This Week, in the Spot lite: Lavender Essential Oil, Read all About it!
Lavender essential oil (from the genus Lanandula) is obtained from the lavender plant,
and it is characterized by a refreshing scent, calming effects, and many
incredible properties. The lavender plant does well in climates more oceanic, and dry in nature, like Northern Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
It's botanical name is Lavandula angustifolia and there are over 20 species of Lavender.
This particular essential oil is one of the most popular of all essentials oils seen today, and used in aromatherapy.
It is one of
the most popular essential oils, most notably due to it universally loved aromatics, well rounded application usage, as well as it's said healing & calming properties. Lavender essential
oil has many applications, from aromatherapy, to culinary use, cosmetics and even medicinal uses, that dates back thousands of years.
Some of the more well known usages, provided through anecdotal evidence and therapeutic properties, are having antibacterial components, antifungal, used to help symptoms of anxiety, used as an analgesic and having detoxifying effects. In ancient times it was used for wounds, skin irritations, and other spiritual practices.
Main Components of Lavender Essential Oils
Linalool, Linalyl acetate, Camphor
How is Lavender Essential Oil Made?
Lavender essential oil is made by steaming and distilling freshly-harvested flowers of the lavender plant. The vibrant violet-colored flowers are collected when they reach maturity, and they are converted to lavender essential oil through a process known as steam distillation.
Depending on climate and harvesting of these oils can dictate the quality of the resultant oil produced.
The Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil You Need to Know About
a. Combats Insomnia & Promotes Good Quality Sleep
Lavender essential oil has been used for centuries to help fight
insomnia and improve quality of sleep. That's why it's used as a key
ingredient in pillow mists, linen fragrance, temple balms, and room sprays.
A study
conducted in 2015 demonstrated that lavender essential oil helps to calm the nervous system, making it a great alternative for fighting
insomnia. The simple reason why people experience insomnia is that they have
mental chatter that won't let them rest.
People who've used this essential oil
to treat insomnia have reported better quality of sleep by more than 50%.
Inhaling lavender essential oil before bedtime may be beneficial in helping you sleep deeper and allow for an easier process of falling asleep.
One study conducted on sleep quality in 158 postpartum women using lavender fragrance, found significant improvements in sleep quality of the interventional groups as compared with the control group.
A relatively smaller sample-sized single-blind, randomized study was done evaluating lavender essential oil on mild insomnia. It included 10 volunteers (5 men / 5 women). The results were favorable for lavender essential oils for helping improve symptoms of mild insomnia, with results favoring younger women.
If you're battling sleep issues or have difficulty falling asleep, diffusing lavender essential oils in
your bedroom (or essential oil blends, paired with lavender) a few minutes before sleeping, may help.
Alternatively, you can
spray the underside of your pillow with some lavender essential oil spray if you don't have access to an aromatherapy diffuser.
b. Relieves Anxiety
Lavender essential oil is widely known for its calming properties. Its fragrance is very refreshing, well rounded; hence it’s usage by many, as a great mood booster and stabilizer.
A study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical
Practice in 2012 showed that this essential oil can be
helpful to people with anxiety and emotional disorders. Therefore, diffusing
lavender essential oil or using it topically with carrier oils may help to reduce anxiety and
stress symptoms.
There have been several animal studies inhibiting anxiety and depression-like behaviors with consistent exposure to lavender essential oils
One top of this, clinical trials have been conducted investigating lavender essential oils on anxiety, restlessness and agitation. In the trials investigated, over 250 subjects were involved. A significant percentage of these individual's (whom administered lavender orally), proved that lavender was superior to placebo with patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder.
Components within lavender, like linalool and linalyl acetate are absorbed through the skin with topical applications fairly quickly, and is believed to have an effect on the central nervous system.
c. Combats Signs of Aging/Antioxidant/Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Lavender essential oil may be a natural alternative for helping to diminish the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and even stretch marks.
It
is packed with antioxidants that help to fight skin-damaging free radicals, as well as helps control and minimize inflammation. With that said, it may help control acne breakouts and unclog pores when used with carrier oils, because of it's ability to kill bacteria.
Studies have shown (in vivo) the widespread benefits of lavender essential oils, like the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activaties.
In animal studies, like this one published in 2012, provided evident indicating the "potent antioxidative and antiapoptotic activities" of lavender essential oil.
For the best results, it's advisable to combine it with carrier oils like, coconut oil or argon oil.
d. Combats Hair Loss
Lavender essential oil has shown potential for promoting hair growth. This could
make it a great alternative for the treatment of alopecia.
e. Wound-Healing Properties
There may be the potential to help speed up the healing of your wound by using lavender essential oil.
A 2016
research study published in the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
journal shows that lavender essential oil can help to
accelerate wound healing. Research within Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine discussed that lavender essential oil is recommended for abscesses, carbuncles, and wounds.
f. Repel Insects
Lavender essential oil can be used to repel bugs such as
flies, moths, mosquitoes, and wasps. It contains camphor and linalool which
have insect-repellent properties.
If you live in an area where bugs
can be a bother, you can try room sprays with lavender essential oil that's
blended with a carrier oil, and even apply some on your skin as a safe natural alternative to bug strays or other chemical/synthetic products!
Ways To Use Lavender Essential Oil
I. Body lotions - Combine it with shea butter, coconut oil, and organic honey to make a skin-nourishing lotion.
II. Face steam - Add lavender essential oil to hot water in a basin, cover your head with a towel, and hold your face above the water.
III. Use in homemade cold process soaps.
IV. Try in body scrubs, massage oils, and bath bombs!
Does Lavender Essential Oil Have Any Side Effects?
In rare cases, lavender essential oil can cause skin irritation. It can cause dizziness when combined with drugs such as benzodiazepines and enalapril. We do not recommended ingestion of essential oils. We like to provide research conducted on these oils, but do not conduct our own research studies. Please consult with a medical expert or holistic expert if wishing to use essential oils for treatment or therapeutic purposes. Do not stop any current regimen to use essential oils alone without consulted a medical expert. If any skin irritation occurs, stop use immediately.
Do not use on children
If pregnant, you should ask your doctor about usage!
Recommended Dosage for Lavender Essential Oil
There’s no recommended dosage for lavender essential oil. If you’re using it topically or you’re applying it on your handkerchief, it’s advisable to use a few drops (2 or 3 drops). Always dilute it with a carrier oil like, argon, jojoba, or sweet almond oil before application.
Where to Buy Lavender Essential Oil?
If you’re ready to experience the incredible benefits of
lavender essential oil, be sure to get your oil from a trusted source to be
assured of safety and high-quality.
There are many vendors online offering a
variety of essential oils. Check their reviews on customer review websites to
get an idea of other customer experiences before purchasing. Not all essential oils are created equal!
Final Thoughts!
Lavender essential oil is a multipurpose oil with incredible
benefits. It may help to reduce stress, alleviate pain, treat hair loss, and achieve more healthy skin.
Thanks for stopping by and be sure to share any of your experiences with lavender essential oil and applications in the comments section of our blog.
Resources:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23351960/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21170695/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/#B74
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.1103
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16131287/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4443384/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/
2. - https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2014.0327
4. - https://www.healthline.com/health/lavender-oil-for-skin#application
5. - https://www.verywellmind.com/lavender-for-less-anxiety-3571767#citation-4
6. - https://blog.planttherapy.com/blog/2018/09/02/10-ways-to-use-lavender-essential-oil/
7. - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265922#uses
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5435909/
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