These are all benefits that will make you adore lavender essential oil. Find out why it is used in many cosmetic products and how it nourishes you.
Lavender is also known as Lavandula, blooms in July and August and the flowers are purple-blue. The tops of the plant and the flowers are the parts of the plant that have a healing effect.
How is a lavender essential oil made?
It is obtained from lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) by distillation, extraction, or some other method of isolation. The oil is obtained not only from the flowers but also from other parts of the plant, such as: leaves, wooden parts of the plant, dried buds, stems, seeds, etc.
Some of the basic characteristics of lavender essential oil, and this also applies to all other essential oils, are: very intense and specific fragrance, solubility in alcohol, non–greasiness.
As for the effect of lavender essential oil, it can be instantaneous or in a shorter period, which is from 20 to 70 minutes after applying the oil on the skin. Keep in mind that the oil is very penetrating and very effective because it is also the essence of the plant from which it is obtained.
One of the simplest methods for obtaining the essence is the distillation of plant parts under the action of water vapor.
When mixing essential oils, be sure to take into account the dosage. It is always better to put small doses because sometimes larger ones can be very dangerous. For example, higher doses of sage and rosemary can lead to epilepsy in sensitive people, marjoram can have a narcotic effect, while mint can cause dizziness.
The oil must not be exposed to sunlight because even short exposure to UV light can change the chemical composition, so it is necessary to store lavender essential oil in dark bottles in dark places. The essences can evaporate very quickly, so close them well after use.
It is always recommended taking smaller doses of oil because they do not always stay fresh for a long time, especially if they are not stored properly and if you do not use them regularly.
Lavender essential oil benefits
This is surely one of the most widely used oils in the world. There are records that say that lavender essential oil was used for medical and religious purposes more than 2500 years ago.
- Lavender oil is used to make perfumes and plays a very important role in aromatherapy. In addition, it has a very significant role in the production of gels, lotions, creams, soaps.
- Lavender is a Mediterranean plant that has long been used as a remedy for insomnia, depression, tension.
- The essential oil of this plant helps reduce pain, both rheumatic pain and muscle pain, as well as pain caused by sprains. For these purposes, oil massage is the most useful because it reduces joint pain.
- In addition, it restores hormonal balance and relieves inflammation of the bladder. Then, it lowers the blood pressure, disinfects the skin, and stimulates blood circulation.
- It is used as a coating, and you can also use it for inhalation. It has shown very good results in the treatment of various respiratory problems, so you can use it for flu, asthma, bronchitis, cough, laryngitis, colds.
- Furthermore, it is an excellent antiseptic, so it can help you with skin issues. For example, you can use it for faster wound healing, for various cuts and burns, as well as for sunburns.
Recipe for lavender essential oil
You can make it in many ways, but these two are the simplest. The first way is to make the oil with sunflower oil and the second with olive oil.
- If you make it with sunflower oil, from the ingredients you need dried lavender flowers and sunflower oil. Put dried lavender flowers in a jar and pour sunflower oil over them. Close the jar and let it stand for a week. After that week, strain the oil through gauze or a cloth, remove the flowers, put in new ones, and pour the same oil again. Leave to stand for another week. Strain again and you have the oil ready for use.
- If you decide to make the oil from olive oil, the procedure will be a little different. In a glass jar, up to half of it, put the dried lavender flowers and pour over the olive oil. Leave to stand in a sunny place for 15 to 30 days. Be sure to stir the mixture every day. Strain it through the gauze, pour it into a dark bottle, and store it in a dark place.
How to use lavender essential oil for face care
Essential oils are not greasy in their composition, they dissolve well in alcohol, they do not dissolve in water, and they mix well with vegetable oils and waxes.
The recommended dose for face care is 1-3% mixture. Do not mix more than five essences, because their synergistic effect will be lost. In fact, the best combination is two to three essential oils with different volatility, for example: lemon, lavender, and juniper to stimulate good mood and the work of the glands with internal secretion. Or a combination of basil and juniper for calming effect.
Lavender essential oil is one of the rare oils that can be applied directly to the skin, while the others must be diluted.
This oil is recommended for everyone but the emphasis is on people who have oily skin prone to pimples and acne. In addition, it is especially recommended for the elderly because of its ability to regenerate the skin.
Hair care with lavender essential oil
Frequent use of various aggressive shampoos, conditioners, balms and hair dryers can significantly damage your hair. Lavender oil can be one of the natural solutions for the recovery of your hair.
This oil as a hair care product provides deep care, gives it a natural shine, and eliminates dandruff.
