Lavender is probably the most common aromatherapy next to eucalyptus. Those two oils are probably the most known ones. Sometimes lavender is referred to as a rescue remedy because lavender is a nerve ending sedative. So for any kind of physical discomfort, it sedates the nerve ending, so you don't feel discomfort. If something were itching or burning, or you have muscles that ached, by sedating those nerve endings it can relieve the pain. When inhaled it stimulates serotonin in the brain, and when you have enough serotonin in the brain, pain anywhere in the body gets the message to bypass the pain. So you see, by putting it on topically on the area and then also inhaling it, you are getting pain relief from two different dimensions. Lavender is also antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. Lavender helps the serotonin to make melatonin; therefore it is excellent for sleep. Lavender is used for migraine headaches; it's fantastic as an antidepressive. It's used for obsessive-compulsive behavior, mood swings, and panic attacks; lavender is very calming and very uplifting. It's probably the most versatile oil. If you could have only one essential oil, that might be the first because it also works on the lungs. It works on all levels and it's very gentle. It is the one oil that you could use on babies and young children. It also seems to deter bugs; for instance, mosquitoes don't usually like it. So sometimes when I am out in the garden I will make a spray with some distilled water, lavender, lemon, eucalyptus and citronella to keep the mosquitoes away. I mist myself before I go out and usually bugs will stay away; but even the lavender seems to deter them.
