Uses and Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is one of the most commonly used essential oils, it was the first oil that I ever purchased! It is commonly used in beauty products but has many more practical uses also. I purchase lavender oil almost eight years ago when we discovered my daughter has eczema. A friend recommended that I use coconut oil mixed with lavender oil to soothe her skin, and it worked! After that, I start to look into other ways to use the lavender and it wasn’t long after that I discovered other oils to help with my everyday life.

Here are some of the common uses for lavender essential oil:

• Calming Benefits/Sleep Aid Lavender oil is most commonly known for it’s ability to relax and calm a busy mind. It can also ease anxiety or fear. Place a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow before bed for a better night’s sleep. Or use a lavender + carrier oil mixture and apply to your chest and feet to help with a continued peaceful sleep all night.
• Treat Eczema As I mentioned above, I used lavender mixed with coconut oil for my daughter’s eczema and it worked wonders for her skin! It not only stopped the itching, but it also reduced the redness in her skin and softened the dry patches.
• Bee sting / Insect bite: Put a drop of lavender mixed with a carrier oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching and reduce swelling.
• Sunburn relief – A few drops of lavender can be added to water in a spray bottle and applied several times a day to promote relief and healing from a sunburn. You can also add apple-cider vinegar to help take away the heat and sting of  the sunburn.
• Minor cuts and burns Apply a few drops of lavender mixed with a carrier oil to minor burns to decrease pain, and reduce redness and swelling. A minor burn would be spilling hot water on your skin, this is not for a major burn or skin irritation. The same mixture can be applied to a minor cut to stop bleeding, clean wound, and kill bacteria.
• Aching Muscles A few weeks back I shared instructions for a Detox Salt Bath. Epsom salt mixed with baking soda and lavender oil added to a hot bath not only provides a detox for your body but can also help to relieve sore muscles, aches, and pain.
• Sinusitis Lavender is one of several essential oils that are recommend for inhalations to relieve sinusitis. Add two drops of lavender & thyme oil to a bowl of near-steaming water and inhale slowly and deeply, with a towel draped over your head and the bowl.
• Relief to bruised skin Gently rub a few drops of lavender + a carrier oil around and on sore, bruised areas of the skin to promote blood flow, healing and relief for the tenderness and pain.
• Winter dry, chapped hands Lavender oil can used as a bactericide, moisturizer, and reliever of pain, itching and dryness caused by dry, cold winter conditions. Add lavender to your hand cream, or make this all natural moisturizer: DIY Hand and Foot Cream
• Fabric freshener I’ve shared a few different ways to make your own fabric softener or dryer sheets, adding lavender oil to your clothes before drying can freshen laundry scent and naturally deodorize.
• Reducing scar tissue Consistently adding lavender oil to areas of skin that are beginning to heal may help to reduce scarring and promote healing.
• Calming play dough for kids A while back I shared a homemade aromatherapy play dough recipe and it’s been a big hit! I’ve received so many comments from readers about how it has helped to calm down overactive kids. Just add a few drops to the recipe and let the kids play! Just make sure they do not eat any of the dough, not all essential oils are safe for consumption.

What are other ways that you use lavender oil? Comment below so that I can add them to this post!

Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not meant to offer specific medical advice, nor is it meant to be used as a substitute for competent medical advice from a licensed professional physician. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.