Guest post by Rachel Denning from DiscoverShareInspire.com Check out her 100% pure essential oil store (and get a free ebook), and her 3-Part video series on using essential oils.
Download this article as a PDF for future reference. Scroll to the bottom of this post for an MP3 on Lavender essential oil by Dr. Susan Lawton.
Whether you just getting into essential oils (check out the Complete Beginner’s Guide), or are an experienced user, lavender essential oil is one of the basics that you’ll always have in your kit.
That’s because lavender has been known as the ‘swiss army knife’ of essential oils… one of those stalwart standards that is a remedy for a diverse range of ailments.
Pure lavender essential oil smells clean and fresh, sweet and floral with woody undertones. Steam distillation of the flower tops and stalks produces a colorless, silky oil. The Ancient Greeks and Romans used lavender as a perfume, and for cleansing. They put it in their baths and spread it on their bodies.They used it in sick rooms to improve the smell and relax the patient. During weddings and celebrations they would spread lavender petals on the floor so the fragrance would be released when stepped on.
For centuries, lavender has been used to treat ailments such as bug bites, lice, muscular aches and pains, nervous disorders, scabies, sprains and toothaches. Herbalists often prescribed lavender for fatigue, to relieve respiratory conditions and soothe upset stomachs. Women have used lavender to make their skin clear, clean, and supple.
In the early twentieth century many medications for colic, coughs, hoarseness, headaches and sore joints used lavender. During World War I and II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars, soldiers and medics carried lavender oil with them on the battlefields for disinfecting wounds and soothing fears of those injured and in pain. (Watch the short video on the History of Essential Oils.)
Because of it’s complex chemical makeup, lavender is good for ‘everything’, very versatile by itself, or when used with other oils. It has a sedative effect on the heart (for hysteria, nervous tension, and palpitations). It calms the cerebro-spinal column, renowned for it’s nerve-sedative properties and has been invaluable for nervous and psychological disorders, including depression, insomnia, migraines, and paralysis. It can be used in epilepsy, convulsions, catalepsy, manic depression and nervous exhaustion.
Lavender molecules boost your immune system and fight infection at the same time. It enhances immunity by boosting the production of white blood cells — the cells that patrol your body, cleaning it and ‘eating up’ foreign invaders.
Now that we know how amazing lavender is, let’s look at a few of the ways it can be used (the following recommendations are only for 100% pure essential oils — remember the importance of pure oils for effectiveness and safety):
1. Muscle massage blend
Mix 10 drops of lavender with a tablespoon or two of coconut oil to relieve aches and pains. Add several drops of marjoram, rosemary or white fir and lavender will increase it’s positive characteristics and work with the blended oils to penetrate and regenerate cells, reminding them on a cellular level how to heal and be ‘perfect’ once more.
2. Anti-histamine
Lavender is the only essential oil that has anti-histamine properties. Take it internally in a capsule or apply directly to sinuses for allergies and colds (stuffy, runny noses).
3. Relaxing bath
Mix 4-6 drops of lavender 1/2 cup of Epsom Salts. Put into a bath tub and add very warm water. Stir to dissolve. Soak for at least 15 minutes to relax muscles and relieve nervous tension.
4. Fabric softener/dryer sheet
Scientists have found that some commercial fabric softeners release mixtures of chemicals that can cause sensory irritation (SI), pulmonary irritation (PI), and reduce midexpiratory airflow velocity in normal mice. These scientists believe that these results provide a toxicological basis to explain some of the issues and reactions humans have to fabric softener emissions. Read more about the study here.
Create a natural alternative by placing several drops of lavender on a towel or cloth and placing it in the dryer. For extra soft clothing, add 1/2 cup vinegar (a natural fabric softener) with lavender to your washer with each load.
5. Lip balm
Put a drop or two of lavender directly on chapped lips (don’t lick them! It doesn’t taste good.) Or create a natural lip balm mixing coconut oil and lavender. This can also be effective in treating herpes (cold sores).
6. Freshen and cleanse air
Place a few drops of lavender onto a cotton ball and put in your vacuum bag. The smell will diffuse into the air as you vacuum. You can also diffuse lavender directly into the air using a diffuser. Not only does it make the air smell fresh, but lavender kills bacteria and has a relaxin effect on the environment.
