Lavender makes us think of purple fields in France, fresh and unusually pleasant scent and an oil of healing and conditioning qualities. Check the properties and uses of the product. Find out how to use lavender oil as well.

What is lavender oil?

It is extracted from flowers in the process of water steam distillation. At first, lavender oil was used only in perfumery and aromatherapy. Currently, it is added to many products: natural cosmetics, air fresheners, detergents and insect repellents. Lavender oil has a characteristic scent and makes a good match with other essential oils: cedar oil, pine oil, sage oil, geranium oil or nutmeg oil. For medical purposes, it is added to camphor oil.

Lavender Oil Uses

1. Lavender oil for face

The product has protective and anti-ageing properties, fighting free radicals. The antioxidant power of lavender oil is compared to the working of vitamin C. Moreover, the oil has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory qualities, helps get rid of acne and excessive sebum production. It soothes skin inflammation, sunburns and swellings. You can use pure lavender oil or thin it with water.

2. Lavender oil for body

It stimulates the flow of blood and lymph, which supports the treatment of cellulite. A few drops of lavender oil can be added to other skin care products. Used in foot care, it fights humidity and fungi, and blocks sweating.

3. Lavender oil for hair

It affects the blood flow, which stimulates growth and prevents hair loss. This oil regulates the work of sebum glands, hinders the occurrence of dandruff, prevents inflammation and soothes skin. Lavender oil works as a scalp lotion that you massage in scalp separately or together with a different oil. Just remember to apply the lavender oil scalp lotion at least an hour before a hair wash.

4. Other properties of lavender oil

• improves sleep and calms down,
• enhances the functioning of nervous system,
• relieves pain of various origins,
• improves the function of urinary system,
• helps treat diseases related to the respiratory system,
• corrects the functioning of the metabolic system,
• boosts the immune system,
• repels insects.

Lavender Oil – Ingredients

Healing and conditioning properties of lavender oil result from its composition. Among the ingredients, there are linalool, Coumarin, flavonoids, phytosterols and tannin. The first substance gives an intense, characteristic aroma that lavender oil has. Coumarin prevents swelling and cramps, and widens blood vessels. The last three ingredients are antioxidants.

Lavender Oil Aromatherapy

In aromatherapy, lavender oil is used as a relaxing and calming product. Just a few drops let you relieve stress, fears and depression. Lavender oil is warmed in special burners to let the aroma fill in the entire house. Lavender oil inhalation helps fall asleep – it upgrades the quality of sleep, lowers blood pressure. 1% essential oil is used for a massage because it warms up, reduces rheumatic pain and migraine headache.

How to make a lavender facial toner?

Lavender toner for oily and combination skin: pour a half liter of hot water over a glass of lavender flowers. When the mixture cools down, pour it into a dark glass dish. To make it longer-lasting, add a spoon of apple cider vinegar and put it into the fridge. Use in the morning and evening for freshening and restoring pH.

Lavender oil for bath, massage and body care: put fresh or dried lavender flowers in a jar. Next, heat up almond oil and add it to the lavender flowers. Keep the jar in the shadowy place for around a month. Then, strain the flowers and pour the resulting liquid to the dark glass bottle.

Lavender oil – contraindications

Lavender oil can’t be used by pregnant or nursing women, diabetes and allergy sufferers. In some people, it might cause feeling nauseous, headaches, disturbed vision, hard breathing and red eyes. Before starting the lavender oil therapy, a doctor’s consultation is advised.