A Flower That Delivers A Powerful Punch
Lavender is one of those “gateway oils” that is fairly simple to use but is also incredibly helpful. The quick result of using lavender on a hive-like bump is what got Chris to start looking at oils with a “there’s more to this whole essential oils thing.” Regardless of whether you’re just starting out or have been using oils for 20 years, lavender is incredibly easy to use and a staple essential oil.
The Importance of Knowing Your Ingredients
We’ve mentioned before in How to Choose An Essential Oil that not all lavender is created equal. Different varieties have different compounds.
To further establish this point, lavender is divided into four main categories [1]:
- L. angustifolia – also known as “true lavender”
- L. stoechas – also known as “French lavender”
- L. latifolia – Mediterranean grass-like lavender
- L. intermedia – a cross between L. latifolia and L. angustifolia
Because impurities and dilution are always a concern when buying
doTERRA is not the only oil brand that meets this basic standard of trust. With that said, it is the one that we use in the Miller home.
The Benefits of Lavender Oil
1. Managing Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
In Why Use Essential Oils we mention how aromatherapy and lavender help with managing stress, anxiety, and depression. We thought it might be helpful to share some additional research specifically on the effects of lavender.
One of the studies that we found got creative and evaluated an experience that most of us find incredibly stressful…going to the dentist. In order to determine whether the smell of orange and lavender reduces anxiety and improves mood, researchers created an ambient odor of the essential oils in the waiting room. After evaluating the results on two hundred patients, it was concluded that both of these oils helped reduce anxiety. [2]
Additionally, the effects of lavender oil were also tested on high-risk postpartum women. The study indicated positive findings and minimal risk in lavender’s ability to help fight anxiety and depression. [3]
| How to Use Lavender Oil – In addition to using aromatherapy via a diffuser, you can also use the good ol’ cup and nose technique by placing a couple of drops of lavender oil in your hands, cupping them around your nose, and inhaling deeply for a couple of breaths. |
2. Aiding in Headache & Migraine Relief
Lavender is known for being a relaxant, but not very many would think of lavender when looking for pain relief. In a compilation of research, an international peer-reviewed journal finds that lavender is safe and effective for managing migraine headaches.
“Inhalation of lavender essential oil is suggested to be an effective and safe treatment modality in
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine [4]acute management of migraine headaches.”
The journal goes on to cite another study that reports a significant reduction in reported pain after fifteen minutes of inhaling lavender oil during the early stages of a migraine attack. [5]
| How to Use Lavender Oil – In addition to whatever other remedies you have to manage the pain (a dark room, cold washcloth, etc.) we would recommend also diffusing 5-10 drops of lavender oil. |
3. Helping with Inflammation & Wound Healing
Like we mentioned earlier, it was by putting a little lavender oil on a hive that first got Chris’ attention. Lavender oil is our go-to remedy for all sorts of things like bug bites, hives, cuts, and burns.
An animal study on lavender’s effect on canker sores demonstrated a significant reduction in inflammation, ulcer size, healing time, and experienced pain. [6]
Research also indicates that lavender oil has beneficial effects on damaged tissue and dramatically helps with wound healing. [7] In fact, lavender and peppermint essential oils have both been studied for their potential benefits to surgical patients and recovery. [8, 9]
| How to Use Lavender Oil – Chris and I have seen amazing results from using lavender oil topically. At the beginning of summer, our sunburn is always grateful when we have lavender on hand. |
4. Aiding in Restful Sleep
This is the thing that lavender oil is most commonly known for – restful sleep. The benefits of lavender oil as a sleep aid have been studied on patients in intensive care units [10, 11], the elderly in nursing home facilities [12], and postpartum women [13]. Additionally, it has been concluded that the sleep benefits of lavender oil apply to both men and women. [14]
Recommended Reading: 7 Important Health Benefits of Sleep
| How to Use Lavender Oil – Chris and If you don’t have a diffuser and still want to experience the sleep benefits of lavender essential oils, doTerra recommends placing a few drops directly onto your pillow. We’ve opted for a travel diffuser, but I’d be willing to try the lavender-pillow method if I was in a pinch. |
5. Managing Menstrual Pain
It’s probably helpful to start this discussion by saying lavender oil doesn’t work like ibuprofen or other types of pain medication — you won’t get relief 30 minutes after using it. For most oils, the positive effects are a slow build. If you’ve read about my first encounter with essential oils, then you know that it took over a month of using frankincense oil and then removing it for a couple of days for me to even notice the positive effects it was having on my mental state.
