Lavender comes from the Latin verb lavare meaning to wash. It has a long history and has been used by ancient societies over thousands of years. Lavender essential oil is produced by steam distillation using the beautiful purple flowers of the plant. A medicine cabinet in a bottle, Lavender is a must for the first aid kit. Lavender essential oil is popular for its relaxing and healing qualities, and has been known to improve sleep and general wellbeing. Lavender is a nerve tonic and beneficial in times of stress, irritation and sleeplessness. Considered an analgesic and anti-inflammatory, lavender essential oil can help relieve muscular pain caused by inflamation such as sprains, strains and headaches. An important essential oil for skin, Lavender has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and skin regenerating properties making it perfect for aceneic, inflamed, sensitive or sensitised skin, cuts, grazes and sunburn.
What is Lavender essential oil
Benefits for Lavender oil
Lavender is well known for its wide range of uses and benefits including:
- Helps promote sleep and prevent insomnia
- Helps tone and revitalise skin
- Useful for all types of skin problems such as acne, oily skin, boils, burns, sunburn, wounds, psoriasis, lice, insect bites and stings
- Can be beneficial for issues such as bronchitis, asthma, colds and throat infections
- Helpful for muscular aches and pains
- Calming and soothing effect on the nerves
- Helps with tension, panic, anxiety and nervous exhaustion in general
- May help ease headaches and migraines
Best Ways to Use Lavender Essential Oil
Sleep
Lavender oil is made up of calming compounds which slow down the central nervous system and help promote a deep sleep. Here is how you can use Lavender essential oil for sleep:
- Diffuse 6-8 drops in your bedroom before sleep
- Add 1-2 drops on a pillow
- Add 2-3 drops to a warm bath or shower
- Make your own Lavender body wash and use before sleep
- Make your own room spray and spritz on bed linen before sleep
Stress
Lavender oil is extremely beneficial to the nervous system. When stress levels are high, this essential oil can help promote deep relaxation and calm. Meanwhile, when stress levels are normal, Lavender can help soften and relax our minds and bodies just enough. When anxiety is affecting decision making, Lavender can help promote clear thinking. Here are ways you can use Lavender oil for anxiety:
- Make your own perfume using a 2.5% dilution and apply to the neck and wrists when feeling stressed or anxious
- Diffuse 6-8 drops to help balance the nervous system and promote relaxation
- Make your own Lavender massage oil using a 2.5% dilution and apply to the skin to help calm the nervous system
- Inhale directly from the bottle as needed
Muscular Pain
Lavender has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedative properties which, when combined together, can help make a natural and effective muscle soother. Lavender essential oil can be used to relieve pain caused by neuralgia, arthritis or PMS. It can also be used during pregnancy to help soothe aching muscles.
- Add 2 drops of Lavender essential oil to either a hot or cold compress and place over the painful area
- Make your own Lavender massage oil using a 2.5% dilution to apply gently to tired and tender muscles
- Add 2-3 drops of Lavender essential oil to a warm bath to ease muscle pain or cramps
Wound healing
Lavender essential oil has many properties that makes it a powerful skin tonic. It is a strong anti-bacterial and has a cicatrisant effect which can be used to heal open wounds and minor skin infections including acne. Its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe inflammation, burns and sunburn.
- Add 1 drop neat on the skin to help relieve itchy bite bugs
- Apply 1 drop neat on the skin to treat small areas such as wounds, scratches, boils and minor burns
Skincare
Lavender essential oil is versatile and can be used for all skin types. It may help manage pimple, acne and blemishes in people with oily skin due to its cleansing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. For those suffering from axniety or stress, Lavender essential oil can be added as part of a skincare routine, steam treatment or diffuser to benefits normal to dry skin and overall health. Lavender essential oil can also help improve the condition of Rosacea due to its anti-inflammatory property. Here are ways you can use Lavender oil for skin:
- Add 2 drops to your moisturiser, face oil or home made treatment mask
- Make your own Lavender body oil using a 2.5% dilution and apply to the body
- Apply 1 drop neat to the skin to help clear pimples, grazes, burns and redness
Hair
Lavender oil does wonders when used in haircare. Its calming, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial properties can help combat hair loss, dandruff, itchy scalp and dryness. Using Lavender essential oil along with other essential oils for hair as part of your routine can help promote scalp and hair health. Here are ways to use Lavender oil for hair:
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Ad 1-2 drops of Lavender oil to your shampoo or conditioner.
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Make your own hair treatment using a 2.5% dilution in a carrier oil of choice. Massage into the scalp, leave for 10min and double wash.
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Add up to 30 drops of essential oils to a 100ml spray bottle and spritz over the hair when needed
Shop Lavender essential oil
Author: Alissa Geddes
Aromatherapist
Alissa is a fully qualified Aromatherapist with further qualifications in Remedial Massage & Myotherapy. She qualified as an Aromatherapist in 2005 and has worked in hospitals, day spas and in clinical practice. Alissa contributes her extensive knowledge to ECO. and helps with detailed education to our ECO. community. Alissa is passionate about assisting and teaching others how to restore and maintain their health and wellbeing.
