Lavender Benefits and Uses for Skin, Hair and Health
Lavender is one of the plants that have the most soothing sent and helps in soothing your mind. You can also add it to various dishes. You get lavender in the market in different forms and some are:
- Bath gels
- Aromatherapy oils
- Extracts
- Soaps
- Infusions
- Teas
- Lotions
- Tinctures
- Whole, dried flowers
Two types of lavender available are Spike Lavender and French Lavender.
Benefits of Lavender for Skin:
Can help relieve insect bites:
To get relief from insect bites, you can apply a little of lavender oil on the affected area. This will help in reducing the swelling and itching caused by the bite. This oil is also used as an insect repellent.
Detoxify and cleanse the skin:
Our skin is always exposed to pollution and this can affect the health of the skin. But applying lavender oil helps in detoxifying your skin. This is because this oil has antioxidant properties that help in fighting against the harmful actions of the pollutants. Lavender oil found to be one of the best essential oils that can prevent the growth of skin bacteria.
Fantastic natural toner:
Lavender tones your skin and makes it firm by increasing the blood circulation, which helps in supplying more oxygen and nutrition to the skin. As a result, the cells of the skin remain healthy and the renewal process of the skin cells becomes faster.
It is easy to make a toner with lavender. All you need is water and lavender buds. Boil 100 ml of water and add lavender buds to the water. Cover the bowl and let the brew steep for a few hours. Drain it in to a glass bottle and out it in the refrigerator. Spray some of this lavender water on a cotton ball and wipe your face gently with it.
Heals burns and scars:
The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of lavender oil makes it very effective for healing burns and also for getting rid of scars caused due to burns. Lavender is also effective for getting you relief from pain.
Keep the burnt area under water for 10 minutes and then apply lavender oil over the burnt area. This makes the healing process faster. If the burns are serious, you must consult a doctor immediately.
Helps to heal acne:
The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of lavender help in fighting against the bacteria that cause acne and inflammation. All you have to do is to dab lavender oil on the acne and blemishes with a cotton swab. Using this regularly helps in getting rid of acne.
Natural treatment of eczema:
You can treat eczema with lavender oil. This is because this oil has the ability to reduce symptoms of eczema and provide you relief from itching. It also has healing properties.
Soothe tired muscles:
After working for the whole day, your muscles become very tired. A good massage at such times is very relieving. Lavender oil is great for getting you relief from tired muscles. Add 4 to 6 drops of lavender oil to a large bowl of warm water and soak your hands or feet in this water for about 10 minutes. This will make you feel refreshed and relaxed. Rubbing a few drops of lavender oil on your feet before going to bed not only treats your tired feet, but also keeps your feet soft and hydrated.
Benefits of Lavender for Hair:
Controls hair loss:
Lavender oil is great for preventing and treating hair loss. This is because this oil can cure stress, insomnia, anxiety and depression, which are some of the common reasons for hair loss. Massage your scalp regularly with lavender oil and this will improve the growth of hair by increasing the blood circulation.
Good conditioner for hair:
You can prepare conditioner with lavender by boiling dried lavender with 2 cups of water. Also add a few drops of lavender oil. Rinse your hair with it and wait for 15 minutes. This acts as a good conditioner.
Good for dandruff treatment:
If you are suffering from itchy scalp and dandruff on hair, lavender essential oil can provide you relief. Take 2 tablespoons of olive oil or almond oil and add 15 drops of lavender essential oil to it. Heat the mixture for 10 seconds and then massage your scalp with this oil. Wait for an hour and then wash off with a mild shampoo.
Helps treat head lice:
Massaging scalp with lavender essential oil can help in getting rid of head lice and nits. Massage 20 minutes before you go to have your bath.
Treats alopecia areta:
This is an auto immune disease and this results in the loss of hair in patches. Massaging the scalp with lavender essential oil for a few months can help treat this disease and increase hair growth.
Health and Medicinal Benefits of Lavender:
Cures headaches:
Massaging your temples, neck and forehead with lavender essential oil provides you relief from migraine headaches and also prevents the onset of new headache. It also provides you relief from other types of headaches like general headaches, gastric headaches, nervous headaches, tension headaches and sinus headaches.
Can reduce bloating:
When there is an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the body, the result is bloating. Polyphenols contained in lavender can reduce bad bacteria in the blood and thus helps in reducing bloating.
Helps in proper digestion:
Indigestion is often accompanied by vomiting, abdominal pain, belching and burning sensation in the stomach. Lavender helps in the proper digestion of fats in the body. This it does so by soothing the lining of the digestive tract and increasing the secretion of bile.
Treats insomnia:
Lavender essential oil has been used traditionally for getting sound sleep. So, those who suffer from insomnia, restless leg syndrome and exhaustion get relief by using lavender essential oil. This helps in soothing the nervous system and allows you relax and sleep. The scent of this oil induces alpha waves in the part of the brain that is responsible for making you feel relaxed. This way you will fall off to sleep faster. It also helps in treating anxiety and depression.
