Lavender Essential Oil

Botanical Name: Lavendula angustifolia

A tenacious and fragrant evergreen shrub, Lavender is indigenous to the mountain ranges of Mediterranean regions; growing best in soil with low fertility and good drainage. The small violet-blue flowers sit atop blunt spiked pale green branches that can reach 4 feet in height. Known as the most popular and versatile essential oil in aromatherapy, it has been referred to as "a medicine chest in a bottle". This angustifolia variety is also known as 'true' Lavender and considered the most effective for medicinal purposes.

Synergistic blending companions include: most citrus and floral oils, Cedarwood, Clove, Clary Sage, Pine, Geranium, Labdanum, Oakmoss, Vetiver and Patchouli.

Dermatological:

• Soothes, treats and heals burns
• Treats acne, eczema, abscesses, athlete's foot and boils
• Treats dandruff

Psychological:

• Calming, regenerating and reviving
• Promotes clear self-expression
• An aromatic 'rescue remedy', it aids in any situation where emotion overwhelms the mind

The latest research on Lavender essential oil was published by researchers at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. This was a placebo controlled, randomized, double blind study investigating the effects of a pill containing 80 milligrams of Lavender essential oil. The pill was evaluated primarily for its effects at reducing anxiety and improving sleep. Study participants consumed one of these capsules daily for 10 weeks. In every category examined, the lavender preparation exceeded the efficacy of the placebo. It was able to improve the quality of sleep, reduce anxiety, and actually improve the overall perception of health and well-being for the users. The researchers concluded the Lavender-containing capsule "is both efficacious and safe for the relief of anxiety disorder...It has a clinically meaningful anxiolytic (anxiety-relieving) effect and alleviates anxiety related disturbed sleep."

In a study by the same group of researchers, Lavender oil was compared not to a placebo, but to Lorazepam, a "high potency benzodiazepine drug." The conclusion noted: "our results demonstrate that [...the Lavender capsule...] is as effective as Lorazepam in adults with GAD (general anxiety disorder)." It was also noted that one of the wonderful features of the natural substance is that it has no potential for abuse, unlike the benzodiazepines (such as Valium). Lavender has been favorably compared to these anxiety-relieving drugs in many studies over the last decade and is also noted in its ability to reduce aggressive tendencies.

Respiratory System:

• Calms asthmatic symptoms by opening and relaxing the smooth muscles of the throat and bronchial tubes.
• Quells halitosis (bad breath).
• Effective against laryngitis, bronchitis and other respiratory infections.
• Calms coughing and wheezing.

Digestive System:

• Soothes abdominal and stomach cramps
• Effective against nausea
• Quells flatulence and other digestive upset
• Can calm symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

Genito-Urinary System:

• Aids with treating cystitis, dysmenorrhoea and leucorrhoea.

Nervous System:

• Relief of depression
• Quells headaches, insomnia, nervous tension and most stress-related conditions
• Can balance symptoms of shock and vertigo

Inhalation:

• Directly from a bottle, or dab a couple drops on the wrist area. There are several styles of essential oil diffusers available which release aroma into the air. Almost every one will work for stress reduction; it just takes a hint of Lavender in the air to have its effect.

Ingestion:

• The latest research is even suggesting that ingesting Lavender has essentially the same effects as inhaling it. Lavender is very safe: it is listed by the FDA as "Generally Recognized As Safe" for ingestion as a food additive, and some companies have their bottles labeled "dietary supplements".
• While its important to keep in mind that the protocols for ingesting any essential oil are always on the order of 1-3 drops a couple times per day and almost never more. There is a growing list of research confirming ingestion of certain oils is not only acceptable, but can result in a dramatic improvement in one's health.

Topical:

• Effective in combination with Helichrysum oil for burns and bruises.
• It is extremely gentle on the skin and therefore can be can be used neat (undiluted) on any burn when the skin is unbroken.
• Combined with Tea Tree oil for a strong, yet still soothing anti-bacterial formula: a 50/50 mix of Lavender and Tea Tree can replace any sort of topical anti-bacterial formula used under band-aids and small dressings.
• Effective sunburn relief: a 10% dilution in water dabbed over the area should be sufficient.
• A drop on a bug bite or sting will relieve pain, itchiness and irritation.

At Synergy Essentials, we are very concerned about the quality of our oils - they must be produced to exacting standards in order to retain their therapeutic properties, as well as their most beautiful aromas.

We employ a wide variety of testing, including GCMS, optical rotation, specific gravity, and of course, organoleptic evaluation from several experienced professional sources to ensure the highest quality oils are consistently delivered to you. Batch to batch, bottle to bottle, throughout the year.

Further, we use special UV-"proof' bottles for the best long-term storage protection for your oils. Developed in Switzerland, made by Miron, the "Violette" glass was specifically made to ensure quality of light-sensitive liquids such as essential oils.

We offer an incredible lineup of single pure essential oils, in addition to a wide variety of therapeutic blends. Our single oils are sourced from exceptional distillers all over the world, whom take the time and consideration to create the finest oil available from every plant variety. Our list includes many "supercritical CO2 distilled" oils, in addition to classic steam distillates. Some oils are available using both distillation techniques, some are only made by CO2 distillation, and in some cases, we've opted to only offer the CO2 product where we believe it both has all the same therapeutic properties of the steam distilled, and outshines in in many ways.