Lavender Essential Oil - Tips for Use

LAVENDER: (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most versatile of all essential oils. Therapeutic-grade lavender has been highly regarded for the skin.

Lavender has been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations.The fragrance is calming, relaxing and balancing – physically and emotionally.

Here is a list of 20 ways to use this versital essential oil:

1. Rubbing Lavender oil on the feet may cause a calming effect on the body.



2. Rubbing a drop of Lavender oil on your palms and smoothed on your pillow may help you sleep.



3. Putting a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite may soothe itching, stinging and discomfort.



4. Putting 2-3 drops of Lavender oil may soothe a minor burn.



5. Dropping Lavender oil may soothe a cut.



6. Mixing several drops of Lavender oil with V-6 Vegetable Mixing Oil and used topically may be soothing to skin irritations.



7. Possible help in alleviating the symptoms of motion sickness is to place a drop of Lavender oil on the end of the tongue or around the naval or behind the ears.



8. Rubbing a drop of Lavender oil over the bridge of the nose may help to unblock tear ducts.



9. Rubbing Lavender oil on dry or chapped skin may bring relief. Rubbing a drop of Lavender oil on chapped or sunburned lips may help discomfort.



Order Your Young Living Lavender Essential Oil Here......



10. Possible help in reducing and/or minimizing the appearance of scar tissue may be to try massaging Lavender oil on and around the area.



11. Rubbing 2 – 4 drops of Lavender oil over the armpit area may help act as a deodorant.



12. Rubbing a drop of Lavender oil between your palms and inhaling deeply may help in alleviating the discomfort of air borne pollen and/or dust.



13. Rubbing several drops of Lavender oil into the scalp may help with flaking.



14. Placing a few drops of Lavender oil on a cotton ball and placing in your linen closet to scent the linens and may help repel moths and insects.



15. Placing a drop of Lavender oil in your water fountain may help to scent the air, help sanitize and prolong the time between cleanings.



16. Placing a few drops of Lavender oil on a wet cloth and throwing into the dryer, may help to deodorize and freshen your laundry.



17. Diffusing Lavender oil may support the body’s natural defenses against air borne sensitivities to the skin and immune system.



18. Spritzing several drops of Lavender oil mixed with distilled water on a sunburn may help soothe it.



19. Dropping Lavender oil on a cut may help clean the wound, sanitize and soothe it.



20. Applying 2-3 drops of Lavender oil to a rash may help and soothe the skin.

If you have any questions regarding Lavender or would like help in ordering Lavender, please contact me and I'd be happy to help.

Yours in Scentsible Wellness,
Elizabeth


The above usage of Lavender was taken from "101 uses For Young Living Essential Oils" - thanks to Peggy Brackett and the many others that have contributed to the creation of this list.

The Dangers of Using Antibacterial Products

Are you familiar with Triclosan? Triclosan is a pesticide; a potent wide spectrum antibacterial and anti fungal agent. Triclosan is one of the most common active ingredients in all the beloved antibacterial products people love.

As a society we are obsessed with killing germs and keeping our environment disinfected. We're even looking for our cutting boards, bibs, and high chairs to include some type of antibacterial protection and the government is hearing our cries.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), as of July 2008 the federal government has approved the pesticide Triclosan for use in 140 different types of consumer products including liquid hand soap, toothpaste, undergarments and children's toys.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for keeping our homes and bodies clean but this need to kill germs is causing much larger problems for us. The following facts will help explain why:

• According to the World Health Organization, disinfectant and antibacterial products are resulting in stronger, more resistant bacteria. Triclosan kills most - but not all - of the bacteria it encounters. The germs that survive emerge stronger and harder to kill in the future. This can make normal household germs more resistant.
  


• The American Medical Association recommends that triclosan not be used in the home as it may encourage bacterial resistance to antibiotics.


• A 2002 Swedish study found high levels of triclosan in 3 out of 5 human breast milk samples.


• A study of over 200 healthy households found that households using antibacterial products did not have any reduced risk for runny noses, coughs, and other symptoms of infectious diseases.


• Researchers have raised concerns about triclosan and its link to dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic chemicals that can cause severe health problems such as: weakening of the immune system, decreased fertility, altered sex hormones, birth defects, and cancer.


• Girl Scouts in St. Paul, Minnesota found that when they tried to use triclosan to kill bacteria they were growing for a science fair project, the bacteria actually started growing.


• Triclosan, when washed down the drain, is making its way into our water system and is highly toxic to a number of different types of algae which are the primary producers in many aquatic ecosystems.


• When triclosan reacts with chlorine found in tap water, chloroform is produced. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies chloroform as a probable human carcinogen.
• Research suggests that normal water treatment procedures could convert triclosan into a toxic dioxin and the conversion can be triggered by strong sunlight.


• Triclosan bio accumulates or becomes concentrated in fatty tissue in humans and animals that are exposed to this chemical.

These facts make it clear, triclosan isn't good for our health or our environment. Unfortunately there are over 973 products listed in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database containing triclosan. I bet you won't have any trouble finding products you use on this list.

What can you do to make sure that your exposure to this hazardous chemical is limited?

1. Watch for triclosan (and triclocarban, its chemical cousin) in personal care products. Read ingredient labels and use the Cosmetic Data Base to see which of your current personal care products contain triclosan.


2. Switch your personal care products to those that are all natural and free of triclosan and other hazardous chemicals such as Young Living Essential Oils. Young Living offers many personal care products that include Skin Care, Hair care, Bath and Shower Products, Kids products and, Oral Hygiene. Click to see the entire essential oil based product line here. (then click on the Personal Care tab)


3. Switch your antibacterial cleaning supplies for those that are considered natural and non-toxic such as Young Living's Thieves Essential Oil based Household Cleaner

Order Your Triclosan Free Personal Care Products Here.....

4. Make your own antibacterial cleaning products using essential oils. Essential oils are the lifeblood of a plant and the oil serves as its own chemical defense against fungus and infection. When used outside of the plant the essential oil is a powerful antibacterial and in fact, has been used to neutralize germs as far back as 1887. Here is a great article from another Young Living independent distributor on house cleaning with essential oils.


5. Forego antibacterial soap. Use Thieves Foaming Soap instead. Its made with the most potent antibacterial essential oils: clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus and rosemary.


6. Avoid "Antibacterial" Products - these products may be labeled “antibacterial,” or make claims such as “odor-fighting” or “keeps food fresher, longer.” These products may be toys, bedding, bath accessories, and clothing. I think you will be surprised when you view the list of government approved products allowed to contain triclosan here. Shop for natural home items at Gaiam.com and Acacia Catalog.

Would you like to learn more about Triclosan and what the Environmental Working Group is doing to help get this hazardous chemical banned? Click here to learn more and if you like what you see and you support what they're doing why not click on their donate button and give them some support.

If you have any questions regarding this information or would like help getting chemicals out of your life, contact me. I'd be happy to help.

Yours in Scentsible Wellness,
Elizabeth

Related information: Rub A Dub Dub....Is Cancer in Your Tub?