Lavendar Essential Oil

Lavendar offers so many uses, I carry it with me at all times. Used throughout the centuries for a myriad of ailments (see Common Uses below), lavendar has healing and mystical properties. There are many varieties of lavendar and it is now grown all around the world, not just the Meditterranean. I know of lavender farms in the states of Washington and Maui (photo: Alii Kula Lavender Farm) too. I've found that some brands smell differently. I prefer the sweet smelling French lavendula officinalis. Aura Cacia, has an acrid smell to it and does not affect me in the same positive way as other brands. I've provided some links below for detailed plant information, extraction and processing and lists of it's amazing properties as a "cure-all". I am not sure of all these claims personally, you can post your successes here as well. There are claims it cures migraines, but for me it only helps a little, I usually need something much stronger for my migraines.

What I've used Lavendar Essential for:
Relaxation, sleeplessness, anxiety, stress, muscle twitching or mild spasm, mild headaches, tension, stuffy nose, tinitus (ringing in the ears).

Common Uses (?? I have no idea whether lavendar can really help with ALL these health issues.)
Abrasions/Cuts * Abscess/Boil * Acne * Anxiety/Panic * Burns/SunBurn * Candida/Yeast Infection * Children * Colds * Culinary * Deodorants/Perfumes * Depression * Facial and Skin care * Fibromyalgia * Gout * Hypertension HBP * IBS * Insect Bites/Rashes * Insect Repellent * Insomnia * Lupus * Migraine Headache * Nausea * Pet care * Pregnancy * Rheumatoid Arthritis *
Magical uses = dream work, healing, love

Case: When I traveled to Europe a few years ago, my friend and I took a flight from Los Angeles to Paris. It was a very long and arduous journey via coach class, in a cramped space, long hours, and overnight. By the time we got to New York for our plane change we were exhausted, both physically and mentally. Our muscles were twitching like RLS (restless leg syndrome) and we couldn't sleep. On the flight from NY to Paris, I suddenly remembered I had a small vial of lavendar oil. I dabbed a tiny bit behind my ears and breathed in its glorious fragrance. Within minutes I was relaxed, my legs stopped twitching and I fell asleep for about 2hours! When I awakened, my friend had fallen asleep as well due to the lavendar!! I always take it with me when traveling! That's for sure.

Brands and products I recommend for its sweet smell and pureness:
Olympian Labs: Lavendar Oil, 1.6 oz bottle runs around $16 (very affordable)
Alii Kula Lavender from Maui, they ship
Avalon Organics, found in most health food stores
Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Line "Sleep" which combines Lavender with Chamomile or Rosemary. It comes in a wonderful room spray that really helps.

More information:
http://www.nature-helps.com/agora/lavender.htm
http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/natural-essential-oils/health-benefits-of-lavender-essential-oil.html

"Flower Essences" - behavior modification

I've been using various flower essences for many years. Flower essences are a category within homeopathy which works on the bodies ability to heal itself and affect mood, emotions, and behavior. "Bach Flower Essences" can be found at most health food stores. They are a bit pricey (around $15-16/ea), but have worked well for me for different issues. They can work to modify certain negative personal characteristics, change mood, attitude, etc. Some work slowly over time, especially when changing character changes. Allow at least 2 weeks before expecting any changes. However, with some I notice immediate relief, like with stress reducers and sleep inducers.

Pegasus Products, is a great producer of a myriad of flower essences, elixirs and blends. I've used some of their flower essences, but I'm not sure about all their elixirs.

The following essences really work well for me:

White Chestnut: Stops the constant mind chatter that keeps me from falling asleep. This is fairly immediate.
Rescue Sleep: A blend of Bach Flower Essences that helps with mild sleeplessness, or difficulty in falling asleep.
Rescue Remedy: a blend of several different essences which helps with stress, anxiety, anger, as it calms the nerves and emotions. Works fairly quickly to calm me down.
Impatiens: really does work when I am overly impatient and it is a problem with dealing with other people. Something that needs to be taken regularly.
Bleeding Heart: mending a broken heart and letting go of relationships or people. This takes more time. I went through the whole bottle, but it helped.

For Pets:
There is a company in Boulder, CO Spiritessence that has developed flower essences for animals. I purchase some for my cats that were not getting along. It did seem to help. But, I had to remember to put it on them daily. Something I have trouble doing :( However, they do seem to be getting along pretty good most of the time now. So, I do think the essences helped.