Lavender Benefits for Skin:
1) Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Lavender helps reduce inflammation in your body.
Inflammation is one of the main causes of aging and wrinkles. It reduces wrinkles by reducing oil production and reducing cell growth in the skin cells.
2) Anti-Bacterial Properties: Lavender helps prevent bacteria from growing on your face and scalp.
If you have acne or other skin problems, then using lavender essential oil may help you to get rid of it.
3) Anti-Aging Properties: Lavender helps slow down the signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.
It also prevents the appearance of spots and blemishes due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
4) Antibacterial Properties: Lavender helps fight off germs like Staphylococcus aureus (STI).
It also helps prevent the spread of certain types of infections.
5) Anti-Rash Properties: Lavender helps treat rashes caused by various conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, dandruff and others.
It also stops the development of new scars.
6) Moisturizing Properties: Lavender helps keep your hair healthy and hydrated.
It can be used to cure dry scalp and itchy scalp.
7) Antiseptic Properties: Lavender helps prevent and treat insect bites and stings.
It can be used as an antiseptic to prevent infection in minor cuts, burns and scrapes.
8) Reduces Anxiety: You can diffuse lavender oil to help reduce your anxiety levels.
This is one of the most popular uses of lavender for today’s society.
9) Calming Properties: Lavender is a natural sedative and can be used to calm yourself before bed.
It helps induce a peaceful sleep and helps you relax during the day.
10) Soothing Properties: Lavender is used by many people to help reduce the swelling and pain caused by bruises. It has an anti-inflammatory effect that can help reduce the swelling in the affected area.
How to Make Lavender Tea?
Combine 1-2 tsp dried lavender flowers with 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 5-10 minutes and strain. Sweeten if desired. Drink up to three cups per day.
Lavender oil is also used for aromatherapy in some cases. It can help you sleep better or reduce pain.
Further instructions on this are included in the package that comes with your lavender essential oils. You can also dilute the oil if you do not want it to be too strong.
Lavender tea benefits your body in many ways. You should definitely try it out.
If you do not have dried lavender flowers or lavender essential oil, you can find them at most health stores. You can also buy them online.
Lavender Oil for Sleep:
Use lavender oil to help you sleep if you do not have time to make tea. Simply apply 4 drops of lavender oil on your pillow or buy a lavender pillow from the store.
Make sure that your pillow is always scented.
Or you can mix 4 drops of lavender oil in a bowl of hot water and place near your head. This should help you fall asleep faster.
Another way to use lavender oil is to make a compress. Add 3-6 drops of lavender oil to a bowl of hot water.
Wait for the water to cool down and then dip a cloth into it. Place the cloth on the affected area (in this case your temples or forehead).
Before applying lavender oil topically, make sure you do a skin test. Apply a drop of lavender oil on the inside of your wrist.
Wait to see if you have a negative reaction after 15 minutes. If you do not, you can go ahead and use it.
Never put the lavender oil directly on your skin. The skin on your wrist is more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body.
If you are using a lavender pillow, make sure you always take care of it. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight as this can bleach the color.
It can also melt the pillow if you place it in extreme heat. You should also avoid washing it as this will decrease the lifespan of your pillow. Just take the pillow outside and swish it with cold water.
If you are using lavender oil as a compress, do not apply it for more than 10 minutes as this can lead to burns.
You can buy lavender oil online or in some herbal shops. Again, make sure that you do a skin test before using it.
Lavender Essential Oil Skin Test:
Apply 1 drop of lavender essential oil on the inside of your wrist. Wait 15 minutes to see if you experience a negative reaction.
If there is none, you can start using the lavender oil.
Make sure you always do a skin test if you are using pure lavender oil. Using it without doing a skin test can cause an allergic reaction.
This may lead to anaphylaxis and may require immediate medical attention.
You can also apply lavender oil to your chest area to relieve pain caused by heartburn or acid reflux.
Lavender Oil with Food:
Do not use food to transport the lavender oil, as this may cause the oil to go bad. To use lavender oil with food, add a few drops of it while eating.
This can help calm your stomach and reduce bloating. Just remember not to use too much as this might lead to vomiting.
If you are prone to frequent headaches, you can add 2-3 drops of lavender oil to your food. You can also use it topically by diluting it in a carrier oil.
The way you use lavender oil with food is completely up to you. As long as you do not go over board, you should be fine.
Also, if you are sensitive to smell, it is best not to use the oil as a food additive. Some people might find the smell of lavender nauseating after some time.
How long does it take to work?
