Wonders of Lavender Essential Oil

Author: Juliet Cohen

Lavender oil has been popular since ancient times. It has a wide variety of uses. Lavender is native to the mountainous zones of the Mediterranean where it grows in sunny, stony habitats. Today, it brandishs throughout southern Europe, Australia, and the United States. Lavender is a heavily branched short shrub that grows to a height of roughly 60 centimeters. Its broad rootstock bears woody branches with erect, rod-like, leafy, green shoots. A silvery down covers the gray-green narrow leaves, which are oblong and tapered, attached directly at the base, and curled spirally. Lavender is a scent with a long tradition in perfumes and Aromatherapy.

The Romans used its antiseptic quality to bathe and cleanse their wounds. Lavender oil is an essential oil, kin from plants by steam distillation of the flowers. Lavender is a native of the Mediterranean countries. The oil is widely used in aromatherapy to ease tension, tiredness and feelings of depression. Lavenders gentle yet powerful healing properties allow it to be used for burns and insect bites. The oil is widely used in aromatherapy to ease tension, tiredness and feelings of depression. Lavenders gentle yet powerful healing properties allow it to be used for burns and insect bites.

Aromatherapy with lavender may slow the activity of the nervous system, improves sleep quality, promote relaxation, and lift mood in people suffering from sleep disorders. Blended lavender oil, when used for massage produces a relaxing, calming effect. A few drops of the oil in a hot bath will relieve anxiety and produce a pleasant drowsiness. In a cool bath the oil will refresh and energise. Lavender oil makes a superlative skin or facial oil for troubled skin conditions such as acne and gives temporary relief to the symptoms. Lavender flowers have also been approved in Germany as a tea for insomnia, and nervous stomach irritations.

Lavender as a tonic in inhalation therapy to treat headaches, nervous disorders, and exhaustion. It is also used visibly in a healing bath for circulatory disorders and as a rub for rheumatic ailments (conditions affecting the muscles and joints). Essential oils, including lavender, for treating children with eczema concluded that the oils added no benefit to therapeutic touch from the mother; in other words massage with and without essential oils was equally effective in improving the dry, scaly skin lesion. Lavender should not be used during the early stages of pregnancy. Use Lavender with caution if you have low blood pressure.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles

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About the Author:

Juliet Cohen writes articles for Health Problems. She also writes articles for Stye and Sunburn Treatment.

Delicious Lemon Squares

00037_lemnsqrs2.jpgIngredients

Bottom Layer:
1/2 cup/125 mL butter
1 cup/250 mL flour
1/2 cup/125 mL chopped pecans
1 tsp/5 mL Butter Extract Cream Layer:
1 cup/250 mL powdered sugar
8 oz/227 g fat-free or light cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 tsp/5 mL Original Double-Strength Vanilla
Half of a 1-quart/liter container of whipped toppingLemon Layer:
1 pie filling recipe from Watkins Lemon Dessert package, using 2-1/2 cups/625 mL water, Lemon Dessert Mix
1 tbsp/15 mL lemon juice
 

Cooking Directions

Combine bottom layer ingredients and pack into an 11 x 7”/28 x 18 cm baking pan. Bake at 375°F/190°C for 15 minutes. Cool completely.  Cream together powdered sugar and cream cheese. Add whipped topping and fold in. Prepare lemon pie filling; add lemon juice and let cool.  Spread a thin layer of cream mixture over baked bottom layer. Spread lemon filling on top; spread rest of cream mixture on top of that. Chill. (Note: Chilling after applying lemon layer may make it easier to spread top layer.) Cut in large squares.(Note: Other Watkins Dessert Mixes may be used in place of Lemon.)