Lavender Oil Uses

Tap to Read ➤ Pragya T

Lavender or 'Lavandula angustifolia' has many amazing properties. Read on to know about them... Lavender or 'Lavandula angustifolia' has many amazing properties. Read on to know about them...

Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist once burned his hand in his lab and immersed the hand in lavender oil to soothe the burns. This incident made an impression on Mr. Gattefosse and he started researching the healing powers of essential oils.

This oil is often termed the jack-of-all-trades essential oil, thanks to its many benefits. There are many uses of this oil, it can be used for therapeutic purposes and can also be used as a deodorant.

Skin Care

This oil can be used in its concentrated form or diluted with a carrier oil like jojoba oil or olive oil before use. Here are some of the uses of lavender essential oil for skin care.

Acne: It is antibacterial and therefore one of the best essential oils for home remedies for pimples. Add 3 - 4 drops of lavender oil to 10 ml of carrier oil and apply on the acne affected area daily.

Hand/Foot Bath: Add 5 drops of lavender oil in a bowl and dip your hands or feet in this solution. This will relax tired feet and soothe sore hands.

Lips: If you want to heal sunburned or chapped lips, it may be a good idea to apply a drop of lavender oil on your lips. Bath: When you draw a bath, add 8 drops of lavender oil to the bath along with the bath salts. This bath is very helpful for relaxing aching muscles and will calm the body.

Deodorant: Rub 2 drops of lavender oil in your armpits. This will act as a pleasant deodorant. Hair Care: Massage your scalp with lavender oil to get rid of dandruff. You can also use this oil to treat lice and lice eggs.

Insect Bite: If you have been a victim of an insect bite, rub a drop of this oil on the mosquito bite or bee sting. This will help in reducing the swelling and simultaneously soothe the skin. It is an effective bug repellent. Dab some lavender oil on your pulse points, so that bugs don't trouble you.

Medical Uses

Several medical studies conducted to determine the medical uses of lavender oil have come to the conclusion, that the oil is extremely effective not just as a sedative but also as an antibacterial agent.

This oil is used to treat many nervous system-related problems. It calms and soothes the body and is used as one of the aromatherapy essential oils in spas to help people rejuvenate and relax.

Eczema: Mix a few drops of lavender oil with 10 ml of any carrier oil and apply this diluted oil on dry and itchy skin. Scabies: If you are suffering from scabies, rub a mix of alcohol and lavender oil on the whole body. Apply this mixture everyday till you get better.

Cuts and Wounds: Apply 1 - 2 drops of lavender oil to cuts or wounds. It will kill the bacteria and help in healing without scarring. Burns: Run cold water over affected area for 10 minutes and apply a few drops of lavender oil on the burnt skin. Using lavender essential oil will speed up the healing process. You can also try this process for sunburnt skin.

Insomnia: This oil is helpful in inducing sleep and thus is an effective treatment for sleep deprivation. Put 1 - 2 drops of lavender oil on your pillow for a peaceful sleep.

Stress and Anxiety: Apply 1 drop of lavender oil to your temples for relief from stress and anxiety. You can use this remedy for treating headaches too.

Steam Inhalation: This oil is used in its concentrated or diluted form to treat many respiratory disorders. In a bowl of hot water add 5 drops of lavender oil and inhale the steam emanating from the bowl. Ensure that you cover your head with a towel while taking in the steam. This helps you get relief, if you are suffering from cold and flu.

Respiratory Disorders: Put 1 - 2 drops of lavender oil on a tissue or handkerchief and inhale it whenever required for instant relief. It is also used to treat respiratory disorders like bronchitis, throat infections, and asthma especially when asthma is associated with emotional trauma. Lavender oil mixed with lemon is used in vaporizers and humidifiers.

Digestion: This oil is used to give stomach massages to treat abdominal pain experienced during colic. Lavender oil also improves digestion and provides relief from gas and nausea. Urine Flow: In patients of oliguria (decreased production of urine), lavender oil is helpful in stimulating urine flow.

Earache: Warm up a bottle of lavender essential oil in hot water and add 10 ml of carrier oil to 2 - 3 drops of lavender oil. Use this mix to massage the area around the ears in order to treat earache. This remedy is suitable for children and adults.

Fever: Add one drop of lavender oil to water and give the person suffering from fever a sponge bath with this water to reduce fever. This remedy is safe for children and adults.

Massage: To get relief from tight and sore muscles, massage the painful parts with a lavender essential oil mix. To prepare the mix, add 10 ml of carrier oil like jojoba oil to 5 drops of lavender oil. This massage is also beneficial for sustained injuries.

You can also try to make lavender oil at home. The entire distillation process may be a difficult procedure to follow at home but you could always make this oil with authentic properties by adding crushed lavender to almond or olive oil and then storing it in a cool dry place for a month. In this time, the oil will absorb the properties of lavender.

Alternately, you can buy this oil, which is priced around USD 10 for 1 ounce. So, keep a bottle of lavender oil in your house and use it for various purposes.