Looking to relax the body and mind? You can’t go wrong with Lavender Essential Oil.
Known for its pleasant smell and array of known benefits, Lavender Essential Oil is one of the most popular essential oils for aromatherapy.
In this article we’ll look at the benefits Lavender Oil can offer the mind and body and how to incorporate it into your routine.
Firstly, What Is Lavender Essential Oil?
Lavender Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia) is an essential oil derived from the lavender flower. It is extracted by a steam distillation process to produce an oil with a pleasantly sweet, floral and herbaceous aroma.
One of the most well-known essential oils on the market, Lavender Oil is an extremely versatile oil and a valued ingredient in everything from cosmetic products to aromatherapy applications.
6 Benefits Of Lavender Essential Oil
Known for its calming and soothing powers, Lavender Essential Oil is an oil with an array of benefits for the skin, hair and general health. These include:
1. May Help Reduce Stress
Research suggests that Lavender Oil may have the same effect as prescription medicine when it comes to treating anxiety. Thanks to its sedative properties, Lavender Oil has not only been seen to help reduce anxiety, but feelings of stress and nervous tension as well.
A 2017 study even found that inhaling Lavender Oil before a surgical operation significantly reduced patients stress levels, helping them remain calm.
2. Seen To Improve Sleep
Lavender Oil’s ability to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety also make it a useful natural remedy to help improve sleep. In fact, in aromatherapy, Lavender Oil is known to be one of the best essential oils for sleep due to its naturally occurring sedative properties.
A 2009 study supports this claim, suggesting that inhaling Lavender Oil before bed can help increase the percentage of deep sleep in both men and women. This makes it a beneficial essential oil for those struggling to get a restful night's sleep.
3. Known To Help Soothe Inflamed Skin
Lavender Oil is a common ingredient in an array of skincare products, and for good reason. Lavender Oil’s antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties make it a great natural remedy for treating skin irritations such as minor burns, cuts, scarring and redness.
Additionally, Lavender Oil’s ability to soothe dry, sensitive and irritated skin make it a popular oil for treating skin conditions, scarring and eczema. For suffers of these conditions, Lavender Oil is also known to help naturally tone the skin and reduce the appearance of pigmentation, redness and scarring after flareups go down.
A Lifesaver for Acne Sufferers
Lavender Oil’s natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties have been seen to help unclog pores and kill bacteria that can cause acne breakouts.
4. May Help Treat Fungal Infections
Lavender Oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties are known to help prevent candida, a fungus responsible for athletes foot, ringworm and yeast infections.
A 2011 study in the Journal of Medical Microbiology even found that Lavender Oil is believed to be useful for combatting antifungal-resistant infections.
5. Gives You A Youthful Glow
Lavender Oil’s abundance of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great addition to your anti-aging skincare routine. The antioxidants present in Lavender Oil are believed to help fight off free radicals that can speed up the aging process and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Additionally, the natural antioxidising properties of Lavender Oil are known to help protect the skin from environmental stresses such as sun exposure, smoke and air pollution.
6. Believed To Promote Hair Growth
Lavender Oil’s soothing abilities are known to nourish and moisturise the hair and scalp, which can help balance sebum production and encourage hair growth. Additionally, Lavender Oil’s anxiolytic (anxiety reliving) properties are known to reduce the likelihood of stress related hair loss.
Popular Ways To Use Lavender Essential Oil
When it comes to enjoying the many benefits of Lavender Oil for the mind and body, we recommend topical application or inhalation via a diffuser.
Topical Application
To help treat various skin conditions and ease muscle pain, dilute Lavender Oil into a carrier oil and apply to the skin using one of the following methods:
- Simply add a few drops of your preferred carrier oil, such a Jojoba or Coconut Oil, at a 2-4% dilution and apply topically as a skin serum or massage oil.
- For facial application, we recommend the same method with a 1-2% dilution.
Diffuser
To experience the benefits of Lavender Oil through inhalation, you can add a few drops into an aromatherapy diffuser. To do so:
- Add some water to the diffuser basin
- Add roughly 5 drops of Lavender Oil
- Plug in and start your diffuser
Quick tip: Place by your bedside 30-60 minutes before bed to create a relaxing atmosphere that may help with a restful sleep.
4 Common Ways To Enjoy Lavender Oil
Now you know the many benefits Lavender Oil can offer for your hair, skin and general health, you might be wondering how to practically incorporate it into your routine.
