We’ve all seen the commercial………..blindfold a few people, put them in a room that is sprayed with scent, and even though they are in a trash ridden room, they believe that they are in a beautiful garden. Olfaction or our sense of smell is a powerful sense. Even though odors are invisible, scent should never be underestimated. They are needed in our existence from survival, nutrition, mating and pleasure.
One scent that is used heavily in aromatherapy and medical uses is lavender. Herbalists treat skin ailments, such as fungal infections, wounds, eczema, and acne, with lavender oil. It is also used in a healing bath for joint and muscle pain. In aromatherapy, lavender is used for balancing, purifying, soothing, and an anti-depressant. It is often used in skincare, it is an antiseptic, a bactericide, a deodorant, an anti-fungal and to aide in digestion. Aroma therapists use lavender in inhalation therapy to treat headaches, nervous disorders, and exhaustion. Studies have shown that patient’s under-going extensive treatments, like chemotherapy were more at ease when inhaling its scent.
One company that I always go to for my lavender fix is L’Occitane! (www.usa.loccitane.com) L’Occitane uses lavender that is exclusively sourced from farmers’ cooperatives on the Plateau de Sault in Haute-Provence. Their lavender products include luxurious body care and home fragrances emanating scents that capture the soul of Provence to calm and soothe the body and mind. The expertise of Lavender producers from Haute-Provence is now protected on a European level by the Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O) label, which guarantees the exceptional quality and the traceability of the essential oil.
With products ranging from soaps, bath salts, hand creams; it is the perfect gift for yourself and for Mother’s Day! (here’s a sneak peek at some of the products. Check the L’Occitane website for all of them).
