Benefits of Lavender Oil : Guide to Its Healing Properties

Earlier people used to sleep by stuffing lavender flowers in the pillow to get a good sleep. Now it has been scientifically proven that lavender aromatherapy can help better for relaxation and sleep. A 2014 study published in the American Journal of Critical Care found that the use of lavender is an effective way to get good sleep. Apart from this, lavender oil helps in stabilizing mood and balancing strong emotions.For this, put 3 or 4 drops of lavender oil on a handkerchief and put it under your pillow before sleeping for a good sleep.

(Read more – Essential Oil Essentials)

If you often suffer from headaches or migraines due to stress, then you can use lavender oil as a natural option to relieve pain. It has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain. Apart from this, it relaxes tense muscles which are often the cause of headaches. A 2012 study published in European Neurology suggests that inhaling lavender oil is an effective and safe treatment for migraine headaches. 

For this, put a few drops of lavender oil on a handkerchief and inhale its aroma to get relief from an intense headache.

Along with this, you can also choose another option. For this, you can mix 2 drops of lavender oil in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and massage your forehead with it, which will give you relief from headache.

(Read more – Home remedies for headache relief)

Lavender oil is also an effective remedy to fight fungal infections. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology found that lavender oil has powerful antifungal effects against fungal strains that cause common skin and nail infections. It is also beneficial in case of itchy skin, minor wounds, blue skin or burns and it also reduces the risk of these.

• For this, mix a few drops of lavender oil in 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
• Now apply it on the infected area using cotton.
• Now leave it for at least 30 minutes, then wash it with lukewarm water and dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth.
• Apply it twice a day until you get rid of the infection completely.

(Read more – Yoga for fungal infection)

Lavender oil works as a calming medicine and helps reduce anxiety and panic attacks. Lavender aromatherapy opens up the nervous system, which reduces anxiety. It reduces anxiety-triggering conditions in the brain. Apart from this, lavender oil helps suppress the high heart rate and reduces high blood pressure.

• For this, put a few drops of lavender oil in a bowl of hot water and inhale its steam to reduce anxiety.
• Rub a few drops of lavender oil on the temples to feel relaxed.
• Or add a few drops of lavender oil to massage oil and massage your neck, back and shoulders with that oil.

(Read more - Stress and Anxiety)

Lavender oil can also be used to relax the respiratory tract and get relief from breathing problems. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help strengthen your ability to avoid asthma attacks.

A 2014 study published in The Life Sciences Journal also found that inhaling lavender essential oil helps reduce allergic inflammation of the airways, as well as helps in the treatment of bronchial asthma.

• Apart from this, lavender oil helps treat respiratory problems like cold and flu, bronchitis and throat infections.
• For this, mix 5 or 6 drops of lavender oil in two tablespoons of jojoba oil or olive oil and rub this mixed oil on your chest twice a day.
• You can also do steam treatment with lavender oil.
• Apart from this, you can put a few drops of lavender oil in a diffuser or humidifier.

(Read more - First aid for asthma attack)

Lavender oil has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain and swelling. You can use it to treat sore muscles, leg pain, arthritis pain and even back pain. A 2006 study published in The Pain Practice Journal found that patients who took oxygen with lavender aromatherapy after breast biopsy surgery had a great deal of pain relief.

Regular massage with a few drops of lavender oil mixed with olive oil helps relieve joint and muscle pain. Adding several drops of lavender oil to warm bath water and staying in it for 10 to 15 minutes can relieve your aches and pains.

(Read more - Types of pain)

Lavender oil is used to treat staph infections caused by Staphylococcus bacteria due to its strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Staphylococcus bacteria can cause a number of skin problems such as boils, impetigo and cellulitis.

A 2009 study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed antimicrobial effects of lavender oil on methicillin sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

• For this, put 2 or 3 drops of lavender oil on cotton and pat it on the affected area and leave it for 30 minutes. Now wash it thoroughly. Do this process twice a day for several days.
• Apart from this, mix a few drops of lavender oil in 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel and apply it on the affected area and leave it for an hour. Now wash it with lukewarm water. Do this process twice a day for several days.

(Read more - Skin Infections)

The sweet aroma of lavender oil can help hide any kind of odor and unpleasant smell of your body from your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom. Apart from this, when it is used as an air freshener, it does not give rise to headaches or respiratory problems like some chemical-based air fresheners.

• To remove body odor, add a few drops of lavender oil to bath water or shower gel.
• Also add a few drops of lavender oil to a spray bottle filled with water. Spray it on sweaty places on the body, this will give you relief from the smell of sweat.
• To keep your house fresh, add a few drops of this oil to a humidifier.
• Fill a mason jar with ½ cup of baking soda and add a few drops of lavender oil to it. Cover the mouth of the jar with paper and make a hole in it. Keep that jar in the bedroom or kitchen.

(Read more – 5 Effective remedies for excessive sweating)

Lavender oil acts as a natural insect repellent that helps to repel insects like fleas, mosquitoes, crickets, moths and flies. To avoid insects, apply a few drops of lavender oil on pulse points before going out. Before applying this oil on your skin, check whether it is okay for your skin or not. Unlike other essential oils, lavender oil is gentle and is often used directly on the skin. But if applying it causes skin irritation, then mix a few drops of it in a carrier oil like sunflower oil and gently rub it on your skin.

You can also put a few drops of lavender oil on cotton and keep it in the wardrobe of your clothes to keep insects away.

(Read more – How to get rid of bed bugs)

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the human immune system attacks its own body. This causes hair to fall out from the roots. This disease can be treated with lavender oil.

A 1998 study published in The Archives of Dermatological Research shows that when lavender oil is used with other essential oils such as thyme, rosemary and cedarwood oil, it proves beneficial in the treatment of alopecia areata.

Mixing a few drops of lavender oil in two tablespoons of jojoba oil and massaging the head for several months helps in hair growth.

(Read more - Lavender Oil Benefits for Hair Health)