7. Wounds, sprains and strains
Mix 4 drops lavender with 3 drops Roman Chamomile and 4 drops coconut oil. Massage gently on to sprains and strains. Mix with water and use as a spritzer for open wounds. Reapply often.
8. Burns and sunburns
Mix a few drops of lavender oil with a few drops of coconut oil and apply directly to burns and sunburns for relief and healing. Reapply often to relieve pain and speed the healing process.
9. Relieve headaches
Apply lavender and peppermint to the temples, forehead and back of the neck to relieve headache pain.
10. Relieve migraine headaches
Apply to the muscles at the base of the neck and on the bones behind the ears. Initially apply just lavender. Twenty minutes later mix lavender with bergamot (1:1 ratio). If no improvement, add helichrysum and Roman Chamomile (1:1 ratio) with 1 drop of clove (use coconut oil to apply). Apply warm moist towels on top of the oils.
11. Pink eye/flush tear ducts
Apply undiluted lavender on the ridge above the eyes (on the forehead) and down the center of the nose 2-3 times a day to clear chronic debris or sand damage, and to heal pink eye. Excellent to itchy eyes and allergies. DO NOT PUT ESSENTIAL OILS DIRECTLY INTO THE EYE. Flush with a carrier oil if oils accidentally get in the eye.
12. Reduce feelings of impatience
Mix 2 drops of lavender with 3 drops of bergamot and 1 drop peppermint to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. Blend and apply to neck, ‘heart’ or forehead.
14. Release feelings of hurt and bitterness
Mix 2 drops lavender and 2 drops rose with 2 drops of helichrysum and 1 teaspoon coconut oil. Massage over liver.
15. Reduce nervousness and anxiousness
Mix 3 drops lavender, 2 drops wild orange and 1 drop bergamot to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. Rub onto forearms for a feeling of peace and renewed energy.
16. Relieve tension and exhaustion
Combine 2 drops lavender, 5 drops Clary Sage and 3 drops of cypress to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. Apply to the shoulders and base of the neck for peace and renewed energy.
17. Tired/restless leg blend
Mix 15 drops lavender, 20 drops rosemary, 5 drops peppermint and 3 oz of coconut oil. Gently massage from ankles to above knees and elevate for 15 minutes.
18. Stress reducing blend/massage oil
Combine 20 drops lavender, 15 drops Clary Sage and 5 drops of Melissa to 3 oz. of coconut oil. Blend and apply to sternum and back of neck. Breathe deeply and allow stress to leave.
Another option is to mix 2 oz. coconut oil with 3 drops lavender, 3 drops Roman Chamomile, 3 drops white fir, 3 drops marjoram, 3 drops frankincense, and 2 drops ylang ylang and massage on someone you love (or have someone massage it on you.)
19. Pimple and acne blend
Apply directly to pimples or acne a mixture of 15 drops of lavender, 32 drops of melaleuca and 2 oz of jojoba oil. Apply to clean skin twice a day.
20. Heal skin fungus
Treat affected skin areas with a mixture of 2 oz. coconut oil, 50 drops melaleuca and 25 drops of lavender (if skin is very sensitive, dilute with more coconut oil.) If the fungus has spread to many parts of the body, use these oils in baths (using Epsom Salts helps to disperse the oils throughout the water.)
21. Heal scars
For scars old or new, mix 15 drops lavender, 10 drops wild orange, 15 drops bergamot, 10 drops frankincense, 5 drops geranium and 3 oz. of coconut oil. Apply daily before going to sleep.
22. Tighten skin
Combine 25 drops lavender, 6 drops wild orange, 5 drops rose, 6 drops frankincense to 3 oz coconut oil. Apply daily to areas of concern.
22. Eczema relief and healing
Apply daily to itching and peeling areas a mixture of 20 drops lavender, 10 drops helichrysum and 2 oz. of coconut oil.
23. Soothing sunburn bath blend
To a bath of cool water add 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 5 drops lavender, 2 drops Roman Chamomile, 1 drop eucalyptus, and 1 drop peppermint. Soak for 15 minutes and repeat every 2 hours for additional relief.
24. Stress reducing bath
In a bathtub of hot water, add 1/2 cup Epsom Salts, 2 drops lavender, 1 drop cypress, 1 drop geranium, 1 drop white fir, and 1 drop vetiver. Mix until salts dissolve. Soak for 15-20 minutes, breathing deeply.
