Uses and Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil 

Lavender has been used for over 2 000 years. The Egyptians used it in embalming ceremonies and as perfume, the Romans used to add lavender flowers to their baths and to their meals as spice. The name comes form Latin Lavare, meaning "to wash". The ancient Greeks considered lavender as a holy plant and used it in many religious ceremonies.

It originates the Mediterranean, Middle East and India. 

Today Lavender is found in many cosmetic and personal hygiene products because of it's anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Further more it can bring pain relief because of it's ability to eliminate nervous tension.

University of Maryland Medical Center  has confirmed that lavender produces slight calming, soothing, and sedative effects when its scent is inhaled.

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/lavender#ixzz3jCrsFaQa 

Uses for the Lavender Essential Oil

In my household Lavender Essential Oil is one of the favorites, mostly because of it's many healthy benefits, but we also enjoy the sweet flowery smell. I have found uses for it in the bathroom, laundry and the bedroom. Here are some of the purposes I have been using it for:

• Soothing the skin (small cuts, burns and insect bites)
• Stronger Hair
• Relaxing Bath
• Reducing Headache - Massage Oil 
• Relaxation and Sleep
• Laundry Softener
• Moth Repellent

Soothing the Skin

Lavender Essential Oil is one of the rare ones that can be used undiluted when applied to the skin. However I do advise you to proceed with caution as some people are allergic or have very sensitive skin. In case of an insect bite, a small cut, burn or scratch applying one drop of Lavender Oil will sooth your skin and reduce the chance of blisters forming after a burn. If you have sensitive skin, mix  6-8 drops of Lavender Oil with a table spoon of any oil you have at hand (olive, coconut, sunflower) and apply to the skin. 

Stronger Hair

Because of it's disinfectant properties, Lavender oil can help reduce sebum on your scalp allowing your hear to breath and grow freely, further more it will help the blood circulation which is another important factor in hair growth. It will hydrate and nourish thus preventing dandruff and dry and itchy scalp. Those are quite a few benefits, aren't they? 

To help hear growth, reduce itching and dandruff and add glow to your hair, add 6 drops of Lavender essential oil to 1 cup coconut oil. Apply to your hair and scalp and leave in for a few hours or over night. Wrap your hair in a towel, old T-shirt or a shower cap to avoid oily stains on your clothes, pillow or furniture. Wash hair as usual.

You can also add a few drops of the oil to your shampoo for the same effect. 

Relaxing Bath

I just love Epsom slat baths! They are great for your skin and for body detox, add a few drops of Lavender in there and feel like a Roman queen (or king). My advice is to have this bath before you go to sleep as it is guarantied to make you feel calm and relaxed. Not only that, Lavender will regenerate and hydrate your skin.

Add 2 cups of Epsom salt and 6-8 drops of the oil to your bath, lay down, relax, you deserve it.

Don't have time for a bath? Just add a few drops of Lavender Oil to your shower gel or body lotion and apply it before bed.

Reducing Headache - Massage Oil

OK, now this one is tricky. While Lavender is known for it's pain relief properties it also can cause a headache for some people. If you're not sure how you will react to it, try exposing yourself to a small amount of the oil first. Either inhale the smell from the bottle directly or place a drop on your wrist and let it evaporate slowly. That should be a good indicator. If you feel that your headache is getting worse, avoid using the oil. If you suffer from Migraine this might indicate that Lavender is one of it's triggers.

To relive headache add 3-5 drops of the oil to 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (or any other oil you might have) and massage affected arias.

You can also place 2 - 4 drops in 2 - 3 cups of boiling water for inhalation (depending on how strong you'd like it to be) to help with headache, insomnia and to relax. Make sure to consult your doctor if you have asthma.

Relaxation and Sleep

To promote sleep and reduce insomnia simply add a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil to your oil burner or electric oil vaporizer. If you're using a candle oil burner like me, make sure you have enough water in it (it evaporates surprisingly quickly) and if you're getting sleepy put the candle out so it's not left unattended. 

I usually add 2 drops of oil to 1/4 cup of water.   

Laundry Softener

Ever since I first tried using white vinegar instead of laundry softener I never looked back. My partner is a massage therapist, so I have been adding Lavender Oil when I wash his towels. The result? The towels are really soft and they smell divine! Lavender oil also has disinfectant properties. 

You can add the oil to the rinse cycle, to your laundry detergent or directly into the washing machine. I usually put 1/4 of a cup white vinegar and 2 drops of oil instead of laundry softener. You can mix and match any essential oils you like. My favorites are Lemon or Peppermint.

Moth Repellent 

I remember watching my mom putting away our winter clothes in spring and placing an interesting looking little pillow in the wardrobe. She told me it was Lavender and that it's meant to keep the moths away. I didn't think much of it until I started living on my own and to my horror discovered that my favorite sweater had holes in it after I pulled it out in the beginning of winter. 

Well I learned my lesson the hard way, but here's what you can do so the same thing doesn't happen: Place a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil on a cotton ball and leave it in your wardrobe. If your closet is already infested, simply mix 10 drops of the oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle and wipe the inside of it. You can also apply the oil to a ribbon and tie it to the clothes hanger.

Important 

Always remember to patch test the essential oil first if applying it to your skin. If you're not sure about using it, consult your doctor, especially if you have sensitive skin, if you're pregnant or you're nursing. In fact, avoid using any essential oils in the firs trimester of your pregnancy. Keep the oil away from children and avoid contact with the eyes. This oil is toxic if taken orally! Remember this oil is highly concentrated so use with caution.

Because of it's wonderful smell and many benefits there are a lot more ways to use Lavender Essential Oil. Do you have any preferences? 

If using any essential oil, make sure you've done enough research and that the oil you're using is pure grade. You can buy it here: http://www.mydoterra.com/bojanarlov/#/ 
Also, it takes many, many flowers to extract a small bottle of oil, keep that in mind and make sure you're not using too much.

I would love to hear your comments and thoughts on this subject. :)