Some of the most popular ways to use Lavender Oil are as follows:
1. In A Roller Bottle For On-The-Go Relaxation
To experience the soothing benefits of Lavender Oil while on the go, you can add your diluted solution to a roller bottle and apply to the forehead, temples, chest, behind the ears and soles of the feet.
2. Add A Few Drops To A Warm Bath
To help ease inflammation and muscle pain, add a few drops of Lavender Oil to a warm bath to soak up its anti-inflammatory benefits.
3. Add To Your Favourite Face Cream Or Lotion
Add a drop of two of Lavender Oil to your favourite face cream or lotion before bed to help give your skin an antioxidant boost.
4. Mix With Baking Soda To Relive Itchy Bug Bites
Mix two teaspoons of baking soda with 25 drops of Lavender Oil to create a paste. Add the paste to irritated bug bites to help soothe the itchy sensation.
What Can I Mix Lavender Essential Oil With?
Lavender Oil is a versatile oil that blends well with most scents. Some popular blends include:
- For a floral, citrus combination, try a mixture of Lavender and Sweet Orange Oil.
- For a pleasant and relaxing combination, try a mixture of Lavender and Bergamot Oil.
Orange Sweet Essential Oil
The cirtus, sweet aroma of Sweet Orange Oil blends well with Lavender's floral, herbaceous aroma.
Bergamot Essential Oil
When combined, Lavender and Bergamot Oil create a soothing blend to help relieve nervous tension.
Essential Oil Sleep Pack
With Lavender, Bergamot and Frankincense Oil's, our Essential Oil Sleep Pack promotes a restful sleep.
How Do You Know If You Have Quality Lavender Oil?
A Lavender Essential Oil blend that isn’t 100% won’t allow you to enjoy it’s benefits to their full potential. That’s why it’s important to look for a pure oil from a quality supplier.
Top 6 Things To Look For
- Look for Lavender Oil’s Latin name, Lavandula Angustifolia, listed on the bottle. If a product doesn’t have the Latin name listed, it’s probably a mix of synthetic ‘fragrance oils’.
- The oil is packaged in a dark glass bottle. This will prevent light and heat from damaging the oil.
- The label clearly states ‘100% pure Lavender Essential Oil’. This will ensure the product isn’t blended with any other oils.
- Be sure to check the expiry date if buying in store
- The product clearly states where the oil is from.
- Be wary of a very low price. It could be an indicator of low quality or adulterated essential oils.
At AWO, our Lavender Essential Oil is sourced from Bulgaria and isn’t diluted with any other ingredients. This means you’re getting exactly what you pay for, 100% pure Lavender Oil naturally extracted via steam distillation.
Considerations For Using Lavender Oil
Although rare, Lavender Oil use can result in skin irritations or allergic reactions. That's why we always recommend performing a skin patch test before incorporating Lavender Oil into your routine.
AWO’s Lavender Oil is 100% pure and therefore very concentrated, so we always recommend diluting before using topically. Because they are so potent, essential oils can cause serious harm if ingested without the necessary expertise.
For this reason, you should never ingest essential oils. We also recommend storing your Lavender Essential Oil in a cool, dry place at room temperature, ensuring that they are not directly exposed to sunlight and are out of reach of children or pets.
Commonly Asked Questions About Lavender Oil
Can Lavender Oil Treat Allergies?
Thanks to Lavender Oil’s strong anti-inflammatory properties, it is believed to work as a natural antihistamine. One 2014 study even concluded that that anti-inflammatory effect of Lavender Oil could reduce allergic inflammation.
Is Lavender Oil Safe For Eyelashes?
Once diluted with a carrier oil, Lavender Oil is thought to help your eyelashes grow thicker and faster. However, there is currently no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Is Lavender Oil Safe For Dogs?
Diluted Lavender Oil is generally considered safe for topical use on dogs.
However, be careful where you apply it. If your dog ingests to much oil by licking it off themselves, it can cause vomiting, constipation or reduced appetite. It’s always best to consult your vet before using Lavender Oil on your pet.
What Customers Are Saying About Lavender Essential Oil
“Love this oil and have used it in my diffuser most nights since receiving it. Highly recommended and I will be purchasing again from this store, great price, quick delivery and beautifully packaged.”
Ange P (Verified Customer)
“I find this to be a high-quality oil at a very reasonable price. I use it in my diffuser and the scent is excellent - promoting relaxation and much better sleep. I highly recommend it.”
Shane B (Verified Customer)
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness.