Attention, tired souls in need of a fragrant escape! Brace yourselves, because we’re about to embark on a lavender-scented journey of pure bliss. Picture this: you’re lying in a field of vibrant purple, surrounded by nature’s aromatic symphony, and feeling the stress melt away. But wait, there’s more! Lavender essential oil isn’t just a pretty scent; it’s packed with benefits that will leave you feeling like a Zen master in no time. Get ready to unlock the secrets of Lavender Essential Oil Benefits, and let’s dive into a world of relaxation, rejuvenation, and surprisingly delightful surprises.
Find out the secrets to growing Lavender in this post.
What is Lavender Essential Oil?
Lavender essential oil, derived from the beautiful lavender plant, is renowned for its versatile applications and numerous therapeutic benefits. It has been cherished for centuries and continues to captivate with its enchanting fragrance and remarkable properties. Extracting this precious oil involves a meticulous process that requires patience and precision.
To obtain lavender essential oil, the most common method is steam distillation. The process begins by carefully harvesting the lavender flowers at their peak potency, typically when they are in full bloom. This ensures that the oil extracted from the flowers contains the highest concentration of beneficial compounds.
Once the flowers are harvested, they are then carefully dried to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial as it helps to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria during the distillation process. Proper drying also helps in preserving the integrity of the aromatic and therapeutic components of the flowers.
Next comes the actual distillation process. The dried lavender flowers are placed in a distillation apparatus, which consists of a chamber where the plant material is held and a condenser to collect the essential oil. Steam is introduced into the chamber, gently passing through the lavender flowers. As the steam interacts with the plant material, it causes the essential oil to evaporate.
The vapor containing the essential oil then travels through the condenser, where it cools down and turns back into a liquid state. This condensation process separates the essential oil from the steam and other water-soluble components of the lavender plant. The resulting liquid is collected, and voila! You have pure lavender essential oil.
The extraction method of steam distillation ensures that the beneficial compounds found in lavender, such as linalool and linalyl acetate, are preserved. These compounds are responsible for the distinctive aroma and therapeutic properties of lavender essential oil. They offer a wide range of benefits, including relaxation, stress relief, improved sleep, and soothing effects on the skin.
History of Lavender Oil
Lavender was used as far back as the ancient Egyptian and Roman civilizations for medicinal and grooming purposes.
The Egyptians used Lavender in mummification, as a perfume, and for other purposes. The plant gets its name from the Latin word “lavere”, which means “to wash”. The Romans used lavender flowers in the famous Roman Baths, as well as to scent their beds and homes, and as a scent for the body and hair.
It is debated when the first stills were used to distill essential oils from plants. But until 1910 essential oils were used exclusively in the perfume industry of the day. That all began to change when a French perfumer and chemist named René-Maurice Gattefossé suffered a burn on his arm during a fire at his family’s perfume factory.
The story goes that the closest cool liquid was a vat of lavender essential oil. Gattefosse’ plunged his arm into the vat of oil. He noticed immediate relief from the pain. Later he found that the application of the lavender essential oil greatly helped with the healing of the wound and prevented the arm from scarring.
He is credited for coining the phrase aromatherapie and the study of the aromatic use of essential oils was born. We know it today as aromatherapy.
Today we know of many lavender essential oil benefits for health and wellness. Scientific studies have been done with lavender essential oil more than with any other essential oil. The results have been positive and some would say amazing.
So let’s examine some of the benefits of Lavender essential oil.
Lavender Essential Oil Benefits
For The Skin
Lavender essential oil is a skin-loving powerhouse that offers a multitude of benefits. When applied topically, this aromatic elixir can work wonders for your skin’s health and appearance. Its soothing and gentle nature makes it suitable for various skin types, from dry and sensitive to oily and acne-prone.
Lavender essential oil possesses excellent anti-inflammatory properties, helping to calm irritated and red skin. It can alleviate the discomfort associated with conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis, promoting a healthier complexion.
This essential oil boasts impressive antioxidant capabilities, fighting off free radicals that contribute to premature aging. Regular use of lavender oil can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, leaving your skin looking rejuvenated and more youthful.
Lavender essential oil has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, making it a valuable asset in combating acne and blemishes. It helps cleanse the skin, unclog pores, and regulate sebum production, reducing the likelihood of breakouts and promoting a clearer complexion. You can add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a tablespoon of light carrier oil such as sunflower or sweet almond oil and apply directly to pimples.
The soothing and calming nature of lavender oil extends to its ability to aid in the healing of wounds and scars. Its regenerative properties can accelerate the skin’s natural healing process, minimizing the appearance of scars and promoting a smoother, more even skin texture.
