I absolutely love the scent of lavender!
The delicate blue petals of lavender are renowned for being used for centuries in love potions in ancient times (see Love Potion blend below). But also in ancient times, the herb was used to treat a variety of ailments, from headaches and insomnia to digestive issues and skin irritations. The sweet and calming scent of lavender was believed to have a soothing and healing effect on the body and elevate your mood.
Whether you want to relax your mind or body, using lavender body care products can help to improve sleep quality, ease body pain and inflammation, soothes our nerves, lowers anxiety levels and add a touch of luxury to your private time. Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites as well as skin irritations.
Research suggests that the scent of lavender is believed to interact with the limbic system of the brain, which is responsible for emotions, memory, and arousal.
Perhaps my love for the smell of lavender is not quite as mysterious as I had thought; it’s biological! Spanish researchers have found that molecules released by lavender may inhibit certain neural receptors believed to cause diseases involving loss of motor control, such as Parkinson’s disease. Other researchers suggest that lavender aromatherapies may lower blood pressure and subsequently increase sleep quality. Because sleep is known to enhance thought processing and encoding, lavender may actually be advantageous in memory formation compared to other scents.
These studies may help explain why I associate feelings of joy when I smell lavender. I have found that by incorporating lavender into your daily routine, you can help to promote a sense of calm and well-being, both physically and spiritually. Whether you prefer to use lavender in a bath, diffuser, massage oil, or meditation practice, there are many ways to enjoy the many benefits of this sacred herb.
Love Potion Blend–Relax with your loved one with this Essential Oil DIY Blend – Lavender is especially soothing and when mixed with fresh, floral fragrances like jasmine it is the perfect combination for a relaxing evening massage! Not only can vanilla scents help relax the mind, but they can also help to reduce tension in the body too. In fact, research (like this study) found that vanilla scents can support relaxation by reducing heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension and improve wellbeing in the long term.
Add these essential oils to 2oz of your favourite oil such as Sweet Almond Oil, Macadamia Oil, or Jojoba Oil:
- 8 drops Lavender
- 6 drops Jasmine
- 15 drops Vanilla
Do not undiluted. Keep away from children. If applying an essential oil to your skin always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body (after you have properly diluted the oil in an appropriate carrier).
