20 Ways A Bottle Of Lavender Essential Oil Will Change Your Life
Lavender is one of the most versatile herbs. Its various health benefits range from pain relief and mental clarity to use as an anti-bacterial cleanser and a natural deodorant. Lavender can be applied as an essential oil, dried herb, distilled in water, and as (edible) therapeutic-grade oil.
NOTE: Lavender is also an emmenagogue, meaning that it promotes menstruation and blood flow to the pelvic area. Pregnant and nursing women should consult with their physician before using this oil for any application.
Here are 20 reasons why this is a miracle in a bottle…
1. Anti-Bacterial
A powerful anti-bacterial herb, lavender oil can be mixed with natural surfactants to create more efficient household cleaners. Use a few drops of lavender oil to clean infected wounds, prevent infection, and promote faster healing.
2. Improve Complexion
Due to its anti-bacterial properties, lavender oil is an effective treatment for acne that also helps to balance sebum production and improve complexion. Add lavender oil to an all-natural cleanser or moisturizer to help clear up acne and reduce scarring. A few drops of lavender oil added to a carrier oil can help alleviate the itching and dryness caused by eczema. The same can be used to soothe minor rashes and other skin irritations such as those caused by excessive heat and humidity or environmental allergens.
3. Anti-Fungal Remedy
Rub a few drops of lavender oil on skin infected with ringworm. Repeat once per day until the fungus has been eliminated. Apply lavender oil daily on nails infected with fungus to moisturize and heal while the new healthy nail grows out. Soak feet in lavender-infused water to ease irritation from and help heal fungal infections.
4. Insect Repellent
Many flying insects dislike the smell of lavender, making it a safe alternative to other topical insect repellents. Plant lavender around windows and doors to prevent bugs from entering your house. Hang bags of dried lavender in closets or stow them in drawers to repel moths. Rub on skin infected with burrowing mites (scabies) then follow up daily by treating skin with a mixture of lavender oil and rubbing alcohol. Sprinkle lavender oil on a mattress to ward off insects in the bedroom.
5. Calm Nerves
Lavender oil or lavender-infused water can help to calm nerves and cure anxiety. Rub or spray on temples, forehead, and back of jaw to relieve stress or use as a preventative before entering a stressful environment.
6. Clear the Mind
Fight off fatigue by adding a few drops of lavender oil to a warm foot soak. Combine dried lavender with rosemary, clary sage, and fankincense in a small pouch to create an aromatherapy aid for mental clarity during a long flight or car ride. Add lavender, peppermint, and basil oil to sea salt to create your own home-made smelling salts.
7. Alleviate Pain
Lavender oil can be used to soothe pain from minor burns, cuts, and bruises. Rub a few drops of oil on and around wounded skin to promote circulation and healing. Massage lavender oil into sore muscles to calm the pain and ease tension or add a few drops to an Epsom salt bath for a pain-relieving soak. Massage lavender oil into the temples, behind the jaw, and on forehead to soothe a headache. Gently rub lavender oil onto the abdomen then follow up with a hot compress to ward off menstrual cramps. Apply lavender oil to insect bites or stings to alleviate pain and itching.
8. Promote Respiratory Health
Lavender oil added to boiling water may be steam-inhaled to open nasal passages and help clear up sinus infections. Rub a few drops near nasal passages (avoid contact with eyes), around forehead and temples, and on the back of the neck for lasting relief from sinus pressure and inflammation. Brew tea with dried lavender or use lavender-infused steam inhalation to help with coughing, sneezing, and throat irritation.
9. Improve Digestion
Drink lavender tea after a meal to relieve indigestion and reduce acid-reflux. Alternately, try a drop of therapeutic-grade lavender oil (safe for ingestion) on the back of the tongue to soothe the stomach and improve digestion.
10. Sleep Aid
Lavender oil in the bedroom can help you sleep better. Sprinkle on pillows or add lavender oil to a diffuser to beat insomnia. Add a couple of drops of lavender to a baby’s evening bath to help with sleep. Alternately, you can sprinkle a few drops onto a favorite stuffed animal or blanket for similar effect. Blend dried lavender with your favorite tea to brew yourself a relaxing bedtime beverage.
11. Reduce Fever
Add a drop or two of lavender oil to lukewarm water and gently wash the body to reduce fever in adults and children.
12. Soothe Sunburn
First lower the skin temperature around burns by exposing it to cool water for a few minutes. Then gently apply lavender oil to sunburned areas for immediate relief.
13. Relieve Earaches
Massage warm lavender oil into skin behind ears, over temples, under the jaw, and on the sides of the throat to relieve symptoms of an earache.
14. Alleviate Motion Sickness
Apply a drop of lavender oil to various pressure points on face, wrists, etc to help with minor nausea and disorientation due to motion sickness. While this remedy is effective in the short-term, it is not recommended for longer periods where motion sickness may be a persistent problem such as on airplanes or cruise ships.
15. Moisten Dry Eyes
While you want to avoid getting lavender oil in your eyes, carefully dabbing a drop near the bridge of the nose can stimulate the production of tears.
16. Heal Chapped Skin
Apply organic therapeutic-grade lavender oil to chapped lips to relieve pain, avoid further drying, and promote faster healing. Add lavender oil to an all-natural moisturizer to help soothe and heal dry, chapped hands.
17. Natural Deodorizer
Add lavender oil to your laundry to kill odor-causing bacteria during the wash cycle. Sprinkle lavender oil on drier sheets to add a pleasant floral aroma to clothes, bedding, curtains, towels, etc.
18. Aromatherapy
Drop lavender oil into a diffuser to promote balance and relaxation. Add lavender oil to your bath water to help you wind down after a long, stressful day.
19. Seasoning
Add dried lavender or organic therapeutic-grade lavender oil to breads or other dishes to experiment with the herb’s unique flavor and wonderful floral aroma.
20. Reverse Hair Loss
Lavender oil used daily as part of a stimulating scalp massage can help to regrow hair. While this treatment is slow – sometimes taking several months or more – it is a proven natural remedy for hair loss.
