Lavender essential oil has been around for a very long time and has some amazing benefits. This ultimate guide to lavender essential oil will teach you a little about this amazing and very versatile oil and will give you 10 practical lavender essential oil uses.
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Lavender oil has been used for many therapeutic and religious purposes for over 2,500 years. It was used for mummification and as a perfume by the Egyptians and the Romans used it for cooking and scenting the air. Mary may even have applied lavender oil with her hair to anoint Jesus. Many researchers claim that 2,000 years ago, lavender was referred to as spikenard or ‘nard’ from the Greek name for lavender, naardus. “Lavender is a universal oil that has been shown to balance the body and to work wherever there is a need. It is called ‘the grandmother’ of essential oils because it cares for and nurtures us through such a variety of physical and emotional stresses.” (Lavender) It is very calming and balancing to all systems of the body.
Lavender Essential Oil Benefits
antiseptic, diuretic, expectorant, emmenagogue, antiparasitic, antioxidant, neurological health, skin health, insect repellent, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, antirheumatic, antiviral, anxiety-relieving, sedative, vasodilator, skin cell regenerative, antimicrobial
“One of the great emotional gifts of lavender is the feeling of total and unchanging support around us. It leaves us with no room for doubt that we are loved and will be supported in life's challenges and in the process of healing. Lavender promotes faith, even in the hard times. Lavender brings balance between masculine and feminine energy and traits. Lavender is a gentle, but effective, sedative and nervine. It can bring relief from anxiety, panic, hysteria, emotional and mental fatigue, headaches and migraines, and insomnia.” (Lavender)
“Lavender can be used for nearly all skin conditions. It can be applied to cuts, sunburns, burns, rashes, dermatitis, eczema, and insect bites. Consistent use of lavender with burns and injuries minimizes scarring. Lavender, usually as part of a blend, is often used to prevent or remedy conditions of dandruff and hair loss. Lavender is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, cytophylactic, and antispasmodic, making it effective for muscle strains and sprains, cramps, and wound healing.
Lavender clears excess waste products from the lymphatic system and is an aid to digestion. Lavender is sometimes all that is needed to prevent or alleviate nausea. Mildly diuretic, lavender can be useful in alleviating edema and premenstrual water retention. Whether the root of the problem is emotional or physical, lavender is often effective in stabilizing both high and low blood pressure and regulating the pulse. Lavender, or blends containing it, is used to lessen pain and promote restful sleep. Lavender is useful for babies with thrush.” (Lavender)
Specific safety for lavender
Lavender essential oil can be very calming if used correctly. If this is the first time using lavender essential oil, be sure to dilute (with vegetable oil). Lavender is usually very gentle when used on the skin undiluted but many people have had sensitivities to it. I have heard that some people get hyped up with lavender essential oil instead of being calmed down.
Need more safety tips? I've got a list of Essential Oil Safety tips. Be sure to read this before using essential oils so that you can use them safely and effectively!
Use Essential Oils Safely
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Top 10 Lavender Essential Oil Uses
My goal is to educate on how to use your essential oils. If you want to find out more scientific information about lavender essential oil, reference Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils and/or Essential Oil Safety.
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- Sleep/Relaxation: Diffuse 5 drops of lavender oil beside the bed or apply 2 to 3 drops to the back of the neck, chest, and temples (diluted with some carrier oil).
- Headache Reliever: Inhale lavender oil for 15 minutes and/or mix 2 drops of lavender oil with 2 drops of peppermint oil and apply it to the back of the neck, crown of the head and both temples.
- Skin Soother: Mix with some coconut oil and apply it to any cuts, burns, sunburns, rashes, wounds, dry skin spots, and insect bites (minimizes scarring and healing time). Should be applied twice daily until fully healed.
- Hair/Scalp Health: Mix 10-15 drops with warm argan oil and massage into the scalp gently for 5-10 minutes. You can also add a couple of drops to your shampoo.
- Stress Calmer: Diffuse lavender oil, add a couple of drops to a warm-water bath (add to Epsom salts first and then to bath water) or apply it to the temples, wrists and the soles of the feet (diluted with some carrier oil).