One study that evaluated the effects of lavender oil on menstrual cramps. It concluded that using lavender aromatherapy for two months may be effective in decreasing the severity of the pain. [15] Additional studies have indicated that aromatherapy (using lavender in tandem with other essential oils) has significant benefits in managing the pain of menstrual cramping [16, 17].
| How to Use Lavender Oil – In addition to using lavender aromatically to help manage menstrual pain, it may also help to put lavender essential oil directly on the lower abdominal area, just below the belly button. |
6. Aiding in Hair Growth
Another area of health that lavender oil has demonstrated potential benefit is in the area of hair loss. [18, 19] While Chris and I haven’t used lavender for this purpose, it is definitely something that interests us and something we’ll be experimenting with in the future. (I might just be reliving my childhood dream of being Rapunzel, but “there’s an oil for that” right?)
| How to Use Lavender Oil – There are about a hundred and one different hair masks, serums, and shampoos recipes out there that help provide direction on how to go about applying lavender oil to your scalp to promote hair growth. Once Chris and I have found something we particularly like, then we’ll let |
Frequently Asked Questions About Lavender Oil
Can you ingest lavender essential oil?
The answer to this question is highly debated. While some say that lavender oil can be toxic and should not be ingested, if you trust the source, then it is generally safe to consume. DoTERRA actually suggests ingestion in order to manage stress directly on their website. (It is important to note that their recommendation has not been confirmed by the FDA.)
Chris and I rarely consume lavender oil, mainly because we’ve had so much success using it aromatically and topically. With that said, we have at times used it orally. One of the most common oral uses of lavender is to help address allergy symptoms.
If you would like to ingest lavender to help with anxiety, then I would recommend Chamomile with Lavender Tea. It’s certainly helped me in a stressful situation or two…or three.
Can you apply lavender oil directly to the skin?
Most adults can apply lavender oil directly on their skin without dilution. However, it is possible that it can cause skin irritation. If you’ve never used lavender oil topically, then we would suggest applying the oil to a small area of skin to see how your body responds.
Are there side effects of lavender oil?
Lavender is safe for most people, but if you are allergic, then you will have the obvious allergic responses (hives, rash, headache, etc.)
Where can you get quality lavender oil?
Like I mentioned earlier, doTERRA is the oil brand that we trust, use, and recommend. If you are interested in buying essential oils, Chris and I are doTerra Wellness Advocates and would love to help you start (or re-start) your oils journey. Because life would be boring if they kept it simple, doTERRA offers a few different options:
- Retail price = $30.67
- Wholesale price = $23 (*requires an annual membership)
*Annual memberships cost $35/year — if you’re interested in membership and would like to purchase several oils upfront, shoot us a message. We can work out a way to waive the membership fee and get you the best possible deal. (Like I said before, doTERRA likes to keep things simple *palm on forehead*).
With all of that said, Chris and I are NOT here to push a product on you. There are other reputable essential oil companies that offer quality lavender oil as well. If I had a headache and a friend offered me an essential oil that clearly displayed its contents on the bottle, I would use it!
Please hear our heart on this topic — essential oils have helped us a TON in battling chronic illness and detoxifying our home. We simply want to share that success and the proper tools to get there with you.
Don’t Be a Stranger!
There are certainly many more questions surrounding the topic of lavender essential oil, and we would love to answer any of the specific questions that came to your mind. We are truly here to help and look forward to hearing from you!
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Generic Disclaimer – Most of these studies conclude that further investigation is required to fully understand the effects of lavender essential oil. Also, Chris and I are not medical professionals – if you have any pressing medical concerns, please consult your doctor.
