Lavender Essential Oil and Its Uses
Lavender essential oil is one of the most versatile and accessible oils on the market today. When you hear the word “lavender” you probably think about fields of beautiful, purple flowers, and the unique soft scent they carry. Organic lavender essential oil is a must have on any collector’s shelf, and we’re going to find out why in this article.
Lavender Essential Oil | Benefits and Uses
Random Facts About Lavender Essential Oil
The word lavender is derived from the Latin root “lavare” meaning “to wash.” The distinct scent of lavender essential oil is a favorite among perfumers, soap makers, as well as skin care and cosmetic companies.
- Scientific Name: Lavandula angustifolia
- Obtained from: Lavender buds
- History: Used in Rome, Victorian England, Greece
- Used to perfume linens and clothes during the Elizabethan period
- Scent and color: Thin consistency; yellowish in color with a distinctly fresh, sweet, camphoraceous scent
- Lavender nectar was used to produce high quality honey
- Since lavender plants don’t have seeds, it is propagated by cutting or root divisions
Lavender Oil Health Benefits
Lavender is a favorite among aromatherapists and essential oil enthusiasts. It’s known for a whole host of benefits: from hair growth, to arthritis, to psoriasis, to allergies. If you have a bottle of this essential oil on your shelf, chances are it’s the one you’d be taking out the most often. Here are seven uses of the lavender essential oil (AKA seven reasons why you need it in your collection now).
1. Sedative
Lavender essential oil is known for its calming sedative effects which may help improve the length and quality of sleep. Whether you suffer from insomnia or just want to maintain a better sleeping habit, lavender essential oil will come in handy.
Try This Recipe: Diffuse lavender essential oil in your room before going to sleep. If you don’t have a diffuser yet (here are some reasons why you should), dilute the lavender oil with rubbing alcohol and water to create your own room and linen spray. Try blending lavender with other essential oils for sleep!
2.Anxiolytic/Antidepressant
Lavender is one of the essential oils known to help with nervous disorders such as anxiety and depression. The inhalation of lavender essence helps reduce stress and negative thoughts. According to some studies, anxiety and depression may sometimes negatively affect person’s quality of sleep, which may make the situation worse. Lavender’s known sedative properties may help depressed and anxious individuals relax and enjoy longer, relaxing nights.
Try This Recipe: You may blend lavender essential oil with vetiver, ylang ylang, bergamot, chamomile, frankincense, and other known essential oils with antidepressant properties. Combating nervous disorders requires a combination of healthy habits, medical attention, and self-care. Find out how lavender and other essential oils could complement traditional anxiety treatments.
3. Antibacterial/Antifungal
This oil is noted for its antibacterial properties, which may help with minor burns, cuts/wounds, eczema, and dermatitis. Lavender oil is also known to have potent antifungal properties, which may alleviate symptoms of candidiasis and ringworm infections.
Try This Recipe: You may dilute the lavender essential oil with a carrier such as Vitamin E oil and apply it to the affected area. Lavender’s known antibacterial properties may also work well to combat acne, so you may try it with other essential oils on this list.
Trivia: Lavender oil is featured in De Materia Medica, a five-volume work in Greek, Latin, and Arabic.
4. Antiviral
Lavender is also known for its antiviral properties. Using this essential oil may protect you from diseases carried by viruses?since the antiviral agents bind themselves to viruses.
Try This Recipe: Feeling the flu kicking in? Bring your diffuser out, and get a few drops of lavender essential oil going. If you have a cough or stuffy nose, try blending lavender with tea tree, eucalyptus, and frankincense, essential oils with expectorant properties.
5. Antioxidant
Antioxidants help prevent oxidation of molecules, which helps counter disease-causing free-radicals. Lavender oil is known for its antioxidant properites, particularly its neuroprotective properties. This property of lavender essential oil may prevent cell death and may help slow down visible effects of aging, as well as symptoms of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimers’ disease, Osteoporosis, and Diabetes type II.
Try This Recipe: You may opt to diffuse lavender, or dilute it with a carrier oil, and apply it to the soles of your feet.
6. Anti-inflammatory
Are you suffering from painful muscles after an intense workout or training session? Do you have welts and rashes due to insect bites? Lavender essential oil may help. It is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Try This Recipe:?After a long day, nothing sounds better than a warm bath. Stir a few drops of lavender essential oil and some Epsom salt with your bath water. Soak in it, and relax! You may also blend lavender with a carrier and use it as a massage oil.
7. Anti-spasmodic
Lavender essential oil is a known antispasmodic. If you often suffer from menstrual cramps, colic, muscle spasms, and flatulence, lavender might help.
Try This Recipe: Put a few drops of lavender oil into a hot compress, and apply it on the affected area.
Do you want to know how lavender oil is extracted? Watch this?Discovery and Science Channel’s How It’s Made special, posted by Panos Egglezos:
Considering all the benefits of lavender, it’s one essential oil you should have on your shelf. Aside from its versatility, the scent itself is distinct and clean. Why not make lavender your signature scent?
Did we forget a health benefit of lavender essential oil? What do you use lavender oil for? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
