Lavender is one of the more popular aromatic oils.
This extremely versatile oil is often the first one purchased by people just starting to learn about aromatherapy.
It’s been said that if you can only have one type of essential oil, lavender might be your best choice.
Because a growing number of people are beginning to “discover” aromatic oils, which have been used for thousands of years, for healing and relaxation, the market has taken off. Many companies now sell essential oils, and it appears as if new ones are jumping into the arena every day.
True Lavender Essential Oil
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Unfortunately, not all them sell true lavender essential oil. Real lavender oil is more expensive than what’s extracted from a related species, known as lavandin. Although this plant also has medicinal properties, it doesn’t smell as nice as its highly aromatic cousin.
This wouldn’t be a terrible thing if people knew the difference. This way, they could pay a little more for the better-smelling true lavender. But essential oil fraud is something that’s happening, and has been widely publicized.
There are reports of companies doctoring lavandin with chemicals, to make it smell more like the real thing. Then it’s bottled and sold as authentic lavender.
If you’re buying lavender essential oil for its potential benefits, you don’t want unknown chemicals in the mix.
Where Can I Buy Lavender Essential Oils?
When shopping for lavender, you want a good quality oil if you plan to use it for massage or healing. Beware of oils that are priced artificially low, because they’re likely to contain lavandin instead of lavender. However, there’s also no need to pay inflated prices.
One brand I can confidently recommend is Plant Therapy lavender essential oil, which is made by a small family-run company based in Idaho. This is a company I know and trust. I’ve purchased their lavender oil in the past, and will do so in the future. I love the fact that I’m getting a great oil, which I know is pure. Part of the company’s mission is to make high-quality oils easily available to the average person.
Plant Therapy oils are harvested from herbs grown without chemicals or chemical fertilizers. Some varieties are not labeled as such, because the company is in the process of being certified. But the plants are bought from certified organic sources.
This company, along with a few others, offer a great alternative to MLM oils.
From everything I can see, Plant Therapy is a very ethical operation. It also sells lavandin, which has many health benefits as well, in a bottle that’s clearly labeled, to distinguish it from real lavender. This company has also been at the forefront about getting the word out about safe use of essential oils.
Because essential oils are so strong, they must be treated with respect. This means using them judiciously, and diluting them with a carrier oil before applying them to your skin.
Uses for Essential Oil of Lavender?
Sometimes, I use my lavender essential oil just for cleaning. I add it to my homemade cleaning products. If that’s the case, I don’t go for the most expensive oil I can find. Instead, I search for oil from a brand I trust, or even an off brand, at the lowest price I can find, as long as it’s 100 percent pure and has no additives.
Lavender oil seems to have wide-ranging benefits. It can help fight infections, as well as soothe a headache or muscle injury. It also use it to help me relax and to get a good night’s sleep.
But one of its best uses is for around the house. It makes an excellent cleaner and sanitizing agent. The very name lavender comes from a Latin word that means “to clean” or “to wash.”
Because I suffer from chronic health problems, I use essential oils instead of chemicals for all of my house-hold projects. My homemade cleaning solutions seem to work just as well as the chemical concoctions I used to buy.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
