Lavender Essential Oil and the Nurse: Secrets Revealed!
Essential oils. Love ’em, like ’em, want to know more about them? There is value to be found in incorporating the use of essential oils into the wellness routine. Lavender is a great “first” oil to try. Read on for more about lavender essential oil and the nurse: Secrets revealed!
What’s the deal with Lavender Essential Oil?
First – we should start with ingredients. There is real, true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)and then there are things like lavandin (Lavandula intermedia) and even synthetic linalool. Not the same thing. Not comparable in strengths, benefits, science or wellness.
The truth is there is more demand for lavender than supply. A lot more.
To meet the demand, shortcuts have been taken to get the “smell” of lavender.
But at what cost? The answer: at the cost of the healing properties of this swiss army knife of essential oils.
Lavender Essential Oil and the Nurse: Secrets Revealed #1 Not all Oils sold as “Lavender” REALLY Are the “True” Oil
Lavandin (Lavandula intermedia) is a common ingredient in essential oils (even 100% pure, therapeutic grade) that are sold as Lavender Oil. That is because it is a form of lavender, but with different therapeutic properties. This substance is a hybrid between Spike Lavender or Aspic and French or English Lavender. These oils have different constituents. And, unfortunately, some manufacturers will alter their lavandin even more with a synthetic substance (linalyl, ethyl vanillin, linalyl acetate and others) for two reasons:
- Enhance the lavender smell
- Bring the constituents of the lavandin into more of a passable lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) range
Marketing 101. Meet the demand. And if you are just trying to find something that smells good, mission accomplished. But – if you want something with therapeutic value – it just isn’t going to line up.
It should be noted that Lavandin does have some therapeutic properties. In fact, this oil has been used to clean veterinarian clinics in Europe due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Lavandin has higher penetrating qualities but also has a camphor element and should not be used to soothe minor burns, for example.
Using Lavandin (or oils marked as Lavender, for that matter) that may contain synthetics or other ingredients is choosing a lesser quality “essential oil”. And they can cause things like:
- Reduced effectiveness
- Headaches
- Allergic Reactions
Which is why for this nurse, Young Living Essential Oils is the way to go. I trust their Seed to Seal verification (they know their plants from the time the seeds are in the ground, oversee the distillation process, and verify the purity of what is sealed in their bottles). My family uses Young Living Essential Oils exclusively and for many different reasons.
Click here to read more about how to use Essential Oils during Respiratory Season.
Click here to read how to use Essential Oils to help you study (calm down and retain info!) during Nursing School and even taking boards!
Lavender Essential Oil for Nurses: Secrets Revealed #2 What’s the deal with Labels?
Therapeutic Grade. Organic. Certified. Medicinal Grade.
They mean…. nothing.
Seriously.
It’s all marketing.
So – how do you know what to trust and what to choose and what to use?
Research. Look at evidence based practice guidelines. These are increasing as more people use essential oils to enhance their wellness and health, physical and mental. And read labels. Yes, they can be deceiving, but they can also list the synthetics that may be added. Find a source that you trust and research that company, their values and their products.
Lavender Essential Oil and Nurses: Secrets Revealed #3 Science behind Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
First discovered by the French scientist Gattefosse, the impact of this oil on wound healing was noted after a lab explosion left the scientist with a burn on his arm. Lavender continues to be valued for the following properties:
- anti inflammatory
- antiseptic
- antifungal
- antitumoral
- vasodilation
- relaxant
Lavender is listed (as one of the few essential oils mentioned!) in the British Pharmacopoeia.
Research highlights the role of lavender in
- Increasing brain beta waves
- Increasing relaxation
- Decreasing depression
- Improving cognition
Lavender Essential Oil and the Nurse: Secrets Revealed #4 How to Use Lavender Essential Oil
Called the “Swiss Army Knife of Essential Oils” Lavender is a great “gateway oil” for nurses because it is easy to use and so versatile.
- Many of my colleagues are using lavender essential oil and which hazel or distilled water to make a mist to use on their faces (think mask acne treatment!).
- Lavender soothes minor burns by using just 2-3 drops of this essential oil on the affected area
- Rubbing chapped skin with a drop or two of oil will moisturize and heal cracked surfaces
- Put inside your mask when faced with stinky nurse tasks
- Use to enhance sleep by putting a few drops on your hands and rubbing your pillow case, or put in a diffuser
- Diffuse or apply lavender to help bring a sense of calmness, and grounding
- Put a few drops on cotton dryer balls before using to refresh your clothes
- Put on cotton balls and place in your shoes or your nurse bag
- Put on cotton balls and place in your pantry or closet to help repel insects
Additional Thoughts on Using Lavender
As your research into essential oils grow, it may be beneficial to learn about chakras or Vital Flex Points. These are areas where direct application can target different needs.
Lavender is not a “hot oil” and as such does not typically need diluted before application onto the skin. For the most sensitive of skins, it may be wise to dilute with Almond or Olive oil before applying.
No matter the dilution — Never put Essential Oils in your Ears.
Lavender can also be diffused in the air by using a diffuser filled with water and a few drops of oil.
Pure lavender oil that meets standards for ability to digested (See Young Living’s Vitality Line) may even be put in a capsule and taken a few times a day.
As mentioned before, you can make a spray with which hazel or distilled water or even put the oil in a bottle with a roller top for easier topical application.
Why Research Matters
As Nurses, it is our responsibility to work on our own wellness. There are many things that play a part in that. Wellness has many dimensions, and we are going to discuss them on My Nurse Life Balance.
Evidence Based Practice is an evolving resource. As we learn more, our tool kit expands.
Sometimes we do things for our wellness just based off of our our preferences.
There are health practices we naturally lean into.
Among things that enhance our lives are many non-pharmacological options.
- You don’t need a Rx to eat a more balanced diet
- A provider does not (should not) have to tell you to exercise to maintain your stress levels, keep your body moving fully, and optimize your endorphins
But you know – sometimes, especially for those of us in a health care field, having research to back up our choices and options is a good thing. Learning more about Lavender Essential Oil and the Nurse can help point you in a direction to explore more.
Evidence helps us feel more secure in our choices.
Making wellness and health decisions based on fact and not just preference/feeling is the core of what we do.
Looking to the research on essential oils will help you decide if using them is right for you and your family.
How will you increase your wellness today?
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