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Lavender is a common scent across the cosmetics market. You can find it in different types of products, ranging from cleaning to anxiety treatments. Many people consider it beautiful and think that its smell is divine. The benefits of lavender oil are as plentiful as a field of this violet plant.
Lavender oil may not be as popular as other essential oils, but it certainly comes with a whole host of benefits for us. And while some other oils get way more attention, lavender oil is quietly and delicately making your life better and more relaxed. It can help your skin be healthier and younger, it can be a perfect ally in the kitchen and help you sleep better.
Are you not aware of all the health benefits of this wonderful oil?
Read this article to learn more.
What is Lavender Oil Good For?
Coconut, olive or almond oil are coveted natural products that people across the globe are using in their beauty routines. And yes, they do have many health benefits along with beauty benefits. Lavender oil is also a great, natural product to add to your routine.
This beautiful purple plant has proven to be one of the most effective treatments for many issues, starting in neurology, beauty and so on. It comes in many forms and types of oils. There is also lavender essential oil and lavender oil.
If the label on the bottle doesn’t clarify that it is, in fact, essential, then it probably isn’t. A lavender oil is a perfume oil, sometimes not even made from lavender. It's often synthetic and contains no healthy properties. These are great if all you want is a perfume. If you want t o reap awesome lavender oil benefits, you need to use organic essential lavender oil. Some lavender essential oils are also different in chemical compounds and issues they solve.
But once you find that perfect lavender essential oil, you’ll be able to see these benefits from using it:
Soothing and calming effects on the nervous system, helping people with stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue by inhaling the scent.
Relieve nausea by smelling lavender.
Headache relief by inhaling lavender or massaging it into the temples, forehead or neck.
It can help with sleep if you add some to your diffuser.
Helping wounds heal faster if you apply a solution of water and lavender to it.
Relieving menstrual pain by applying lavender oil to the abdomen.
It’s great for skin since it has many compounds that help skin heal and flourish.
Mixing lavender with coconut oil makes for a perfect liip masque to keep the lips soft.
It’s great for reducing cold sore irritation and pain.
It can help heal acne because it has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
Reducing sunspots.
Itchy skin is easily healed with lavender.
Mixing lavender oil with an olive oil dandruff treatment to help soothe your scalp and promote healing.
Lavender oil can help your hair grow faster by stimulating the follicles.
You can use it as fragrance.
Some people say that you can apply it to your lashes for growth but this hasn’t been proven and you shouldn’t use it on your eyes.
Can You Apply Lavender Oil Directly to Your Skin?
Lavender essential oil is derived from lavender plant – you can use it orally, topically or by inhalation.
However, lavender is most popular for the benefits it brings to the skin. It can reduce acne, make skin spots lighter and help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. In most recipes, lavender is introduced with a carrier oil or water.
Most people find this confusing and think that this may signal that lavender is not so good for them.
However, lavender is a great essential oil which, in most cases, doesn’t carry any side effects. Of course, if you have any allergies, you should first consult your doctor before using it.
The real reason why lavender oil is introduced to the skin through carrier oils is because it’s easier to apply and cover a larger area. A few drops of essential oil only covers a small region but with a carrier oil, you can disperse it equally across the face.
However, there are no health concerns and you can apply just lavender oil to your skin. Here are some great uses for lavender oil:
- Helps with acne
- Treats eczema
- Detoxifies the skin
- Helps with burns and wounds
- Helps with insect bites
- It can be a toner
Does Lavender Oil Help You Sleep?
Scientific research suggests that lavender can help you get some sleep or improve your sleep. Since lavender already has a soothing reputation among essential oils, it’s no wonder. Lavender can relieve stress, anxiety and help you relax. It’s, in fact, one of the most studied oils for these purposes.
In one study, lavender oil managed to lower the participant’s blood pressure, heart rate and so on. People who inhaled lavender had more energy and they had reduced amounts of stress.
Another study found it effective for postpartum anxiety and depression. It also helped new moms sleep better.
One study found that inhaling lavender before sleep induces slow wave sleep which is necessary for relaxation. You could also feel more energetic the next day.
Lavender Oil Benefits for Your Face
Lavender plant has a soothing scent and many benefits. You can get it in bath gels, extracts, oils, teas, whole, infusions and so on. Here are some benefits of using lavender oil for face:
Acne
Lavender oil kills bacteria and prevents acne. It can also heal current acne and heal scars. It has the power to clean pores and reduce inflammation. However, if you have concerns about sensitivity, you should dilute it with water or a carrier oil and then apply it to a clean face.
It can also serve as a toner if you mix it with a bit of alcohol-free witch hazel. You should soak a cotton ball with this mixture and apply it to your face gently.
Eczema and dry skin
Eczema appears on any place on the skin and that place on the skin gets itchy and dry. Lavender, as a natural anti-fungal oil, can help you reduce that inflammation and keep eczema away. You can use it as a treatment for psoriasis. For both of these, mix a few drops of lavender oil with a drop tea tree oil and coconut oil and use it daily.
Redness
Lavender is known to reduce inflammation so you can use it to reduce any skin issue you might have from skin discoloration and dark spots. If you have any redness, it can help with that as well. Hyperpigmentation is another issue lavender can help with.
Wrinkles
Since free radicals are to blame for wrinkles and lavender has antioxidants, it can help protect your skin from these. Use it my mixing a few drops of lavender oil with some coconut oil and apply it to your face. You can use it twice a day.
Inflammation
Inflammation can be painful but you can treat it with lavender oil. It has pain relieving effects as well as some numbing effects which can help calm down the inflammation. If you have a burn, combine some lavender oil with some coconut oil and apply three times a day. Make a lavender oil spray to help with sunburn.
Wound healing
If you have a cut, a scrape or anything similar, using a few drops of lavender oil can help the healing process. Mix it with some coconut oil and use a few times a day. It can also help reduce scars.
Fighting insects
This may not be so much of a skin issue, but it sure becomes one when an insect bites us. If you want to repel insects, you can get candles or sprays with lavender or simply mix a few drops of lavender oil with some water and use it as a spray. You can also treat bites with lavender oil.
Can You Cook with Lavender?
You can get many varieties of lavender – but the two main types are English and French. The English one is great for cooking and has a stronger smell. The French one is better for cosmetic and first aid use, as it tends to have a strong pine flavor.
For cooking, you need to buy organic culinary lavender which hasn’t been sprayed or treated with any chemicals. You can also grow your own lavender.
When cooking lavender, the main rule is that a little can go a long way – meaning, don’t put too much or your dish will taste like perfume. Either grind the buds or seep into water. You can pair it with either light and fruity flavors or for baked dishes. Most of the time it’s good with sweet foods.
You should pick lavender as close to using as possible. You can also cut the lavender before the buds open in order to dry it. Keep lavender in a cool and dark place. It can sit like that for two weeks.
If you are looking for something that can help your skin and health while still smelling great, lavender is your choice. It has a gentle fragrance that will help you sleep better, feel better and it also has the ability to help your skin look better. If you are feeling adventurous, you should also try cooking it. Enjoy lavender in all forms.
What do you think is the best way to use lavender oil? Share your fave way to enjoy the benefits of lavender oil down in the comments!
Sources:
https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-lavender-for-skin-hair-and-health/#gref
https://restonic.com/blog/can-lavender-help-sleep-better-3749
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