The popularity of essential oils is on the rise, and if you’re going to choose any single essential oil to incorporate in your daily life, lavender oil should be the one. Famous for calming the nerves, it is arguably one of the best smelling essential oils, as well as one of the most versatile. Lavender oil has seemingly endless uses as an emollient, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and even as an analgesic (pain reliever).
Of course, always be safe. Essential oils, like medicinal herbs, have real effects on human chemistry. They can be misused and should not be used on children.
Here are 13 safe, effective ways to incorporate this floral, calming essential oil into your daily life:
Calming
Rub 2 or 3 drops of lavender oil in your cupped palms, then use deep inhalations to draw the scent all the way into your amygdala gland, the emotional warehouse in your brain, to calm the mind. Then, rub your feet, temples, wrists (or anywhere) for an immediate calming effect on the whole body. Great for use in crowded areas like planes or subways to carve out your own personal oasis.
Sleep aid
Again, use the cupping and inhalation method. Then, rub a drop of lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow to help you sleep.
Bee sting / Insect bite
Put a drop of lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching and reduce swelling.
Minor burn
Put 2 or 3 drops of lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain. I recently did this after I spilled scorching hot tea on my hand and luckily had my lavender with me. I had no redness, swelling or pain and no sign of a burn. Lavender worked wonders!
Cuts
Drop lavender oil on a cut to stop bleeding, clean wound, and kill bacteria, until you can get it treated with hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.
Eczema / Dermatitis
Mix several drops of Lavender oil with a nut or vegetable oil (coconut, sesame, etc.) to dilute it and use topically on eczema and dermatitis. I have a dear friend who suffers from severe eczema and swears by this.
Nausea or motion sickness
Alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness by placing a drop of lavender oil on the end of your tongue, behind the ears or around the navel.
Nosebleed
Stop a nosebleed by putting a drop of lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice. Push the tissue-covered ice chip up under the middle of the top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long as comfortable or until the bleeding stops (be careful not to freeze the lip or gum).
Dry or chapped skin
Rub lavender oil on dry or chapped skin for quick relief.
Chapped or sunburned lips
Rub a drop of lavender oil on chapped or sunburned lips to help relieve the symptoms.
Hay fever
Rub a drop of lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
Dandruff
Mix 15 drops of lavender oil with a few tablespoons of olive oil. Wet your hair with warm water and towel dry, then massage the oil into your scalp. Let the lavender work its magic for about an hour, covering your hair with a shower cap if you want. Wash the oil out of your hair. Repeat process every few days or as needed.
Cold sores
Put a drop of lavender oil on a cold sore to encourage healing.
Are you interested in learning more about using essential oils for beauty and wellness? Check out Genesis Career College’s Cosmetology School with locations in Nashville, Lebanon and Cookeville, TN, Dalton, GA and Daphne, AL.
FAQs
The lavender oil helps cleanse your skin and lessen redness and irritation. To use this essential oil for eczema, mix 2 drops with an equal amount of tea tree oil, along with 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. You can use it daily.
Can you use lavender oil every day? ›
The lavender oil helps cleanse your skin and lessen redness and irritation. To use this essential oil for eczema, mix 2 drops with an equal amount of tea tree oil, along with 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. You can use it daily.
What does lavender do to the brain? ›
Lavender essential oils exert their calming effect through various proposed mechanisms, such as GABA receptor inhibition, the reaction of linalool with glutamatergic NMDA receptors, inhibition of serotonin transporter (SERT), antagonizing the NMDA receptor, inhibiting tension-dependent calcium channels, and affecting ...
What are the psychological benefits of lavender oil? ›
Lavender oil benefits may include increased relaxation and reduced depression, anxiety, and stress.
What is 100% lavender oil used for? ›
This oil is often employed for its anti-inflammatory, headache relieving, calming, sedative,immune supporting and skin healing properties. Lavender also can be used in balms, salves, perfumes, cosmetics, and topical applications.
Can too much lavender oil be bad? ›
Symptoms of lavender oil poisoning include: Blurred vision. Difficulty breathing. Burning pain in the throat.
What are the side effects of taking lavender oil orally? ›
Special Precautions and Warnings
When taken by mouth: Lavender is commonly consumed in foods. It's possibly safe when taken as medicine. Side effects might include constipation, diarrhea, and headache.
What does rubbing lavender oil on your feet do? ›
Do you know that rubbing lavender essential oil on the sole of your foot is calming and detoxifying to the body? It's true! Studies have shown that lavender starts to metabolize in your liver only 30 minutes after you apply it! Try rubbing a bit on the sole of your tootsie and send yourself to sleep.
Where do you put lavender oil for anxiety? ›
On body. When topically applied through massage, lavender oil is found to rapidly be absorbed by the skin, resulting in a sedative and relaxing effect. You can either pat on oil from the bottle or use a rollerball. Apply to wrists, behind ears, and nape of neck throughout the day or as desired.
Does lavender increase arousal? ›
Lavender. Aromatherapy with lavender is a simple way to relax, boost mood, and decrease anxiety and depression, which can be helpful in boosting sexual desire and increasing erections.
Lavender spiritual symbolism represents love, healing, and innocence. It also offers protection from bad and damaging energies. Lavender not only helps you to sleep but is also said to provide protection from bad dreams. It will not only promote healing but will also keep away illness.
Does lavender oil help hair growth? ›
With a powerful pack of antibacterial and antiseptic properties, Lavender essential oil protects your scalp against bacteria. It helps in improving blood circulation in the scalp, which strengthens the hair follicles. This, in turn, prevents hair loss and enables hair growth.
What emotion does lavender make you feel? ›
In fact, research has found that odors can evoke strong emotional responses, often bringing back memories from our past. The scent of lavender is no exception to this, as many people associate the fragrance with feelings of calm, relaxation, and overall stress relief.
When not to use lavender? ›
Lavender applied to skin may cause irritation in some people. Oral use of Lavender may cause constipation, headache, and increased appetite. Lavender oil is toxic if taken orally. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender.
What does sniffing lavender oil do? ›
Lavender essential oil can ease symptoms of anxiety, although how and why it helps is debated. One study reported that inhaling lavender reduced anxious feelings in the following situations: Preoperative anxiety.
Can you take lavender oil long term? ›
Overall, more evidence is needed on the long-term efficacy of lavender oil. As with any treatment, it's recommended that you speak with your doctor and let them know that you're planning to start using lavender oil. This is especially important if you have an anxiety disorder and already take medications.
When should you not use lavender oil? ›
Lavender applied to skin may cause irritation in some people. Oral use of Lavender may cause constipation, headache, and increased appetite. Lavender oil is toxic if taken orally. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender.
Is it OK to use essential oils everyday? ›
For example, a 2022 study of 200 individuals demonstrated the negative association between the use of essential oils and cardiopulmonary health. Study participants who inhaled essential oils one hour or more each day had increased heart rate and blood pressure and a decreased lung function rate.
Can you put too much lavender on your skin? ›
While lavender oil is generally safe when used correctly, it's important to take certain precautions when applying it to the skin. To avoid any potential skin irritation or sensitivity, always dilute the oil with a carrier oil before applying it topically.
