Lavender is one of the most popular and beloved essential oils out there. It’s a great place for aromatherapy beginners to start, but it remains just as popular with seasoned essential oil enthusiasts. While it’s well-known for its floral, herbaceous aroma and relaxing benefits, this oil can do so much more! Let’s take a look at everything this oil has to offer.
But First…
Before we get into what you can do with Lavender, let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of this incredible essential oil. Our Lavender, or Lavandula Angustifolia, is a full-bodied steam-distilled oil from the flowering tops of the Lavender plant. The plant itself is grown in Bulgaria, Spain, France, and Greece. One of the main chemical constituents in Lavender essential oil is Linalool. Linalool has a calming effect on the mind and body and can help with sleep issues. It’s a common constituent in other calming oils like Ho Wood, Petitgrain and Coriander Seed. Lavender also contains Linalyl Acetate, another incredibly calming and grounding constituent. These constituents are what help make Lavender so incredibly relaxing.
Relaxation and Sleep
When it comes to relaxation and sleep, Lavender is one of the go-to oils. It’s such a popular scent when it comes to relaxing bath and spa products. And while it can totally be used for an extra special pamper session, it’s capable of so much more.
Stress and Tension
In addition to promoting overall relaxation, Lavender is great to have on hand for stressful days. It is known to reduce stress and helps relieve feelings of restlessness and nervous tension. Whether it’s a rough day at the office or home life is a bit chaotic, Lavender can help. Try adding a few drops Lavender with a few drops Bergamot and Melissa to a personal inhaler on those days you know are going to be stressful.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Meditation can play an important part in your self-care journey. But it’s not always easy to unwind, relax, and get to a calm state of mind where you can get the most out of your meditation practice. If stress and tension are getting in the way of your mindfulness practices, use Lavender essential oil to help settle a nervous or overactive mind that is causing you distress.
Sleep and Insomnia
With how amazing this oil is for relaxation, it should come as no surprise that it’s just as great for sleep. It’s a popular ingredient in many of our sleep blends for just this reason! Add two drops Lavender, two drops Ho Wood (another oil that is incredibly high in Linalool), and one drop Vetiver to your diffuser. Start diffusing 30 minutes before bedtime. By the time your head hits the pillow, these oils will not only help you fall asleep but stay asleep. Or try diffusing with Bergamot and Chamomile for another great sleep blend.
Skin and Hair
The topical benefits of Lavender make it one of the most versatile essential oils out there. And because it’s very gentle, it’s safe for the whole family! Just dilute it to 2-5% in your favorite carrier oil or unscented lotion to enjoy its soothing benefits.
Burn Relief
When it comes to burns, Lavender essential oil is one of the best oils you can use. Whether it’s a minor cooking burn (we’ve all bumped our hands on the oven rack at some point in time) or a painful sunburn, Lavender can help provide relief from the pain, speed up healing and reduce scarring. For an added boost of relief, try this simple Sun Soother DIY which combines Lavender, Frankincense and Helichrysum in our Aloe Jelly.
Scars and Wrinkles
It’s no secret that we all want to look younger. When added to your skincare routine, Lavender essential oil can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and scars. It can even help clear up blemishes and promote clear skin! We also have a number of carrier oil blends you can use based on your skin type. Combine Lavender with Clear Complex to help with acne-prone or oily skin, Near Perfection to help reduce the appearance of marks or imperfections or Younger Glo to help reduce the signs of aging.
Gorgeous Hair
In addition to helping get your skin glowing again, Lavender can also promote beautiful, healthy hair. When added to your unscented shampoo, it can help soothe an itchy or irritated scalp. And a healthy scalp helps grow and support strong hair follicles, helping you achieve that luscious, healthy hair you’ve been craving!
For a great community of essential oil enthusiasts, be sure to check out our Safe Essential Oil Recipes (SEOR) Facebook Group.
