As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
A quintessential essential oil in any connoisseur’s collection, there are many health benefits of lavender oil you shouldn’t miss!
Mostly used for anxiety, insomnia, and other issues, lavender oil is that essential oil that you are sure to find in any person’s collection who is into essential oils. Of course, this oil has gained so much popularity for multiple reasons. Besides mental health issues, lavender oil has many health benefits, too. Read this article for the fantastic health benefits of lavender oil.
Lavender Oil Health Benefits
1) Helps Treat Inflammation
Lavender oil has soothing, numbing, pain-relieving properties that help relieve painful inflammation. The compound beta-caryophyllene in lavender oil also has anti-inflammatory properties.
For burn wounds or sunburn inflammation, you can either apply diluted lavender oil topically or make a DIY spray using diluted lavender oil, aloe vera juice, and distilled water. Apply the mixture or the spray to the inflamed area twice or thrice a day.
2) Has Wound-Healing Properties
Lavender oil can help speed up the healing process for wounds like burns, cuts, scrapes, etc. AÂ study in 2016 concluded that lavender oil facilitates the healing of skin tissue.
You can easily apply diluted lavender oil topically to your wound with a cotton ball. If you have a recovering wound, applying diluted lavender oil can also help reduce scars.
3) Aids With Insomnia
Since ancient times, lavender oil has been recommended for people with sleep disorders, primarily insomnia. Modern research suggests that the aroma of lavender oil can help improve sleep quality.
A 2015 study concluded that people who used lavender oil aromatherapy woke up more refreshed. Other studies have shown that lavender oil can be a better alternative to several medications for sleep disturbances.
4) Alleviates Anxiety
To follow up on the previous point, lavender oil also helps support mental health by alleviating anxiety. In a large study in 2019, it was found that people who took 160 mg capsules of lavender oil experienced fewer symptoms of anxiety.
AÂ study from 2010 said that the effects of lavender oil on anxiety were comparable to the anti-anxiety prescription drug lorazepam.
5) Can Help With Hair Loss
Alopecia areata is a disease that causes patches of hair loss on a person’s scalp. Topical use of lavender oil could help reduce the effects of this disease.
An older study from 1998 showed that 44% of people suffering from alopecia had improved hair growth within 7 months after applying a mixture of several essential oils, including thyme, rosemary, cedarwood, and lavender, diluted with carrier oils.
6) Relief From Headaches and Migraine
Headaches and migraines are too common and are exacerbated by the stress of daily life. However, lavender oil’s calming and soothing effects can quickly alleviate these.
In a 2012 study, people with migraines had reduced headache severity and frequency after inhaling lavender oil for just 15 minutes.
In another 2016 study, people who received 3 months of lavender therapy had a lower headache score in an assessment than the control group.
7) Relief From Skin Issues
As mentioned before, lavender oil has anti-inflammatory properties. This is mainly due to the inflammation-fighting compounds linalyl acetate and linalool. Thanks to these compounds, a 2020 study suggested that lavender oil can relieve various skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, itching, and rashes.
Lavender oil, when used properly in the diluted form, can help with many health issues, including mental and physical health. But remember never to overdo it and always perform a patch test beforehand to ensure you’re not allergic to the oil.