Lavender Aromatherapy Essential Oil | Benefits, Practical Uses & Recipes

Lavender Aromatherapy Essential Oil | Benefits, Practical Uses & Recipes

Lavender Essential Oil

Basically the swiss army knife of essential oils, Lavender is the oil you would pick if you were told you could only use one essential oil ever again!

From helping to get a good nights sleep, to soothing occasional skin irritations and even for freshening up your fabrics, having a bottle of Lavender essential oil to hand at home is always a good idea.

Used by the ancient Egyptians as perfume and to help with the mummification process, the Romans to bathe and purify and more recently here in the UK, in the 17th century during London's Great Plague. It's even quoted in the bible as an healing and anointing oil.

Related to basil, mint, oregano, thyme, lemon balm sage and rosemary.

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AT A GLANCE KEY FACTS ABOUT LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

  • Latin / Botanical Name | Lavandula Angustifolia
  • Part Of Plant Used | Flowering Tips
  • Sustainably Sourced From | France *
  • Extraction Method | Steam Distillation
  • Oil Type / Family | Lamiaceae / Mint Family
  • Aroma | Fresh, sweet and slightly fruity floral, with an underlying note of warm spice.
  • Blends well with | Bergamot, Clary Sage & Geranium
  • Major active ingredient | Monoterpenes
    (linalool, linalyl acetate, lavandulol, geraniol, bornyl acetate, borneol, terpineol, and eucalyptol or lavandulyl acetate)
    • Chemicals | Terpenoids - linalool and linalyl acetate
    • Properties | Antimicrobial. Antifungal, Antioxidant, Sedative, Antidepressive, Analgesic, Anxiolytic
    • Cautions | Always use diluted with a carrier oil. For the majority of users Lavender is fine but a small percentage may find it causes eczema breakouts and allergic contact dermatitis. Do not use with prescribed sedatives or anti-depressants;
    • Allergens |  Geraniol, Linalool & Linalyl acetate 

    BENEFITS OF LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

    BACKED UP BY SCIENCE

    If you know a first aider, they'll probably tell you that Lavender's antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties (when diluted with a carrier oil) can help to calm irritated or inflamed skin, soothe insect bites & bee stings, burns and even bruises when used topically or as a compress.

    It can be used as natural pain relief to help to reduce the severity of nausea and headache symptoms, can help to with depression, anxiety, fatigue, stress and even menstrual pain.

    It can be used in your hair and skincare products and has both anti aging and hair growth properties.

    There is even some research to show it is beneficial in the treatment of dementia.

    So this all sounds great but is there any actual proof I can hear you saying (yes via the screen!)

     

     

    Pain Relief | A recent study in 2022 showed that inhaling lavender oil for 3 days before menstruating resulted in a reduction in severity of symptoms for up to 3 months.

     

     

    Anxiety | Studies have shown Lavender essential oil to produce a natural calming effect without sedation coupled with the lack of dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal. It was also found to start to work quicker than current first-line agents,

     

    Insomnia/Sleep | A recent study has shown that inhaling Lavender Essential oil before and during sleep actually improves the quality of sleep - ie it promotes slow-wave sleep (deep sleep) and reduces the amount of restless sleep 

    Antioxidant |  A 2013 study found that lavender increased activity of our body's most powerful antioxidants ( produced by our bodies as a natural response to free radicals - toxins, chemicals and pollutants).

    PRACTICAL WAYS TO USE LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

    Inhalation

    Several of the studies mentioned above illustrate the potential benefits of inhaling Lavender Essential Oil to help with insomnia, anxiety and depression

    • Add a few drops of Lavender Oil to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet at bedtime to help promote a restful sleep.
    • Add three to four drops to your diffuser an hour or so before you are going to bed to promote a restful sleep.
    • Out and about? Use with Aromatherapy Diffuser Jewellery 

      Topical Application

      Lavender oil can be added to your bath and skincare products to help with various conditions. 

      • Irritated or inflamed skin? Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with carrier oil to minimize any skin sensitivity. 
      • Need to relax? Add a couple of drops into your bath, while the water is running and swirl to mix.
      • Got a bruise? Warm compress
      • Studies also show that lavender oil, along with other essential oils like thyme, rosemary and cedarwood, can significantly improve alopecia areata and hair loss when massaged into the scalp daily.
      • Insect Bite or Bee Sting? Add a drop of lavender oil directly to the affected skin as soon as possible to help reduce swelling and calm any itchiness
      • Natural Skin Toner. Put a few drops of lavender essential oil in a spray bottle filled with water, let it cool in the fridge for a couple of hours and use it as a natural toner. The natural active ingredients in lavender stimulate the blood flow and support skin cell regeneration.

      Around the home

      It's not just good for you, it can be used as a natural deodoriser for your home

      • Combine with water in a spray bottle for an instant freshener for your linen closet, mattress, car, smelly trainers or unpleasant aromas
      • Fruit flies driving you crazy? Put a few drops of it in a small dish on your kitchen windowsill or where ever is affected. 

      DIY BLENDS & RECIPES USING LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

      Lavender oil blends very well with citrus oils, such as orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, bergamot, and pomelo. Lavender blends well with clary sage, tea tree, and pine.

      • To use lavender oil for skin health, combine three to four drops with ½ teaspoon of coconut or jojoba oil, and massage the mixture into the area of concern. You can also add lavender to your face or body wash.

      • Try mixing lavender oil with frankincense and applying it to your skin first thing in the morning, right after you shower and right before bed. This will help to reduce inflammation and signs of aging, like dark spots.
      • One of the most effective natural headache remedies is combing two drops each of lavender with peppermint oil and rubbing the mixture into the back of the neck and the temples.
      • For Pimple: To get rid of pimples, mix one drop lavender essential oil with one drop argan oil and apply it straight to the pimple two times a day until it goes away.
      • Itchy Scalp or Dandruff? Put 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil in 2-3 tablespoons of a carrier oil – you can use olive, castor or almonds oil – and gently massage your scalp with it. Leave it on for at least half an hour, then wash your hair with your regular shampoo.

      SCIENTIFIC STUDIES / RESEARCH ON LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

      Antioxidant |  A 2013 study found that lavender increased activity of our body's most powerful antioxidants ( produced by our bodies as a natural response to free radicals - toxins, chemicals and pollutants).

       

      2015 Research Study  -  Antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of lavender essential oil 

       

       

       

       

       

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