Health Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is one of the most versatile of all essential oils. In fact, it has been used for medicinal and religious reasons for 2,500 years. It is well known for its many health benefits, including calming and sleep-inducing effects. It is also used to help with skin disorders, pain relief, respiratory symptoms, and digestive disorders.
Learn more about lavender essential oil here.
Components of Lavender Essential Oil
- Analgesic
- Antiallergenic
- Antibacterial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
- Antiseptic
- Diuretic
- Carminative (anti-flatulence)
- Antioxidant
Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
- Decreases nervous tension
- Provides pain relief
- Repels bugs and insects
- Helps relieve headaches
- Supports immunity
- Induces sleep
- Supports skin health
- Relieves emotional stress
- Treats acne
- Treats lice
- Provides sunburn relief
- Supports healing of wounds and skins infections
- Supports brain health
- Supports healthy aging
- Promotes balanced blood sugar
- Supports healthy blood pressure levels
How to Use Lavender Essential Oil
- Combine with frankincense to reduce the appearance of age spots.
- Combine with peppermint and apply to the back of neck, temples, and forehead for head tension relief.
- Rub on bottoms of feet before bed to induce sleep.
- Add a few drops to wool dryer balls to freshen the laundry.
- Add to Epsom salts for a relaxing, calming, sleep-inducing bath.
- Add to bathwater to reduce fevers.
- Add to clay masks to deliver potent antioxidants to the skin.
- Use a few drops in boiling water for steam inhalation to relieve sinus infections.
- Apply to nails infected with fungus.
- Soak feet in lavender infused water to promote relaxation and treat foot fungus.
- Add several drops to a water spray bottle and use as an air freshener.
- Mix with a carrier oil and apply to chapped lips.
- Rub into the scalp to treat dandruff.
- Massage into the skin around ears (not inside the ear) to relieve earache pain.
Making Blends with Lavender Essential Oil
Diffusing is a simple and effective way to experience the many benefits of essential oils. When the oils are evaporated into the air, they purify the air and provide you with their specific emotional or physical benefits. Here are some blends to get you started, but feel free to experiment and mix it up.
- Add 2 drops each of lavender, lemon, and rosemary for an inviting, clean, and fresh scent.
- Add 2 drops each of lavender, lemon, and peppermint to help relieve allergy symptoms.
- Add 2 drops lavender, 2 drops chamomile, and 1 drop geranium for a relaxing floral scent.
- Add 2 drops each of lavender, chamomile, and vetiver for a restful night of sleep.
- Add 2 drops each of lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang to help calm nerves and relieve stress.
- Add 3 drops each of lavender, lime, and sweet orange for calming and relaxation.
- Add 3 drops each of lavender, geranium, and bergamot to improve mood and feelings of happiness.
- Add 3 drops each of lavender, frankincense, and vetiver to induce sleep.
- Add 3 drops each of lavender and grapefruit and 2 drops each of lemon and spearmint for a refreshing summer scent.
- Add 3 drops each of lavender, wild orange, and chamomile to help kids get to sleep.
- Add 3 drops lavender and 4 drops cedarwood to wind down and fall asleep.
- Add 2 drops each of lavender, wild orange, and ylang-ylang to feel happy.
- Add 3 drops each of lavender, frankincense, and wild orange to help relieve stress and tension.
Emotional Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
Excerpt from Emotions and Essential Oils
Lavender is the Oil of Communication
Lavender addresses a deep fear of being seen and heard…. Lavender supports individuals in releasing the tension and constriction that stems from fear of expressing one’s Self… Lavender encourages emotional honesty and insists that one speak their innermost thoughts and desires. As individuals learn to communicate their deepest thoughts and feelings they are liberated from their self-inflicted prison.
Further Resources and Reading
You can find 533 research articles on lavender essential oil here on PubMed.
Safety and Disclaimer
Essential oils are very concentrated and potent. Only use a few drops at a time. Dilute with a carrier oil before applying to skin.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use caution and consult their physician before using essential oils.
Only use pure essential oils from a reliable source. Do not ingest oils from an untrusted source.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Ready for More?
Are you excited about all the ways lavender can benefit your physical, mental and emotional health? Need to know more? Get your free ebook, Beginners Guide to Essential Oils.
Some say people who use essential oils are straight up weirdos. That’s fine. If weird means healthy, whole and protected, then yeah, I’m super freaking weird.
Of course, I love lavender oil – one of my favorites. I use them often and especially for headaches. Great information here, Shellie.
Thank you, Lynne. What a nice, gentle, calming way to get rid of a headache 🙂
I love lavender oil. I make my own all natural body wash for my grandchildren with lavender oil to help calm them down and relax them for bed. I also use it so soothe the itch of insect bites.
And here is a tip for you. Did you know that if you put a drop of lavender oil on a wood splinter, it will draw the splinter out of the skin without all of the digging and poking?
Mary, thank you for sharing that tip! Oh, tears and anxiety we have had digging at splinters over the years. My would get so worked up she’s almost pass out. I had read using a baking soda paste will also naturally remove it, but I didn’t have much success with it. I will definitely try lavender next time!