The Go-To Oils: Lavender and Peppermint

 

Lavender mainly comes from the Esseterre distillery in Bulgaria, where the climate is ideal for the perennial lavender plants. The leaves are evergreen on this aromatic shrub, and the flowers are the lovely purple shade that lend their name to the color lavender. It may surprise you to learn that lavender is actually of the Lamiaceae, more commonly known as mint, family. The specific species of doTERRA Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia is known as true lavender, and it is native to the Mediterranean. 

 

Even though you’ve probably seen lavender plants growing as common ornamental plants, 30% of the chemical makeup of Lavender is linalool. If you have ever heard much about linalool, you know one thing—it makes Lavender an excellent sleep aid because of its ability to create soothing and relaxing atmosphere. 

 

 

Peppermint comes from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and other parts of the world. The plant itself has brilliant green leaves, and stems that are tinged with purple. 

 

The main chemical component of Peppermint is menthol, a chemical that when taken internally, can help calm the stomach and support the healthy function of the digestive system by reducing occasional gas and bloating. 

 

If you’ve ever been too hot, you know you would do almost anything for relief. Put the icepacks away, menthol also gives Peppermint oil its cooling properties. You can simply add some Peppermint to lotion or a spray bottle with Fractionated Coconut Oil and water and apply it to your skin for instant relief.