Lavender Oil Awesomeness

Lavender (lavandula angustifolia) is well known for its relaxing effects on the body.

In fact, the Latin name of lavender is Lavare, which means “to wash”, because it has a clean aroma. Lavender oil is often used in aromatherapy oils, infusions, gels, soaps and lotions and there are many benefits of using the oil, which will be detailed below.

 Uses

• Sleep: Lavender oil has often been recommended for occasional sleeplessness because it promotes restful sleep. I use a spray oil and lightly spray my pillow cases and night for the soothing feeling it brings me to help me doze off. I also spray it around my dogs crates to relax them as well, especially because one of them tends to get anxious in her crate and has a difficult time relaxing.
• Calming: The calming scent of lavender makes it an excellent tonic for mild mood issues and calming nerves. It can be helpful in treating headaches, emotional stress, nervous irritability and help0s promote emotional well-being. Rub a few drops of lavender oil in your cupped hands and inhale the scent deeply to calm the mind. Also try rubbing it on your feet, wrists, temples (anywhere!) for a calming effect. Do you get stressed in crowded areas like planes? It’s great to use in situations like this to create your own personal oasis!
• Bug repellent: Apply some lavender oil on exposed skin when outside to aid in prevention of bites from mosquitos, moths, midges, etc. The smell of the oil is very potent for these types of bugs. If you do happen to get bitten, lavender essential oil has qualities that could reduce irritation, itching and pain associated with bug bites.
• Minor cuts and burns: 2-3 drops of lavender oil on a minor burn will help decrease pain.
• General pain relief: Let’s face it … We all have our aches and pains that we could use some natural relief for. Lavender oil is a known remedy for pains caused by tense, sore muscles, sprains and minor injuries, backaches, muscle aches, etc.   I’ve had massage therapists who add lavender oil to their lotion and it works wonders for calming, relaxing and overall everyday pain and tension relief. I can definitely tell a difference when they use it versus when they don’t!
• Dry, chapped lips and skin: Try rubbing lavender oil on dry, chapped skin and lips (also works on sunburned lips!). Aaaah, relief!
• Hair care and dandruff: Rub a few drops of lavender oil into your scalp if you have issues with dry scalp because it has proven beneficial to help eliminate it. A study from Scotland reported that over 40% of patients suffering from alopecia showed an increase in hair growth when they regularly rubbed lavender oil into their scalp. In fact, because it has been proven to help with hair loss in general, it is often recommended as a preventative for male pattern baldness.
• Skin care: Because lavender oil aids a healthy immune system it can be used to treat conditions such as acne, wrinkles, cold sores, scar tissue and other conditions. I have not tried this, but a friend told me she mixed several drops of lavender oil with coconut oil and used it on her itchy, dry skin and it helped relieve her condition.
• Motion sickness: Place a drop of lavender oil behind the ears, around the navel or on the tongue to help calm the mind during motion sickness.
• Encourages proper nasal function: Inhaling lavender oil has been proven to relieve hay fever and is widely used for other overall immunity support. It can be added to vaporizers and used as a vapor or rubbed on the skin of the neck, chest and back. It has a stimulation effect that is great for nasal function.
  
• General household: Add a few drops of oil to a cotton ball and stash it in your linen closet. Not only will it smell fresh, it will repel moths and insects. A few drops in your water fountain will scent the air and kill bacteria. Deodorize your laundry by placing a few drops on a wet cloth and toss it into your dryer or add a few drops to the water in your iron to freshen your clothes.
• Flavor enhancer: There are some essential oils that may be ingested, but PLEASE beware and do your research before ingesting it! Not all essential oils are therapeutic grade and are edible! If you have lavender oil that may be ingested, you may add a few drops to your recipes, flavor your favorite beverages like lemonade and teas, add it to your raw chocolate or even salad dressings.

Get your very own lavender oil awesomeness here or email me at Julie@TheWellnessPerspective.com for more essential oil awesomeness!

Lavender oil can be purchased on its own or it comes in the Everyday Oils kit.

(Hint: Always purchase a distributor/wholesale kit versus customer option. Don’t pay retail when you can buy what you want, when you want. No obligation to buy or sell, ever! Simply save $$$.)

What other uses have you found lavender oil useful for? Don’t be shy – share in the comments!

*NOTE: Not all lavender oil is the same! Please be aware that when you buy lavender oil at spas, health food stores and even online, most are not therapeutic grade! Young Living lavender oil is. Does your lavender oil bottle say NOT for internal use??? If so, throw it away! It is not pure lavender oil. Pure lavender oil is edible!!

Disclaimer: I am not a Dr. and do not diagnose, treat, nor prescribe so before you start any essential oil program please consult your physician and ensure it is okay for you personally. People with sensitive skin may have allergic reactions and pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender oil altogether. Certain types and brands are safe internally and some are not. Over ingestion or ingesting the wrong oil could cause health complications. Please be familiar with your lavender oil and other essential oils!

* I love sharing my experiences and hearing others experiences with essential oils because it is an effective way of learning to utilize these wonderful gifts of nature. Knowledge is power and with this knowledge, we can take control of our personal wellness. However, I am required by law in the USA to state, “These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products and techniques mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”