NOTE: This article is all about the benefits and uses of lavender essential oil, how and why it works so well, and the science behind this popular and lovely essential oil. Includes safety factors, and yes, this essential oil is safe around your dogs and children!

I have a confession to make: Lavender has never been my favorite essential oil. Actually, I used to really dislike it because of the scent. Some folks love it, and some just don't care for it. I guess that's like anything, right? In fact, I used to wonder exactly what lavender essential oil is good for!?

These days, I have grown to have a great appreciation for Lavender essential oil, and because of how it has benefitted me, I now associate only goodness with its scent. In fact, I LOVE lavender these days!

Lavender has been proven to have some qualities that make it exceptional, and it should be included in everyone's household for both medicinal and aromatherapeutic reasons. It has an extremely wide range of uses, and being so versatile as well as being considered a "safe" essential oil, I believe it's the ONE best essential oil you should definitely choose to keep around.

You might also like to read more spotlight guides about these essential oils:

Marjoram (Sweet)

Rosemary, and more on the website.

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The ultimate guide on lavender essential oil: What are the benefits and uses? The chemicals in it that make it work? Plus, find out all the things you can do with lavender essential oil! #lavenderessentialoil #uses #howtomake #benefits #recipes #how… — The ultimate guide on lavender essential oil: What are the benefits and uses? The chemicals in it that make it work? Plus, find out all the things you can do with lavender essential oil! #lavenderessentialoil #uses #howtomake #benefits #recipes #howtouse #lemonand #usessleep #healingharvesthomestead

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Benefits and Uses You Need to Know About Lavender Essential Oil

Here's an overview of Lavender essential oil, along with some pretty incredible health benefits...making it an INSANELY great choice for an essential oil to keep around!

Therapeutic Properties of Lavender Essential Oil

Did you know Lavender essential oil has been used for over 2,500 years? These days, it's probably the most used essential oil in the world. That's because it does so much!

It's therapeutic properties include being antioxidant, antimicrobial, sedative, relaxant, and anti-depressant. Let's talk about how these therapeutic properties of Lavender essential oil can be used in and around your home and life!

Lavender essential oil is high in linalool and linalyl acetate, along with other chemical properties that have broad, safe uses. (Source) Plants high in linalool generally fall into the category of esters, which means these plants have calming and soothing properties, helping to reduce feelings of sadness or anxiousness.

The lovely purple buds are the tiny bits in the flower. It takes a LOT of these to extract the essential oil.

Ways to Use Lavender Essential Oil

1) Lavender EO Soothes Skin Irritations, Burns, Bee Stings, Insect Bites

Lavender is extremely effective at soothing irritating skin conditions including razor bumps, sunburn, minor cuts, and even burns from the stove (ask me how I know--ahem). Mosquito bites? Try some Lavender essential oil!

Lavender is one of the essential oils that is safe to use "neat," or without dilution, on the skin, however, my personal feeling is that it is actually most effective when combined with a carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil or sunflower oil. Fractionated coconut oil works great too!

To Make a Handy EO Roll-On:

I like to make a Lavender Roll-On to carry with me. To do this, just drop about 10 drops of lavender essential oil into a 10 mL roller bottle, fill the remainder with sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, or sunflower oil, and shake gently.

If you get a burn, cut, or just want to smell like Lavender, roll this combination on the area you wish! Easy!

2) Soothes & Benefits Dry, Cracked Skin

Lavender essential oil is wonderful for soothing cracked, dry skin. Because of it's antimicrobial properties, small annoying wounds tend to heal up quickly with Lavender! You can add it to one of your existing lotions or creams (unscented is best), or make a great Lavender Salve!

You can infuse the flowers directly into alcohol or oils, but the essential oil of lavender is especially strong.

3) Promotes Relaxation and Great Sleep

Because of Lavender's mild sedative property, Lavender essential oil is truly wonderful for helping you get to sleep and stay asleep. Just rub some on your temples (see the Roller-Ball recipe above), the back of your neck and wrists. You can also rub a few drops directly on the bottoms of your feet before you go to bed.

Find out why you rub essential oils on the soles of your feet and whether this is a myth or not!

4) Lavender is a Powerful Odor Fighter

Lavender is WONDERFUL at getting rid of unwanted odors. Whether they are pet odors, musty mold & mildew smells, or heavy duty cooking scents, Lavender can come to the rescue. Just make up a easy spray (You can see my video on how to make an aromatherapy spray on my Facebook page---and follow me while you're there!) or read complete directions in this article.

To Make a Quick & Easy EO Spray:

Essentially, you just combine the Lavender essential oil (about 20 drops for a 2 ounce spray bottle) with water and a dollop of witch hazel or vodka. You now have an incredible spray for the toughest scents!

