Article originally published in LivingTraditionally.com & Healthy-holistic-living.com.
Everyone suffers from a headache once in a while. The causes thereof could be many – from toxicity overload to negative emotion overwhelm. Most Doctors are trained to just prescribe medications to simply rid off the symptoms without dealing with the underlying root cause; and while it can be useful for some extreme cases, medications alone are never the answer.
There are holistic ways to overcome anxiety and headaches. A wonderful way is this lavender lemonade.
Lavender Oil
Lavender is a wonderful aromatic herb that calms the senses. Flavouring a beverage (especially lemonade) by lavender is a great way to not just appease your taste buds but also feel the amazing medicinal properties of lavender.
The oil of lavender or the flower, you could use either, whichever you feel is more suitable for your preference.
Benefits of Lavender Oil
Lavender oil has a chemically complex structure with over 150 active constituents, which explains its effectiveness at helping with a lot of health ailments. Lavender oil possesses amazing anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, analgesic, detoxifier, hypotensive, and sedative properties.
Lavender oil possesses amazing properties:
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-fungal
Antidepressant
Antiseptic
Antibacterial
Antimicrobial
Antispasmodic
Analgesic
Detoxifier
Hypotensive
Sedative properties
Researchers in Florida USA, found that lavender oil benefits include reducing anxiety and lowering pulse rates in nursing students taking stressful tests. And in hospital settings, lavender aromatherapy has been demonstrated to decrease pre-surgery distress and to be more relaxing than massage or merely resting.(1)
Lavender essential oil has medicinal properties as well. It has been shown to reduce depression, improve insomnia and ease labor pains. And anecdotal evidence suggests that lavender oil benefits those with headaches, hangovers, sinus congestion and pain relief.
Lavender oil olfaction (aromatherapy) has been shown to decrease anxiety, as measured by the Hamilton rating scale,51 and can increase mood scores.
DIY Lavender Lemonade
Ingredients
1 cup raw honey
5 cups pure water
1/4 cup dried lavender. dried, organic culinary lavender ( or 1 drop lavender essential oil)
6 lemons, peeled and juiced approx.
Lavender sprigs for garnish
Directions
Pour 1/2 the water in a pan, bring to boil and remove from heat
Add honey and dried lavender let steep for approximately 20 minutes.
Strain mixture and pour into larger container.
Add lemon juice and the remaining water. Stir well.
Refrigerate.
Other Ways You Can Use Lavender for Anxiety and Headaches
Mix 5 to 6 drops of Lavender essential oil to your bath water if you have dry skin.
Diffuse 10 to 12 drops of Lavender into the air during your workday for natural stress relief.
Add 2 drops of Lavender per ounce of your favorite lightly scented, unrefined organic oil (like almond oil or olive oil) for a body oil with all the benefits of lavender for improving your skin, relaxing your mind, warding off insects or helping you sleep.
Other ways to use lavender oil:
7 Uses For Lavender Oil That Will Change Your Life
Essential Oil Balm For Headaches
Soothing Lavender & Peach Popsicles