‘How To’ Essential Oils: Lavender

If you’re anything like me, essential oils intrigue you, but they intimidate you more.

Recently, I’ve been hearing of the powerful health benefits of essential oils almost everywhere I go and so, I have turned over a new leaf (excuse the pun) and have committed to learn about and become friends with this beautifully wonder-ful natural liquid.

What exactly essential oils are: (if you aren’t actually quite sure)

‘A true essential oil is the volatile (readily vaporised) liquid component of aromatic plants and trees. They occur in different parts of the plant depending on the species of plant; leaves, flowers, seeds, bark, rind etc. These precious essences are commonly collected by a process of steam distillation of the plant material. Expression (pressing) of the fruit’s rind is the method that is used for citrus oils and certain fragile scented flower oils must be solvent extracted in order to capture their fragrances. Solvent extracted essential oils cannot be certified as organic as a result of the chemical solvents (such as petroleum and hexane) that are used during the extraction process.’ SOiL Essential Oil.

‘If you have ever enjoyed the scent of a rose, you’ve experienced the aromatic qualities of essential oils. These naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant. In addition to giving plants their distinctive smells, essential oils protect plants and play a role in plant pollination. In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and being beautifully fragrant to people, essential oils have long been used for food preparation, beauty treatment, and health care practices’. – doTERRA Essential Oil.

First up – Lavender.

They say that if you only ever use one essential oil, this should be it. And no, if you own lavender essential oil it doesn’t have to mean you’re either a massage therapist or a granny.

We’ve ALL heard of lavender essential oil. It’s in everything. When I say it’s in everything, it’s either refers to the oil itself, or a fake, man-made parfum version, imitating its goodness and ‘natural’ health properties. Sadly, we’re probably more exposed to the latter.

Lavender is the most popular and most versatile oil in aromatherapy. It’s a must for the first aid box – a great oil for skin conditions where there is inflammation, burns, scarring, etc. Lavender is also well known for its relaxing, antidepressant and calming properties and for treating headaches and insomnia as well as benefiting throat infections, colds and flu. It is also really not that expensive. And you use a drop at a time – literally. Buy it right now.

Let’s get practical with lavender then shall we?

Here are my top 5 uses for organic Lavender essential oil (my brain can only hold a few ideas at once so instead of pasting millions of uses, here are 5 you can try):

To get rid of tension headaches. Just rub some on your temples for a soothing tension headache remedy.

Soothe yourself to sleep. Use some lavender essential oil on your pillow by applying it with your hands or place several drops in some water and mist it on.

Make bedtime more relaxing for your child. If your child has a favourite blanket or stuffed toy, place a couple drops of lavender essential oil on it every so often to help ease them to sleep. You can also create a ‘calm down’ bath. Add some lavender essential oil to their nighttime bath and it will help create a calming effect while getting ready for bed. I’m TOTALLY trying this with my toddler.

Help ease sinus issues. Rub some lavender oil on your chest to help clear simuses due to allergies or the common cold. I’m TOTALLY trying this on my hubby.

Use on bee stings and insect bites. Lavender can help the irritating and painful feelings of bee stings as well as insect bites. Apply one or two drops as you would a bee sting/insect bite cream. This works exceptionally well on mosquito bites too.

There are a million more uses for lavender essential oil – creating your own ‘dryer sheets’, helping prevent dandruff, hay fever, cold sores, dermatitis, chapped lips, nausea, motion sickness, cuts, nosebleeds, eczema and as it being a flavour enhancer.

What are your favourite ways to use lavender essential oil? Let me know by posting them below.

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*If you are not sure about certain oils or have not used them before, please contact your health practitioner before use. Please be smart and educate yourselves on the dangers of essential oils before using them. Using essential oils in conjunction with carrier oils is encouraged.

*Essentail oils are not recommended for pregnant or nursing mums, or on sensitive skins such as babies’ skin. All preggos must be very careful when using essential oils. 

*If you are not keen on using an undiluted essential oil directly on your skin (which many aren’t), you can dilute it with a carrier oil – such as almond, apricot kernel, grape seed, rose hip etc.