8 Helpful Uses Of Lavender Essential Oil
Calming, Sedating, Antidepressive
A lot of people around the world today use lavender essential oil in their daily lives, but lavender's benefits have been enjoyed by people ever since they were discovered more than 2,500 years ago. For many centuries, people have been using lavender for therapeutic and cosmetic applications because of its astounding antioxidant properties as well as its calming, sedating, antidepressive, and antimicrobial benefits. Lavender was used by the ancient Egyptians as perfume and to mummify the dead. As a matter of fact, when archaeologists opened the tomb of King Tut in 1923, they could smell a faint fragrance of lavender, and this is after three thousand years.
Over the years, experts in aromatherapy wrote about using lavender essential oil for antibacterial purposes. For ailments like rheumatism and digestive disorders, the stems and leaves of the lavender plant were used to make medicine, while lavender was also prized for its cosmetic properties. People in Rome utilized oil from lavender to clean the air, for cooking, and bathing. The Bible even mentioned lavender oil being used to anoint and heal individuals.
1Treats Depression And Anxiety
The lavender essential oil has properties that calm and sedate the body, which makes it useful in protecting the body from seizures, healing the mind from depression, and treating anxiety. It is an effective herbal remedy to relax people who suffer from restlessness. Just put a few cuttings of lavender stems into a vase or put the whole plant in the corner of a room. The fragrance will alleviate tension as well as keep mosquitoes away.
There was research done in Korea on patients who were diagnosed with terminal cancer. These patients got relief from depression and pain when a mixture of lavender oil was used in hand massages. Another research showed that lavender oil was able to alleviate depression and anxiety in a group of women who recently gave birth, and the women presented no adverse side effects.
2Relaxes Tired Muscles
Everyone enjoys a gentle massage when the muscles are aching after working a long and hard day. Lavender can be the perfect cure for that. Fill a large bowl with warm water and add four to six drops of lavender essential oil to it. Immerse your aching feet or hands into this lavender bath, soak for around ten minutes, and see how relaxed you will feel after that.
Tired muscles, especially on your feet, get great benefits from a massage with lavender oil. Massage a little lavender onto your feet before bedtime, and your feet will feel soothed and relaxed. As an extra bonus, you will also see that the oil can nourish and smoothen over any rough skin on your feet.
3Treats Scalp And Dandruff Problems
For people who have dandruff and a scalp that is dry and itchy, the lavender essential oil is the answer. Mix together 15 drops of lavender oil and two tablespoons of either almond oil or olive oil and warm the mixture for approximately ten seconds. Massage this warm mixture onto your scalp and cover your head with a shower cap. After 60 minutes, wash your hair with a gentle shampoo.
Another mixture calls for blending five drops of lavender, five drops of rosemary oil, and three tablespoons of any unscented oil. Massage your scalp with this mixture and wait ten minutes. Shampoo afterward. Your dandruff problem will be treated effectively.
4Heals And Protects Against Headaches
It has been proven that lavender can alleviate migraine headaches and keep new ones from developing. Put some lavender oil onto your hands and massage your forehead, temples, and neck to relax the area and relieve any tension. This is effective in treating headaches that originate from nervousness, tension, sinus problems, stomach problems, migraines, and general malaise.
A study in Iran tested 47 people who had migraine headaches. The subjects were separated into a case group and a control group. The individuals in the case group were instructed to breathe in lavender oil for fifteen minutes, and at the same time, the people in the control group inhaled liquid paraffin. At the end of the test, the people in the case group reported that the intensity of their migraines was less compared to the control group.
5Helps With Better Sleep
Using lavender oil in the bedroom promotes better sleep. If you have insomnia, add some lavender oil to a diffuser or apply a few drops onto your pillow. To help the babies fall asleep better, add a few drops of oil into the baby's bedtime bath.
In stories told over the centuries, people slept on pillows filled with lavender flowers to induce a more peaceful night's rest. Lavender is soothing to the nervous system, helps in relaxation, and promotes sleep, which is excellent for people afflicted with exhaustion, restless leg syndrome, and insomnia. The reason for this is that the fragrance triggers alpha waves in the part of the brain that controls how you relax and, therefore, induces sleep faster.
6Treats Respiratory Problems
Lavender oil is remarkable in treating respiratory problems. Apply it when you catch a cold. It can alleviate congestion and calm a cough.
When you add lavender oil to boiling water and inhale the steam, you can open up your nasal passages and clear up any infection of your sinuses. If you want to alleviate the pressure of the sinuses and reduce inflammation, massage several drops of oil near your nasal passages (taking care not to touch your eyes), around your temples and forehead, and behind your neck. To get relief from sneezing, coughing, and a scratchy throat, inhale the steam that is infused with lavender oil or drink a cup of tea that is brewed with dried lavender.
7Cleanses And Moisturizes The Skin
Lavender oil is a superb treatment for acne because it has antibacterial properties. The oil helps in keeping the production of sebum balanced, and it improves your complexion. You can clear up your acne and minimize scarring if you add lavender oil to any organic cleanser or moisturizer.
As a treatment for eczema, mixing several drops of lavender oil with carrier oil will treat the itchiness and dryness on your skin. Minor rashes or skin irritations can benefit from this mixture as well. Irritations caused by allergens in the air or excessive heat and humidity are some examples.
8Tones And Freshens Your Skin
Lavender is an excellent toner, as it firms up your skin and improves circulation, which leads to feeding your skin cells with the oxygen and nutrients that they need. This promotes cell renewal and keeps the skin cells healthy. Mix lavender oil with some water, and you will have a really nice toner.
Put 100 ml of water into a bowl, bring it to a boil, and completely submerge the lavender buds. Cover it and allow the mixture to brew for several hours. Get a clean glass bottle, drain the mixture into it, and put it in the refrigerator. The next morning, after you wash your face, apply some of the lavender water onto a cotton ball, and wipe your face gently with it. Your face will feel toned and refreshed.
Lavender or Lavandula angustifolia has a pleasant fragrance that is clean and fresh with calming floral undertones; this unique blend of scents made lavender a sought-after ingredient for soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, and fresheners. People love lavender essential oil for its lovely fragrance as well as for its versatility. You can use it to enhance your relaxation, in your beauty regimens, and in many other areas of your lifestyle.
Add several drops of this lovely oil to your shampoos, lotions, and other skincare products and pamper yourself with the heavenly scent. Enjoy the use of it during the evenings. Before bedtime, lightly spray your pillow with a mixture of lavender oil and distilled water, or massage the oil onto the soles of your feet. Use lavender oil to make a freshener for your room, or put the oil in a diffuser to eliminate musty smells. Whichever way you use lavender essential oil, it will significantly improve your quality of life.