pepper or cloves, so sprinkling a line of either on your counter or floor near their trail should deter them from coming in. A piece of string or yarn can be soaked in citrus oil, cinnamon oil or lemon juice and placed into cracks where ants enter. Line a windowsill or counter top with coffee grounds. Live ants are stopped with a spritz of soapy water. Ants on a deck or porch outdoors can be diverted by placing garlic cloves in between the floorboards. Mint leaves, even herbal mint tea bags, can be placed in areas where ants are known to travel. So, pick one of the above, or try several. Send them scouting elsewhere!

Spiders

Spiders are not only a nuisance, but also a health hazard, as well. Brown recluse bites can cause death, amputation and disfigurement. Black widows have been known to make victims ill, (though no one has died from a black widow bite in the US in the last ten years.) In short, they may keep other insects like flies and moths at bay, but they can be risky to have around. Spiders, by nature, are a bit harder to be rid of, as they like to live in out-of-the-way, hard-to-access places. They take a bit more precaution, too, on your part. Remember to always wear long sleeves, pants and gloves when searching and destroying spider habitats. Spiders like the dark spaces under beds, couches and chairs. They love any little crack in brick or paneled walls. They also love to hide in the cracks between the woodwork and the doors and windows of our homes. If a broom can’t reach them, try the vacuum hose with the crevice tool attachment. Spiders like to hide in clutter and clothing that’s been lying about, as well, so it’s best to keep things picked up. Spray spiders directly with one of the following essential oils: rose, citronella, lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, tea tree or citrus. Mix 5 tablespoons of any of the above oils with 5 tablespoons natural lavender soap in a quart of water to create a spider repellent spray. This can be used to spray the foundation of your home, around windows and doors, even inside the outside trash bins to keep the pesky eight legged critters out of your space.

Pest control needn’t be smelly, dangerous chemicals and high exterminating bills. You can keep your home free of pests and free of environmental dangers, too.

Jody Ness
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/natural-pest-control-good-for-you-and-the-environment-bad-for-the-bugs-710730.html

Tags: aromatherapy, bathroom, bedroom, buy lavender, dried lavender, dryer sachet, english lavender, french lavender, home decor, housewares, lavendar, lavender buds, lavender flowers, lavender sachet, lavenderdrop, lavenerdrops, organic, scented sachet, wedding

If you’re tired of waking up tired, it might be time to try to determine why this is happening.
When you haven’t had a proper night’s sleep, you will wake up tired. Many people plagued with sleep disturbances resort to sleeping pills. However, sleep disturbances and the resulting fatigue are often due to underlying health problems and doctors recommend you try to find the cause before resorting to sleeping pills.

Fatigue has many causes – some simple and others more complex. For instance, many people think that sadness is the main symptom of depression. This is not true. Researchers have found that the primary symptom of depression is actually fatigue.

People who suffer from stomach problems also have sleep problems. Heartburn interferes with sleep and causes many sufferers to wake up tired. However, that can often be alleviated if you stop eating three hours before going to bed and go for a thirty-minute walk after dinner. Then your food has the opportunity to digest properly before you go to bed.

Another major cause of fatigue is sleep apnea. A person who snores loudly and often while asleep may very well have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is also associated with morning headaches and high blood pressure. People who have sleep apnea actually have breathing pauses during the night. This interferes with the flow of oxygen to the brain and robs the person of a restful sleep. Sleep apnea requires a doctor’s help and is highly treatable. But it can be dangerous if left untreated.

Restless legs syndrome and hypothyroidism also interfere with a good night’s sleep. In addition, daytime hoarseness and chronic coughs are clues pointing to sleep disturbances that are often overlooked by doctors.

Stress frequently keeps people awake at night. When people are under stress, they produce extra amounts of the hormone cortisol that is recognized as a sleep saboteur. If you feel this may be your problem, ask your doctor about insitol, a nutrient member of the B vitamin group. Insitol lowers stress levels resulting in a reduction of cortisol production.

Calcium is also known to be beneficial in relaxing muscles and the nervous system. Since many people already take calcium for other health benefits, taking it at night before bedtime utilizes its additional sleep inducing benefits.

Theta brain waves are the deeply relaxing brain waves that must be activated to engage you in the first stage of sleep. There are various ways to trigger these brain waves. One is to start playing soft background music about an hour before going to bed. The scent of lavender also induces theta brain waves. So you might try a lavender scented bath and lighting a lavender scented candle prior to bedtime. Be sure not to drift off to sleep with a candle burning however. You can also buy lavender scented pillows or attach sachets to your regular pillow.

Your bedroom needs to be dark and cool but not uncomfortable. Darkness encourages the production of melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep. Practice going to bed and getting up at the same time every day. And avoid taking naps during the day if you have problems sleeping at night.

Finally, if none of these strategies work and you absolutely cannot get to sleep, don’t lie in bed and fret. This just increases your stress and worsens the situation. Get up and find something relaxing to do such as reading a book.

Brenda Williams
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-to-cope-with-fatigue-681350.html

Tags: aromatherapy, bathroom, bedroom, buy lavender, dried lavender, dryer sachet, english lavender, french lavender, home decor, housewares, lavendar, lavender buds, lavender flowers, lavender sachet, lavenderdrop, lavenerdrops, organic, scented sachet, wedding

The Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular and most healing essential oils on the market. In this article, we’ll give a brief overview of the history of the Lavender essential oil, go over the wide range of ailments this essential oil can cure, then finally practically ways you can use the lavender essential oil. By the end of this article, you’ll know both what Lavender is used for, as well as how to use it.

