10 Reasons to Love Lavender Oil
If you have an active interest in essential oils, you likely have a bottle of lavender oil in your essential oils kit. It’s definitely one of the most- if not the most- versatile and popular essential oils. And for good reason! Lavender’s light floral scent brings many health benefits with it. Here are just a few of the many health issues lavender oil has been shown to help with:
1. Insomnia
If you suffer from insomnia, you might be surprised what a little lavender essential oil sprinkled on your pillow can do. You may even discover that the medication you normally take for insomnia is no longer necessary. Try keeping a spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of lavender oil next to your bed to spritz your pillow, or a diffuser in the bedroom to send you off to a peaceful rest each night.
2. Thinning Hair
Not only will lavender oil make your hair smell great, but it may also help your hair to grow as well. It has been effective in a number of sufferers of alopecia; a disorder that inhibits the growth of hair follicles.
3. Oily Skin
Just as lavender oil can be used to prevent scarring on minor cuts, it can prevent the scarring associated with acne. Acne happens because of an imbalance in your skin’s production of sebum. Lavender oil can help to rebalance your skin’s oil to a healthy level, while also inhibiting the growth of bacteria. Add a few drops of lavender oil to any cleanser or moisturizer you regularly use and see how often you continue to have breakouts. It can also help with other skin conditions such as eczema, dandruff, and dermatitis.
4. Poor Circulation
Lavender oil has many stimulating qualities (more on these later), and one of them applies to the circulatory system. It is so good at increasing blood flow throughout your body that it has even been shown to increase brain activity and keep your heart pumping regularly, reducing the risk of coronary disorders.
5. Anxiety
Anyone who suffers from anxiety may want to try breathing in the naturally calming smell of Lavender oil. It has a calming effect on the nerves. Add it to a bath for a full-body relaxation experience or rub some directly into your temples. This will also help with headaches.
6. Sore Muscles
A massage using lavender oil mixed with carrier oil can do wonders for sufferers of general muscle tension and joint pain. If you come home from a long day with tired aching muscles, try putting some lavender oil in a hot foot bath. Your feet will absorb its soothing benefits and relax your whole body.
7. Urinary Tract Issues
Similar to its stimulating effect on the digestive tract, lavender oil stimulates urine production, making it incredibly useful for urinary issues such as bladder infections, cystitis, and associated inflammation. It can reduce cramps and inflammation in this area and work to restore a healthy balance in the urinary tract.
8. Respiratory Issues
The list of respiratory symptoms lavender oil can help with is long; including cough, cold, asthma, flu, tonsillitis, bronchitis, etc. It has a stimulating effect which can help you to clear phlegm. Its antibacterial properties can help those with respiratory infections. It may be applied topically to the neck, back, and chest surrounding the root of your respiratory issue.
9. Digestive Issues
If you suffer from digestive issues like nausea, diarrhea, and stomach ache, lavender oil may just be the best essential oil for you. It helps your stomach to produce gastric enzymes which enable you to break down and move food properly through your intestine.
10. Insect Bites
Although we love the smell of Lavender, bugs find it repulsive! It also works as an after-bite remedy when you apply Lavender oil directly to a bug bite or bee sting for relief from the itching and inflammation.