About the Plant: It is native to the Old World and is found from Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India.  In ancient Greece lavender essential oil was used as a cure for everything from insomnia and aching backs to insanity. By Roman times, lavender had already become a prized commodity. Lavender flowers were sold to ancient Romans for 100 denarii per pound — equivalent to a full month’s wage for a farm laborer — and were used to scent the water in Roman baths. In fact, the baths served as the root of the plant’s current name. “Lavender” is derived from the Latin lavare, meaning, “to wash.” Use of lavender was highly revered during the Great Plague of London in the 17th century, when individuals fastened bunches of lavender to each wrist to protect themselves from the Black Death, and glovemakers scented their stocks of leather with lavender oil to ward off the disease.  Today, we know the disease was transmitted by fleas, so the use of lavender–which is known to repel these insects–could very well have saved lives and prevented further spread of the plague.  Lavender has 39 species and 400 varieties.  The flowers may be blue, violet or lilac in the wild species, occasionally blackish purple or yellowish.

Used for:  Almost everything; but to name a few: acne, anxiety, aromatherapy, burns, candida/yeast, colds, cuts & wounds, depression, facial care, fibromyalgia, headache, hypertension, insect repellent, insect/flea Bites, lupus, nausea, pregnancy/childbirth, skin Care, and sleep/insomnia.

How to use essential oils:

• Diffuse: Use a few drops in your essential oil diffuser for relaxation and help sleeping.
• Internal: One drop to 4oz. of liquid to enhance immunity.
• Topical: Dilute 1-2 drops with another oil and rub on desired area to ease stress or irritated skin. Or add to your face cleanser, after shave to calm redness!
• Home: Mix 1-4 drops with water and spray to clean and freshen musty smells in home/car

Blends Well With:  Just about everything!