A Brief History of the Lavender Essential Oil

The Lavender Essential Oil was first discovered by Dr. Rene Gattefosse in the 1920’s. He was doing experiments in his lab when he made a mistake and burned his hand. The only thing that he had on hand at the moment was a jar of extracted lavender oil that he had next to him. The first thought that came to mind was to plunge his hand into the extracted lavender oil.

To his great surprise, he instantly felt soothed and relieved. His burn healed much more quickly than it would have otherwise. He realized that his hand was soothed as a result of the lavender oil.

As a scientist, he got very curious about the effects of lavender and other essential oils. He began to do further research into lavender and the extracts of other plants. His research started the trend that has today become aromatherapy.

Uses of the Lavender Essential Oil

There are many uses of the Lavender Essential Oil, from curing very common ailments to the more obscure.

Some of these include:

Sweaty Skin, Acne, Stress Relieve, Allergies, Reducing Anxiety, Reducing Itching, Faster recovery of stress marks, relief from mild sunburn, Athlete’s Foot, Asthma, Blisters, Bruises, Burns & Scalds

As you can see, lavender really has a wide range of uses.

How to Use the Lavender Essential Oil

There are many ways to use the lavender essential oil. Here, we’ll go over three simple ways:

1) Drop 10 drops into a bathtub full of water and enjoy a nice, relaxing soak. The diluted essential oil will gradually affect its healing properties on your body while you take a bath.

2) You can dilute the lavender oil in carrier oil and rub it directly on your skin. It’s generally not a good idea to rub essential oils directly on your skin, even with lavender.

3) You can diffuse the oil in the air. One way to do that is to soak a tissue with the oil and put it on a fan. This will have the oil gradually spray itself throughout the air.

You now know what the lavender essential oil is, its uses and how to use it for yourself. While you can experiment with the lavender oil at home, it can also be an amazing experience to experience the healing effects of the lavender oil at the hands of an aromatherapist or a massage therapist.

Keep in mind that if you have any serious physical ailments, consult a doctor before applying your own cures. Lavender oil isn’t a replacement for real medical attention when it comes to more serious issues.

Marilyn Reid
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-secrets-of-the-lavender-essential-oil-713068.html

Tags: aromatherapy, bathroom, bedroom, buy lavender, dried lavender, dryer sachet, english lavender, french lavender, home decor, housewares, lavendar, lavender buds, lavender flowers, lavender sachet, lavenderdrop, lavenerdrops, organic, scented sachet, wedding

There are many types of oils used in relation to aromatherapy, all different in order to achieve different effects. Aromatherapy oils are most commonly divided into several different categories. These categories include:

* essential oils

* absolutes

* floral waters (hydrosols)

* resins

* carrier oils

* infused oils

Lavender oil aromatherapy falls into the first category listed, the essential oils category.

Lavender oil aromatherapy is a liquid most often distilled from the purple blossoms of the lavender plant, or also known as lavendula officinalis. Lavender oil is usually extracted by using a delicate process involving water or steam. Being extracted this way, lavender oil aromatherapy most often captures the absolute essence of the lavender plant itself. It is normally so highly concentrated that a few drops is all that is necessary to reap lavender oil’s full therapeutic benefits.

The appearance of lavender oil is normally clear, with just a hint of yellow. With it being called lavender oil, one may think it is an oily substance. However, despite it’s name, lavender oil aromatherapy is not oily. To the contrary, the consistency of lavender oil aromatherapy is one of the thinnest among all of the other essential oils.

Because the consistency of lavender oil aromatherapy is so thin, the smell of this scent only goes to a medium level. However, once the medium scent starts to settle in the air, lavender oil aromatherapy can be one of the most relaxing scents there is. It is not too strong, and it is not too light. Lavender oil aromatherapy smells very fresh, as well as sweet, with just a twist of a floral aroma. Some people think lavender oil also smells a little fruity.

As with most aromatherapy oils, lavender oil aromatherapy is most often used by diluting it with carrier oils. These carrier oils can include:

* sweet almond oil

* apricot kernel oil

* grape seed oil

Once the oils are blended, they are usually applied to the skin for the best adsorbtion.

In addition to applying lavender oil aromatherapy to the skin, it may also be used by careful inhalation. Once the lavender oil molecules enter the lungs, these oils can then be absorbed into the bloodstream. This will provide you with the therapeutic benefits you need to soothe whatever ailments you may be experiencing.

There are a wide variety of ailments that lavender oil aromatherapy may help treat. Some of these health issues can include:

* acne

* allergies

* anxiety

* asthma

* athlete’s foot

Lavender oil aromatherapy can also help treat ailments such as bruises, burns, colic and chicken pox. Those with cuts, who are suffering with depression, or have an earache may also benefit from the therapeutic benefits of lavender oil aromatherapy. Other possible uses for this healthy oil can include headache treatment, treatment of hypertension, as an insect repellant, to relieve itching, to help reduce labor pains, to treat oily skin, skin scarring, stretch marks, as well as to treat whooping cough.

Jane Wyvern
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/lavender-oil-aromatherapy-78676.html

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