A study published in 2016 looked at the wound-healing properties of the application of lavender essential oil to skin wounds in rats. The results showed that the production of granulation cells and collagen increased and that wound size shrank more in the wounds treated with lavender oil versus a control solution. The authors concluded that lavender essential oil may have the possibility of a new approach to complementary wound healing therapy.
Since lavender essential oil has benefits for burns it stands to reason that it would be useful for sunburn as well. It turns out that is true. You can create a soothing sunburn treatment by using lavender essential oil.
In a massage oil bottle mix, 1/4 cup aloe gel and 2 Tbsp distilled water. Mix 2 Tbsp of carrier oil such as Jojoba or Fractionated Coconut Oil with 15 drops of lavender essential oil. Add this to the aloe gel and mix well. Apply to the sunburn twice or up to three times a day for soothing relief.
Apply a drop of lavender essential oil directly to bug bites or stings. The soothing, pain-relieving, and anti-inflammatory properties will relieve itching, pain, and swelling in the area.
When it comes to overall skin health, lavender essential oil is a fantastic moisturizer. It helps to balance moisture levels, keeping the skin hydrated without leaving it greasy. This can be especially beneficial for dry skin types, providing a nourishing boost and restoring suppleness.
Lavender essential oil is rich in antioxidants. These substances are good for your skin and help prevent cell damage caused by oxygen-free radicals. It has anti-inflammatory properties which can help with skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, eczema, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Lavender essential oil contains antimicrobial properties which kill the bacteria that cause acne.
Do the same thing for treating psoriasis or eczema by simply applying the mixture directly to the area. The soothing properties can also help relieve the itch.
Lavender essential oil benefits include those for healing wounds as well. As stated above, the oil has wonderful healing and soothing properties when applied to burns. It is also helpful for healing cuts and scrapes too.
Benefits For Your Hair
Lavender essential oil has been shown to promote hair growth by stimulating circulation to the hair follicles promoting hair growth.
Add a few drops to your favorite shampoo. You can use lavender and rosemary essential oils which are both known to help condition the scalp and help hair growth.
A study in 2008 from Scotland used Emu oil and a combination of oils, including lavender essential oil, and found that it stimulated hair growth in subjects with hair loss.
You can relieve dandruff by adding lavender essential oil to a carrier oil and massaging it into your scalp. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then shampoo your hair as you normally would. The antibacterial and soothing properties of the lavender oil along with the moisturizing properties of the carrier oil will help relieve dryness and flaking in your scalp.
Lavender Essential Oil Benefits For Pain
The analgesic properties of lavender essential oil make it a great choice for many types of pain. From joint pain and muscle pain to headaches, lavender oil can offer relief.
Adding lavender essential oil to a carrier oil and massaging it into the affected area around joints or muscles can provide relief from pain. The anti-inflammatory properties are also helpful when inflammation is involved, such as with arthritis or injury and bruising.
You can also use lavender essential oil to help relieve the pain from headaches. A study published in 2012 found that “The present study suggests that inhalation of lavender essential oil may be an effective and safe treatment modality in the acute management of migraine headaches”. The study found that 92 out of 127 responded fully or partially to inhaling lavender essential oil. The response was statistically significant over the placebo group.
You can also place a few drops of lavender essential oil in a Tbsp of carrier oil and massage into the temple area, and massage into the back of the neck to relieve headache pain.
Lavender For Sleep
Lavender has been shown in several studies to calm, relax and promote sleep. One study published in 1996 showed that lavender oil had a positive effect on the sleep quality of the elderly in a controlled study. Another published in 2017 showed improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue in dialysis patients.
Lavender has been shown in several studies to calm, relax and promote sleep. One study published in 1996 showed that lavender oil had a positive effect on the sleep quality of the elderly in a controlled study. Another published in 2017 showed improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue in dialysis patients.
You can also place a few drops in a bath and relax in the bath before going to bed.
I can personally attest that I was having awful insomnia until a few months ago when I started diffusing lavender essential oil at bedtime. Now I fall asleep within a few minutes on most nights and I sleep through the night.
For Stress
Another lavender essential oil benefit is in the relief of stress and anxiety. Lavender essential oil has chemical constituents that work to relax the body and calm the mind.
Nothing is better than adding a few drops of lavender to a diffuser and breathing in the relaxing aroma after a long stressful day.
For immediate stress relief, you can simply open a bottle and inhale the aroma of the lavender oil directly from the bottle. Keep a bottle at your desk at work for when you need it. Or you can carry an aromatherapy inhaler with you and use it as needed. The inhaler has a wick that you add a few drops of oil and then carry in your purse or pocket.
