18 Amazing Benefits & Uses of Lavender Essential Oil for Skin, Hair & Health

18 Amazing Benefits & Uses of Lavender Essential Oil for Skin, Hair & Health
Lavender (lavandula angustifolia) is the most versatile of all essential oils. Most commonly known for its relaxing effects on the body, therapeutic-grade lavender has been highly regarded for the skin. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations. The fragrance is calming, relaxing and balancing – physically and emotionally. Carrying a bottle of lavender around with you is like having your own personal first aid kit, perfume and pick-me-up.
Here are 18 ways you can incorporate lavender in to your daily life:

1 Promotes Sleep
Lavender essential oil induces sleep and is often used as an alternative treatment for insomnia. [8] Put a few drops of the fragrant oil in your palms and rub it on your pillowcase and bedsheets. It will ensure a good night’s sleep. A team of researchers studied the effects of lavender aromatherapy on 67 women in Taiwan aged 45-55 years. [9] The volunteers showed a significant improvement in sleep quality
2 Promotes hair growth
Whilst lavender certainly has many benefits in maintaining healthy skin, it also can promote new hair growth. If you want luscious long locks give lavender a try as there are some studies suggesting its use as a hair growth promoting agent. When combined with other essential oils including thyme, rosemary and cedarwood it has been shown to significantly improve hair loss in alopecia areata (spot baldness) when massaged into the scalp daily.
3 Bug Repellent
The smell of lavender essential oil is potent for many types of bugs like mosquitoes, midges, and moths. Apply some lavender oil on the exposed skin when outside to prevent these irritating bites. Furthermore, if you do happen to be bitten by one of those bugs, spike lavender essential oil has anti-inflammatory qualities that will reduce the irritation and the pain associated with bug bites.

4. Lavender Oil for Cleaning
From general house cleaning to scenting your soap, lavender oil is quite versatile to use around the house. Unlike commercially available cleaning products, you also don’t have to worry about safety issues and dealing with toxic ingredients day in and day out.

5. Migraine headache relief
Whilst headaches are an unpleasant health ailment, migraines can be debilitating. Due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety actions, lavender may be beneficial in reducing the pain and tension of a headache or migraine. Relief can be found through inhalation of the essential oil or through rubbing the oil on pressure points including the temples and the nape of the neck. Combine lavender with peppermint oil when applying topically for an added cooling effect. Never apply an essential oil directly to your skin, always have it in a base oil or cream.
6 Treats Acne
According to dermatologists, the lavender essential oil is one of the most beneficial oils in the treatment of acne. Its antibacterial and therapeutic properties help reducer acne.
Pure lavender essential oil inhibits the bacteria that cause the initial acne infection, helps to regulate the over-excretion of sebum by hormonal manipulation and can reduce the signs of scarring after the acne has begun to heal. Adding a small amount of lavender essential oil to other skin creams or ointments can greatly increase the potential for relief and healing.
7. Antimicrobial action
One well known lavender oil benefit is its antimicrobial action. For centuries, it has been used topically to help combat bacterial and fungal infections, with a multitude of studies supporting this benefit. The antimicrobial activity of lavender is further enhanced when it is combined with other essential oils including clove, tea tree and cinnamon oil for topical use.

8Relieves Pain
The lavender essential oil is known as an excellent remedy for various types of pains including those caused by sore and tense muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, backache, and lumbago. A regular massage with lavender oil can provide relief from pain in the joints

9. Ease sunburn
Due to its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties and its ability to assist with skin healing, lavender makes a great remedy to ease sunburn. Add a few drops to aloe vera gel or mix up a spray with both lavender and peppermint essential oils to help take the sting out of that burn.
10 Treatment of head lice
Head lice are a common and annoying childhood problem that runs rampant throughout schools. Lavender oil is an effective option when addressing head lice and can also help prevent lice infestations. It works particularly well when combined with tea tree oil. Add the lavender and tea tree oil to coconut oil and massage the oil into your hair and scalp and leave for 2 hours. Shampoo hair, rinse and then apply conditioner. Using a nit comb, remove the nits and their eggs and then rinse and dry hair as normal. It is recommended to repeat this 5 or 6 times for the best results