Lavender essential oil: uses, benefits and properties
Essential oils in general are very effective in counteracting ailments and ailments of the whole body. They are among the most popular remedies above all because they are totally natural. Learning to use them can be very useful, also because, let's remember, they are not completely harmless and if used incorrectly they can have contraindications.
What are the essential oils that you should never miss at home? We reveal them to you in this video.
All Lavender Essential Oil Options on Amazon
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What is lavender essential oil?
Lavender essential oil is one of the best known especially because it is rich in properties important for the health and well-being of the whole body. Where is it obtained from? It is a fluid / oily compound obtained from the flowers of Lavendula angustifolia, transparent in color and with a marked hint of lavender.
The essential oil of lavender and all essential oils in general, have a complex chemistry, are among the most concentrated natural remedies. They represent the soul of the plant, and are able to exert a physical action on the skin, but also psychological for the mind.
Lavender essential oil: all properties
At the moment it is recommended to use lavender oil only externally, but there are numerous studies in progress concerning the oral intake of lavender essential oil. Let's see all its properties.
- Antimicrobial properties
Several studies have confirmed that lavender essential oil is antibacterial and also has an antifungal function. This is why lavender oil is often used as an external remedy to combat skin disorders such as acne and dandruff.
- Sedative and relaxing properties
Even just by simply inhaling the product, the essential oil of lavender is able to carry out an antidepressant action on the central nervous system, promoting total relaxation. Furthermore, lavender oil appears to be capable of exerting an anticonvulsant and sedative action on restless individuals prone to seizures of this type.
- Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties
Interesting anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to lavender oil, useful for the well-being of the body following physical exertion. In addition, a study found that lavender essential oil is also capable of exerting a pain-relieving action. Finally, By inhibiting the release of histamine, this oil is useful for all those who suffer from seasonal allergies and more.
- Effects on the gastrointestinal tract
Lavender essential oil is able to exert various beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Specifically, it has antispasmodic properties that make it particularly useful in case of ailments such as colic and flatulence.
In all of these cases, it is necessary to take lavender oil by mouth. However, what you can do is consult your doctor to make sure it is the right thing to do.
Where and how to use lavender essential oil?
Given the numerous properties of which it is endowed, the uses of lavender essential oil are many.
- Aromatherapy: inhaling a few drops of warmed lavender essential oil on the palms of your hands promotes relaxation and is a super effective remedy for insomnia and agitation.
- Diffusion in the home environment: use a burner for essences and use 1 gc of lavender essential oil for each square meter of the environment in which it is to be spread. It will help relieve headaches, nervous tension, stress, insomnia ... and why not to chase away bad smells.
- Insect bites: applied pure or diluted with a little aloe gel, lavender oil is able to relieve annoying symptoms, such as itching and burning caused by insect bites.
- Acne: Adding a few drops of essential oil to a face cream applied to acne-affected areas can help restore the situation.In this case it is the antimicrobial action that acts on the pimples, reducing their redness and deflating them.
- Dandruff: try mixing a few drops of lavender oil with a little aloe gel and massage the mixture on the scalp: in addition to its relaxing power, it will be effective against dandruff. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of oil to your normal shampoo: thanks to its anti-fungal properties, dandruff will only be a distant memory.
- Rheumatic pains and muscle tears: thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, lavender oil is very well suited as a massage oil to relieve rheumatic pains or any muscle tears following a very intense physical exercise.
- Flu and cold: if you have a cold or the flu, lavender essential oil will be a real cure-all. Use it through the fumigations to relieve nasal congestion and clear the airways.
- Invigorating Bath: Use 10 drops of lavender essential oil in the bath, then soak for 10 minutes. The whole body will benefit from it.
- Massage for children: 1 or 2 drops of lavender essential oil combined with a little sweet almond oil will be enough to massage the tummy of babies and help them in the event of intestinal colic. The movement will favor the expulsion of air.
Lavender essential oil: side effects
Lavender essential oil is well tolerated by most people, so if used according to the rules, it shouldn't cause any unwanted effects. However, if you have particularly sensitive skin, applying this oil might cause some side effects. Let's see the principles.
- irritation
- burning
- redness
- dermatitis
- photosensitivity reactions
- allergic reactions
If you recognize one or more of these effects, it is advisable to immediately rinse the area with water and stop the treatment.
When taken orally, however, lavender essential oil can cause serious side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, but not only. If you accidentally do not stick to the dosage set and prescribed by your doctor, very serious symptoms can occur such as:
- Central nervous system depression
- Respiratory depression
- Headache
- He retched
- Constipation
- Convulsions
In such a situation, you should immediately contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room.
Contraindications of lavender essential oil
If you use lavender essential oil externally, you should not incur any of the side effects mentioned above. The only precaution is to avoid using the oil on skin that is not perfectly healthy: if you have cuts or wounds, avoid those areas.
If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, do not take lavender essential oil orally, it is absolutely not recommended. If you want more information, ask your doctor.
If you already know that you are intolerant or hypersensitive to one or more components of lavender essential oil, absolutely avoid using it.
History and curiosities about lavender essential oil
Already the ancient Romans used to put bunches of lavender flowers in thermal baths to relax mind and body. Furthermore, lavender was already used as a base for refined perfumes and to prepare decoctions and infusions used for the beauty of the skin and hair.
Lavender, thanks to its "clean" scent, is perfect to keep at home and in particular in linen closets and drawers: just collect bunches of lavender flowers and close them in organza bags, so that all the perfume can be transferred to the clothes. This healthy habit also serves to keep moths away. If you want to use lavender essential oil, put a few drops on a plaster mold and then hang it in the wardrobe: every time you open the doors, it will be a pleasure to smell its fresh scent.
Finally, a last curiosity concerns the French chemist, Renè Maurice Gattefossé. While working in his laboratory, he burned his arm and instinctively dipped it in lavender essential oil. In this way he discovered that the fluid also had healing properties, as it made him heal immediately from burns.