Insect Repellent
Lavender essential oil can be used as an insect repellent in place of those insect repellents you buy from the store that are full of chemicals. Simply add distilled water to a spray bottle then mix 20 drops of lavender oil with 2 Tbsp rubbing alcohol or witch hazel. Mix with the water and shake well. The alcohol or witch hazel acts as an emulsifying agent to help the lavender oil disperse in the water better. Just shake well and spray it on to keep biting insects away.
If you do get bitten you can apply lavender essential oil to the mosquito bite to relieve the itching. Mix with a carrier oil or you can apply neat if you don’t have sensitive skin.
Cleaning Solutions
Since lavender essential oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties you can use it in many DIY natural cleaners for your home. If you prefer the smell of lavender over citrus oils, simply substitute it for the lemon or other oils in the recipe. It will clean and disinfect your surfaces while leaving your home with the fresh smell of lavender.
Conclusion
Lavender essential oil is a true gift from nature, offering a plethora of benefits that extend far beyond its enchanting fragrance. Whether you seek relaxation, skin rejuvenation, or a peaceful night’s sleep, lavender oil has you covered. Its therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects, make it a versatile and effective tool in your skincare and well-being routine.
So, the next time you find yourself in need of a calming escape or a boost of self-care, reach for lavender essential oil. Let its soothing embrace transport you to a world of tranquility, where stress fades away, and your skin radiates with natural beauty.
Embrace the power of lavender oil, and unlock the wonders it holds. Let its gentle touch restore balance to your mind, body, and spirit. Discover the art of self-care and indulge in the magic of lavender essential oil. Your skin will thank you, and you’ll find yourself falling in love with this aromatic elixir time and time again.
Remember, nature has provided us with incredible gifts, and lavender essential oil is undoubtedly one of them. So, inhale its calming aroma, experience its transformative benefits, and let the journey to wellness and beauty begin.
Be sure and check out our list of articles for more great info on aromatherapy and essential oils.
FAQs:
Q: What is lavender essential oil used for?
A: Lavender essential oil is used for a variety of purposes. It is commonly used for relaxation, stress relief, promoting sleep, soothing skin irritations, and improving the overall appearance of the skin.
Q: What are the benefits of smelling lavender essential oil?
A: Smelling lavender essential oil has a calming and soothing effect on the mind and body. It can help reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, alleviate stress, and even improve sleep quality.
Q: What are the benefits of lavender essential oil and how to use it?
A: Lavender essential oil offers numerous benefits. It has anti-inflammatory properties, promotes skin healing, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and helps balance moisture levels. It can be used topically in diluted form, in aromatherapy diffusers, or added to bathwater for a relaxing soak.
Q: Who should not use lavender essential oil?
A: While lavender essential oil is generally safe for most people, it is recommended to avoid using it on infants under six months old. Individuals with known allergies or sensitivities to lavender should also refrain from using it.
Q: Can you use any lavender oil for the skin?
A: It is essential to use high-quality, pure lavender essential oil that is specifically intended for skin application. Dilute it properly with a carrier oil before using it on the skin.
Q: Does lavender oil absorb into the skin?
A: Yes, lavender oil can absorb into the skin when properly diluted. Mixing it with a carrier oil helps facilitate absorption and prevents any potential skin irritation.
Q: Is lavender essential oil good for sensitive skin?
A: Lavender essential oil is generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin, but it is crucial to dilute it properly before applying. Perform a patch test on a small area of skin to ensure no adverse reactions occur.
Q: Is lavender oil good for wrinkles?
A: Lavender essential oil possesses antioxidant properties that can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Its regenerative effects contribute to a more youthful and vibrant complexion.
Q: How to use lavender oil for anxiety and sleep?
A: For anxiety relief, inhale lavender oil directly from the bottle or use it in a diffuser. To promote sleep, you can diffuse lavender oil in your bedroom, add a few drops to a warm bath, or apply diluted oil to your pulse points before bedtime.
Q: How long does it take for lavender oil to make you sleepy?
A: The calming effects of lavender oil can vary from person to person. Some individuals may experience relaxation and drowsiness shortly after exposure, while for others, it may take a bit longer. Experiment with the oil and find a routine that works best for you.
Q: Where do you put essential oils for sleep?
A: Essential oils can be applied to the pulse points, such as the wrists, temples, or behind the ears, before sleep. You can also add a few drops to a diffuser or sprinkle them on your pillow to promote restful sleep.
Q: Can I put lavender oil on my bed?
A: Yes, you can put lavender oil on your bed by adding a few drops to your pillow or using a linen spray infused with lavender oil. Ensure that the oil is diluted properly and avoid using excessive amounts that may cause staining or an overpowering scent.