An important component of aromatherapy, lavender oil comes with many incredible properties. The fresh, floral aroma of this essential oil has the power to calm restless minds and help one relax. Lavender oil is extracted through steam distillation from the flowers of the lavender herb. Lavender flowers not only look pretty in the fields, but make way to adorn our houses in the form of potpourri because of their alluring fragrance. Across many cultures, lavender oil has been used profusely as a mood changer to relieve tension and soothe the nerves. You will therefore commonly find it today in various beauty and spa treatments.
Lavender oil is highly versatile. It is touted as one of the best natural remedies to treat insomnia, and with good effect. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It is the most suitable oil for aromatherapy, and works wonders to treat acne, sores and joint pain. It is also used as a remedy for depression, migraine headaches, toothaches, sprains and nerve pain. Adding a few drops of the oil in bathwater is said to boost blood circulation and improve mental well-being. But remember it’s harmful to take lavender oil orally; you can only apply it on your skin or hair.
Here are some of the benefits of lavender oil:
1. Relieves Pain
It can help ease muscles, joint pain, sprains and backache. Simply massage lavender oil onto the affected area. Lavender oil may also help lessen pain following needle insertion.
2. Treats Various Skin Disorders
It can help in treating skin problems like acne, eczema and wrinkles. It also helps form scar tissues, which may be essential in healing wounds, cuts and burns. Lavender can also help in healing insect bites and itchy skin.
3. Keeps Your Hair Healthy
Lavender oil helps kill lice, lice eggs, and nits. Lavender is possibly effective for treating hair loss, boosting hair growth by up to 44 percent after just seven months of treatment, says a study.
4. Helps Improve Digestion
This oil helps stimulate the mobility of your intestine and stimulates the production of bile and gastric juices, which may help treat stomach pain, indigestion, colic, vomiting and diarrhea.
5. Relieve Respiratory Disorders
Lavender oil can help fight respiratory problems like cold and flu, throat infections, cough, asthma, whooping cough, sinus congestion, bronchitis, tonsillitis and laryngitis. It can be applied on your neck, chest, or back, or inhaled via steam inhalation or through a vapouriser.
6. Improves Blood Circulation
It helps lower elevated blood pressure levels, and can be used for reducing hypertension.
7. Improves Mood
The fragrance of lavender is very refreshing, which acts as a mood booster.
8. Lavender for Sleep and Insomnia
Using lavender oil improves the overall quality of sleep by 60% which includes the length of sleep, time it took to fall asleep and reduced symptoms of insomnia.
Like every coin that has two sides, apart from these benefits lavender oil also has some side effects. Lavender oil can sometimes irritate the skin, or cause an allergic reaction, nausea, headache, chills or vomiting. It may also interact with certain medications. Please consult a physician if using regularly.
[“source-ndtv”]