The plant is mostly commercially grown for the production of essential oil of lavender - and that is what I am going to talk about today.
I have only recently gotten into essential oils and am slowly finding my way around. Lately I have been turning to essential oils before I make my way to the drug store or the doctor's office and usually I can find a remedy that works.
So far - lavender is my very favorite. I love the way it smells and feels on my skin. Sometimes I put a drop or 2 in my hands and just soak up the scent.
I read about the benefits of lavender essential oils on skin and wanted to give it a try about a year ago. I have these little bumps on my upper arms. I call it 'chicken skin' and have always been self conscious and picked at them horribly! eeewwww. These bumps have bothered me for years - they are basically a raised rough and bumpy texture on my arms, they look like little pimples and not to sound gross, but I have taken great pleasure in popping them from time to time. The scientific name is Keratosis and apparently about 50% of the population has it and it is most common in children.
They have always gotten better in the summer after a good sunburn or after several tanning bed sessions - - but I am trying to treat my skin better/live healthier/bla bla bla and wanted another solution, so I turned to essential oils.
Each morning (or at night before bed), I rub a couple of drops of lavender on my upper arms. I've been doing it faithfully now for about 6 months and am happy to report the bumps have gone down considerably and my arms have really softened up without getting a skin scortching sunburn! (No, I don't have a before and after pic, sorry) I also have been exfoilating a lot more, which helps too. I am thoroughly impressed with what the lavender oil has done for my skin! I also get some fairly bad chaffe marks from my sports bra when I run and have found the Lavender is really soothing to my chapped skin.
Lavender has a ton of other uses included but not limited to insect bites/burns/nosebleeds/hay fever/cold sores and dandruff. I even read that it can help with Jock Itch! Wooo who! ;)
I have started using several other blends of essential oils, all from doTerra. Their website is really easy to maneuver and has really helped me understand the benefits of essential oils. A friend of mine, Christina, distributes doTerra products - embrace your inner hippy and check out her facebook page - Essential Momma - https://www.facebook.com/#!/doterraheals You will not be dissapointed!
Enjoy your Easter Weekends! Enjoy time with your families and make the most of what God has planted on this earth for us! Cheers!
