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Lavender Essential Oil: How to Use It and Benefits

 

What is Lavender Essential Oil made of?

Avivni's Lavender Essential Oil is derived from the aromatic flowering tops of the Lavandula angustifolia plant, more commonly known as lavender. This plant is primarily found in regions with a Mediterranean climate, such as France, Italy, and Spain, but has been successfully cultivated worldwide, including in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Lavender Essential Oil owes its distinctive aroma and therapeutic properties to a complex combination of naturally occurring compounds. Key constituents include linalool and linalyl acetate, which are believed to confer the oil's calming and soothing effects. Other compounds, like terpinen-4-ol, lavandulyl acetate, and beta-caryophyllene, also contribute to lavender's overall benefits.

  • Latin Name: Lavandula angustifolia
  • Main Country of Origin: France
  • Scent Note Type: Middle to top note with a sweet, floral aroma.
  • Most Popular Usage: Aromatherapy

What are the benefits of using Lavender Oil?

Using Lavender Essential Oil offers a myriad of potential benefits:

  • Soothing and Calming: It helps reduce feelings of tension and promote a calming atmosphere.
  • Promotes Restful Sleep: It's often used to encourage peaceful sleep.
  • Skin Health: It's widely used for skin irritations and to promote skin healing.
  • Antimicrobial Properties: Studies suggest it has antimicrobial properties against a range of pathogens.

How to use Lavender Essential Oil?

  • Aromatherapy: Simply add a few drops to a diffuser to fill your surroundings with its calming aroma.
  • Topical Treatment: Blend it with a carrier oil and apply to the skin to help soothe irritations and promote skin health.
  • Bath & Body: Add a few drops to your bath or to body lotions to experience its soothing effects.

How to combine Lavender Essential Oil with Carrier Oils

Common carrier oils used with lavender oil include coconut oil, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil. Simply mix 1-2 drops of Lavender Essential Oil with a teaspoon of your chosen carrier oil before applying to the skin.

To make a diffuser oil with Lavender Essential Oil, add 3-5 drops of the oil to your diffuser, fill with water as directed, and enjoy the aroma.

Research based on Lavender Essential Oil

"Lavender and the Nervous System." (2013, PubMed.gov): This study concluded that lavender oil possesses anxiety-reducing, mood stabilizing, sedative, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties.

"Lavender Oil for Treating Anxiety in Women Undergoing Cervical Examination." (2017, Wiley Online Library): The study indicated that inhalation of lavender essential oil can be an effective and safe treatment modality in acute management of anxiety.

"Biological activities of lavender essential oil." (2002, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov): The study concluded that lavender oil has significant potential for being used as a natural antimicrobial agent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Is Lavender Essential Oil safe for all skin types? 

A:  Generally, yes. However, as with any essential oil, it's recommended to do a patch test first. Always dilute an essential oil with an appropriate amount of carrier oil for skincare purposes.

 

Q:  Can I ingest Lavender Essential Oil? 

A:  It depends upon whether the manufacturer has produced the oil to be ingested or purely for topical and aromatic purposes.  For example, Avivni's Lavender Essential Oil has organic and purity certifications, however, we still don't recommend ingesting essential oils without consulting a physician (or holistic physician) simply because every person's body reacts differently. No essential oil should ever be ingested in its pure, undiluted form.

 

Q:  Is Lavender Essential Oil safe for pets? 

A:  Cats and dogs are very sensitive to essential oils and many are even harmful or poisonous to them.  Diffusers for aromatherapy should be placed high up and not near food and water bowls. There are products especially formulated for pets that have been vetted for safety and diluted to the appropriate strength and we suggest you stick with these.  We recommend always checking with a holistic veterinarian before using an essential oil product on your pet.

 

Q:  Can Lavender Essential Oil be used during pregnancy?

A:  It's advisable to consult your healthcare provider before using any essential oils during pregnancy.

 

Q:  Does Lavender Essential Oil have a shelf life?

A:  Yes, it's best used within 3-4 years of distillation.

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