Lavender has many uses and benefits for the body and overall wellbeing. Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) is one of the most common and well known essential oils. It helps regenerate skin cells, promotes healing and helps produce healthier new cells. The sweet, mild aroma has calming properties and is often used for relaxation and as a sleep aid. Lavender oil can reduce stress and anxiety naturally.

It is soothing and healing when used on burns, insect bites and various skin conditions in the form of the floral water. It has antiseptic properties which help promote fast healing and minimise scarring. It can even be used on stings, ulcers, wounds and scrapes for the same reasons.

The lavender plant is popular for gardening and in the home due to its pretty purple flower buds and comforting aroma. Bees love lavender so if you want to help save the bees then having some lavender in your garden is a good start. The flower buds are rich in natural lavender oil so by rubbing them in your palm you can immediately avail of the calming scent.

The Lavindin plant (lavendula hybrid) AKA spike lavender is another breed of the plant which has antiseptic properties for use on the skin as it is toning and tends to be used in skin care.

A lavender toner, such as lavender floral water AKA hydrosol, makes a lovely refreshing toner or facial mist for use after cleansing. It is recommended for oily or acne prone skin due to the fact it helps to balance the skin.

Lavender oil is great for soothing and calming inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema. It can be added to a bath, into a body lotion or massaged into the skin with carrier oils. It is best to buy all natural products or else make them yourself following the guidelines for mixing pure essential oils with your chosen carrier oil. Lavender is one of the only essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin so you don’t have to be exactly accurate with it.

Lavender has benefits for your feet too. You can use it in a foot soak to help sooth tired feet and relax at the end of a hard day. Lavender also has deodorising properties so it helps remove dead skin cells, refresh and regenerate the skin and also assist with perspiration.

Lavender benefits your hair also as it can stimulate hair growth, remove dandruff and treat oily or greasy hair. By massaging lavender oil into your scalp, you can enjoy the calming benefits of the aromatherapy whilst boosting your hair growth and improving your overall hair health. I love using this in the shower or bath it is a wonderful self care ritual that I incorporate at least once a week. Another way to use lavender on the hair would be to put some stalks in a muslin bag as a hair wash and tie it to your shower head or hold it above your head in the bath when washing your hair.

The calming relaxation of lavender helps alleviate stress and boosts your mood. Anxiety can be reduced and your breathing becomes easier when using lavender oil so if you are experiencing stress or anxiety then you can use lavender oil. You could use a room spray, an oil burner or aromatherapy diffuser.

Lavender tea can help with digestion and benefit people with sleep difficulties such as insomnia. You can use fresh lavender in a tea strainer or else buy it from a reputable organic brand. Drink before bed in the evening or whenever you want to take a nap. For digestion it is best to drink it after your meal.

Lavender can help relieve headaches. You can use a few drops of lavender oil on the skin or else mix it with a couple of drops of peppermint oil for a healing and soothing effect. Massage it into your temples gently with your fingertips. Lavender oil room spray can be soothing also.

A relaxing bath soak can be just the thing you need to relax and unwind after a hard day and is a fantastic self care ritual. Here is a soothing bath blend to try. It is especially good for easing skin irritation or redness, for instance sun burn or inflammation. It is also restful and calming so ideal for anyone looking to improve their sleep quality and de-stress. Here is what you need –

1 tbsp of dried lavender buds

10 drops lavender essential oil

1 tbsp of aloe vera juice

Directions –

Steep the lavender buds in boiling water (500mls) for 10mins.

Add in the essential oil and aloe vera and mix well.

Add the mixture to your bath.

Lavender is such a beautiful scent, you never get sick of it! I tend to use a certain perfume from time to time and then get sick of the scent but that never seems to happen with lavender. The great thing about natural scents is that they are toxin free. As you will know, if you follow my blog, I am an advocate for natural skincare. I steer clear of Parfum and fragrance in cosmetics as there tend to be a whole array of manmade chemicals and toxins included and there are no proper regulations in place for the information and labelling of those.

Here is a recipe for natural lavender solid perfume for use on the go –

1 tablespoon of grated beeswax  and 1 tablespoon almond oil

5 to 6 drops lavender essential oil (or your own combination of essential oils)

A clean empty lip balm jar or similar.

A small funnel

Directions –

Melt the beeswax and almond oil together in a Bain Marie or the microwave until liquid.

Cool slightly and then add in the essential oil, mixing well.

Pour the contents into the lip balm container and leave to cool before replacing the lid.

This makes 1 ounce. Store in a cool dry area or pop it in your bag.

Apply this to your pulse points or massage it into the skin.

Here is a recipe for a lovely glowing skin natural lavender facial treatment –

Add 1 drop of lavender oil to a few drops of a carrier oil such as jojoba oil and massage gently into the skin. This is a wonderful relaxing facial and only takes a few minutes. Facial massage is comforting and helps with lymphatic drainage as well as increasing facial muscles which can reduce and prevent wrinkles.

Finally, another brilliant way to avail of the lavender essential oils without having to re-apply it throughout the day is to use some essential oil infused jewellery! You simply apply the essential oils such as lavender to the natural porous lava rock and wear your bracelet, necklace or earrings and the scent lingers for the day. You can just apply the oil in the morning or whenever, then you can avail of the oils benefit all day.

This jewellery can be an ideal solution for people who need to de-stress, suffer from anxiety or want to use essential oils for the many and varied benefits. I will be following up with some blog posts on the various essential oils and their uses in the coming weeks. Here are some examples of the aromatherapy jewellery that are hand crafted in Ireland and can be custom made with crystals of your choice! Gorgeous..

 

The essential oil jewellery above can be found here at Crystal & Rock. Caroline makes matching sets, mens bracelets, earrings and necklaces. If you have a favourite crystal or a design in mind, she does custom designs too. Check them out on her page!

Lavender has so many uses and benefits. If you are new to essential oils it is a great choice and most people who use essential oils have lavender in their collection. It really is a wonderful healing and holistic plant.

Lavender is also tasty and can be used in baking! Check out the yummy cupcake recipe below!

lavender-cupcake-recipe

If you are looking to read more about oils and their uses, check out this post

Ciara xxx