- Blood Pressure Equilibrium: Diffuse lavender oil to help soothe stressed behaviors and promote healthy blood pressure.
- Nosebleed: Put a drop of lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice. Place it inside your top lip, at the base of the nose.
- Acne: Dilute with a carrier oil and apply to problem areas.
- After Sun Spray: Add 1-2 Tbsp Aloe Vera gel, 10 drops peppermint essential oil, 10 drops lavender essential oil and ½ cup witch hazel to an empty 4 oz glass spray bottle. Fill remainder of the bottle with water, shake, and apply to burned skin as needed. (Tiffany)
- Cuticle Cream: Add to tea tree (melaleuca) essential oil, olive oil, and beeswax pellets for an easy cuticle cream.
Lavender diffuser blends
3 drops Lavender
3 drops Eucalyptus
3 drops Tangerine
3 drops Lavender
3 drops Vetiver
2 drops Ylang Ylang
4 drops Lavender
2 drops Sandalwood
2 drops Clary Sage
3 drops Lemon
2 drops Lavender
1 drop Rosemary
3 drops Lavender
2 drops Geranium
2 drops Orange
1 drop Clary Sage
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Marjoram
2 drops Orange
2 drops Roman Chamomile
3 drops Lavender
3 drops Cedarwood
4 drops Tangerine
2 drops Lavender
1 drop Lime
1 drop Spearmint
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Rosemary
2 drops Myrrh
2 drops Eucalyptus
Lavender for hair
Mix 10-15 drops with warm argan oil and massage into the scalp gently for 5-10 minutes. You can also add a couple of drops to your shampoo. Add Rosemary for extra benefits.
Lavender for skin
Mix with some coconut oil and apply it to any cuts, burns, sunburns, rashes, wounds, dry skin spots, and insect bites (minimizes scarring and healing time). Should be applied twice daily until fully healed.
Lavender for sleep
Diffuse 5 drops of lavender oil beside the bed or apply 2 to 3 drops to the back of the neck, chest, and temples (diluted with some carrier oil).
Can also make a pillow spray, roller blend, or even just put a drop on your palm and cup it to your face and inhale.
Lavender Oil Kids Safety
Yes.
Topical use on children: Be sure to dilute to a 5% ratio (or less) when using topically. You can dilute it by adding a few drops to a 10 ml roller bottle or you can put a drop in your hand and add a tsp (or so) of carrier oil and mix before applying to children.
Diffusing around children: Lavender essential oil is safe to diffuse around infants and children.
Always use caution, especially the first time you are diffusing it. If your child has trouble breathing or any other signs of allergies or side effects immediately following the use of it, cease use immediately and seek medical attention if necessary.
Internal use for children: Infants and children should not use essential oils internally unless under the direction of a certified aromatherapist and a medical doctor.
Lavender for babies
Diffuse some lavender essential oil by their bed at night or make a roller at 5% dilution and apply to their feet before bedtime.
Teething
Add 2 drops each of Frankincense, Lavender & Roman Chamomile in a 10 ml roller bottle. Top with Fractionated Coconut Oil. Roll along jawline and back of the neck in times of discomfort.
Where can I buy lavender oil?
Be sure to get a pure, high-quality essential oil from a company that you trust. My 2 favorite brands of essential oils are Butterfly Express & Plant Therapy. You can read more about my favorite essential oil brands in my post titled Where to Buy Essential Oils: 4 Best Essential Oil Brands.
Diy lavender essential oil recipes
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Conclusion
Lavender has so many uses and benefits that it's a great must-have oil for your arsenal. Want a quick reference sheet about lavender essential oil uses? Just enter your info below and I'll send it straight to your inbox!
Sources:
Lavender (Lavendula officinalis). Retrieved from https://butterflyexpressions.org/information/Singles/Lavender
Tiffany. (2019, March). DIY After Sun Spray. Retrieved from https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/after-sun-spray/
Zielinski, Eric. (2019, November). Lavender Essential Oil Uses: 5 Healing Benefits You Need to Know! Retrieved from https://naturallivingfamily.com/lavender-essential-oil-uses/
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