15 Lavender Oil Uses for Your Health and Mind

lavender oil uses

It is impossible to avoid getting a lift from the sweet aroma of lavender. Its clean, floral scent, which has been used for thousands of years, has plenty health benefits to brag about. We’re about to take a look at 15 lavender oil uses for your health and mind.

But before we discuss those, let’s dig into the background of lavender a little bit.

15 Impressive Lavender Oil Uses That Go Beyond Healing

1. Eliminates Acne, Psoriasis and Eczema

You may have not discovered yet what lavender can do besides spreading its flavor. However, this miracle plant can also function as a treatment of acne, psoriasis and eczema.

What to do:

  • Add 2 to 3 drops of lavender essential oil to a damp cotton ball and apply it to the affected areas.
  • Add 8 to 10 drops of lavender oil to your daily face of body wash solution.

How it works:

The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of lavender oil help to significantly reduce and eliminate these common skin conditions.

lavender
Tip: You can also try to purchase lavender, the main ingredient in this oil, and use it as a soothing air freshener.

2. Soothes Pain

Pain relief is among the lavender oil uses because it is also anti-inflammatory.

What to do:

  • Add 2 to 3 drops of lavender oil for each tablespoon of coconut or olive oil.
  • Massage the oil mixture into the affected area.
  • Place a warm moist compress over the area to increase the effectiveness.

How it works:

Lavender oil’s anti-inflammatory properties help bring a reduction of inflammation and relief from pain. In addition to that, the refreshing scent of lavender is one that is known to be soothing and calming. 

You don’t have to rely on creating a lavender oil concoction on your own either. There are plenty of products that offer lavender in them so that you can feel the effects all day long. Everything from bath bombs to body scrubs to lotions can be infused with this anti inflammatory essential oil if you’re looking for ease of application.

3. Clears Skin from Burns and Sunburns

You’ll be delighted to learn that another of the lavender oil uses is found in the healing of burns and sunburns.

What to do:

  • Add 3 drops of lavender essential oil to a damp cotton ball and apply it to the affected areas.
  • You can also create a sunburn relief spray with aloe vera juice and coconut oil.

How it works:

Lavender’s anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties help to strengthen skin tissue on the cellular level. This also helps in healing burns.

Because of its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, many skin lotions and sunblocks come infused with lavender. If you are shopping around for skin products that specifically use lavender, then you will want to make sure to check the ingredients carefully. Some products may only include an artificial lavender scent. You want to be sure that it actually has this unique essential oil in it. 

4. Handles Urinary Tract Health

Do you consider or need an improved urinary tract health? Then, see what you can do with lavender oil!

What to do:

  • Massage a few drops of lavender essential oil into the lower abdomen a couple of times a day (like a bed time and first thing in the morning).

How it works:

Lavender oil helps reduce urinary bladder inflammation, known as cystitis. It also helps control hormonal balance.

5. Combats Stress

Lavender oil has a unique ability to combat stress.

What to do:

  • Place 6 drops of lavender essential oil in an oil diffuser.
  • Place 2 or 3 drops of oil on a cloth and inhale the fragrance whenever you feel stressed.

How it works:

Breathing the sweet, floral scent of lavender is known to help relieve feelings of anxiety and stress.

One of the best times to make use of this remedy is during the evening hours right before you go to bed. Many people will tell you that investing in a diffuser can be a great tool to help you relieve some stress. If you already have a diffuser, then turning it on with a couple of drops of lavender can be the perfect way to help soothe any anxieties you may have. Not only that, but it is a great way to help you relax your mind as well.

For babies, there are many soothing lavender lotions and shampoos that are designed specifically to help calm your baby and relax them. This, in turn, allows them to have a better night’s rest. 

Another way you can use it is by actually planting lavender around your home or including a couple of sprigs of lavender in pots and pans around your living area. By having a fresh pot of lavender around your home, you will be able to reap all the benefits of its vibrant scent and stress relieving aroma.

6. Treats Insomnia

The lavender oil uses also spread into bringing peace and sleep to your bedroom.

What to do:

  • Place several drops of lavender oil into a warm bath before going to bed.
  • You can also place a few drops on your pillow case to encourage sleep.

How it works:

Studies indicate that lavender has a mild sedative effect, which helps you relax and fall asleep.

7. Relieves Headache

The lavender oil uses also impress by having a contribution to headache pain relief.

What to do:

  • Massage lavender oil into your temples, your forehead and the base of your neck whenever you have a headache.

How it works:

Lavender oil has been shown to relieve migraines, general headaches, gastric headaches, nervous headaches, sinus headaches and tension headaches.

lavender cup
Tip: With caution at the type of lavender you purchase and quantities, discover the relaxing lavender tea!

8. Relieves from Bloating

Do you suffer from bloating? Check out the lavender oil bottle from your home and use it as per the below indications.

What to do:

  • Massage lavender oil on your abdomen a couple of times a day.
  • If you can obtain culinary (do not do this with non-culinary types) lavender, you can mix a few drops into Greek yogurt.

How it works:

The polyphenols in lavender help to reduce the prevalence of bad bacteria in your gut, which are a primary cause of bloating.

9. Insures Cardiovascular Health

Believe it or not, lavender oil can improve your cardiovascular health.

