Lavender Oil (16 page)

                               
  
Other measures: take a course of garlic capsules and vitamin C tablets. Tea tree or eucalyptus are excellent anti-infectious agents; marjoram or chamomile oil can also be used in baths to soothe aching limbs and encourage restful sleep.

Lavender oil has long been used for the treatment of a variety of insect bites and stings – at one time it was even used to treat snake bite!

                              
In the Alps, if their dogs are bitten by adders, huntsmen will get lavender, crush it and rub it on the bites. The venom is neutralized immediately.
¹⁸

Lavender has also been found to bring fast relief from the bites of mosquitoes, fleas and horseflies – as well as wasp and bee stings! Dabbed directly onto the
bite it not only soothes itching and relieves pain but also prevents any infection from developing due to scratching – especially among children.

Lavender oil also makes an excellent insect repellent – and has been used for centuries to protect clothes and linen from moths.

                               
  
To treat bites and stings apply neat lavender oil to the affected area – repeat every 4 hours or as required.

                               
  
As a preventative measure, lavender oil can be applied neat to exposed skin; to clothing such as socks, scarves, etc.; or diluted in a light vegetable oil base for application to larger areas.

                               
  
To keep insects out of the house, apply lavender to hanging ribbons or use a vaporizer.

                               
  
Other measures: there are several oils which have insect-repellant properties, the most useful being tea tree, citronella, lemongrass, eucalyptus or atlas cedarwood – or a combination of these.

Sleeplessness or insomnia is another common stress-related complaint that everyone suffers from at some time in life – whether it is before an exam, after an exhilarating experience, or simply due to an inability to switch off after a hard day’s work.

Lavender is a traditional remedy for insomnia – this is why lavender pillows and lavender-scented linen were once so popular – the scent alone encourages a
restful night’s sleep. An old lavender remedy for ‘they that may not sleep’ runs as follows:

                              
… seep this herb in water and let him soak his feet to the ankles at bedtime and bind it on the temples, and he shall sleep well by the Grace of God.
¹⁹

                               
  
For a quick (modern) home treatment, massage a few drops of neat lavender oil into the soles of the feet before retiring. This will quickly be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and act as a natural sedative.

                               
  
To encourage relaxation or a restful night (also excellent during pregnancy and for children), use the vaporized oil in the bedroom, or put a few drops on the pillow or on pyjamas. Sheets scented with lavender oil also help induce sleep.

                               
  
Put 8–10 drops of lavender in a warm bath before retiring for the night, and relax for at least 10 minutes in the aromatic vapours.

                               
  
A regular professional aromatherapy massage using soothing oils such as lavender is also very beneficial for reducing stress and inducing sleep – often before the session is finished!

                               
  
Other measures: yoga and meditation; chamomile or lavender herbal tea. For more stubborn cases of insomnia, valarian oil can be used in place of lavender … but do not use it for more than 2 weeks at a stretch, due to its potency.

The symptoms of jetlag after a long flight are well recognized: sleep disturbances, disorientation, nervous fatigue and dehydration. Due to its regulating effect on the systems of the body, lavender can be a great aid in overcoming jet lag problems.

                               
  
Freshen up frequently during the flight using a little lavender water, or inhale lavender oil from a tissue. In addition, use a lavender moisturizing cream to prevent dryness of the skin.