13 Surprising Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil

Essential oil products are a surprisingly common herbal supplement that people use for some things. Essential oils are becoming more and more popularly used because of their ability to naturally relieve discomforts and induce good feelings. One of the most commonly used essential oils is lavender. Lavender is a flower from the mint family, Lamiaceae, that has a very distinct smell. Lavender has many uses, and people find it to be one of the most useful essential oils on the market. In this article, we are going to discuss 13 of the surprising benefits of using lavender essential oil.

1. Induces Sleep

One of the most notable uses of lavender is its ability to induce sleep. Lavender tends to generate a relaxing feeling to those who inhale and smell it. Some people have had so much success using lavender that they can get off of their conventional sleep medications. To get the sleep benefits from lavender, the oil can be placed on the pillow or a mist of lavender can be sprayed into the air to fill the aroma with lavender.

2. Bug Repellent

Another neat benefit of using lavender oil is the fact that it can work as an effective bug repellant. Traditional bug repellant sprays and creams tend to smell bad and cause your skin to be sticky and greasy. Also, bug repellants usually don’t have an aroma near as pleasant as the smell of lavender. To use lavender as a bug repellant, the oil can be sprayed or burned in the air, or it can be rubbed onto the skin.

3. Relieves Stress & Anxiety

Just as the relaxing effects can help you sleep, it also can help you relieve stress and anxiety symptoms. Stress and anxiety both stem from being nervous or worked up. Sometimes, it is hard to be able to relax when this happens because your mind is racing. Lavender can be useful for balancing yourself back to your regular state of well being. Merely inhaling or smelling the aroma can provide adequate relief.

4. Treats Acne

According to dermatologists, lavender essential oil is considered safe and effective for treating acne. Acne is a skin condition which looks and feels uncomfortable. Although anyone can be affected by it, it primarily affects teenagers going through puberty. Acne is a result of a buildup of bacteria in the pores. When lavender is exposed to this bacteria, it kills it and prevents acne from forming.

5. Relieves Pain

The relaxing effects of lavender as an essential oil are also useful for reducing pain and other ailments. Sometimes, stress and tension in the body can result in tight, sore muscles. Even if the pain is from something other than stress, lavender oil can still be useful for relieving it. To get the benefits, try massing lavender oil into the affected area.

6. Stimulates Urine Flow

Although everyone won’t need to use lavender for this, some certainly will. Lavender, oddly enough, has major benefits for inducing the flow of urine. Some medical conditions or medications can make it hard for people to release their urine or start a flow.

7. Treats Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory disorders affect millions of people every year. Respiratory diseases are conditions like throat infections, cold and flu viruses, and sinus congestion. Anyone who is suffering from one or more of these problems can benefit from the use of lavender oil. Lavender can stimulate the airways and relieve congestion and swelling. To use lavender for this specific reason, one should inhale the aroma produced by the oil.

8. Hair Care

Whether or not you would put lavender in your hair, it has some pretty exciting benefits. As it turns out, studies have shown that people who regularly rub lavender on their scalp will have increased hair growth. Also, lavender oil can be used for treating pesky situations like lice, lice eggs, and nits. Lavender is sometimes also recommended for men to prevent baldness. You can also accompany with peppermint oil.

9. Prevents Cancer

Although the research is in its early stages, there is a little bit of evidence that lavender oil can be used for preventing cancer. It is believed that the use of lavender in combination with a few other essential oils can be useful for reducing the harmful cancer-causing carcinogens. A deep massage in the desired area can be useful for this specific benefit.

10. Improves Blood Circulation

Proper blood circulation is essential for having good health. When you use your organs and body parts, it requires blood to be in them. If your blood circulation is not well, it can have negative effects. Lavender is one of the essential oils that has been shown to improve the circulation of your blood. Things like improved brain function and increased levels of oxygen in the muscles are possible effects from using lavender.

11. Aids in Digestion

Indigestion is a problem that many people suffer from. When your stomach does not digest your food correctly, it can make it hard for your body to properly use and expel it. Obviously, this would have some adverse effects. Lavender can aid the process of digestion that the body undergoes.

12. Boosts Immunity

Using lavender for its beneficial properties also means that you can use lavender to promote your immune system. The immune system works in sync with the stress levels. Since lavender can reduce stress levels, it can also help to boost the function of the immune system in the body. On top of the fact that it works this way, lavender has antibacterial effects which also play a crucial role in boosting the immune function.

13. Treats Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that affects a lot of people. The condition is uncomfortable and can lead to other complications. Lavender is nourishing for the skin and is used to treat Eczema on top of a few other skin conditions such as psoriasis and burns.