The Healing properties of lavender

The abundant healing properties of lavender—a versatile herb, revered in gardening, baking, and essential oil circles— has now garnered some quite notable attention in the scientific community. Research is now clear that lavender and the essential oil derived from it have numerous potential health benefits for those who know how to maximize the health-inducing properties of this ancient, potent herb. Read on to learn more about the therapeutic potential of lavender!

Insomnia

Pilot studies show a reduction in restless leg syndrome when patients topically applied lavender oil. In a large scale review of lavender, controlled studies found an increase in sleep quality and duration for subjects in intensive care or who had cancer. This is great news for those of us with sleep issues, but it’s important to remember that lavender won’t change your sleep game unless you establish other sleep promoting rituals. To do yourself the best favor, come up with some nightly routines to promote relaxation, and try not to deviate from them. Consistency is key!

Depression

When an herb is found comparable to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, we tend to take note. That’s exactly what happened in a 2012 study from the natural medicine Journal. In yet another controlled study, researchers found that inhaling the scent of lavender heightened the benefits of a tricyclic antidepressant known as Imipramine. More research is needed to conclude the efficacy of lavender to cure depression, but these findings indicate exciting results thus far.

Anxiety

In a recent scientific study, lavender was named as one of the few alternative medicines deemed effective for treating generalized anxiety disorders. Whether ingested through aromatherapy or the skin by way of a massage using lotion or oil, lavender has the power to center you in the here and now. Since lavender essential oil has a calming, sedative effect, it’s also thought to increase the effectiveness of other relaxants.

Headaches

A wide variety of headaches can be relieved by massaging lavender oil into the temples, neck, and forehead. This relieves neck and head tension and promotes relaxation.

Fungal Infections

The Journal of Medical Microbiology recently published a study with findings that lavender oil demonstrates antifungal activity on a wide spectrum. It’s lethal to a range of antifungal resistant infections and works by destroying the membranes of a fungal cells.

Hair Loss

A study done in 1998 indicated The possible efficacy of lavender for treating alopecia areata, a condition in which hair falls out from summer all areas of the body. Study participants experienced hair growth by up to 44% after seven months of applying lavender to the affected areas. More recently, the US National Library of Medicine published a study which discovered that rubbing lavender oil into the backs of mice increased hair growth in only four weeks of treatment.

The uses of lavender do seem to be limitless. Whether you’re looking for healing of the body, mind, or heart, utilizing the therapeutic effects of lavender is a great place to start! You can choose to infuse lavender essential oil into your bath and body products or even blend it into a candle. Our favorite way to experiment with lavender and essential oils in general is to visit a local DIY candle studio. Many of these shops offer a wide range of products that can be customized to include lavender as a single scent or as part of a broader fragrance profile. If you don’t want to physically go into a shop right now, no worries. They often offer an option to purchase DIY kits online; that way you can blend your custom lavender-scented, relaxation-inducing product on your own time in your own space!