by Meenakshi Nagdeve last updated -
No shade to other essential oils, but we are familiar with a lot of them who have a plethora of health benefits. Now, when it comes to beautiful homegrown products, how can we not mention lavender? Lavender is a pretty purple plant that is such a treat to the eyes. Moreover, in the form of essential oil, it has several benefits, which include relieving stress and anxiety, reducing nervous tension, and decreasing pain. It is also used for skin and hair care purposes like disinfecting the scalp, boosting hair growth, and relieving acne. Moreover, this oil also helps in enhancing blood circulation. Lavender oil isused extensively in aromatherapy and works as a natural sleep aid. Its potent antibacterial nature makes it a wonderful household cleaner and deodorant.
What is Lavender Essential Oil?
The lavender essential oil is extracted from the flowers of the lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia), primarily through steam distillation. Lavender flowers have a calming fragrance and are used for making potpourri for centuries. The Latin name of lavender is Lavare, which means “to wash”.This is because lavender flowers and lavender essential oil have been used since ancient times by the Romans, Persians, Greeks, and Egyptiansas a bath additive and perfume. [1]
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The lavender essential oil is pure and differs from commercial lavender oils that are further diluted and sold as perfumes. On the other hand, the pure lavender essential oil is also used as aromatherapy oil, in gels, infusions, lotions, soaps, baby products, and candles. It is beneficial to make tea, lemonades, syrups, aromatic beverages, and baked dishes. Here is our step-by-step guide on how to make lavender oil.
Lavender Essential Oil Benefits
Thepowerful health benefits of the lavender essential oil include the following:
Promotes Wound Healing
The lavender essential oilhelps heal minor cuts, bruises, and burns.According to a 2016 study published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal, it boosts the synthesis of collagen and heals skin tissues. [2]
Inhaling the fragrance of lavender essential oil helps to rejuvenate you. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Neuroprotective Effect
A study published in Brain Research showed that lavender oil reduces brain edema and improves functional ability. Furthermore, it also helps increase antioxidant capacity in the body and inhibits oxidative stress. [3]
Relieves Stress & Anxiety
A 2018 research in The Mental Health Clinician journal shows that lavender oil is an e [4]xcellent tonic for anxiety issues. Multiple studies suggest that oral administration of lavender preparations reduces anxiety. Furthermore, another studyverified that aromatherapy helps manage chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia. Let us know more about lavender essential oil for anxiety. [5]
Promotes Sleep
A team of researchersstudied the effects of lavender aromatherapy on 67 womenin Taiwan aged 45-55 years. The volunteers showed a significant improvement in sleep qualityand a persistentpositive effect of heart rate variabilitywith an increase in parasympathetic modulation. [6]
Relieves Acne
According to Essential Oils for Healing handbook, pure lavender essential oil inhibits the bacteria causing acne infection and regulates the over-excretion of sebum. Read more on the
Hair Care
The lavender essential oil has shown to be effective on lice, lice eggs, and nits. Moreover, therapeutic grade lavender essential oil is helpful againsthair loss, particularly for people with alopecia. According to a Scottish study, more than 40% of alopecia patients in the study reported an increase in hair growth with a regular lavender essential oil massage. Here is our comprehensive guide on . [7]
Relieves Pain
The lavender essential oil gives relief from various types of pain, which include sprains, backaches, and sore muscles. A regular massage with lavender oil can provide relief from pain in the joints. Moreover, according to a study in the Royal College of Physicians’ journal, lavender essential oil improved satisfaction rate with pain control, versus those patients who were only revived with oxygen after major surgery. [8]
Improves Blood Circulation
The lavender essential oil is effective in improving blood circulation in the body. A 2008 research in the International Journal of Cardiology suggests that lavender aromatherapy has calming effects on coronary circulation. [9]
Lavender oil helps you get a good night’s sleep. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Other Benefits
Other health benefits of the lavender essential oil include its ability to help againstleucorrhoea. Furthermore, this oil repels mosquitoes and moths and is an active ingredient in mosquito repellents.
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According to the National Centerfor Complementary & Integrative Health, oral intake is not safe and while using this oil some people mayexperience: [10]
There are some risks to this potent oil. They are:
