There are many amazing essential oils to choose from, but lavender is definitely the most versatile and most widely used—it has been used for centuries! (Source)
Even though it is most often used for its sedative properties in modern times, it was traditionally used as an antiseptic agent, even as recently as World War 1. (Source 1; Source 2) Not only does lavender have a gentle, pleasant scent, but it is often used for reducing anxiety and improving sleep. And the benefits don’t stop there!
Keep reading if you want to learn more about lavender essential oil and how it can help you.
The Many Health Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is one of the more commonly referred to herbs when you hear about essential oils and sleep. In fact, there is a huge misconception that lavender is only good for sleep and calming. The truth is, there are several healing benefits of lavender that most people may not even know about. Here are a few of those healing benefits, what to know about attaining these benefits, and tips that you may need to know.
When it comes to essential oils, lavender is one of the most popular and most common. This is because it has a very mild, but pleasant scent, is easy to find, and has so many uses. While there are many more, here are some of the top ways to use lavender essential oils.
Skin Deep
Minor Burns & Scrapes
Lavender can be infused in an oil and used on minor burns to help ease the pain, inflammation, and heal the burn itself. This is one of the leading benefits outside of the normal calming benefits the herb is known for! One study performed on rats showed that size of wounds topically treated with lavender oil was significantly decreased, compared to that of wounds not treated with lavender oil. The lavender helped healing by inducing expression of type I and III collagen, plus increasing number of fibroblasts, which synthesize collagen. (Source)
Making a lavender ointment is fairly simple. Use an oil that can harden or be whipped into a lotion, such as coconut oil along with a couple drops of pure lavender essential oil. Add Vitamin E or sweet almond oil to help give it more skin restorative properties and help soothe the skin around the burned area. You can pre-make the ointment or lotion and store in an airtight jar.
Bug Bites
Bug bites usually mean reaching for a form of itch relief cream. The same lavender ointment or lotion that you use for burns can be used on bug bites as well. The added bonus to the anti-inflammatory properties of the lavender is that it also works as an antiseptic. (Source) It can help clean the area, draw out any infection or poisons from the bug bite, and soothe the area all in one easy to apply ointment. If you have a pure lavender essential oil, you can also apply it directly if you are out and about.
Skin Irritations
Skin irritations caused by sunburn, dry skin issues, or rashes can be soothed by lavender as well. The healing benefits help calm the rashes or dryness causing the irritation and help keep it from spreading. They also help soothe the area so the skin can restore itself. In addition to these benefits, lavender can also help keep the skin hydrated and smooth during the healing process.
More Than a Sweet Smell
Get a Natural Mood Boost
Another wonderful benefit to lavender essential oil is improving your mood. Not only can it relax you and help with anxiety, but you can really just have a better mood and demeanor overall. One randomized, double-blind study testing the efficacy of a lavender essential oil capsule showed a pronounced antidepressant effect and improved general mental health. (Source)
If you have time for a bath, add a few drops to the bath water, and you will feel refreshed and like a brand new person once you get out. You can also make your own creams or lotions that you apply to your skin, helping you to be in a better mood in the morning while getting ready and before you head out the door.
Stop Your Insomnia
Sleep is an integral part of everyone’s daily schedule, but far too many people suffer from insomnia. This could be from a host of issues ranging from lack of solid sleep hygiene, hormonal imbalances, or anxiety. Since lavender has stress-reducing and sedative properties, it is a no-brainer to add it to your bedtime routine if insomnia is plaguing you. (Source)
Add some lavender drops to your oil diffuser, turn it on before bed, and enjoy those scents during your bedtime routine.
Relieve Your Stress
Are you dealing with a lot of stress in your life? Then lavender essential oil might be the answer. Everyone has stress, but when you notice it is taking over your life, causing anxiety attacks, depression, or lack of sleep, it is time to do something about it.
Lavender has been shown to reduce the effects of generalized anxiety disorder, even being compared with taking lorazepam, but without dangerous side effects or withdrawals. (Source)
Try using lavender in your diffuser or diluting it and rubbing it on pressure points like behind your ears or on your wrists, and you should start experiencing far less stress.
One last note! When purchasing lavender, make sure you are buying pure lavender. In some cases, you may be purchasing a dried form of lavender that has been enhanced in some way to add to the scent. These extra perfumes and sprays can detract from the healing properties of lavender and may actually cause allergic reactions. To ensure you are getting a pure lavender, use trusted sources like Young Living, or even grow it yourself!