Lavender Oil (12 page)

                               
  
For cleaning cuts, wounds, etc.: add a few drops of neat lavender to a small bowl of cooled boiled water and swab the damaged area using a cotton wool or gauze pad.

                               
  
Disinfecting sickrooms, bathrooms, workplaces, etc.: diffuse lavender into the air – for various methods see
page
.

                               
  
Several other essential oils are also valuable disinfectants – notably tea tree but also lemon and eucalyptus.

–see
Shock/Vertigo

Dyspepsia or indigestion is a common complaint among both children and adults. As a carminative and antispasmodic agent, lavender is especially valuable for all types of digestive disorders where there is a strong nervous or emotional element involved … in the
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia
, lavender is indicated specifically for ‘depressive states associated with digestive dysfunction’.

                               
  
Mix 3 drops of lavender in 1 tsp of carrier oil and massage the tummy gently in a clockwise direction.

                               
  
Other measures: chamomile or peppermint oil are also helpful, used in combination; chamomile, peppermint or fennel herb tea, with a little honey, are also beneficial.

See also
Stress

Earache often accompanies mild respiratory complaints such as sinusitis or a cold, and in some cases can lead to a more serious infection. If there is a high temperature, or if pain is severe or persistent, seek professional advice immediately.

                               
  
Massage gently around the painful area using 3 drops of lavender diluted in 1 tsp carrier oil.

                               
  
Soak a cotton wool ball in 1 tsp warm olive or almond oil to which 3 drops of lavender have been added, and insert gently into the outer ear.

                               
  
Note:
this should only be done after a medical examination to ensure the ear drum is not perforated.

                               
  
Additional measures: keep warm, especially the area of the affected ear; chamomile oil can be used in the same way as lavender.

–
see
Dermatitis

Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder: up to 5 per cent of the population will have at least one epileptic fit during their lifetime. Although
aromatherapy cannot be said to be a cure for epilepsy, if used in conjunction with conventional therapy it can be a very valuable aid for many sufferers.

                              
With Joan, it was clear that her fear of the attack was actually reinforcing it. Using lavender as her chosen oil, she has developed a good counter-measure response for whenever she feels her seizures start … she has now become seizure-free.
¹⁰

                               
  
Use in baths, vaporizers and for massage.

                               
  
Particularly, apply lavender to a handkerchief and sniff it at the onset of a seizure.