Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil

Feeling anxious, stressed or just plain tired? Or do you have rashes, sensitive skin or dandruff? Then it may be worth exploring the healing properties of lavender.

Essential oils are all the rage these days and I am always hesitant to try out the newest fads. That’s why it took me several years to give essential oils a chance and once I started using them, I was hooked.  A friend was explaining how she used essential oils to prevent colds from spreading in her house. I was intrigued but worried about the safety of these oils around my children. My kids were still young at the time and one of the few things I did know about essential oils was that they could be toxic if ingested. I researched it a bit and decided not to use it.

Fast forward several years and during a very stressful time in my life i started to experience physical symptoms that couldn’t be explained. I was nauseous, dizzy and extremely tired. I stumbled upon a post about anxiety and realized that was what I was experiencing. Lavender was suggested as one of the tools in managing anxiety, so I purchased a bottle of lavender essential oil. I first started using it during my morning commute. I would put a few drops on a napkin and let the scent fill the car. Just smelling the lavender would keep me relaxed. I still do this once in a while because I enjoy the smell in the morning. Lavender oil can also be diffused but my children complain of the smell when I do it in the house. It’s  a matter of personal preference.

Lavender essential oil is made from the flower of the lavender plant. Steam is used to extract the oil from the lavender and it can then be used as an oil or combined with a carrier to be applied topically. Because the oil is so concentrated, it is important to choose an organic essential oil to reduce the possibility of disbursing chemicals when using the oil.

Lavender has been proven to relax the mind and body and can also be used topically to treat minor wounds, acne and rashes. When applying lavender oil to the skin, it is important to first mix it with  a carrier oil which works to dilute the oil and keep it from absorbing immediately. There are many options for carrier oils but the ones I see used the most are coconut oil and Olive oil. This is probably because most people already have these items in their pantry.

The benefits of lavender are not limited to the essential oil. Lavender plants also have beneficial properties. Aside from the wonderful smell, the plants are also useful for repelling bugs such as mosquitoes and moths. The plant along with it’s purple flowers will also match any landscape design. These are hearty plants that will continue to grow bigger each year.

While there are many positives to Lavender, it is important to mention the dangers of lavender essential oil. As the popularity of essential oils have increased, so have the incidents of child poisonings from these same oils. Lavender oil is poisonous if ingested. If applied straight to the skin, it can cause irritation, rashes and burns. For these reasons and more, I do not allow my family to ingest any essential oils.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with Lavender Oils or Lavender plants. Please leave a comment below!