Ask anyone in the street what they know about aromatherapy or to name an essential oil, and it’s highly likely the first thing that pops into their head will be lavender.

It’s probably no news to you that lavender essential oil is a great aid for winding down, particularly during periods of stress. Modern aromatherapy quite possibly has lavender oil to thank for its resurgence. Dr Jean Valnet, a French army surgeon, followed the work of René-Maurice Gattefossé, who found lavender healing after being burned in a laboratory accident. Valnet then conducted research with essential oils both before and during World War II, and is recognised as one of the major founders of the therapy that’s now used in many hospitals.

The oil is sometimes called ‘the medicine chest in a bottle’ as along with its soothing effects on both body and mind - easing tension and fatigue as well as physical aches and pains - aromatherapists use it to treat a range of common complaints from cramp to digestive disorders. Lavender’s natural anti-inflammatory properties may speed wound healing and help some skin problems. Lavender is not only an effective insect repellent, it is also used to soothe insect bites and stings.

Medicinal use of lavender dates back to 60AD - for many of the same conditions it’s used for now. In Britain, records show monasteries using lavender medicinally in the 14th century, when it was also frequently used in foods. A few centuries later, Queen Elizabeth I is said to have been keen on a Conserve of Lavender (lavender flowers and sugar).Top chefs are now reintroducing lavender and other edible flowers to the table. It’s easy to do at home - toss some fresh blossoms and leaf tips into a salad for a bitter-sweet flavour and dash of colour.

The growers

The lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia being true lavender) is a member of the mint family. It loves warm, well-drained soils, though the roots go deep to find the water it needs.

Found growing wild in the Western Mediterranean, France, Spain, Dalmatia, Greece, Russia, Hungary and Bulgaria, we in Britain can thank the Romans for bringing it here. The name lavender comes from the Latin ‘lavare’ - to wash - and the Romans used to bathe in lavender-scented water.

Now this import is a perennial gardener’s favourite, loved as much by contemporary landscape designers as cottage garden traditionalists. The easily recognised purple flower heads shoot out from the grey-green leaves with silvery undersides, offering a purple haze from July to September.

Simply tied and hung in bunches, dried lavender pleasantly scents a room, and is an excellent base ingredient for home made pot pourri.

Weleda sources its supplies of lavender oil from partners in Bulgaria, South Africa and Moldova. Moldova has rich, black soil with lots of humus and micro-organisms, and the climate is excellent for producing very floral lavender.

For farmers in Moldova, in the Former Soviet Union, growing lavender for our partner company Resanco, gives them a long-term guarantee of earning a living. Many Moldovans, especially in rural areas, live below the poverty line as subsistence farmers. The project for the cultivation of organic lavender and the production of lavender essential oil greatly supports the economic and social make-up of the region. Lavender is actually a very easy plant to care for, as the plants natural pest control properties mean the only disease that affects the plant attacks the leaves, so flowers are undamaged.

Extracting the oil

Young lavender plants can be harvested from their third year, and after that can sometimes be harvested for as long as 30 years.

When harvesting the lavender flowers and stems, great care is taken to ensure that no more than half of the small flowers have faded, as it’s at this stage that the essential oil content is at its highest.

The Moldovan harvest begins in mid-July, with up to 200 seasonal workers. Once cut off with a scythe, the spikes and flowers are laid on top of the bushes to dry for one to two days, and are then processed by steam distillation. Per hectare, approximately 40-45 kilograms of lavender oil are yielded. The essential oil derived through the steam distillation must then mature for another two to three months before being used in a variety of Weleda products.

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Don’t just take our word for it

Anette Holtmeyer-Cole is a sports and remedial massage therapist. For most of her work Anette uses deep tissue massage, but depending on the client’s needs, she also uses techniques such as soft tissue release, muscle energy technique, myofacial release, and stretching techniques. Anette treats adults of all ages, from 15-80, and slightly more women than men. The most common reasons clients book for her massage therapy are stiff neck and shoulders, and lower back problems - though, as Anette points out, these may have many different causes. She also treats specific injuries that need regular massage, sometimes in conjunction with physiotherapy.

Q Which oils/balms do you prefer using?