What to do:

  • Infuse and inhale lavender essential oil on a daily basis.
  • Place a couple of drops of lavender oil on your pillow case at night.

How it works:

Lavender essential oil helps to lower blood pressure related to stress and tension. It also helps prevent atherosclerosis, because it helps promote better circulation.

10. Eliminates Dandruff

Dandruff can also be treated just by adjusting the ingredients list of your shampoo.

What to do:

  • Add 15 to 20 drops of lavender oil to your shampoo or conditioner.
  • Place 10 drops of lavender oil in 2 tbsp of olive oil.
  • Massage the mixture through your hair and allow it to sit for 45 minutes to an hour before rinsing.
  • Repeat this 2 to 3 times a week.

How it works:

The antimicrobial and antiseptic properties of lavender help to get rid of the microbial causes of dandruff.

11. Heals Wounds and Bites

This oil can heal wounds and bites easily, without needing any further ingredients or aid.

What to do:

  • Add 2 or 3 drops to a moist cotton ball and apply it to the wound or bite.

How it works:

The combination of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties of lavender oil helps bring pain relief to wounds and bites as well as promote healing.

12. Insures Respiratory Health

If you have any respiratory issues, you can try lavender oil this evening.

What to do:

  • Inhale lavender oil in a cloth, an infuser or vaporizer.
  • Mix 3 drops with 1 Tbsp of olive or coconut oil and massage it into your head neck and back before going to bed.

How it works:

Besides relieving stress and its anti-inflammatory effects, lavender oil also acts like a decongestant.

13. Relieves Muscle Fatigue

Did you begin a sports routine and still has effects on your muscles? Have you made more effort on one occasion? Check out the below!

What to do:

  • Mix 3 to 4 drops of lavender essential oil to each tbsp of coconut or olive oil.
  • Massage this mixture into the affected areas.
  • Repeat as necessary.
  • You can also soak tired feet in a tub of warm water with 4 to 6 drops of lavender added.

How it works:

The anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties of lavender essential oil will certainly help with fatigued muscles. But it can also help them to relax.

14. Prevents Hair Loss

Lavender oil also acts as a natural treatment for your blood an hair.

What to do:

  • Treat your hair with the mixture listed above for dandruff 2 to 3 times per week.
  • You can add 15 to 20 drops of lavender oil to your shampoo or conditioner.

How it works:

Lavender oil not only helps relieve stress and anxiety, which are leading causes for hair loss, but it can also increase blood circulation in your scalp and encourage healthy hair growth.

Natural Spa Treatment
Did you discover what other plants you can mix with lavender and lavender oil?

15. Fingernail and Toenail Fungus Treatment

Last, but in no way the least on our list of lavender oil uses is as a fingernail and toenail fungus treatment.

What to do:

  • Saturate a cotton swab with lavender oil and apply to the affect area.
  • Make certain to use a separate swab for each hand or foot to avoid spreading.
  • Repeat every day until the fungus is gone.

How it works:

The anti-fungal and antiseptic properties of lavender oil can get rid of nail fungus and encourage healthier nail and cuticle tissue to ward off future infections.

What Does Lavender Oil Contain?

The clumps of blue-violet flowers grown on the silvery-gray evergreen shrub known as lavender have been used as a purifier for more than 2,500 years. In fact, lavender’s name comes from the same Latin word root as the word lavatory, lavare, which means to wash or cleanse. Lavender was used in the mummification process in Egypt. The flowers were scattered about on the floors of medieval and renaissance castles as a disinfectant and deodorizer. So strings of lavender were tied together and worn around the waste to protect people from the Black Death in London.

It is clear that our ancestors understood that lavender had potent properties. But many of those properties were not fully understood until recent times. What makes it so potent? According to a History, Taxonomy and Production article from North Carolina State University:

Lavender oil contains up to 40% linalyl acetate and 30% linalol. Linalol is a terpene alcohol that is non-toxic to humans, yet naturally antimicrobial. Linalyl acetate, its acetic ester, has a pleasant, sweet, fruity, aroma which along with its antimicrobial properties makes lavender unique. Other constituents of the oil are cineol, pinene, limonene, geraniol, borneol and some tannin.

Lavender also contains highly powerful rosmarinic antioxidants. These are commonly found in basil, lemon balm, rosemary, marjoram, sage, thyme and peppermint as well. Besides having a pleasant scent, there are numerous lavender oil uses which you can’t ignore. But there are a few precautions to consider first.

Precautions for Using Lavender Essential Oil

  • The most important caution to keep in mind is that lavender is not meant to be ingested. Instead, it is to be inhaled or added to base oils like coconut or olive oil for topical use.
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women are encouraged to avoid the use of lavender essential oil.
  • Diabetic patients are also strongly advised against using lavender oil.
  • Though it is rare, some people have skin sensitivity issues with lavender oil due to an allergic reaction. They should simply avoid it if such a condition exists.

A Final Word

The powerful cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties of lavender oil make it a very potent oil to add to your arsenal of home remedies. Try out one or several of the 15 lavender oil uses for your health and mind. Discover why our ancestors were sold on the healing and cleansing properties of this sweet smelling, but powerful little flower.

Let us know about your success stories or add your own home remedies to our list by commenting in the section below.

The images are from depositphotos.com & pixabay.com.