Lavender is an herb native to North Africa and the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean and is often used for the extraction of its essential oils. One of the most popular and versatile essential oils used mainly in aromatherapy, it is distilled from the plant Lavandula Angustifolia. It is highly regarded within the skin and beauty industry and is commonly used in fragrances and shampoos to help purify the skin. However, it’s not only great for cosmetic use, but has some medicinal uses as well. Here’s a more in depth look into this wonderous herb and the fantastic benefits it has.

Skin Benefits

Historically speaking, lavender was used to mummify bodies in Egypt. It was also used in baths in Greece and Rome, and for general antiseptic and mental health purposes. Besides the mummification, not much has changed. Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to heal minor burns and insect bites and has also been effective in the combat of antifungal-resistant infections.

This oil is lethal to a range of strains that can cause skin disease, by destroying the membranes of fungal cells. Studies conducted with Lavender Oil found that lavender has an acceleratory effect on wound healing making this a great resource for your skin. As a natural antihistamine, it can also assist you to relive allergy symptoms when combined with lemon and peppermint.

Lavender oil and baldness

A few studies conducted over the years have suggested that lavender oil may actually reverse hair loss. One study in particular, took people with alopecia areata (also called AA or patchy hair loss) who topically applied a combination of lavender, thyme, rosemary and cedarwood. It was shown that there was significant improvement in their hair growth, thus giving us the idea that it’s great for the hair and actually promotes hair growth. One research study from 1998 shows that lavender can actually promote hair growth by up to 44% after only seven months of treatment. Shop for our lavender infused hair products here.

Some people have even been so bold as to say that lavender oil helps your eye lashes to grow thicker and faster. Whilst there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, it is suspected that the antiseptic properties kill the tiny mites that live on and feast on the eyelashes, inhibiting growth. By adding a little lavender oil to the mascara, it kills these mites, allowing the lashes to grow faster.

Health benefits

Lavender can easily be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) from most drugstores, and some versions are used to add flavour to baked goods and foods. Some studies suggest that consuming lavender as a tea can help digestive issues such as vomiting, nausea, intestinal gas, upset stomach, and abdominal swelling as well. In addition to helping with digestive problems, lavender is used to help relieve pain from headaches, sprains, toothaches, and sores.

Lavender tea can be made by steeping 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves for 15 minutes in a cup of boiling water. In liquid extract form, no more than 60 drops of lavender should be taken in a day. Before ingesting lavender in liquid form, you should read the product label and discuss the dose with a qualified health care provider.

Perhaps one of the most effective ways, is adding three to five drops of this essential oil to an ultrasonic aromatherapy diffuser. You can also inhale the scent directly from the bottle, and in some instances, Lavender may also be taken in pill form.

Take a nice relaxing bath!

Lavender 1.jpg — By adding a few drops of Lavender oil to your next bath, you should feel the calming and relaxing effects of this powerful plant to your body and soul. It can calm the nerves and even promote a good nights sleep!

Research has shown that it can be extremely helpful in treating anxiety, insomnia, depression and restlessness, so why not give it a try. BWG Botanics boasts a wide range of Lavender infused products from bath washes, bath bombs, purifying bath salts and even a skin refining body moisturiser, all infused with the lavish Lavender aroma and beneficial properties.

Whilst Lavender may help soothe mild anxiety, it should not be used in place of professional mental health treatment, and if you’re experiencing extreme symptoms of anxiety, make sure to consult your health care provider, rather than self-treating yourself. It is also important to note here that Lavender taken by mouth has the potential to increase the risk of bleeding. If you already suffer from a bleeding disorder, use caution or speak to your health care practitioner before use. Also, Lavender essential oil, in contrast to the plant form, is toxic when swallowed.