Lavender essential oil has a strong floral scent that is fresh and clean! It makes a wonderful room spray.

5) Hand Disinfectant

Because of Lavender's powerful anti-microbial properties, you can also use the above spray as a great natural hand spray when you need clean hands but have no restroom near by. Kids love it too! According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), it’s best to use a base of at least 60% alcohol. Source

It’s important to note here that lavender essential oil has broad antimicrobial properties, but for hand sanitizer that is guaranteed to work, according to the CDC, it must have a total make up of 60% alcohol.

6) Yoga Mat Spray

This is a multi-use spray, I'm describing, I'm sure you have figured out by now. Lavender Spray also makes a wonderful way to clean off your yoga mat safely.

7) Soothes Headaches

Have a tension headache? Lavender essential oil is an extremely effective and natural way to help it go away fast. Just use a drop or two on your temples and behind your ears.

8) To Calm Motion Sickness

Just use it the same way as you would for the tension headaches. If you want to make it extra powerful, just create a roller ball with 10 drops Lavender essential oil and 5 to 10 drops Ginger essential oil, and you have nausea control!

9) Diabetes

There is clinical evidence that diffusing or using Lavender essential oil on the chest and neck may help improve blood sugar and the help the effects of diabetes.

10) Improves Mood

Studies also show that using Lavender essential oil improves mood dramatically. Even people suffering from PTSD and high levels of stress have shown to be benefited by using Lavender essential oil. (See sources below) Try diffusing it for 30 minutes several times a day, and see if it makes you happier!

Learn how to make hot process soap from natural ingredients! Also available on Amazon Kindle.

Lavender is such a beautiful, fragrant flower.

Where Does Lavender Essential Oil Come From?

Lavender is a shrubby plant that grows to about two feet tall. It's native to the Mediterranean, but grows in most places. The essential oil is extracted from the flowers, generally by steam distillation.

I love growing my own lavender! Even though I can't make actual essential oil, the flowers are great to dry and use in sachets, potpourris, and much more.

Where Can I Get Quality Lavender Essential Oil?

This is the question of the year! Everyone asks this, especially if they've tried essential oils found commercially in the stores and reached a conclusion they don't work. Well, they DO work, but the quality of the essential oil is everything. EVERY thing--just to reiterate.

There are many good companies out there that make a high quality essential oil.

Starwest Botanicals carries quality essential oils. In fact, it's their brand I use in my soap-making and potpourri. Other brands I like are Rocky Mountain Oils, and Plant Therapy. I’m also loving Amrita Aromatics right now!

If you love Amazon, you can find Plant Therapy there, too.

Safety Factors to Consider about Lavender Essential Oil

Potential skin sensitivity, especially when used "neat," which means a rash or irritated skin is a possibility with continued use in this manner. I have found this to be nonexistent in my own personal experiences with Lavender, although neat use of any essential oil is not something I recommend anyway.

And as always, if you are pregnant or nursing, you should absolutely speak with your doctor before using any herbs or essential oils.

Beautiful lavender---It has so many benefits and uses!

Final Thoughts on Using Lavender Essential Oil

Since I started using essential oils well over 10 years ago, and having completed a full aromatherapy certification, I have grown into an absolute love for Lavender essential oil.

I keep several bottles around the house and in our medical kit, and it's one of the essential oils I also keep in my purse in hand spray form, too. I always get compliments when I spray it! :-)

Do you use Lavender essential oil? Even if you don't care for the smell, give it a try! It will likely grow on you just like it did with me! Leave comments if you have questions or a favorite use for lavender EO that’s not included here!

Here are some other articles you might be interested in:

How to Make Lavender Salve for Healing Boo-Boos and Small Wounds

Lavender Flower Infused Cleaning Spray—- This is my favorite!

How to Make Lavender-Lemon Salt/Sugar Scrub That’s Just Divine (and makes a great gift!) NOTE: This is a video on YouTube!

Make Your Own Effective Sleep Aid with Herbs (This remedy saved my marriage)

and here’s the video of how to make this herbal preparation on YouTube, too!

And there are a TON more over on the website and YouTube channel! :-)

Hugs, Health, & Self-Reliance,

Heidi

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, and in no manner, stated or implied is any statement made here meant to treat, cure, diagnose, or prevent any disease or illness. These statements are for informational purposes only, and are simply my personal opinion based on experiences and study. Please be sure to discuss using herbs and essential oils with your medical doctor, especially if pregnant, nursing, or on medications.

Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/hand-sanitizer-use.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7769/13-uses-for-lavender-oil-the-only-essential-oil-youll-need.html

https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-lavender-oil

https://draxe.com/lavender-oil-benefits/

Lavender Essential Oil Guide (Lavendula angustifolia): Why You Need it in Your Home