Lavender Oil (18 page)

                               
  
If lice or eggs are found on the hair, make up an alcohol-based scalp rub by adding 5 ml of lavender to 25 ml of vodka mixed with 75 ml water – leave on for at least an hour (overnight if possible), then wash out. Finally, comb the hair carefully with a fine-toothed comb. Use this preparation at the start of an infestation and repeat every 3 days until the condition has cleared up. Two or three applications will usually do the trick! (Replace the alcohol/ water mix with a vegetable oil if the skin becomes irritated).

                               
  
Between treatments, wash the hair daily (if possible) with a 2–3 per cent lavender shampoo – leave on for 10 minutes before washing out. In addition add a little lavender oil to the conditioner or final rinse water.

                               
  
To prevent reinfection, wash all combs and brushes in water to which a few drops of lavender oil have been added.

                               
  
Other measures: tea tree oil is also effective against lice when used in the same way as you would lavender.

Known as the ‘change of life’, this is the time when menstruation ceases. It is frequently characterized by emotional and physical symptoms of ill-health such as headaches, hot flushes, depression, rapid mood swings, irritability and the tendency to put on weight.

Due to its regulating and balancing effect, lavender is particularly valuable in helping the body to adjust at this difficult time.

                               
  
Use lavender oil in baths, vaporizers and for massage, according to specific symptoms.

See also
Anxiety,
Depression,
Headaches,
Mood Swings/Hysteria,
Stress

Migraine is most commonly a food-related complaint, but an attack can also be triggered by an increase in stress or anxiety. Although aromatherapy is best used as a preventative measure by promoting relaxation as a part of one’s everyday lifestyle, lavender can also ease the pain and severity of an attack.

                               
  
Apply a cold compress to the temples, using a few drops of lavender oil.

                               
  
As a preventative measure, use lavender (or other soothing oils) on a daily basis in baths, vaporizers, for massage or as perfume.

Hysteria is a term which is no longer used in modern medical practice, not least because it is a condition which is very difficult to define. It has, however, survived as the adjective ‘hysterical’, usually applied pejoratively to women to describe a certain type of uncontrolled or unpredictable behaviour of a
demonstrative emotional character. In spite of its negative associations it is a real and definable condition.

Mood swings, like hysteria, are often associated only with women – especially as a premenstrual or menopausal symptom. They are also, however, a common side-effect of stress. Swings in mood tend to range from hyperactivity and elation on the one hand, to physical exhaustion and depression on the other.

Lavender oil has long been prescribed for hysterical outbursts, a lack of emotional stability, and mood swings:

                              
Because of its primarily balancing nature, it is of great value in helping people who are in an unbalanced emotional state – hysteria, manic depression or widely fluctuating moods.
²⁰

For treatment, see
Stress

Muscular aches and pains are a common affliction caused either by physical over-exertion or by psychological stress and strain. Many people, for example, carry tension in their necks and shoulders which over a period of time causes the muscles to become tight and painful.

                              
I was troubled by acute pain and spasm in my neck muscles … I massaged lavender into my neck which greatly reduced the pain and
muscle spasm. I also felt soothed by the odour and this was useful as my pain often made me quite distressed.
²¹

                               
  
Soaking in a hot bath is an easy and effective way of relaxing the muscles and bringing instant pain relief … 8–10 drops of lavender oil added to the water will increase the benefits further due to its analgesic (pain-killing) and penetrative qualities.

                               
  
Muscular aches and pains respond well to local massage – add about 9 drops of lavender to 1 tbsp of carrier oil and rub into the affected area.

                               
  
To relieve muscular spasm or cramp – or if a particular area is very tight – massage with neat lavender oil or apply a hot compress to which a few drops of lavender oil have been added.