Lavender essential oil, with its captivating aroma and versatile uses, has long been a favorite in the world of aromatherapy. But beyond its delightful scent, what makes lavender essential oil so beneficial for us? Let’s dive into the many reasons why this remarkable oil deserves a spot in your wellness routine.
Lavender Through the Ages
Lavender is an excellent addition to your home ingredient list. It’s easy to grow, easy to use, and when the essential oil is properly diluted it has a number of helpful benefits.
Lavender essential oil is steamed distilled from the flowers. The scent of lavender is a herbal middle note, which blends well with most other oils.
There are many different species of lavender. One of the easiest to find for purchase is Lavandula angustifolia, which originated from the Mediterranean region.
Lavender has an affiliation with purity. The name “lavender” comes from the Latin word “Lavare,” meaning to wash, reflecting its use historically in baths for purification and protection against the evil eye. Hildegard von Bingen, the renowned herbalist, recommended lavender wine for providing pure knowledge and understanding. There has even been a belief that lavender paired with rosemary would protect a woman’s chastity.
Best Uses For Lavender Essential Oil
1. Stress Relief and Relaxation
One of the most well-known benefits of lavender essential oil is its ability to promote relaxation and reduce stress. The calming properties of lavender may help alleviate anxiety and improve overall mood. Diffusing lavender oil in your home or adding a few drops to a warm bath can create a serene and tranquil environment, perfect for unwinding after a long day.
2. Improved Sleep Quality
Lavender essential oil is a go-to remedy for those struggling with sleep issues. Its soothing aroma may enhance the quality of sleep by promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. Simply adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to the underside of your pillow or diffusing it in your bedroom for 30 minutes before bedtime may be the help you need to drift off to sleep more easily and enjoy a restful night.
3. Skin Health and Healing
Lavender is a versatile ingredient in skincare, suitable for all skin types. Its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties make it an option for conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and general skin irritation. Lavender may be helpful for burned skin including sunburn. It may encourage wound healing and soothe red, itchy skin. When combined with tea tree oil, it may provide relief for those with acne-prone skin. You may also find relief from the itching of bug bites.
Lavender floral water, a byproduct of the distillation process, can be used as a facial toner. Store your lavender water in the fridge to ensure the proper shelf life. The cool floral water may be extra soothing, especially on hot summer days.
Check out our DIY After Sun Skin Soother with lavender essential oil here.
4. Muscle Aches
Lavender essential oil contains linalool, a component which may be responsible for pain relief. Its analgesic properties may help you to alleviate muscle pain, and joint discomfort. Massaging diluted lavender essential oil into sore muscles may provide you with relief. Incorporating lavender into your self-care routine may help alleviate physical discomfort and promote overall relaxation.
5. Headache Relief
Lavender’s soothing properties may also provide headache relief. It may help calm anxiety and stress, contributing to its effectiveness in managing headaches. Applying a diluted solution of lavender, peppermint, and your favourite carrier oil to the temples or using it in a diffuser can alleviate tension and promote relaxation.
6. Hair Care
Lavender oil can do wonders for your hair as well. It may help promote hair growth, reduce dandruff, and improve the overall health of your scalp. Adding a few drops of lavender oil to your shampoo or conditioner can leave your hair smelling fresh and looking vibrant.
7. Emotional Balance
Lavender’s calming and mood-uplifting properties make it an excellent option for helping to manage anxiety, restlessness, worry, and stress. You may find it to be emotionally soothing. Whether used in a diffuser or diluted and applied topically, lavender can provide much-needed relaxation and emotional support. Diffuse lavender oil in your home or apply it to aromatic jewelry to experience its effects throughout the day. For scent-free workplaces, a personal inhaler with lavender essential oil may help you to manage work stress throughout the day.
8. Yoga and Meditation
When used in yoga or meditation, lavender can help to relax the mind and help you to get in touch with the inner self. Unwind mentally and physically by bringing lavender into your wellness practice.
9. Closet and Drawer Refresher
Keeping your closets and drawers fresh is easy with lavender essential oil. Place two drops on a cotton ball and store it on a shelf or in a drawer. You can make a cute sachet by adding your cotton ball to a small organza gift bag. This natural method not only imparts a pleasant fragrance but also helps repel insects.
10. Insect Control
Lavender’s insect-repelling properties extend beyond the closet. Ants and other insects dislike the scent of lavender. Placing a few drops on cotton pads around your kitchen or in cupboards can help keep these pests at bay.
11. Perfume
Lavender’s pleasant aroma makes it an excellent choice for personal perfume. Its middle note pairs well with many other essential oils, allowing for the creation of unique and delightful fragrance blends. Whether used alone or combined with other scents, lavender’s fragrance is both soothing and uplifting.
12. Air Freshener
Use lavender essential oil in a room spray formulation. Lavender makes an excellent room refresher when paired with mint, or lemon!
How to Use Lavender Essential Oil
There are numerous ways to incorporate lavender essential oil into your daily routine:
- Diffusion: Add a few drops to your diffuser to create a calming atmosphere.
- Topical Application: Dilute with a carrier oil and apply to the skin for targeted benefits.
- Inhalation: Create a personal inhaler or add a few drops to a diffuser.
- Bath: Dilute with a carrier oil and add to your bathwater for a relaxing soak.
Cautions
Overuse of essential oils can encourage allergic reactions. Always do a patch test before trying a new product or formulation. You may want to avoid lavender while pregnant or nursing.
Lavender is a hardy plant, which is easy to grow in a number of regions, resulting in numerous different species. Elevation, rainfall, sun exposure and soil quality can all contribute to differences in essential oils creating a slightly different chemical profile. Keep your eyes on the botanical name and the country of origin to know if you are buying a similar oil to one purchased previously. Chemical reports are the best way to determine what is in your essential oil. If you need guidance you can contact a professionally trained aromatherapist to help answer any questions you may have.
Lavender essential oil is a versatile and beloved remedy with a wide range of uses. From supporting sleep and skincare to providing emotional balance and pain relief, its benefits are numerous. However, it is important to use lavender in small amounts to avoid potential allergies. By incorporating lavender into your daily routine, you can enjoy its calming and soothing effects in various aspects of your life.
