My first – Oil of the Month – has to be the ubiquitous Lavender! Lavender Essential Oil is the oil that most people think of immediately when mentioning aromatherapy. Loved by so many, it is a familiar flower in many gardens throughout Britain and Europe. We all have different memory associations with lavender, whether its thoughts of our Grandmother’s home when we were kids, walking through a sunny, summer garden, or lavender drawer liners, wheat pillows, or shortbread biscuits.
This soothing oil has been part of my family’s first aid kit for many years. It’s the oil my children reach for first, for minor burns, cuts, stings, bites, headaches, sleeplessness and sunburn.
Lavender – Latin name Lavandula angustifolia – is native to North Africa and the Mediterranean regions, it thrives in sunny, stony soil and grows well at both sea level and in the Alps.
It has a complex chemical structure of over 150 chemical components, but predominately esters and alcohols, including Linalool and Linalyl Acetate.
Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is known for its anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It also antispasmodic, analgesic and detoxifying. It is gentle in nature and safe to use for infants, during pregnancy (after the first trimester), during illness and throughout life.
I think of it as the oil of compassion and healing, one of Mother Nature’s true ‘rescue remedies’. A friend to keep with you always, through the ups and downs of life. It gently nurtures, cherishes and soothes us right when we need it.
The lavender we use in our products is organic lavender essential oil harvested and distilled on Summerdown farm, in Hampshire. It is a beautiful, high-quality lavender and great to have it growing just up the road:
New Forest Aromatics Products that contain lavender:
- Hampshire Lavender Bath Salts
- Gardener’s Hand Balm
- Gardener’s Hand Scrub
- Hampshire Lavender Room Fragrance
- Hampshire Lavender Reed Diffuser
- Hampshire Lavender Candle
- English Flowers Room Fragrance
- English Flowers Reed Diffuser
- English Flowers Candle
- Warm Hug Candle
- Warm Hug Bath Foam
- Warm Hug Body Oil
Please note: As with all essential oils – always dilute first before applying to the skin and consult a qualified aromatherapist if you are uncertain of how to use or dosage. If you have a specific allergy avoid use.