25. Cool-down compress
Mix 5 drops lavender, 6 drops Clary Sage, 6 drops Roman Chamomile, 4 drops wild orange, 3 drops geranium, and 2 drops patchouli in a small glass bottle. Add 2-3 drops of the blend to 1 quart of cool water. Soak a clean cloth in the water and apply to your face, forehead, chest, back of your neck or other areas of your body to cool down (or prevent) hot flashes, or for fevers. Avoid contact with the eyes.
26. Diffuse hypertension
In a diffuser, place 4-6 drops of the following blend: 11 drops lavender, 9 drops Clary Sage, 7 drops ylang ylang, 5 drops marjoram. Diffuse every 15 minutes every two hours.
27. Hypertension massage oil
Blend 1 oz. coconut oil, 4 drops lavender, 4 drops ylang ylang, 1 drop Melissa and 1 drop wild orange. Massage gently onto arms, legs and back.
28. Hemorrhoid massage oil
Blend 1 oz. coconut oil, 4 drops lavender, 2 drops melaleuca, 1 drop coriander, and 1 drop myrrh. Gently apply to painful area.
29. Natural facial scrub
In a baby food jar mix oatmeal and 5-3 drops of lavender. When you wash your face, add a little water to a handful of the mixture and gently scrub.
30. Earache relief
Barely warm lavender with olive oil and gently massage around the ears and near the glands in the throat (DO NOT PUT ESSENTIAL OILS IN THE EAR CANAL.)
31. Dry skin relief
Instead of chemical lotions that may cause cancer, use a natural solution by mixing 5 drops of lavender with 2 oz of coconut oil and apply to dry skin. Don’t forget to drink more water!
32. Cold or flu relief
In a bowl of hot water add 4-6 drops of lavender. Place a towel over your head and inhale the rising vapor/steam slowly and deeply to help relieve cold and flu symptoms.
33. Remove splinters easily
Place a drop of lavender where you have a splinter and it will help it to work it’s way out.
34. Baby bath
Instead of chemical baby soaps, add a few drops of water in baby’s bathwater. Safe, natural, cleansing and moisturizing to baby’s gentle skin.
35. Hair care
After a shower, put a few drops of lavender in your hand and work through wet hair. Your hair will smell great and lavender can help with dandruff and itching, controlling hair breakage and improving hair growth. (It can also help treat alopecia areata, or excessive hair loss.) Good for all hair types.
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Here are some more uses for lavender essential oil:
36. Insomnia
37. Addictions
38. Atherosclerosis
39. Blisters
40. Boils
41. Chicken pox
42. Concentration (poor)
43. Depression
44. Diaper rash
45. Giardia
46. Grief/sorrow
47. Impetigo (bacterial skin infection)
48. Hypochondria
49. Insect repellent
50. Jet lag
51. Mastitis
52. Parkinson’s Disease
53. Sedative
54. Seizure
55. Stretch marks
56. Teething pain
57. Thrush
58. Vertigo
59. Wrinkles
If you are in need of stocking up on lavender essential oil, check out this Intro Kit (also includes peppermint and lemon)
Download this article as a PDF for future reference. Listen (or download) the MP3 below.
Guest post by Rachel Denning from DiscoverShareInspire.com. Rachel is mother to (almost) six children. She currently lives in Costa Rica with her family, as they slow travel through Latin America. Sign up for her 3-part video series on natural health care for unconventional families. You can also check out her 100% pure essential oil store.
Resources used: Modern Essentials; Healing Oils of The Bible; Aromatherapy, Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty; Clinical Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Practice; Aromatherapy Handbook for Beauty, Hair and Skin Care; Aromatherapy For Healing The Spirit; The Art of Aromatherapy.
NOTE: The advice shared in article has not been evaluated by the FDA. The products and methods recommended are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease, nor is it intended to replace proper medical help. Kindly understand that essential oils work to help to bring the body into balance - thus helping the body’s natural defenses to restore homeostasis. Essential oils are not used to “treat” medical problems. Much of this information comes from Dr. Susan Lawton, a clinical psychologist and biochemist with more than 40 years of clinical experience and expertise using essential oils.
Listen to more information about lavender essential oil from Dr. Susan Lawton in this MP3 below:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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