Great Uses for Lavender Essential Oil
There are so many uses for lavender essential oil that it’s hard to narrow them down to just one list – and that’s just lavender alone and not even counting all the other wonderful essential oils it blends beautifully with! It’s the most versatile of all the essential oils and anyone could benefit from its magical properties. Below are just a few examples.
Muscle massage blend
Mix 10 drops of lavender essential oil with a tablespoon or two of coconut oil to relieve aches and pains. You can add peppermint and menthol (just a couple of drops) for additional muscle soothing.
Relaxing bath
Mix 4-6 drops of lavender essential oil 1/2 cup of Epsom Salts. Put into a bath tub and add very warm water. Stir to dissolve. Soak for at least 15 minutes to relax muscles and relieve nervous tension. The combination of the Epsom Salts (which are magnesium salts) soothe muscles while the lavender essential oil soothes the mind. A great combination to relax!
Fabric softener/dryer sheet
Create a natural dryer sheet by placing several drops of lavender essential oil on a towel or cloth and placing it in the dryer. For extra soft clothing, add 1/2 cup vinegar (a natural fabric softener) with lavender essential oil to your washer with each load’s rinse cycle.
Vacuum Freshener
Place a few drops of lavender essential oil onto a cotton ball and put in your vacuum bag. The smell will diffuse into the air as you vacuum.
Air Diffuser
Diffuse lavender essential oil directly into the air using a diffuser. It makes the air smell fresh and has a relaxin effect on the environment.
Wounds, sprains and strains
Mix 4 drops lavender essential oil in 1 tsp of a light carrier oil such as coconut oil, olive oil, grapes oil, or sweet almond oil. Massage gently on to sprains and strains.
Relieve headaches
Apply a few drops of lavender essential oil and a drop or two of peppermint to 1 tsp of a light carrier oil (see above) and apply to the temples, forehead and back of the neck to relax headache pain.
Reduce nervousness and anxiousness
Lavender essential oil by itself induces relaxation and can be inhaled safely to assist in easing tension and anxiousness. However you can add it to a few teaspoons of a light carrier oil (see above) and rub on your arms, legs, feet, or pulse points to enjoy the scent.
Tired/restless leg blend
Get restless legs when trying to sleep? Just rub lavender essential oil with a light carrier oil before going to bed, cover to keep warm and elevate if possible.
Freshen your linens and clothes
Add 10-20 drops of lavender essential oil to a 8oz of distilled water and pour into a clean spray bottle. Shake before each use and spray down your pillow, sheets and blankets before getting into bed for the night for a good nights sleep! Spray your sheets, pillowcases, and towels before ironing for a clean, fresh scent.
Cool-down compress
Mix 10 drops lavender essential oil to 1 quart of cool water. Soak a clean cloth in the water and apply to your face, forehead, chest, back of your neck or other areas of your body to help with hot flashes, or for fevers. Always avoid contact with the eyes.
Natural facial scrub
In a clean, sanitized jar mix, mix 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of ground oat and 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil. When you wash your face, add a tablespoon of the mixture in another clean bowl and add a tablespoon of distilled water (or cooled brewed green tea, or witch hazel, or aloe juice or milk). Mix thoroughly and gently scrub on your face. Rinse clean.
Quick natural dry skin relief
Mix 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil with 2 oz of virgin coconut oil and apply liberally to dry skin, rubbing in until absorbed.
Cold or flu relief
In a bowl of hot water add 4-6 drops of lavender essential oil. Place a towel over your head and inhale the rising vapor/steam slowly and deeply to help relieve cold and flu symptoms.
Closet freshener / bug repellent
A few drops of lavender essential oil on a sachet hung in your closet will not only make your clothes smell fresh and clean, but lavender is a natural bug repellent – so no unwanted critters!
Hair care
Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your regular shampoo or conditioner to enjoy the scent in the shower. After rinsing, you can also put a few drops of lavender essential oil in your hand and work through your wet hair. Your hair will smell great! Good for all hair types.
Stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, sadness
Inhaling lavender essential oil is said to help lift the spirits and helps to relieve the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. It is also said that it can assist in relaxing the mind before bedtime, assisting in combating insomnia. A few drops of lavender essential oil on a cotton ball and kept in a small plastic ziplock bag can be carried with you all day where you can inhale the scent discretely.