Monday, February 9, 2015

Lavender Essential Oil: Antiviral Uses

"On ‘National Pharmacist Day’ you can put your own first aid kit together without the assistance of a professional and still get stellar results. You should always have some lavender essential oil in your personal pharmacy, as it is a wonderful anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent, and it will also strengthen your immune system."

I received this in an email.  I get daily Feng Shui tips.  Anyway… this particular one prompted me to do some further research.  I'm wondering how to use Lavender Essential Oil for it's anti-viral properties.  I mean it's not enough to just have something on hand in a kit.  You need to know how to use it too.

Lavender oil helps strengthen and boost your immune system, helping you to resist most common viruses.  For this it is best used in an aromatherapy massage, in a bath, diffused in a room, or steam inhaled. (1)

It can ease cold and flu symptoms when applied as a rub, in a bath, in a hot or cold compress, diffused in a room, or steam inhaled. (1)

It can help treat a mild fever when used as a cold compress, a rub, diffused in a room, or steam inhaled.  DO NOT USE MASSAGE WHEN TREATING FEVER! (1)

To use in a bath: Put 3 drops in a small cup of full-fat milk and add to a warm bath. (1)

Aromatherapy massage:  Put 10 drops into a carrier oil. (1)
What carrier oils are good for aromatherapy massage?
Cold pressed plant based oils are better than mineral oils because they are lipid soluble.  Which according to this article means it absorbs into the skin and works well with our systems. (2)
Sweet Almond Oil: DON'T USE IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO NUTS!  May stain light clothing and linens.  Shelf life is 12 months. (2)
Grape Seed Oil: nice price.  Shelf life is 6-12 months. (2)
Apricot Kernel Oil: May stain light colored linens and clothing.  Shelf life is 12 months. (2)
Jojoba Oil: Many benefits.  Shelf life is indefinite!  This is probably what I will try.  I hate getting and making something, that expires before I get a chance to really put it to use.  Plus it sounds like I would use it for many other things as well.  (2)
Olive Oil:  Usually on hand, but only used in a pinch because of the smell.  Shelf life is 18 months. (2)

In a diffuser:  burn with a little bit of water in the diffuser. (1)
What is a diffuser?
There are many different types.  I am pretty frugal so I will probably just boil some water, remove from heat, and drop a few drops in it.  (4)

Steam inhalation:  Add 3 drops to a bowl full of hot water.  Hold your head about 30cm above the water, with your eyes shut, with a towel draped over your head like a tent.  Breath in deeply through your nose.  DO NOT USE IF YOU HAVE ASTHMA! (1)

Hot compress: Find a piece of cotton cloth (resize if needed).  Mix a pint of water with 2 drops of Lavender oil.  Soak cloth in water/oil mixture.  Carefully heat in the oven. Wring out.  Apply to affected area.  Wrap in plastic wrap and a bandage to secure. (3)

Cold Compress: Find a piece of cotton cloth (resize if needed).  Mix a pint of water with 2 drops of Lavender oil.  Soak cloth in water/oil mixture.  Cool in the freezer. Wring out.  Apply to affected area.  Wrap in plastic wrap and a bandage to secure. (3)

It is ok to apply Lavender Oil directly to the skin. (2)

Another thing that my first resource suggested for rooms in general, is to mix about 7 drops of lavender oil into a cup of water, place in a spray bottle, spray rooms as needed. (1)

Always remember to use common sense and seek medical attention when needed.

I would love to make a natural first aid box, complete with instructions like these on index cards, organized by condition.  This would be something to have on hand in addition to my "tried and tested" regular first aid box.  Until I have proof of natural remedies working, I will keep my Neosporin on hand.  LOL


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