This is the first of many oil profiles to come!! So many signs were pointing me towards connecting with the deeply healing & calming properties of lavender to kick it all off. Lavender is probably the most commonly used essential oil for starters, & it is a very powerful flower for the witch's herbal cabinet as well. Plus, the month is October as I write this, & my totem for this month just so happens to be lovely lavender...
Basics
Extraction Method: Lavender is typically steam distilled & collected at midsummer
Aroma: Floral & sweet
Botanical Name: Lavandula agustifolia
Plant Family: Lemiaceae
Dubbed the "mother of all essential oils," lavender is a powerful flower that has been used for a variety of ailments & rituals throughout history.
Benefits & Uses
relieves stress
aids with sleep - insomnia, restlessness
relieves anxiety
calms nerves
soothes skin - acne
heals wounds/burns - antibacterial
relieves aching joints/muscles
helps fight eczema
soothes insect bites/rashes
eases allergies - antihistamine
Historically, lavender has been burned in healing rituals & prayers. Below are some other mystical properties that lie within the heart of lavender.
Magical Uses & Metaphysical Gifts
dreams
love
peace
harmony
balance
healing
purification
cleansing
Chakra
Lavender connects you to your 3rd Eye Chakra, or Ajna in Sanskrit. This chakra is located slightly above the center of your eyebrows on the front side of your body, & at your occiput on the back side (the cauldron* is in the center of your head). Your 3rd Eye allows you to perceive the outer world, imparts wisdom, endows psychic abilities, & enables intuition. We see this on the physical level as lavender helps to clear migraines, calm the mind, and soothe stress.
Application Tip: Mix a drop of rosemary with a couple drops of lavender, & rub on your temples, back of your skull, & 3rd Eye. Mix with apricot oil if you have sensitive skin.
I leave you with this final blending tip! Lavender works synergistically with most other essential oils & can help to boost their benefits when blended together properly.
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Bronwen, Certified Aromatherapist, New York Institute of Aromatherapy
*A cauldron is the center of a chakra, where the front & back side meet.