Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) is the most versatile of all essential oils.
Most commonly known for its relaxing effects on the body, therapeutic-grade lavender has been highly regarded for the skin. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises, and skin irritations.
The fragrance is calming, relaxing, and balancing – physically and emotionally. Carrying a bottle of lavender around with you is like having your own personal first aid kit, perfume, and pick-me-up.
Here are 13 ways you can incorporate lavender into your daily life:
Calming
Rub 2-3 drops of lavender oil in your cupped palms, then use the inhalation method to draw the scent all the way into your amygdala gland (the emotional warehouse) in your brain to calm the mind. Then, rub on the feet, temples, wrists (or anywhere) for an immediate calming effect on the body. Great for use in crowded areas like planes or subways to carve out your own personal oasis.
Sleep aid
Again, use the cupping and inhalation method. Then, rub a drop of Lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow to help you sleep.
Bee sting / Insect bite
Put a drop of Lavender essential oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching reduce swelling.
Minor burn
Put 2-3 drops Lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain. I recently did this after I spilled scorching hot tea on my hand at Starbucks and luckily had my lavender with me. Result: NO redness, swelling, or pain. NO sign of any burn. Lavender works wonders!
Cuts
Drop Lavender oil on cut to stop bleeding, clean wound, and kill bacteria.
Eczema / Dermatitis
Mix several drops of Lavender oil with a nut or vegetable mixing oil (coconut, sesame, etc) and use topically on eczema and dermatitis. I have a dear friend who suffers from severe eczema and swears by this.
'Nausea or motion sickness
To alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of Lavender oil on the end of the tongue, behind the ears or around the navel.
Nosebleed
To stop a nosebleed, put a drop of lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice. Push the tissue covered ice chip up under the middle of the top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long as comfortable or until the bleeding stops (do not freeze the lip or gum).
Dry or chapped skin
Rub lavender oil on dry or chapped skin.
Chapped or sunburned lips
Rub a drop of lavender oil on chapped or sunburned lips.
Hay fever
Rub a drop of lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
Dandruff.
Rub several drops of lavender oil into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff.
Cold sores
Put a drop of lavender oil on a cold sore.
***BONUS: Flavor booster!
Add a few drops of lavender to any recipe you want to enhance. Favorites: add to your water or tea (especially sparkling!), brownies, bars, cookies, dessert recipes, raw chocolate, or salad dressings. Enjoy!
As you can see, Lavender is an essential oil (get organic lavender oil here if you don’t have it yet) that can uplift your life (and mood), heal and entice in a variety of ways. It’s a great secret weapon to have on hand at all times!