Aromatherapy - Lavender

 

Latin Name: Lavendula officinalis

 
Description

One of the most memorable moments in Aromatherapy's history would be in 1928, when the French chemist Rene-Maurice Grattefosse gave this healing art and science a name. After burning his hand severely, he placed it in essential oil of lavender -- the closest thing to him. He found that his wound healed quickly without scarring and decided to study these oils.

Grattefosse found that natural essences worked more effectively than their synthetic counterparts. He also discovered that essential oils had better antiseptic properties than some of the antiseptics that were currently being used in his time.

North African women used lavender to protect themselves against mistreatment from their husbands. Greeks and Romans burned lavender as an incense offering to the Gods. Ancient Druids carried lavender with them to help them see ghosts.

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