Essential Oil #1 – Lavender.
So why lavender first? It’s no secret that lavender is the #1 most used essential oil in massage. It could be because of its well known relaxation properties, but lavender does a heck of a lot more than just help you find your zen during that one hour swedish session you had last month. It’s a universal oil that helps restore balance in the body that influences the cardiovascular system, the nervous system, the skin and helps restore emotional balance.
So what can you use it for other than the standard massage application? The list of medicinal uses is extremely long and ranges from topical applications for acne, to diaper rash, to insomnia to stretch marks. Did you just scald yourself in the kitchen? Don’t run for the vaseline! Grab the lavender and put a drop or two (neat) directly on the area!
What you really need to know? Its an analgesic (extremely mild), anti-coagulant, anti-convulsive, anti-depressant, anti-fungal, anti-histamine, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, regenerative, and sedative.
So what does that mean? It means when in doubt use lavender. Really it is so widely used because it has so many beneficial applications. Even better, its distilled from the flowering part of the plant and comes from farms primarily in Idaho and Utah… that means you’re supporting American farms.
So essential oil fans, lavender is your friend. Use as much as you like, as often as you like, in as many applications as you like. Not sure where to start? Check the recipes listing of my blog!
