14 Amazing Health Benefits of Lavender Oil.
Lavender essential oil is one of the most often used and adaptable essential oils in aromatherapy. The oil is distilled from the plant Lavandula angustifolia and is used to treat anxiety, fungal infections, allergies, depression, insomnia, eczema, nausea, and menstrual cramps. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a Mediterranean evergreen plant. Its flower and oil have a pleasant aroma and are used medicinally.
Lavender includes oil that appears to have relaxing properties and may relax specific muscles. It appears to have antibacterial and antifungal properties as well.
Many people use lavender to treat anxiety, stress, insomnia, depression, dementia, pain, and a variety of other ailments.
Lavender is a multifunctional oil in essential oil practices. It is said to be anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial, as well as antispasmodic, analgesic, detoxifying, hypotensive, and sedative.
Many kinds of research have been conducted to investigate lavender’s anxiety-relieving properties in various populations. Research published in Physiology & Behavior in 2005, for example, demonstrated that breathing in the aroma of lavender reduced anxiety and enhanced mood in 200 people awaiting dental treatment.
Furthermore, a pilot study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice in 2012 suggests that aromatherapy based on lavender essential oil may help reduce anxiety in high-risk postpartum mothers.
Researchers discovered that four weeks of twice-weekly, 15-minute-long aromatherapy sessions helped reduce depression as well as lower anxiety levels in 28 women who had given birth in the previous 18 months in a trial involving 28 women who had given birth in the previous 18 months.
Lavender oil is quickly absorbed by the skin, producing a calming and relaxing effect. You can apply the oil directly from the container or with a rollerball. Apply to the wrists, behind the ears, and the nape of the neck throughout the day, or as needed.
Lavender essential oil has been found in several studies to aid in the promotion of sleep and the treatment of insomnia.
According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, combining sleep hygiene approaches with lavender essential oil therapy helped college students sleep better than sleep hygiene alone. Inhaling lavender before sleeping enhanced daytime vitality and brightness, according to a study of 79 students with self-reported sleep issues.
A 2018 study published in Holistic Nursing Practice verifies lavender’s sleep-inducing properties. Lavender aromatherapy was proven to improve sleep start, quality, and duration in an elderly population in this study of 30 nursing home residents.
When used before bed, lavender oil has been found in studies to not only help you fall asleep but also improve your overall quality of sleep. Begin diffusing lavender oil about an hour before going to bed. You can also apply one or two drops straight to your feet, temples, and wrists, or rub one or two drops on your pillow.
Lavender oil kills bacteria, which can help to prevent and treat acne breakouts. When you apply it to your skin, it unclogs pores and relieves irritation. To use lavender oil for acne, dilute it with coconut oil or similar carrier oil and apply it to your skin after you’ve washed it.
Lavender oil can also be used as a face toner by combining two drops with one teaspoon of witch hazel. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and gently rub it around your face. Argan oil can help reduce inflammation in the case of a very obstinate pimple. Apply one drop of lavender oil and one drop of argan oil on a pimple twice a day.
4.Lavender Oil has Anti-inflammatory properties
Lavender oil can be used to relieve painful inflammation. The oil’s pain-relieving and numbing properties aid to ease inflammation, and the oil’s beta-caryophyllene functions as a natural anti-inflammatory.
To cure burn inflammation, mix one to three drops of lavender oil with one to two teaspoons of moringa or coconut oil. The combination can be applied three times per day.
A lavender oil spray can help soothe a sunburn. Combine a quarter cup of aloe vera juice, 2 tablespoons of distilled water, 10 to 12 drops of lavender oil, and jojoba oil in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle before spraying it on your sunburn. Apply the spray twice or three times per day until the sunburn recovers.
5. Lavender Oil has Wound-healing abilities
If you have a burn, cut, scrape, or other wound, lavender oil may aid in wound healing. Researchers discovered that lavender oil accelerates skin tissue recovery in a 2016 study.
To apply lavender oil to tiny wounds, combine three or four drops of lavender oil with a few drops of coconut or tamanu oil. Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture to your wound. If your wound has already healed, lavender oil can help to lessen any lingering scars.
6.Lavender Oil for Fungal infections
According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, lavender oil may be useful in fighting antifungal-resistant infections.
The oil was found to be fatal to a variety of types that can cause skin illness, according to the researchers.
The essential oils produced from the lavender plant’s Lavandula genus appeared to operate in the study by damaging the membranes of fungal cells.
The study found that Lavandula oil is effective and has broad antifungal activity.
