Lavender Essential Oil – Recipe and Top 8 Uses
Lavender essential oil is a natural product with multiple utilizations and it’s always good to have it at hand to use it for emergencies. Lavender oil has varied properties: anti-depression, analgesic, antiseptic, healing, expectorant and sedative.
Lavender Oil – Recipe
To prepare lavender oil you can use the flowers, leaves and young strains. They must be dried, not fresh. Crush the plant and put it in a jar. Pour some olive oil to cover the plants, but make sure the jar is not completely filled. Close tightly and leave it for minimum 48 hours in a sunny place. You can even leave it for 3 – 6 weeks if you want a stronger scent.
If there isn’t enough sun, you can warm the oil using a steam bath for 2 – 5 hours, on low heat. Strain the oil is small bottles. If you’re looking for a more complex and efficient oil, you can also add a few drops of vitamin E essential oil. You can do this once the infusion is over.
1. Cough, Colds, Flu, Sinusitis and Anxiety
Lavender oil is extremely beneficial for the respiratory system and it soothes cough and eases breathing when the sinuses and lungs are stuck with phlegm. Moreover, lavender oil will protect the organism from viruses. Pour 1 – 3 drops on a handkerchief and inhale the scent. Inhalations are equally beneficial. Add 4 – 6 drops of oil in a bowl of hot water and inhale the hot steams. Keep your eyes closed. This treatment is equally useful for the skin.
2. Wounds, Burns, Eczema, Dermatitis and Psoriasis
Lavender oil has healing properties that can be used for a wide array of skin disorders. You must avoid using it during pregnancy, fever or epilepsy. After you have cooled down the burn under cold water for 10 minutes, you can apply a few drops of lavender oil on the affected area. It also works for sun burns.
3. Acne and Irritations
Tea tree oil is one of the best essential oils to treat acne. However, it has powerful antiseptic properties and for this reasons specialists recommend lavender oil instead because it’s much milder. Lavender essential oil will calm skin irritations and it’s tolerated by those with sensitive skin.
4. Dry Eyes
Apply a little bit of lavender essential oil on the tip of your nose to stimulate the production of tears and solve the problems associated with dry eyes.
5. Nausea and Motion Sickness
They say that applying a drop of lavender essential oil on the back of your ear can help ease the symptoms associated with nausea and motion sickness.
6. Stress, Fatigue, Muscle Pain and Insomnia
Lavender oil is extremely refreshing for a tired mind. It can ease anxiety, depression, stress, as well as physical and mental exhaustion. For a more relaxing effect, you can have a massage using lavender oil or take a bath with 1 cup of Epsom salt and 6 – 8 drops of lavender oil.
If you can’t sleep, you can put a little bit of lavender oil in your palms or on your pillow to stimulate night sleep. Lavender oil can induce a state of calm and relaxation that can help you sleep peacefully.
7. Rheumatism and Muscle Stiffness
To calm rheumatic and muscle pains or to relax stiff joints, you can use a local massage with lavender oil.
8. Cosmetics
Add 3 drops of lavender essential oil in the cap of your shampoo bottle and apply it on your scalp. Keep your head under the shower and cleanse the hair. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil in your shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bath water, body lotion or any other skin care product. Put a few drops of lavender essential oil in your palm and gently rub the scalp to reduce dandruff.
I LOVE lavender!!!