A I’ve generally used Weleda’s Arnica Massage Balm, and occasionally just plain grape seed oil for clients with adverse reactions to aromatherapy oils. Sporty clients often prefer the properties they associate with arnica. However, I’ve found Weleda’s Lavender Relaxing Massage Oil has fantastic properties for many problems, especially stress-related tension.

Q How did Lavender Relaxing Body Oil compare with other oils?

A Its rich, dense feel makes it beautiful to work with. It’s easily spread and absorbed, while still allowing control of the pressure applied.

Q Does lavender offers any particular benefits?

A Lavender is one of the mildest and best tolerated aromatherapy oils. Many clients benefit from its soothing, calming properties, and its anti-inflammatory action works well with massage. I often work with new mothers suffering neck and shoulder tension due to fatigue and anxiety. As they’re still recovering from birth, they might also have muscle aches from their posture coming back into alignment - and the soothing Lavender Relaxing Body Oil can help. Those properties are also useful for minor muscle aches or cramps in pregnancy, when the posture shifts slightly and joints get swollen.

Q How did you find working with the aroma?

A It’s pleasantly strong, and seems to work almost immediately. I’ve had many positive comments from people who smell it the minute my therapy room door opens.

Q Any tips for home masseurs?

A •  Use just enough oil to allow you to apply pressure without sliding off, whilst ensuring you don’t pull skin or body hair.

•  Have warm hands - rub them together before starting, then apply a little oil to one hand, rub together.

•  Start with long strokes, spreading the oil before working deeper.

•  Start with a small amount of oil, you can add more, but it’s difficult to rub off excess!

•  Keep it simple. Avoid working on obvious injuries - they’re for the experts.

•  Work with your friend/partner or even yourself - listen to your body while you’re massaging. Is it a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ pain - don’t continue if it hurts! Go with your instinct. Enjoy !

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Luxurious lavender

Soothe and refresh body, mind and soul with our 3 step plan

1 Pamper

Lavender Creamy Body Wash is the latest addition to the creamy body wash range, and is made from organic lavender and eco-friendly cleansers derived from sugar and coconut.

An especially good way to start the day for those who wake up feeling tense and on edge, and want to calm their senses before facing the stresses ahead.

The gentle pH balanced creamy wash nourishes skin, leaving it feeling refreshed and moisturised, while the delicate scent lingers and keeps therapeutic benefits going for hours.

2 Unwind

Lavender Relaxing Body Oil can be used to treat dry skin or as a massage oil, when lavender’s natural therapeutic qualities may help ease minor aches and pains.

In tests, after using the oil for two weeks, skin described as ‘rough’ to begin with was significantly smoother, and kept improving, so that after 28 days use there was 23.5% improvement. Skin elasticity and firmness also improved to a similar degree.

The oil base is sweet almond oil from California - a fine, light oil that’s very skin friendly – combined with organic sesame oil from Senegal. This soothing, harmonising oil provides gentle, comforting relief for body, soul and spirit.

3 Sleep

Lavender Relaxing Bath Milk is a great way to prepare for a good night’s sleep. Swish the bath milk into a warm bath, lie back and let the goodness soak in while the stresses of the day float away.

Taking a warm bath about an hour before retiring for the night helps calm the system, and allows time for the relaxed and warmed body to cool down again before hopping into bed.

Tip: To take garden freshness to bed, add a lavender bag when drying linen, or while stored in a linen cupboard. Used in a dryer, lavender may last 25 cycles.

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Other Weleda products which contain Lavender:

•	Iris Soap	A gentle vegetable soap
•	Rosemary & Ginger Shampoo	For normal to dry hair
•	Rosemary & Ginger Conditioner	For normal to dry hair
•	Larch Resin Lotion	Relieves symptoms of eye strain
•	Larch Resin Ointment	Relieves symptoms of eye strain
•	Massage Balm with Arnica	For the symptomatic relief of muscular pain, stiffness and backache
•	Medicinal Gargle	Relief of sore throats, mouth ulcers and tender gums
•	Rheumadoron Ointment (P)	Symptomatic relief of rheumatic pain

(P) Please note: that medicines with this symbol are only available via a Pharmacy so not available on the Weleda website. You can call Weleda on 0115 944 8222 for further information, including stockists information and how to buy.

No part of the Weleda UK website may be reproduced without the express permission in writing from Weleda UK.

© Weleda 2010