All you need to do is drip a few drops of lavender essential oil into the conditioner you are using. The best combination with lavender oil would be a mixture of cedar (stimulates hair growth) and sage (soothes the scalp).
After applying the conditioner with this combination of oils, leave it on for a few minutes for the oils to be absorbed. It would be ideal to leave the conditioner with oils on the hair for about 30 minutes. Then, rinse your hair well and try to remove all the oil from your hair.
After the first wash, you will notice that your hair is softer and smells like the Mediterranean.
Lavender essential oil benefits in skin care
We have already said that lavender essential oil is one of the few that can be applied to the skin without dilution.
This oil is great against pimples because it prevents skin infections caused by bacteria. Our recommendation is for you to add a few drops of this oil to the tonic or cream you use daily.
It can also be used to treat eczema as it relieves redness and reduces itching.
It can heal the burns as well as the bites of various insects.
Lavender essential oil for massage
Lavender oil can also be used for massage. In this way, the muscles relax completely, so the headache, which is caused by muscle tension, stops.
Massage is perhaps even the most effective procedure of applying lavender essential oil because during it the oils are completely absorbed into the tissues and organs through the bloodstream.
Before starting to apply any oil on the skin, it is necessary to do an allergy test. What you need to know is that not all allergies are instantaneous. Sometimes you have to wait a little longer to see if there are any skin reactions. For that reason, it is recommended to apply a mixture of essential oils that you have prepared for the massage on a small part of the skin, wait for 20 minutes, and check for redness.
After the massage, wash your body well to remove all the oil. If you intend to expose yourself to sunlight, be sure to apply a cream with a protective factor, because the skin may be more sensitive to UV radiation after the treatment with essential oils.
An example of a mixture of oils for better sleep
Mix the following ingredients: Mandarin oil, lavender oil, valerian oil, sandalwood oil, and Chinese rose oil.
The mixture is designed to relax, unwind, and help you sleep better. All you have to do is rub the mixture behind your ears, on your ankles, and at the bottom of your feet for ten minutes before going to bed.
Recipe for the mixture:
- mandarin oil – 1 – 2 drops
- lavender oil – 12 – 14 drops
- valerian oil – 6 – 7 drops
- sandalwood oil – 3 – 4 drops
- Chinese rose oil – 2 – 3 drops
Mix all the essential oils and the mixture is ready to use. All ingredients are safe for pregnant women, so they can use them for better sleep.
Lavender essential oil for soothing
A great solution for relaxation after a stressful day is a warm bath into which you have added a few drops of lavender oil. In addition to relieving stress, it will help you relax your muscles and your whole body. To further relax some painful parts of the body, you can rub a little lavender oil to those places.
In addition to baths, you can also use the oil in saunas. It is enough to drip a few drops on a hot stone. As you breathe, the essential oil will enter the body through enlarged pores.
Lavender body cream
In many ways, lavender has a good effect on our skin. In addition to nourishing and soothing the skin, it has antibacterial properties. It can reduce damage to the skin caused by excessive exposure to UV rays, soothe burns, and has shown good results in calming insect bites.
The body cream proved to be excellent in everyday skin care. You can make one yourself. You only need 3 ingredients and no more than 20 minutes to make it.
Ingredients:
- coconut oil – 1/3 cup
- wax – 1 tablespoon
- lavender essential oil – 5 drops
Preparation:
Put a bowl of water on a low heat to warm up and then put a glass/jar in which you previously put coconut oil and wax. It is necessary to dissolve them together, stirring constantly, until they are completely liquid.
Remove the melted mixture from the heat and add lavender essential oil, stir a little more and then leave everything to cool completely.
Lavender as a protection against insects
The specific scent of lavender is not pleasant for everyone. Insects definitely don’t like it. This is the reason why in the past people filled pillows with dried lavender flowers or hung them in the closets against clothes moths.
Mosquitoes don’t like this oil either, so you can lightly apply it on the skin before you go outside. Even if you are bitten by an insect, lavender oil will prevent inflammation and skin irritation that can occur after the bite.
If you are not used to home-made crafts and you want to buy lavender essential oil and not make it yourself, you can do it at one of the online stores or drugstores. The choice is truly amazing.
Lavender is a plant that has amazing properties and is useful for us in many ways. Apart from cosmetic purposes, you can also use it as a spice and add it to various dishes. It has also found application in various confectionery products, making sweets, jams, and in recent years, lavender honey has become increasingly popular.
Since it is very easy to grow, you can plant it yourself and make something for yourself.