Most of the times, you will start to feel the effects after 15 minutes. If you are experiencing a severe condition, do not expect the oil to help immediately. It will take longer for it to start working. Just give it some time and you should start to see results.
What are the possible side effects?
Just like any other product, lavender oil can also have side effects if used incorrectly. Before you start using it, make sure to do a skin test. This will help you determine if you are sensitive to the smell of lavender or not. If you experience any negative side effects after using the oil, stop using it immediately and contact your doctor immediately. Some of the possible side effects include:
Skin irritation
Allergic reaction
Itchiness
Burning sensation
Redness
If you experience any of the above, stop using the lavender oil immediately and seek medical attention if the condition persists.
How long do the effects last?
The intensity of the effects also vary depending on the reason why you are using lavender oil. Also, some people may not experience the soothing effects of the oil at all. In that case, it may be better to try something else if you want to get rid of your condition. For most people, the effects of the oil last for up to 4 hours.
What other uses does it have?
As we have mentioned several times in this article, lavender oil has several uses. Apart from using it for treating conditions like headaches and heartburns, you can also use it for treating different kinds of skin problems. Some of these uses include:
Mosquito repellent
If you go out camping a lot or spend a significant amount of time in the outdoors, mosquitoes can drive you insane. They love biting you and getting you all itchy at night.
This is especially true during the summer months. If you find yourself in such a situation, you can get relief by rubbing some lavender oil on your skin. This will help keep the mosquitoes away from you.
Lice Treatment
Head lice can be a real pain if you ever find yourself dealing with them. If your child has been exposed to head lice, you can apply some lavender oil to their hair and scalp before bedtime.
This should help get rid of the lice. Make sure to keep checking their hair every few days until you are sure that all the lice have been eliminated.
Mosquito repellent
If you have been bitten by mosquitoes and are looking for a way to get rid of the swelling and inflammation that has resulted, you can use lavender oil. Rub some oil on the affected area to experience soothing and cooling effects.
This should bring you some relief from the itching and burning sensation as well.
Skin irritation
Whether you have been exposed to poison ivy, oak, or sumac, it is important that you take immediate action to soothe the burning and itchy sensation. Applying lavender oil to the affected areas should bring you some relief.
Just be careful not to apply too much of the oil as that can result in skin irritation as well.
These are just some of the many uses of lavender oil. Whether you are looking for a way to relieve stress, treat a medical condition, or keep the bugs away, you should be able to find an appropriate use for this versatile oil.
What are some of the side effects?
Just like any other natural remedy, lavender oil also has its fair share of side effects if not used properly. Although rare, these side effects may include:
Nausea
Dizziness
Vomiting
If you experience any of the above symptoms after using the lavender oil, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Is it safe for children?
Lavender oil is not recommended for use on children who are under the age of 2. Also, you should avoid applying large amounts of the oil on their skin since this could result in skin irritation. Keep the usage to a minimum and only use top quality oil so that your child does not end up getting any unwanted side effects.
Also, bear in mind that all children are different. Even if they are older than 2, their bodies may not be able to handle the strong effects of the oil as well as an adult’s would.
The best thing to do is always keep a close eye on your child when they are handling the oil.
How should I store it?
You should make sure to store the lavender oil in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. This will ensure that its quality and potency are not compromised. Do not store the oil in the fridge or freezer.
Bringing it along when travelling
If you are traveling somewhere and want to bring lavender oil along with you, you should keep the bottle tightly closed or put it inside a plastic bag so that it does not leak. Also, regardless of whether the flight allows for liquids or gels, you should always check if the airline you are flying with has any specific rules regarding the carrying on of lavender oil.
Do remember that even when handled with care, accidents do happen so in such an event, make sure you clean up the area and dispose of the oil-stained materials properly.
If you are traveling by car, you could carry the bottle of oil with you. However, if you do so, be sure to keep it tightly closed since the continuous movement and vibrations from the roads can cause the oil to leak from its container.
Also, when you reach your destination, do remember to transfer the lavender oil into a smaller bottle so that it will be easier to carry around with you.
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Plants used in cosmetics by T Aburjai, FM Natsheh – Phytotherapy Research: An …, 2003 – Wiley Online Library
Herbal teas and their health benefits: a scoping review by FS Poswal, G Russell, M Mackonochie… – Plant Foods for Human …, 2019 – Springer
The use of alternative medicine for the treatment of insomnia in the elderly by EP CHERNIACK – Psychogeriatrics, 2006 – Wiley Online Library
Green tea and the skin by S Hsu – Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2005 – Elsevier
Less‐known botanical cosmeceuticals by LS Baumann – Dermatologic therapy, 2007 – Wiley Online Library
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