What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are organic compounds extracted from the bark, flower, fruit, leaf, seed or root of a plant or tree and have several healing properties. The oils in the plants are made up of very small molecules that can penetrate your cells, and some can even penetrate the blood-brain barrier. These oils are highly concentrated and have a strong aroma and can be used in aromatherapy and their benefits range from mental to physical healing.

What Is Lavender Essential Oil?

Lavender essential oils come from lavender plants. It is known to be an antioxidant, antimicrobial, sedative and antidepressant. For these reasons, Lavender essential oils are used in aromatherapy for inducing sleep, alleviating stress, anxiety and depression, pain relief and more. 

Lavender oil may be one of the most well-known essential oils, especially when it comes to relieving stress and helping you to go to sleep. It can be used in several different ways but can provide the same helpful benefits, mentally and physically. Let's see how we can use this amazing, aphrodisiac of an oil to help us reduce stress, relax, and get a better night's sleep.

Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil

Reduce Anxiety, Stress and Depression

By inhaling or ingesting lavender essential oil, you can reduce the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. It has been shown to reduce the emotional and physical signs of stress by lowering blood pressure and the heart rate. Due to its antidepressant and sedative properties, it evokes feelings of relaxation and calm.

Improves Sleep and Reduces Insomnia

Having a tough time falling asleep or staying asleep at night? Before taking sleep medications, you might want to try lavender essential oil first.

For the same reasons lavender essential oil relieves stress, anxiety and depression, it can also help reduce insomnia. Due to the sedative and antidepressant properties of this essential oil, you can get a better night’s sleep, reduce sleep disturbances, improve the quality and length of sleep. 

Helps Heal Burns and Wounds

When applied topically, lavender essential oil can be used to help speed up the healing process of scrapes, burns and cuts. It can also help fight against infection that may incur due to its antimicrobial properties. The healing process can be enhanced when mixed with other essential oils such as clove, cinnamon and tea tree.

Mix 3-5 drops of lavender oil with ½ teaspoon of coconut oil and apply to affected areas. The anti-inflammatory properties of the oil will help relieve the pain intensity and inflammation.

Relieves Nausea and Stomach Discomfort

Before taking that road trip, that boat ride or airplane trip, inhale lavender essential oil to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness- nausea. Use 2-3 drops of lavender oil topically or in a diffuser to help relieve nausea symptoms especially if it is caused by anxiety or physical pain.

Restore Skin Complexion and Reduce Acne

The antioxidant properties of lavender essential oil, you can reverse the signs of aging, get rid of age spots when applied topically. It can also reduce and alleviate acne due to its inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.

Mix 3-4 drops of lavender essential oil with ½ cup of a carrier oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oil together and massage gently onto your skin. You can also add 3-4 drops of lavender oil to your face wash. You can mix lavender oil with frankincense essential oil and apply it to your skin in the morning, after a shower and right before bed to reduce inflammation and signs of aging and dark spots.

Natural Perfume for Men and Women

Lavender essential oil is gentle enough for you to add 2-3 drops of oil directly on your skin and hair for a lasting perfume. If you want a more, subtle fragrance, add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a carrier oil and apply to your skin with essential oil roll-ons.

Natural Lip Balm

Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil or any other carrier oil and apply this mixture to your lips. This can prevent sunburn on your lips and can heal chapped dry lips.

Non-toxic Air Freshener

If you are wanting to freshen your air naturally, dilute 2 drops of lavender essential oil with ½ cup of water. Shake well and spray on yourself. You can also use this mixture to spray on your clothes, towels, sheets, pillows and around the room. You can also diffuse the oils into the room for a calming and relaxing sensation.

Bathroom Use

Add relaxing lavender bath salt to your bath. Add 15 drops of lavender essential oil and one cup of Epsom salt to your bath for added relaxation. You can add a few drops to your shampoo and to your face wash for added benefits.

Lavender Oil Precautions

Lavender oil may cause skin irritations or allergic reactions for some people when applied topically. If you experience nausea, vomiting or headaches after using lavender oil, discontinue use immediately and seek professional help.

How often do you use lavender essential oils? Let us know in the comments below.