7.Lavender Oil relieves Eczema and dry skin
Eczema can appear anywhere on the body. Eczema causes your skin to become dry, itchy, and scaly. It might be moderate or chronic, and it can develop in several sites. Because lavender has antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects, it can help keep eczema at bay.
Psoriasis can also be treated with lavender oil. Lavender oil cleanses the skin and reduces redness and inflammation.
To use this essential oil for eczema, combine two drops with two tablespoons of coconut oil and an equal amount of tea tree oil. You can use it daily.
8.Lavender oil for treating Dementia
A study has found that essential oils, improve cognitive performance and memory in patients suffering from memory loss, particularly lavender, bergamot, and lemon balm, can help calm the patient and suppress aggression, agitation, and other psychotic symptoms in patients with dementia.
The use of aromatherapy as a complementary treatment for dementia has gained immense popularity.
9.Lavender Oil for Premenstrual Syndrome
Lavender has also been studied to see if it can aid with premenstrual emotional issues.
Many women of reproductive age experience a variety of symptoms during the premenstrual phase, which is referred to as premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Even though PMS is common, no single treatment is universally accepted as beneficial. As a result, many women turn to complementary therapies such as aromatherapy.
This crossover study included 17 women with mild-to-moderate premenstrual symptoms, with an average age of 20.6 years. The subjects had one menstrual cycle without lavender aromatherapy and another with lavender aromatherapy.
The researchers concluded that lavender aromatherapy could help with premenstrual emotional issues.
10.Lavender Oil work as a pain killer
Cramps during menstruation (dysmenorrhea). Menstrual cramps can be reduced in severity by using lavender, clary sage, and rose. Aromatherapy can be used as part of the nursing care for women who are suffering from menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea.
You can either massage 2-3 drops of essential oils into your lower belly, inhale them, or put them in your bath water and soak in it.
Aromatherapy with lavender oil appears to help alleviate menstruation pain.
After-surgery discomfort. Using lavender oil aromatherapy in conjunction with regular pain meds appears to help some patients minimize discomfort after surgery.
11.Lavender Oil on Skin lightening
Because it lowers inflammation, lavender oil can help with skin whitening. It can help to lighten discoloration, particularly dark patches. Lavender oil aids in the reduction of blotchiness and redness. Lavender oil may also be beneficial if you have hyperpigmentation on your skin.
You’ll need a few drops of lavender oil, as well as some moisturizer and coconut oil. You can apply this once or twice a day and notice a difference in your skin tone.
12.Lavender oil for wrinkles on the face
Fine lines and wrinkles on the face are caused in part by free radicals. Lavender oil contains antioxidants, which help to protect you from free radicals.
Use a few drops of lavender essential oil in conjunction with coconut oil to treat wrinkles. Once or twice a day, apply the mixture to your skin as a moisturizer.
Lavender may be useful in the treatment of alopecia areata. This is a condition in which some or all of the body’s hair is lost.
According to a 1998 study, lavender can increase hair growth by up to 44 percent after 7 months of therapy.
In a more recent study, researchers discovered that applying lavender oil to the backs of mice helped to increase hair growth over 4 weeks.
The lavender essential oil can be diluted with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil.
Oil massage is effective when done once a week to once a day.
You can also use oil to make your homemade shampoo.
Lavender oil has a dual purpose when it comes to insect attacks. It functions as an insect repellent and helps reduce itching caused by a bite. Lavender oil is found in several commercial insect repellents.
Mosquito and bug repellent candles and sprays can also be utilized. You can set the candle outside after adding seven drips.
Shake eight ounces of water and four drops of lavender oil in a spray container to make a spray. You can spray it on your body and clothes before going outside because it is a natural treatment.
Redness, irritation, and discomfort are all symptoms of insect bites. They can become contaminated at times. Lavender oil soothes bug bites by killing germs and lowering irritation. It also has a natural pain-relieving effect.
Lavender oil Usage Alerts
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns against combining lavender with the following:
- Drugs that make you sleepy, such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and Ambien pharmaceuticals that lower your blood pressure, such as captopril, enalapril, and losartan
- If you are already on any of the medications listed above, seek medical guidance before adding lavender to your medication regimen.
Children:
Applying lavender oil-containing products to the skin may be harmful to young guys who have not reached puberty. Lavender oil appears to have hormone-like properties that may interfere with natural hormones. This has led to breast development in some situations. There is insufficient credible information to determine whether lavender is safe for children to consume orally.
Patients:
Lavender may help to slow down the central nervous system during surgery. When combined with anesthesia and other drugs administered before and after surgery, it may cause the central nervous system to slow down excessively. Stop using lavender at least two weeks before your procedure.
Discuss any use of essential oils, herbs, or supplements with your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding.
